The pros and cons of thatched roofing

It is oldest form of roofing, and it has started to become popular in recent times for its aesthetic quality and the fact that it is eco-friendly due to its composition of sustainable materials.

If you are considering this design choice for your home, then you will find this breakdown of the advantages and disadvantages of thatched roofing useful. It will guide your decision-making process and help you figure out ultimately if you want a thatched roof for your home.

Pros of thatched roofing

1.    It is durable

Thatched roofs tend to last a long time because of the materials they are made of. Water reed, a popular material for thatched roofing, has the longest life span. It can last for about 55 - 60 years. Combed wheat reed, another material, has a life span of 20 - 40 years and long straw can last for about 15 - 25 years.

So, for as long as your house stands, you can be rest assured that your roof will be intact.

2.    It is ecologically friendly

The materials used for thatched roofs are grown and harvested with little or no machinery. These materials are sustainable, overall making thatched roofing an eco-friendly endeavor.

3.    It has first-rate insulation

Thatched roofs are excellent insulators. They will keep your house warm when it’s cold outside, and make sure your house stays cool while it’s hot outside.

The great thing about this is that it lowers the amount of energy used to power your ceiling fans and air conditioners, in the long run reducing your electricity bills.

4.    It is waterproof

The materials used to make thatched roofs are naturally waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about water leaking into your home when it rains.

For utmost precaution, the reeds or straws used for the roof are laid about a foot high. This provides a thick layering that is practically impenetrable by water.

5.    It is lightweight

While other roofing materials such as tiles and metal require heavy structures to support their weight, thatch does not.

Thus, a thatched roof is lightweight and in the absence of heavy support structures, you will be saving cost when getting it installed.

6.    It is flexible

Thatch is soft and can be molded into different aesthetically pleasing designs that fit your home. In comparison to the rigid structures of other roofing materials, thatch gives you the ability to shape your roof as you please.

7.    It can add value to your home

If you are looking to boost the value of your home, then you may consider thatched roofing. It is a novel design choice that can raise the selling price of a house and ascertain a good investment.

Cons of thatched roofing

1.    It can be expensive

To install an efficient thatched roof, the thatcher will have to take into consideration several things such as the size of the roof, the shape and design of the roof, the thickness of the thatch that is required and other essential details.

This makes the process of installing a thatched roof more labor intensive than other roofing methods, eventually making it an expensive endeavor.

2.    It is prone to decomposition

The materials used for thatched roofs are all organic in nature, so they are prone to decay and decomposition. To ensure that this process doesn’t take place with your roof, you will need to take due precautions.

3.    It can be a fire hazard

All other roofing materials are susceptible to fire, but with thatch, chances are the fire may be more catastrophic.

To minimize the possibility of this, proper precautions must be taken. There are fire retardant sprays that can be used on thatched roofs to mitigate the risk of a fire.

4.    It attracts a higher insurance cost

Compared to aluminum roofs or tiled roofs, thatched roofs will attract higher insurance premiums, and this can be as a result of the higher risk of fire damage.

If you’re looking the bring down the cost of the insurance premiums, then you can set up substantial fire-retardant measures.

5.    It requires the felling of overhanging trees

With thatched roofs, any trees close to the house must be felled. This is because the shade from overhanging trees can cause the thatch not to dry properly.

A thatched roof that does not dry properly will begin to grow of moss and fungi, both of which will decompose the thatch over time and deteriorate its life span

6.    It is prone to damage by animals

Animals like birds can quickly become attracted to thatched roofs and begin to pull out strands from it in order to build their nests. This can damage the roof over time.

Before deciding on a thatched roof for your home, it is advisable to weigh these pros and cons. If you decide on getting a thatched roof, then leave it to us. Daibau will provide experienced and efficient thatcher to get the job done. Contact us today to get started.

We look forward to hearing from you!