We do a test to see how fast it takes for thatch (water reed) to burst into flame. Thatched roofing usually lasts about 5-6 years before needing a rethatch. This often leaves an under coat of ancient thatch - sometimes thousands of years old - that can be 4 or 5 feet thick. If you have any questions regarding our thatching services, whether it is a small repair, re-ridge or a complete re-thatch get in touch and we are happy to give you advice. Such ridge line replacement is, luckily, a fairly rapid and reasonably inexpensive procedure. However, the roof ridge will have to be replaced roughly every 8 - 10 years. It’s not unknown for thatched roofs with regular maintenance to last up to 60 years, though! A thatched roof will last for 20+ years (some have been known to last for over 50). Nature is a huge factor that shortens roofing service life. A Thatch roof is a warm and dry place for pests to live and if it is a straw roof, there will almost certainly be some grain left in it, which will provide a food source for rodents. A longer life span is definitely possible; situations occur in which the thatched roof is still in good condition even after 35 or 40 years. In the UK, there are three main materials used in the construction of a thatched roof: water reed, combed wheat reed and long straw. They are unique, and no other type of roof has the distinctive textures and ridges as a thatched roof. A thatched roof needs consistent maintenance to prolong the life of the roof. Because of the ridiculous quality that has been available in the market place for the past 10 years, the general public’s conception is that a thatch roof only lasts between 6 to10 years. The longevity of thatched roofs depends on several factors, including craftsmanship and the materials used. When all’s said and done, if you’re happy to treat it with respect and care, there’s no reason you can’t enjoy your thatched roof for decades to come. We do this to give you a high-quality thatch and ensure that your thatch roof will last longer. How long will my thatched roof last? The ridges, however, are likely to need attention every 8 to 10 years. As archaeologists will know, thatching dates back at least as long as the bronze age. They each have their qualities and availabilities, and there’s some regional variation to the types. When thatched properly by professionals, the major portion of such a roof (the water reed) should last 40 to 50 years. Most thatched rooves are made of one of three natural materials - Water Reed or Norfolk Reed as it is also known, Combed Wheat or Long Straw. They can be a fire hazard, although with fire prevention measures, they are very safe. Keep an eye on your roof throughout the year (especially before and after winter) you can see where about on your roof needs repair by checking the ridge. W hen the Bronze Age inhabitants of England wanted to put roofs on their houses, they gathered up the materials at hand—long-stemmed plants such as wheat or straw. How long does a roof last? Water Reed thatch should last from 25 to 40+ years, Ridges need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years. Copyright 2019. Just like any construction project, thatched roofs have two costs: materials and labour. When replacement time does come, it should be left to a master thatcher with plenty of experience. The following figures, allowing five years either way, are a reasonable guide to any thatched roof which is not exposed to great extremes. This can save a lot of work in the long run. Even with the extreme Florida weather, you can expect your “Dan The Tiki Man” Tiki hut thatch roof to last eight to ten years without re-thatching. Thatched roofs have several advantages over slates and tiles: Thatched roofs are not without their disadvantages, although some of them are preventable. Another factor to the timescale of your roof is where your property is geographically in the UK. Churches also used thatch frequently. The 50-year figure for a replacement thatched roof is, of course, subject to the type of materials that were used either in the original build or during any subsequent repl… How long does a thatched roof last? How long does a roof last? Since the dry thatch will have a longer life, it’s possible to strip off the top layer every ten years or so but leave the lower layers in place. How long does the thatch last? Vermin and birds can cause damage to a thatched roof if it isn’t correctly protected. A well-built ridge can last between 15 and 20 years, so only one or two replacements should be necessary before a thatched roof needs total replacement. A Thatch roof is a warm and dry place for pests to live and if it is a straw roof, there will almost certainly be some grain left in it, which will provide a food source for rodents. Thatch will last far longer in a … Now, we all know roofs don’t last forever, but homeowners may be asking themselves: how long does a roof last? There are more than 60,000 thatched roofs in the United Kingdom and over 150,000 in the Netherlands. On average, a thatched roof will last between 25 and 40 years. Both are influenced by the size and complexity of the project. In other words, as long as any other roof. It’s not unknown for thatched roofs with regular maintenance to last up to 60 years, though! It is important to preventive maintenance for extending the life of your roof. How Long Does a Natural Thatch Roof Last? Tiki hut roofs don’t last forever and will always need to be properly maintained but by choosing Florida Tiki Huts we will make sure that you get the very most life out of your tiki roof. Our Tiki huts are wind and rain resistant and allow hot air to escape, providing cool shade during even the hottest months. With regular maintenance, your standard thatched roof (consisting of the ridge or uppermost part and the top layer of thatch or coatwork) will last for years, depending on various factors including materials. However, the roof ridge will have to be replaced roughly every 8 – 10 years. Over the years I have been asked one question persistently, and understandably people need to ask it, how long does a thatched roof last for? Compared to the cost of a full replacement roof, replacing the ridges is generally considered to fall under the scope of roof maintenance. Thatched properties that are left empty or only used for several months of the year tend to … that might hinder our thatch. A well installed thatched roof that has been constructed using good quality materialsis likely to stay serviceable for anywhere up to 50 years. So it seems that sixty year roofs of Water Reed are common on the eastern side of Britain; thatchers on the western side would probably be happy with anything over half that time. Our synthetic thatched roofing products are UV protected and mold and decay resistant. If the angle is too gentle, rain and snow will not fall off efficiently, which can speed up rotting and, in the case of snow, overload the structure. Q: How long does a thatch roof last? Q: How long does a thatch roof last? If the roof is properly laid and the right grass is used the average thatch roof can last for approximately 25 years, however, in the right climatic conditions, it would be able to last for up to 30 years. Compared to the cost of a full replacement roof, replacing the ridges is generally considered to fall under the scope of roof maintenance. Birds can pull out the straws when looking for insects – this will require attention after a while. Thatching methods have traditionally been passed down from generation to generation, and numerous descriptions of the materials and methods used in Europe over the past three centuries survive in archives and early publications. Depends on the material used. A lighter colored roof reflects heat, thus decreasing indoor temperatures. For example: Water Reed thatch should last from 25 to 40+ years. Prices vary, but an average price would be about £700 per square. That makes thatching a skill that has been refined and passed down the generations for 10,000 years in Africa, Europe, Asia and beyond. Tile roofs provide a lot of advantages over other materials. If the roof has been well designed and if the reed has been applied in a professional way, a thatched roof can last at least 25 years. Properties with thatched roofing are incredibly beautiful and quite unusual by today’s standards. 2. How long will the thatch last? by endureed_user | Sep 17, 2017 | Blog The National Society of Master Thatchers , a UK-based organization, reports that building owners sometimes become disillusioned with natural thatch roofs that begin to look untidy. Water Reed (also known as Norfolk Reed) 50-60 years. If you’re looking for ball-park figures, thatchers usually charge by the square, which is 10 ft × 10 ft (100 ft²), or 3 m × 3 m (9 m²). How long does a thatched roof last? The skill of the thatcher will also contribute to how long your thatched roof will last for. The 50-year figure for a replacement thatched roof is, of course, subject to the type of materials that were used either in the original build or during any subsequent repla… Bali Alang Alang Thatch roof spacing is important! We have worked in Bedfordshire, Birmingham, Coventry, Derby, Hertfordshire, Leicester, Nottingham, Northampton, Oxford, Rutland, Rugby, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire and beyond. Generally speaking, though, the lifespan of water reed thatch is about 30 years, combed wheat is about 30 years, and straw is about 20 years. It depends upon the material, it depends on the pitch, it depends on the aspect of the roof, and it depends on the workmanship. The type of thatching material varies in both price and longevity too, with straw roofs typically lasting between 20 and 30 years, and reed lasting 30-60 dependent on type. Thatch is popular in the United Kingdom, Germany, The Netherlands, Denmark, parts of France, Sicily, Belgium and Ireland. Many people also ask why you would have a thatched roof. It goes without saying that these are rough estimates, and that a thatcher would be able to give you an accurate quote based on their measurements and experience of similar jobs. Much later, in the late 18th century thatched cottages became an extremely popular theme with the "picturesque" painters, who tried to portray an idealized (Romantic/sanitized) version of nature. Sunny Florida’s sunlight, wind, and your roof’s pitch, all factor into the life of the Tiki Hut. A: Long straw will last 15 to 30 years, combed wheat reed will last 25 to 40 years, and water reed: 50 to 60 years. It’s a building technique that has been replaced only relatively recently by slates and tiles, and it’s estimated that there are still more than 20,000 thatched homes and businesses in the UK. If there is a lot of humidity, wind or rain, your thatch will last closer to the lower end of the spectrum. The proximity of trees. The steeper the outer angle, the better the roof will be at letting water run off, and that will prolong the life of the thatch. If you notice lines across main roof coating and dips in the thatch also shows wear. This will probably come to less than £1000 a year. about What Is The Best Conservatory Roof Material? Historically a thatched roof was the cheapest form of roofing, however, comparing that to the modern day thatch you will visibly be able to see a difference in the condition and finish. Longstraw thatch from 15 to 25 years. When thatched properly by professionals, the major portion of such a roof (the water reed) should last about 30 years in the Irish climate. The average roof, for the most part, is unseen and often forgotten. At the hands of a skilled craftsman, though, it is possible to preserve the first layer of a thatched roof by applying a new coat over the top of it, thus making it feasible to save the original roof for hundreds of years. Some thatchers can damage the roof if they are not familiar with the thatch or type of property. Pollutants and other environmental considerations. Tile roofs are extremely durable. Combed Wheat Reed – 25 – 35 years. Most of our competitors’ roofs last … The quality of the grass used, the angle at which the roof is constructed and climatic conditions. Ridges, whatever their design or … With regular maintenance, your standard thatched roof (consisting of the ridge or uppermost part and the top layer of thatch or coatwork) will last for years, depending on various factors including materials. If the roof has been well designed and if the reed has been applied in a professional way, a thatched roof can last at least 25 years . Although a thatched roof can have a long lifespan, there can be slight maintenance required due to the factors listed about and the natural degradation of materials over time which is inevitable. Under normal conditions, a good thatched roof will not last more than 60 years without requiring major repairs. Ridges, whatever their design or … The positioning of the spars and layering of the thatch ultimately determines the quality of waterproofing and the roof’s life span. It can last about 40-60 years, depending on site, condition and angle. The lifespan of the thatch depends of a variety of factors including the ability of the roof to shed water, which depends on the pitch of the roof, and the climatic conditions of the region, high humidity and wind are the main influencing factors. Most of the reed used in British thatched roofing today is imported, usually from Hungary. How much does a thatch cost to install? We construct thatched roofs at 38-40 degrees, unless specific conditions restricts us to do so. That would cost about £6,500 to install. Just like your car or boiler, regular maintenance is the key to getting good value for money and longevity out of your thatched roof. Thatch is the best insulated roofing available to man. You might also have slightly higher home insurance premiums because of the fire risk. Thatched roofs need to be tidied up every few years, with new reeds replacing the damaged, rotted or lost ones. How Long Does a Roof Last (Updated Guide for 13) | how long does a thatch roof last 13 How Long Does A Thatch Roof Last By Suzannah Hills Published: thirteen:21 EST, five July 2012 thirteen:33 EST, 5 July 2012 48 View remarks The purchaser of a arresting 500-12 months-old cottage may want to face time in bastille until he rips off a new beard roof because planners say it’s far 4 inches If you ask how long does a metal roof last, you should consider nature. Among the historical general beam abstracts are thatch; turf; and huge, abounding branches. The roof is naturally breathable, which prevents rotting, Because there is a lot of trapped air in the bundles and in the hollow reeds, they have great insulating properties, so there’s usually no need to insulate the loft, Thatched roofs are also cool in the summer thanks to low heat conductivity, They are made from natural materials, so there’s no mining or quarrying required, making them more environmentally friendly, They are beautiful and striking, adding character to any property, Because no guttering and drainpipes are required, there is a cost-saving, Thatch is lighter than tiles, so the roof timbers can be smaller. How long does a thatch roof last? What Is The Best Conservatory Roof Material? A longer life span is definitely possible; situations occur in which the thatched roof is still in good condition even after 35 or 40 years. An average life span for the thatch layer under normal climatic conditions in SA is approximately 20 years. 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