How Long Should A Thatched Roof Last

Traditional annual patch and repair on a national trust property.

How long should a thatched roof last. Should the climate be hot 30 degrees plus and high humidity the conditions for fungal growth is good and leads to deterioration of the roof in a far shorter time. Many thatched house owners have been told that their roofs should last 30 40 years but it is hard to put an exact lifespan on a thatched roof as each thatched roof will vary depending on different factors. You ll pay 250 to 600 per square for a wood shingle roof and warranties run up to 30 years. Its lifespan is typically 20 to 25 years.

Generally speaking though the lifespan of water reed thatch is about 30 years combed wheat is about 30 years and straw is about 20 years. So how long should you expect your thatched roof to last. The materials used on your thatched roof can contribute to the lifespan of it. An average life span for the thatch layer under normal climatic conditions in sa is approximately 20 years.

Combed wheat reed from 25 to 35 years. It is an all purpose thatched roof material that can be used to complete nearly any design. High humidity and wind also affect the lifespan of the thatch. Ridges need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years.

The pitch the steeper the pitch faster the roof can shed water. Longstraw thatch from 15 to 25 years. The pitch of a thatched roof is also important as it allows water to run off and be thrown well away from the property before it has chance to be absorbed. The ridges however are likely to need attention every 8 to 10 years.

Good quality straw thatch can last several years when applied by a skilled thatcher. Moisture is not typically absorbed into thatched bundles any deeper than 1 or 2 inches whereas thatched roofs are typically 12 inches deep. It s not unknown for thatched roofs with regular maintenance to last up to 60 years though. In cases of roofs with dormers and valleys the dormers and valleys will wear before the main coat due to having a lower pitch.

A thatched roof will wear and lose some of the original chocolate box charm but for many years after this it will remain a serviceable roof covering. How much does a thatch cost to install. As you can see different kinds of materials have longer life expectancies than others. Water reed thatch should last from 25 to 40 years.

A well installed thatched roof that has been constructed using good quality materials is likely to stay serviceable for anywhere up to 50 years. A wood shingle roof should be inspected annually and any split shingles should be promptly replaced.