Thatched Cottages

A growing number of properties opt for a thatched roof

Thatched cottages gathered round the village green still present a lasting image of rural England. Villages across the south-west are liberally scattered with these chocolate box dwellings with their traditional thatch. Thatch is arguably the most attractive and probably the oldest roofing material still in regular use in this country and a growing number of new build properties are using it as their first choice of roofing.

Long straw, combed wheat reed and water reed are the three materials widely used for thatching in England today. All three offer a green and sustainable material for an eco friendly new build. Water reed is a true reed and is regarded as a superior material and will last as long as a slate roof. Sometimes referred to as Norfolk reed, it costs slightly more than the other two materials. Nowadays much of it comes in from Eastern Europe and Turkey as the reed cutters of East Anglia find it increasingly harder to compete with their lower costs.

There is little evidence to support the popular misconception that thatched houses are more likely to catch fire and burn to the ground. As a matter of course modern building techniques address the issues of fire prevention. Chimneys and fireplaces now have to be correctly installed and it is usual for the inner roof space to be lined with a fire resisting material. Accordingly, it’s no longer hard to find companies that specialise in insuring thatched properties at highly competitive rates.

If you think of your perfect cottage, the chances are it has got a thatched roof. They are cosy in winter and cool in summer and free from intrusive noise all the year round. The only drawback may be that the thatch makes an ideal home for spiders - so arachnophobes beware!

3rd April 2005

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