Articles on Thatched Roofs

A thatched cottage is a cottage that has a roof ‘thatched’ – covered – with dry vegetation such as straw, water reed, rushes, heather, sedge, or even palm branches.

Cottages with thatched roofs have been around for thousands of years, with their prominence in Europe peaking during the Middle Ages. 

While thatching has declined in popularity due to the introduction of alternative roofing materials, thatched cottages continue to captivate people with their timeless appeal and connection to the past. 

Thatched cottages give promises of eternal summer and hint at a peaceful country idyll, of fairy stories, of childhood holidays, of a bygone and much simpler era, and of escapism.

The counties of Devon, Dorset, and Hampshire in England have a high concentration of thatched cottages, a result of preserving traditional architectural styles.

But in this modern day and age, are they still a good idea? Are they economical? Are they dangerous? Do they really keep the rain out?

Dive into this rich history and discover everything you need to know about thatched roofs in our extensive library of articles below, or use the search tool in the menu bar above.

Articles on Thatched Roofs:

• Catslides on a Thatched Roof
  Imagine the idyllic charm of traditional roof architecture, perhaps in a rural village where homes are crowned with the distinct silhouette of thatched roof designs.
• Chimneys on Thatched Roof
  Having a log burner in a house with a thatched roof might sound like a bad idea, but there are plenty of procedures in place
• Are There Still Thatched Roofs in Ireland?
  A thatched cottage with a red door is an image that evokes Ireland’s rural past. We know, of course, that Ireland’s past wasn’t always idyllic,
• Rethatching a Thatched Roof – Everything You Need to Know
  Although thatched roofs need more upkeep than other roof types, they don’t need fully replacing all that often. Knowing when to do it, and the
• Are There Any Thatched Roofs in Australia?
  UK citizens might think thatched roofs are quintessentially British but, of course, we’d be wrong. Buildings with thatched roofs have been around for millennia and
• How Do You Clean and Maintain a Thatched Roof?
  There’s nothing easier on the eye than a freshly thatched cottage, is there? Thatch has become a mark of authenticity that a historic cottage is
• Straw for Thatching
  Have you ever looked at a thatched roof and wondered what materials are used? If so, you might already know that the most common are
• Crannogs and Thatch
  Who doesn’t love the idea of owning a private island? And crannogs are simply a man-made version of that very thing. For the thousands of
• Bats in Thatched Roof
  Thatched roofs are appealing to people, and are also pretty appealing to animals. Among the many creatures you might find calling your roof home are
• Can You Put Solar Panels on a Thatched Roof?
  Thatched cottages are gorgeously quaint. They’re the nostalgic ideal of what the British country cottage should look like. But as lovely as they look, there
• Can You Put a Ceiling in a Thatched Roof?
  Thatched roofs look great from the outside of a cottage, but they’re not always the most practical in terms of what you can do in
• Can You Put a Window in a Thatched Roof?
  Thatch is a desirable roofing style for any homeowner who admires traditional building techniques and loves a country aesthetic. But thatch-enthusiasts sometimes worry that this
• Can You Have a Thatched Roof in Canada?
  Although many of us associate thatched roofs with English cottages or Caribbean island retreats, they exist in many other countries. They’re certainly less common in
• Bees in Thatched Roof – Deal With Them Properly
  Bees can be a fairly common pest in thatched roofs because it presents an almost perfect nesting site for them. Of course, this isn’t great
• Why Do Thatched Roofs Have Animals on Top?
  If you’ve ever looked closely at a thatched roof, you might have noticed small animals on the very top. This leads us to the question,
• Are Thatched Roofs Eco-Friendly?
  Considering many of us are looking for ways to make our homes more sustainable and eco-friendly, it can lead us to ask questions like, are
• What Will Happen if the Thatched Roof is Flat Like a Building?
  Thatched roofs are nice to look at, but they’re hardly the most versatile shape. Is there anything we can do about this, and, if so,
• Wasps in Thatched Roof – How to Deal with Them
  Wasps can be a fairly common pest in thatched roofs because it presents an almost perfect nesting site for them. Of course, this isn’t great
• Are Thatched Roofs a Fire Hazard?
  Although thatched roofs are desirable from an appearance perspective, it’s fair to wonder whether they’re more of a risk than tiled roofs. So, are thatched
• How Do You Comb a Thatched Roof?
  Maintaining a thatched roof is vital to keep it looking fresh and functional. The process is called combing, but how do you comb a thatched
• Can You Tile a Thatched Roof?
  Although a thatched roof looks great, it can be expensive to maintain. Due to it being made of organic materials, you need to replace the
• How Does a Thatched Roof Keep Out Rain?
  If you’ve ever looked at a thatched roof and seen it’s made from straw, you might have wondered, how does a thatched roof keep out
• Are Thatched Roofs Warm?
  When you look at a thatched roof, it’s understandable to question whether it’s actually that warm. After all, it’s some straw on top of a
• Do Thatched Roofs Have Gutters?
  Thatched roofs work differently from conventional roofs, including how they shed water. If you’ve looked closely at one, you might have wondered, do thatched roofs
• How Do Houses with Thatched Roofs Keep Cool in Summer?
  If you’ve ever looked at a massive, thick thatched roof, you’ve probably wondered, how do houses with thatched roofs keep cool in summer? The answer
• Are There Thatched Roofs In America?
  While thatched roofs are most commonly associated with quaint country cottages in picturesque villages in England, they can actually be found all over the world.
• What Is The Wire On A Thatched Roof For?
  Thatch roofs have been around for centuries and when properly maintained, are still a great way to keep the elements, including water, out of a
• Do Thatched Roofs Grow?
  Considering thatched roofs are made from natural materials, it’s fair to ask, do thatched roofs grow? Well, if you’ve found yourself asking this question, we’re
• Are Thatched Roofs Heavy?
  Considering thatched roofs look pretty bulky compared to tiles, it’s fair to ask. In this article, we’ll answer that question and look at the science
• What Colour is a Thatched Roof?
  Whether you’re painting an English countryside scene or are just curious, you’re here because you want to know what colour is a thatched roof. Although
• Does a Thatched Roof Smell?
  Thatched roofs are the epitome of picturesque cottages in the English countryside. People often wonder about many aspects, such as upkeep and replacement, but have
• When Were Thatched Roofs Invented?
  Thatched roofs might be seen as quaint cottage features in rural, traditional areas, but they were once a ubiquitous roofing material. Thatched roofs were (and
• Thatched Roof Ridge
  The thatched roof is one of the most traditional roofing styles to grace the countryside of Britain. A thatched roof is a perfect example of
• Moss On Thatched Roof
  A thatched roof is a traditional type of roofing material that has been used for centuries. It is typically made from straw, reeds, or grass,
• Can You Walk On A Thatch Roof?
  Thatch roofs are common in the UK and also worldwide as it is an inexpensive way to cover a house. They have been around for
• Thatching Reed 
  Thatching has been a time-honoured method of roofing for thousands of years throughout parts of Africa, Asia and Europe. Often, reed roofs are considered the
• Do Thatched Roofs Attract Vermin?
  When caring for your thatched roof, you’ve probably asked yourself, “do thatched roofs attract vermin?” That said, you might already know the answer to this
• Thatching Tools
  Whilst there will always be a variety of tools used by thatchers and a variety of names given to their tools between thatchers, there are
• Thatching Spars
  Thatching spars are an essential part in the construction of thatched roofs. In this article we delves into the materials, techniques, and historical context of
• Do Snakes Live in Thatched Roofs?
  If you’re lucky enough to live in a thatched cottage, being concerned over the vermin present in your home is understandable, so let’s look at
• What to Do About Bird Damage to a Thatched Roof
  Bird damage to a thatched roof is an incredibly annoying – not to mention expensive – problem. Since lockdown in 2020 there has been a
• Can Thatched Roofs Handle Snow?
  Whether you live in the remote snowy mountains or a small village hub in middle-England prone to only the occasional snowfall, you can count on
• Do Thatched Roofs Have Bugs?
  The thing about thatched roofs is that, like everything in life, they have their pros and cons. The benefits of thatched roofs are obvious: They’re
• Problems With Thatched Roofs
  When most people think of thatched roofs, they think of old-world European cottages, like on the cover of a fairy tale book. But it’s actually
• Do Thatched Roofs Leak?
  Believe it or not, it’s a common question with an unexpected answer. Do thatched Roofs leak? Thatched roofs do not leak, they are actually better
• Why Are Thatched Roofs No Longer Allowed In London?
  Thatched roof houses are a sign of Ye Olde England. Given so much of the country’s history is preserved in London, including many of its
• What Are Thatched Roofs Made of?
  In the UK, thatched roofs are generally made from these three main materials: Thatch Roofing Material As well as the above, there are many less
• How Long Does a Thatched Roof Last?
  There are many misconceptions about the durability and longevity of thatched roofs. When constructed from top-quality materials, by a highly-skilled thatcher, they can easily last
• How Much Does a Thatched Roof Cost?
  If you’re thinking about installing a thatched roof, or looking at getting your current roof re-thatched, the potential cost of the project is going to
• Do Mice Live In Thatched Roofs?
  Thatched roofs are made of straw, grasses, or reeds. They are still used in many parts of the world. There are many advantages to having
• How Thick is a Thatched Roof?
  A thatched roof is an uncommon kind of roof seen most often on chocolate box cottages in English villages. The features of a thatched roof