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What you need to know about thatched roofs

Centuries-old building tradition and trademark of the north German coastal region

It's hard to imagine northern Germany without them: thatched roof houses. Thatched roofs are considered one of the oldest roof constructions in the world and have characterized the landscape of the coastal region on the North Sea and Baltic Sea for centuries.

Thatched houses are particularly well-known and popular for their charming exterior and good indoor climate - but they are also notorious for their comparatively high purchase costs and maintenance requirements. Below we have compiled the most important facts as well as the advantages of thatched roofs and possible objections.

Where does reed come from?

Thatch is made from reeds that grow on banks or in marshy areas. Due to the unbroken high demand, only around 30 percent of demand can be covered by the domestic harvest. The majority therefore comes from abroad, including Southern and Eastern Europe and, in some cases, Asia. In order to ensure the longest possible service life, care must be taken when collecting the reed as to how it is cut. If the reeds are cut too high, they are less resistant than those cut low, as the lignin content responsible for lignification is higher in the lower part than in the upper part. When dry, thatch is primarily used for roofing, but can also be used as thermal insulation and as a filling in partition walls and lightweight walls.

Cold roof vs. warm roof

In roof construction, a distinction is made between a ventilated construction (cold roof) and a non-ventilated construction (warm roof). A classic thatched house usually has a cold roof, which means that the attic is not developed. The draughts that arise here ensure better ventilation of the roof construction. If water penetrates the outer roof layer when it rains, the draught of outside air ensures that the thatch dries more quickly.

If the roof of the house is extended, a cold roof construction is still possible - this requires a double-skin construction with a 6 to 8 centimeter wide rear ventilation between the living space and the thatched roof, which guarantees air circulation and provides protection against moisture. With a warm roof construction, a correctly installed vapor barrier is particularly important - if this is not installed correctly, condensation can form on the inside, leading to the formation of mold, which can cause the thatched roof to age prematurely.

Service life of a thatched roof

The so-called service life of a thatched roof can vary greatly and there is no exact answer - anything from 10 to more than 100 years is possible. As a rule, a thatched roof lasts between 30 and 50 years if it has been professionally built, without severe fungal infestation and with regular maintenance. The biggest challenge is the infestation of algae, moss and mold, as moisture builds up underneath, causing the thatch to rot. It is therefore recommended that the thatch is inspected and cleaned annually to extend its lifespan.

Advantages of a thatched roof

Thatched roofs continue to enjoy particular popularity, not only thanks to the charming, exclusive style that these roofs lend to properties - thatch has a number of other advantages, including the following:

an ecologically renewable building material
free from chemical additives
resistant, strong, elastic and load-bearing
good insulating properties
pleasant indoor climate - cool in summer, warm in winter
natural insulation and soundproofing
long service life
sustainable building material

Despite the many advantages and the fairytale appearance that thatched roof houses offer, there are a few things to consider before choosing thatch. On average, higher costs and longer construction times should be expected than when installing a conventional tiled roof. In addition, thatch is a natural building material that is more flammable than other building materials. Accordingly, building insurance is more expensive for thatched roof houses. Another point to consider is the care and maintenance required due to possible infestation by pests, fungi and algae.

Thatchers we trust

Thatching is one of the oldest craft techniques in architecture and was recognized by UNESCO as a cultural heritage site in 2014. The skillful processing of the materials and the professional construction of a thatched roof lay the foundation for a long-lasting roof. In Schleswig-Holstein, you will find numerous experts with many years of experience in the field of thatching. We have put together some of our recommendations below, who will be happy to advise you on the planning and implementation of thatched roofing for your property:

Roofing company Wolf & Ohls
Mühlenstraße 14
25870 Oldenswort
Telephone: 04864 725
info@dachdeckerei-wolf.de
www.dachdeckerei-wolf.de

Thatching company Phillip Meier
Rensinger Chaussee 11
25548 Kellinghusen
Phone: 048 22 15 04
info@reetdachdeckerei.de
www.reetdachdeckerei.de

Roofing company K & S Petersen GmbH & o.KG
Erwin-Behn-Straße 59a
25712 Burg
Phone: 0 48 25 93 30 0
info@reetdachbau-petersen.de
www.reetdachbau-petersen.de

Thatching company Suhr GmbH
Kurzenmoor 37
25370 Seester
Phone: 04121 92466
reetdachdeckerei-suhr@t-online.de
www.reetdachdeckerei-suhr.de

Roofing company Reimer Dau GmbH
Skaerbaekvej 22
25932 Tönning
Phone: 0151 23046608
info@reet-dau.de
www.reet-dau.de

Eiderstedter Reetdachdeckerei Uwe Michalski GmbH
Tatinger Street 42
25836 Garding
Phone: 04862 1041333
info@eiderstedter-reetdachdeckerei.de
www.eiderstedter-reetdachdeckerei.de