The lifespan of a thatch roof depends on a variety of factors including the type of thatch the ability of the roof to shed water which depends on the pitch of the roof and the climate of the region.
How long should a thatched roof last.
Its lifespan is typically 20 to 25 years.
It is an all purpose thatched roof material that can be used to complete nearly any design.
A wood shingle roof should be inspected annually and any split shingles should be promptly replaced.
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.
A well installed thatched roof that has been constructed using good quality materials is likely to stay serviceable for anywhere up to 50 years.
The main factors are.
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.
Traditional annual patch and repair on a national trust property.
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.
You ll pay 250 to 600 per square for a wood shingle roof and warranties run up to 30 years.
Ridges need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years.
It s not unknown for thatched roofs with regular maintenance to last up to 60 years though.
So how long should you expect your thatched roof to last.
Water reed thatch should last from 25 to 40 years.
In cases of roofs with dormers and valleys the dormers and valleys will wear before the main coat due to having a lower pitch.
Combed wheat reed from 25 to 35 years.
The ridges however are likely to need attention every 8 to 10 years.
How much does a thatch cost to install.
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.
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 pitch the steeper the pitch faster the roof can shed water.
Moisture is not typically absorbed into thatched bundles any deeper than 1 or 2 inches whereas thatched roofs are typically 12 inches deep.
One thing to note is that a roof ridge typically lasts no longer than 15 years regardless of the material used to construct it.
Good quality straw thatch can last several years when applied by a skilled thatcher.