Comments on: Thatched Barn of Old ~ an older piece

By: inkandbrush

inkandbrush — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 22:26:23 +0000

They are finding the organic slow growing water reed will last a person’s life time at least. But this costs the most.
The wheat straw doesn’t last nearly as long and takes lots of maintiance. Same with the fast growing types of reed.
I talked to a Thatcher that came over from England or Ireland.. can’t remember now. Nice guy.. willing to answer all kinds of questions. He used to work all over the US. Not sure if he is around now a days?

By: Syd Baker

Syd Baker — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 21:03:52 +0000

There are more thatched roofs in the United Kingdom and in Ireland than in any other European country. The traditional material in most of England is wheat straw, which is now produced by specialist growers. Good quality thatching straw can last for more than 45–50 years when applied by a skilled thatcher. Traditionally, a new layer of straw was simply applied over the weathered surface. This has generated accumulations of thatch 2.0 m thick and in ancient buildings preserved lower layers of medieval thatch over 600 years old.[7]

Water reed, which was used in East Anglia and Eastern England, is a one-coat material; weathered reed is usually stripped and replaced by a new layer. Almost half of England’s thatched roofs are thatched with water reed, 90% of which is imported from Turkey and Eastern Europe. Although water reed has been known to last for more than 70 years on steep roofs in dry climates, modern imported water reed on an average roof in most parts of England will not last any longer than good quality wheat straw. The lifespan of the thatch is also dependent on the skill of the thatcher, but other factors need to be taken into account, such as climate, quality of the materials used, and the pitch of the roof.
(another source reveals, yes, that’s moss on top, lichens too)

By: Syd Baker

Syd Baker — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 20:57:08 +0000

Can you tell the material? Seems like moss-covered, by the bright green fuzzy appearance, do they have to make a new one every year? I think it’s google-time, will get back to you.

By: inkandbrush

inkandbrush — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 15:44:53 +0000

Good grief… no wonder you like the one on your link, that is stunning!!!!!

By: inkandbrush

inkandbrush — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 15:43:33 +0000

Thank you Syd, am glad you like it. Will check out the link, Thank you!

By: Syd Baker

Syd Baker — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 15:17:59 +0000

This is really beautiful! You reminded me of seeing some photos of some thatched English buildings on Red Bubble, and curious about the actual material of thatch, I just now did a search there, and among the hundreds of examples of European thatching and tropical methods, this was one of my favorites: http://www.redbubble.com/people/sue120502/art/3645895-2-thatched-hamlet