A thatched roof gives a rural and charming appearance to your home. It has been used as an artistic roof covering for centuries. It used to be one of the cheapest ways to cover your roof, nowadays you see it more on houses in the higher market segment. You have thatched roofs with an open roof construction where the reed is tied to reed slats and there is an open space between the reed and the substructure. You also have thatched roofs with closed roof construction, a so-called screw roof. With a screw roof, the reed ends up on a dense surface such as insulation boards or plywood.
Is your roof suitable for reed?
If you have a sloping roof with an average slope of around 45 degrees, then your roof is definitely suitable. If the roof surface area is smaller, such as that of a dormer window or a carport, there will be a basic rule that the roof must have at least a 30-degree slope. The steeper the roof is, the easier rainwater is drained off and the nicer the thatched roof remains.
If the rainwater remains, the reeds will wear out faster and may rot. This is of course not the case with an artificial cane. If your roof is less stylish than we have indicated here, it is always worthwhile to discuss this before you make a substantial investment.
A thatched roof from then and now
Who doesn’t want to make the roof watertight as cheaply as possible? In the past, people used to cover a roof only with reeds. But because of the fire hazard, most thatched roofs have disappeared. Of course, most farms, villas, and chalets still have this, but in most cities, you won’t find a thatched roof much anymore.
Nowadays, the reed is quite popular as a roof covering. The reason for this is that the fire hazard is reduced by 80% and a lot of artificial cane is used. If you have a tiled roof this is, of course, a great waterproof roof but to the eye, a thatched roof is a bit nicer.
The advantages of closed thatched roof construction are:
- Good insulating effect
- Higher fire safety than with open construction
- No draft and dust on the inside of your roof
The disadvantages of closed thatched roof construction are:
Is still a fairly new method whereby the lifespan of the substructure is not known
More expensive than an open roof construction (but will pay for itself in the long term through lower insurance premiums and lower energy costs)
Furthermore, it is good to know that a thatched roof must be maintained with an algae and moss resistant product. Mosses and algae can form a sealing layer that prevents the reeds from breathing and drying properly. As a result, it is wasted and the quality of the reeds will quickly deteriorate. In any case, it is advisable to remove overhanging branches from trees and shrubs because dewdrops that end up in the same place on the roof every night can cause the reed not to dry properly. Too much shade from trees also reduces the lifespan of the reeds. You should properly remove leaves and needles from trees every year.