Thatched Roofs...

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Written by Anne Walden-Mills of Anro Miniatures...

England has more thatched roofs in the UK than any other European country. (Wikipedia - so it must be right)

Most buildings from early to medieval times were thatched in Britain. Only the wealthy could afford to tile their roofs. It is thought the remains of water reed found at Iron Age sites could be evidence of thatching. Modern thatching removes worn out thatch so as to produce a pristine finish but in the past speed was essential to keep the home or the stock dry. Worn out thatch was not removed but new material was added when and where it was required. Some old thatches can be as thick as 7 ft. Many buildings did not have a chimney or fireplace but a central fire with a hole in the roof let out the smoke. The thatch was put directly upon the rafters so it became blackened with smoke, this discouraged insects and fungus.

"walls did not have to be sturdy..."

As early cottagers used whatever was to hand and because thatch was light, the walls did not have to be sturdy to carry the weight of tiles. Depending on the area thatch could be as diverse as broom, sledge, sallow, flax, grass and heath. The most common being straw or water reed.

"thatching was designated as a poor mans roof..."

It was not until the 18^th century when thatched cottages became a popular theme with painters, who idolised the romantic vision of the countryside that did this roofing method become fashionable. From Early times until the cottage revival by English landscape painters such as Constable, thatching was designated as a poor man's roof. Country Churches were often thatched, one church at Rayden, near Southwold was roofed in 1880 with thatch facing away from the road and roof tiles facing the road, the clergy thinking that it made it look grander.

Thatching went into decline due to the Victorians being able to transport welsh slate across the country by train. Modern wheat growing has not helped as the new strains of wheat grow on short straw so as not to incur wind damage to the crop.

Thatching is now an art form not just a way of keeping out the wind and rain. A good modern thatch made of water reed can last 25 to 35 years.

Although a colour washed thatch cottage can look chocolate boxy, for those of us who love chocolates there is nothing so romantic as a pretty traditional cottage with a rose in full bloom and a boarder of cottage garden flowers beneath a weathered thatch.

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