The pros and cons of having a thatched roof

For many people, a thatched roof is a principal ingredient when it comes to buying the perfect Forever Home.

They are pretty, picturesque, durable, and a much-loved feature of the countryside, but there are problems associated with them too. This blog examines the pros and cons of thatched roofs.

Photo by Annie Japaud on Pexels.

The pros of thatched roofs

Thatched roofs are a novelty: England boasts an estimated 35,000 thatch properties and 24,000 of these are listed buildings. This means theys are quite rare and very fondly looked upon. 

Can help lower construction and energy costs

Thatch is light and doesn’t need the heavy support structures that tiles and other roofing materials need. This lowers costs.

Thatch is very durable, with some thatching material lasting half a century or more. This means that you might not have to spend as much on repairs as you would with other types of roofs. It also provides natural insulation, meaning it keeps your home cool in summer and warm in winter, which can help save you money on your heating bills.

A great option for the environmentally conscious

Not only this, but thatch is also a sustainable, environmentally friendly resource, making it ideal if you’re concerned about the environment. 

Thatch can be shaped easily

Thatch can easily be shaped to make stylish design features, in contrast  to the hard lines of other roofing materials. 

The cons of thatched roofs

Unfortunately thatch isn’t without its own shortcomings, as you will see if our list of cons.

Adding thatch to your home is a difficult job

Installing thatch is a big, labour intensive job. Depending on the size of the home, it can take several weeks to install, making it very expensive.

You’ll need to get regular maintenance on the roof

Add to this the fact that you’ll have to get the roof inspected annually to ensure that it is sound so  adding thatch to your property might be more trouble than it’s worth.

The ridge cap may need regular maintenance and repair as it is prone to wear and tear. Leaks are the most common problem, which can cause more serious damage to other parts of the roof and inside the home.

You’ll need to protect the roof from fire and pests

Fire and pest infestation is common, so you will have to guard against it. Precautions you can take include:

cutting overhanging branches and foliage to prevent the thatch from retaining moisture
installing a lightning rod to disperse lightning strikes
installing a spark resistor for your chimney
using special thatch treatments to repel pests

Photo by Ritchie Valens on Unsplash.

Insurance for the thatched roof on your Forever Home

If your Forever Home has a thatched roof, you will need non-standard household insurance to keep it protected. The specialist home insurance providers at Adrian Flux have been insuring thatched roof properties for almost 50 years. For a swift, hassle-free quote , call the experts on 0333 251 3929 – 81.5% of all customers receiving an online quote in August 2022 could have obtained a cheaper quote over the phone.