Understanding Thatch Roofing Materials: What Every Property Owner Should Know
Thatched homes and buildings have become synonymous with the British landscape, with thatched roofs a part of British life for centuries and becoming one of the most coveted roof types to this day.
When dealing with thatched buildings, it is crucial to know what type of material the thatch is made of. This will greatly influence the lifespan and the appearance of the roof. It will also be a major factor in how much you can expect to pay for installing or maintaining the thatched roof.
There are three main types of material which can be used for thatching in the UK:
- Water reed
- Combed wheat reed
- Longstraw
And all of them have certain features, advantages, and disadvantages. Let’s consider all of them.
Water Reed
Also called Norfolk reed or continental water reed (usually depending on the place it was grown), this material can be sourced from rivers, swamps, and marshes. One of the most famous sources of domestic water reed is the Broads National Park in East Norfolk, although nowadays the majority of UK’s water reed is imported from Europe; countries such as Austria, Poland, and Ukraine have been known to export large quantities of this material historically.
Water reed is categorized into three grades: fine, medium, and coarse. The choice of which is appropriate will depend on the location it is going to cover:
- Fine reed is shorter and tapers off, making it perfect for covering the gable and hip end parts of the roof because of its neat appearance.
- The medium reed is in between the fine and coarse varieties, suitable for covering parts of the roof that have consistent angles throughout.
- Coarse reed is thick near the base of the plant, perfect for parts of the roof that require heavy coverage.
Benefits of water reed
Water reed is considered one of the most durable materials used for thatching. When properly installed, a thatched roof using water reed can last for up to four decades, making this material economically more viable compared to materials that have a lower initial cost but may require frequent replacements. If the aim is to increase the time between rethatching the roof, then water reed is typically the better choice.
As a natural material however, durability is not guaranteed. The real lifespan of a thatched roof will depend on various factors such as the reed itself, the skills of the thatcher, weather conditions, and roof pitch.
Drawbacks of water reed
Since water reed is heavier than straw, it does not suit all applications, especially where the structure in question is old or frail. Moreover, if your house is listed, you may have restrictions if conservation bodies require that only similar materials be used as replacements.
Supply is also a concern*, and has recently emerged as a serious issue. The global pandemic disrupted shipments due to lack of containers and labour in supplier countries. Moreover, the war between Russia and Ukraine, who were big exporters, worsened the situation, pushing prices up. As a result, water reed tends to be more expensive compared to other thatching materials.
Water reed is also stiffer than straw and a thatcher will need supplies of the three types of reed in order to work with different parts of the roof.
Combed Wheat Reed
Combed Wheat Reed, which can also go by the name of Devon Reed, is very abundant in the south-western parts of England, especially Devon and Dorset. Traditionally, it has been made from the aftermath of growing wheat. During harvesting, the wheat would be cut down, thrashed to remove its contents, and subsequently ‘combed’ to rid it of all broken pieces and weeds.
Benefits of combed wheat reed
Combed wheat reed can be a compromise of flexibility and strength. It is more flexible than the water reed, and thus it is easier to manipulate when making roofs with irregular shapes. Its durability is also impressive, with an average life span of 25-35 years. The material is also cheaper than the water reed.
Drawbacks of combed wheat reed
Once again, supply issues play their role in affecting the wheat reed used for thatching roofs. Wheat strains cultivated today are developed in such a way as to provide short straw stalks along with a higher yield of grains, contrary to the requirement of the thatchers. Therefore, for roofing purposes, this kind of straw will usually need to be cultivated specifically for thatching.
The exit of some big suppliers from the market has tightened the availability and raised prices even more. As with our farmed items, a poor harvest would also play a role in raising the prices of the material.
Longstraw
Longstraw looks much shaggier and more rounded when compared to the neater, shorter look of water reed and combed wheat reed. The process of manufacturing longstraw is very similar to wheat reed, where wheat is harvested but followed by soaking in water until it is soft and pliable enough to pull from the water and bundled up for transportation.
Benefits of longstraw
Among the three main types, longstraw is usually the cheapest. It is also the lightest and most pliable, so makes the ideal choice where the building in question is old and weak, and needs a light roof.
Drawbacks of longstraw
Just like combed wheat reed, longstraw needs to be grown specifically for thatching. This means lower yield on the crop for the farmers, and so many major growers of longstraw may have put their efforts elsewhere or not be in business anymore. The thatch community is increasing its efforts to encourage farmers to grow more straw for thatch.
One final disadvantage of longstraw is that it is the least durable option, so may need more frequent maintenance or replacement.
Finding the Right Thatch Material for Your Home
There isn’t one perfect thatch material; it all depends on what’s best for your home’s age, structure, location, whether it’s listed, and even your budget. It’s important to seek help from an experienced master thatcher who will be able to give you professional advice about your specific case.
You can read more about thatched properties in our Complete Guide to Thatched Property Insurance in the UK
If you own a thatched property, or are looking to buy one, and need to arrange insurance then rest assured that the John Albion team at Jensten has extensive experience arranging insurance for thatched homes across the UK.
To discuss your requirements request a quote here