Thatched Roofs, more durable than a Nokia 3310?!

The Nokia 3310 is internet famous for being 'indestructible' and theres no roof better to pair it with than the thatched roof. Thatched roofs have been around for centuries and there's an obvious reason why. They simply work! Laid in the traditional way, will last up to 50 years! Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, it keeps you dry and warm as it is an excellent insulator, the thatched roof is the champion of roofs! and I think it deserves more acclaim so I am here to tell you why the thatched roof is for you!

The Basics

What is Thatch?

Thatched Roof Close Up

Thatch is a natural reed and grass which, when properly cut, dried, and installed, forms a waterproof roof. Traditionally thatchers use locally available materials. If local farmers were growing wheat, then wheat reed or straw was used. Rye, barley and oat straw, and even heathers have been used. In wet lowlands, sedge has been a traditional thatch, particularly for ridging material.

The most durable thatching material is water reed (Phragmites Australis) which can last up to 60 years.  

The Shannon River and its tributaries used to produce an abundance of water reed. It still does, but increased run off of farm fertilizers in the last two decades have all but ruined this traditional source of reed. When bathed in nitrates, water reeds grow longer and faster. They become much more brittle and are easily snapped. Their useful lifespan on a roof is also shortened tremendously.

Thatch can be dressed into unusual shapes, indeed. In this picture, the thatch flows around the roof line of an old traditional cottage, lifting for a window, then sweeping down to cover the rounded corners.

Today 3 different materials are widely used:

• Long straw
• Combed wheat reed
• Water reed

The type of reed used will determine the style of finish. Your thatcher will advise accordingly. In essence, Long Straw retains a `shaggy` look whilst Combed reed is widely used in the south and west of England. Water reed, traditionally costs more but is regarded as a superior product.

How does thatched keep out the rain?

Water reed is naturally waterproof. This is no waterlogged plant, soggy and bloated with water. In fact, the inside of a natural water reed is hollow. The water is kept out by the tight overlapping of cells on the plant's outer layers. If you bundle enough of these water shedding plants together, water simply cannot penetrate. Moisture typically does not absorb into the thatch bundles more than 1 or 2 inches.The thatchers' art consists of carefully laying 5 to 6 foot bundles of reeds atop one another so that an impenetrable shell of waterproofing covers a roof. Each thatch layer is built up to a thickness of around 12 inches and gravity carries rain, sleet, and snow down and off the roof.

What about ventilation and insulation?

One of the great attractions of thatch is that is extremely thermally efficient – warm in winter and cool in summer. Unlike conventional roofing systems that trap heat and moisture vapour in attics, thatched roofs require no attic ventilation.


A water reed thatched roof, 12 inches thick at a pitch angle of 45 degrees meets the most modern insulation standards. The scientific term for insulating properties is "thermal conductance," known as the U value. The U-value of a properly thatched roof is 0.35, which is equivalent to 4 inches of fibreglass insulation between the joists. Only in the last decade have building codes begun to demand this level of roof insulation. Yet, thatch has been providing such a "modern" value for hundreds of years.

An added benefit is that thatch is a much more effective sound insulation than fiberglass. An inch of thatch will stop a microphone from picking up sounds.

Will thatch stand up to strong winds?

It maybe just reeds but they actually cope quite well! Modern thatching methods make thatch one of the strongest types of roofs, certainly one better able to handle high winds than common asphalt strip shingles. Note that the roof timber work and laths seen in this photo were constructed by The Thatch Company.

Before the thatch is placed on the roof, long brass screws are firmly inserted deep into the wooden roof laths. Twisted onto the screw is a long, heavy duty steel wire. Bundles of reeds are then placed onto the roof. Over the bound reed bundles steel rods are placed. Then the wire which is secured to the lathing is tied through the reeds to the steel rods. The result is a natural water-repelling material firmly bound by steel rods and wires to the roof laths and joists.

Of course, you won't see the steel rods or wires since these are buried 5 to 6 inches below the top reed layer. The result is a light yet extremely durable, steel tied roof. It's not going anywhere! This picture is a hotel in Kinvarra, County Galway. You are looking at the largest thatched roof in Ireland. During the 100 + mile per hour winds of the 1998 St. Stephen's Day storm, not a reed was out of place. This despite the serious damage done to many slate roofs in the area.It should be noted that when rethatching and conserving older buildings, The Thatch Company does not use steel, but the more traditional (and quite effective) wood spar system. Check out our rethatching page for more details.

Benefits of Thatched Roofs

• A properly, professionally installed thatched roof which is maintained on a regular basis and sited away from any overhanging trees will offer great durability. You can expect thatch to last anywhere between 15 to 20 years in good condition.
•  Being a naturally insulating material, thatch is able to insulate your home without the need for additional insulating materials in the loft space such as natural or synthetic wools. A good insulator will not only keep your home warm in the winter months but will also keep it cool during the summer.
• Thatch changes with age, and as it settles in it will begin to darken. This helps it to blend with the surrounding countryside, creating a sense of harmony and belonging which more boldly coloured and textures tiles and slates cannot offer. This makes thatched roofs perfectly suited to more rural locations, although it is just as attractive in towns and villages.
• Thatch is highly environmentally friendly, and is one of the best eco roof types around. The materials needed are grown easily and harvested with little to no machinery. Whilst thatched roofs are more labour intensive to source and construct than some other options, most of the materials are sourced from rural communities which benefit greatly from the work created.
• One of the most interesting characteristics of thatch is its ability to be shaped into natural, flowing forms unlike the harsh lines that tiles create. This adds great character and personality to a house, and allows you a lot of freedom when designing the shape of the roof.
• Thatching your roof is a fairly low cost method of adding on space to your home by utilising roof space which would otherwise form a loft. Additionally, the high, open ceilings create a very spacious feel to the rooms.

The Cons

• Due to the very heavy labour intensiveness of installing thatched roofs, they are generally a little more expensive than alternative roofing materials might be.
• When it comes to insuring your home, you must expect to pay a premium due to the higher cost of the material and its tendency to dry out and become highly flammable if not properly maintained.
• You will have to carry out an annual inspection of thatched roofs to make sure that any necessary minor repair work is carried out as soon as possible, as this will prevent you having to undertake much more expensive repairs further down the line. The ridge cap – which is the part of the roof that is most abused by the elements – will need to be seen to a little more often in order to prevent any leaks from opening up and to maintain the structural integrity of the roof in general.
• It is important to make sure that thatched roofs are located away from any overhanging trees. This will stop the material from drying out too quickly, which can be hazardous. Also, if thatch is left too damp for too long then it will become susceptible to rot and fungal growths.
• Thatched roofs must be regularly treated with fire-retardant, especially during the summer when the weather can cause thatch to become easily ignitable. The treatment of thatch is based on the impregnation of the material with a combination of biological preservative and fire retardant.  The risk of fire cannot be forgotten, and many professional thatchers recommend that a fire board is used for added safety.

Buying a Thatched Property

All too often prospective owners of thatched houses are persuaded by family and friends that owning a thatched property is expensive and requires constant attention. This is not the case.

Thatching Advisory Services are able to offer a range of services that will indicate, before you exchange contracts, the immediate costs, future planning and of course the benefits of owning a property that is part of our National Heritage.

SURVEY OF THE THATCH ONLY - Carried out by thatch surveyors employed by Thatching Advisory Services which will confirm exactly in writing the condition of the thatch, what precautions can be taken to extend the life expectancy of the roof and indicate the current price of the works to be undertaken.

Will a thatched building hold its value?

Yes! Homes with thatched roofs command higher selling prices than similar ones with tile or slate.Thatch is also very effective in commercial settings such as restaurants, hotels, pubs, and retail shops. If you're trying to tempt motorists into your commercial establishment, thatch beckons more convincingly than neon.

'How much is it going to cost me?'

Distinction carries a price, but not an unacceptable one. A typical thatched roof costs more than its cement tiled or slated roof counterparts. But, since the carpentry and wood work needed to support a thatched roof is less expensive, overall costs are comparable. Further, there are no gutters, downpipes, soakaways, soffit boards, or the need to paint and maintain these items.In this picture you'll note the detailing over a window. The cut of the thatch and the direction in which it is laid helps shed water to the sides and not onto the window below.

Insurance

There is no problem getting insurance on your thatched building. The Thatch Company has been certified by one the world's largest insurance companies and they are willing to provide cover for buildings which we thatch and fireproof. The cost to you is generally the same as that required for a similar building with a conventional roof.


Thats about as much as I know on the subject matter, 

Until the next time, I bid you adieu my dear Sirs and Madams!

Fascia and how to maintain them

What are Fascias?

The fascia is mounted at the point where the roof meets the outer walls of the house and is often called the ROOF-LINE. However most people refer to it by the name of the main board that carries the gutter – the fascia or fascias.

Unfortunately, not many people are familiar with these terms, so we thought you might appreciate a few words of explanation.

Fascia

The fascia board is the long, straight board that runs along the lower edge of the roof. The fascia is fixed directly to the roof trusses and usually does all the work of supporting the bottom row of tiles and carrying all the guttering.

This is no mean feat, especially when it is raining hard. In a downpour the roof of a 3-bed semi could be washing several gallons of water per second into its gutters

Fascia boards can protect your roof, but just like any other portion of your home, they do require some form of maintenance. Otherwise, these fascia boards will build up moisture, causing them to rot and become weak.

8 Tips in Maintaining Fascia Boards

As a home owner, you're responsible to the overall healthy condition of your fascia boards. To make maintenance a little bit more convenient and easier for you, here are 8 great tips:

1. Use PVC fascia boards for less hassle. A PVC fascia board doesn't need repainting and can get back to its old form just by wiping. This means that you don't have to spend too much into it for maintenance. It will also mean less maintenance cost on your part.

2. Make sure that the installation doesn't only include cap covers. A lot of installation companies working on a fibre board and the roofing system will only add cap covers to your timber. This is actually not a good idea as this will encourage moisture build up on the timber and will cause it to rot. If the fascia board is attached to the rafters of your roof, it will eventually cause the latter to dry.

3. Don't add a new fascia board on top of an old one. There's no great shortcut when it comes to maintaining your fascia boards. If it is slowly giving signs of deterioration, you will have to remove them first, making sure that all are taken away, before you add the new fascia board. It's going to be time-consuming, but you can prevent dampness from happening in the future.

4. Utilise a ladder. You can't simply go over your roof and try to reach out to your fascia board when you're going to clean it. You need to use a ladder, so you can properly come near to your fascia boards and clean or repaint them.

5. Do the inspection together with your household chores. If you think that your fascia board requires some special attention, you can set aside a good day where you can comprehensively inspect every part of it. However, if it's not alarming at all, you can just do the fascia board maintenance together with gutter or roof cleaning. This way, you will be able to save some of your time.

6. Check the angled boards. When it comes to rotting, angled boards are normally the first ones that get affected. However, if they are all right, you're assured that the rest of the fascia board is also in good condition.

7. Keep track of too much water in or near your fascia board. Water is an enemy of fascia board, especially if you're using wood. This is because it can encourage higher moisture level, which, in turn, can cause your fascia board to rot. As much as possible, keep the area dry.

8. Use wood epoxy only if the fascia boards are in their early deterioration phase. This must not be the best solution to use if the fascia boards already need replacement. You also have to use it only for a very small area.

How to clean your Fascia board

This board is made of pressure treated lumber, vinyl or metal. Regardless of the material, they can all be cleaned the same way. Supplies to clean your fascia boards can be found at local hardware and home improvement stores.

Instructions

1. Mix some water with the mild detergent in the bucket. Spray a section of the fascia with water from the hose. This will start to loosen up the dirt and grime so it will clean off easier.
2. Set up the ladder where you want to start your cleaning process. Dunk the brush in the bucket and saturate it with soap and water.

1. Scrub the fascia. Once you have cleaned all that you can reach, climb down the ladder and move it to the next area. Rinse the cleaned area of all soap while you are getting the next area wet. Continue until all of the fascia is scrubbed and rinsed.

Tips and Warnings

1. For stubborn stains, you can use a mixture of vinegar and water. Combine 1/3 cup of vinegar with 2/3 cup of water in a spray bottle. Spray onto stain and scrub well.
2. Protect brick or stone work with a plastic tarp. These surfaces may be affected by soap and water
3. This job is best done with a buddy, someone who can hold the ladder steady as well as pass you cleaning supplies. Bucket hooks, available at hardware and home improvement stores, can hold your cleaning bucket leaving your hands free for additional safety.

Free online quotes on fascias and soffits, just in case you were wanting a repair or new one my dears! http://www.fasciaquoter.co.uk/ 

I bid you adieu my dear Sirs and Madams