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Buying a home with a thatched roof – what you need to know

Written by Posted On Tuesday, 04 June 2019 01:36

Buying a period property with lots of character may be a dream come true for many UK home buyers – but would you go as far as looking for a true ‘picture postcard’ thatched home, ideally with roses round the door?

Going back in time, thatched roofs were the main form of roof construction in the UK and parts of mainland Europe for hundreds of years. Many beautiful examples of thatched buildings from medieval and Tudor times still exist today, and a large proportion enjoy listed building status.

Looking after a thatched building requires specialist knowledge and a real commitment to preserving our architectural heritage. It all starts with the design and construction of the building and the material used for roof covering.

thatched-roof-1.jpg

Source: Alan Rance Surveyors

Roof maintenance

The lifespan of a thatched roof depends on a wide range of factors including the roof design and construction, the aspect of the building, as well as the quality and application of the roofing materials used.

But whichever materials or construction methods are employed, there’s no getting around the fact that a thatched roof need regular maintenance. You should be looking to replace the ridge section every 10-12 years, while the lifespan of the main roof can be anything from 20-35 years.

Keeping the roof looking attractive and functional may be the holy grail, but even a tatty looking, moss covered roof can still be perfectly serviceable as long as it has been meticulously maintained. On the other hand, a neglected roof can be detrimental to the building fabric and cause major damage further down the line.

What’s more, many thatched properties are listed buildings. This requires roof repairs and maintenance to be ‘like for like’, using the same materials in the same style. Listed Building Consent may be needed before any repairs or restoration can be carried out.

Need a thatcher?

Getting a thatched roof survey is highly advisable, whether you’re thinking of buying a property with a thatched roof, or need to maintain and existing roof. Ask advice from a surveyor with specialist expertise in listed properties and historic properties with thatched roofs. The survey report should make you aware of any potential repairs and replacements that are required.

Maintaining or replacing a high quality thatched roof is a skilled job for a professional thatcher. Getting more than one quotation for the roofing work is always a good starting point, as is checking references and previous work. However, an expert thatcher is hard to find and there’s no overall governing body for the profession. It is not uncommon for home owners having to wait for up to a year for a thatched roof replacement.

thatched-roof-2.jpg

Source: The Independent

Thatched building insurance

Getting home insurance for a property with a thatched roof can be expensive and the choice of insurers will be restricted. That’s because most insurance companies see thatched roof as a significant risk since they tend to be more costly to repair.

It’s worth looking around for the best cover for unique thatched homes from specialist providers, and be prepared to disclose salient information such as:

  • When was the thatch last maintained
  • Has the chimney been maintained, and when was it last swept
  • Are the electrics of acceptable standard and recently inspected
  • Is the property listed
  • Is the property detached or terraced?
  • Is the property owner occupied, rented or a holiday home

thatched-roof-3.jpg

Source: Thatch Advice Centre

Thatched roofs and fire safety

Thatch fires are no more or less likely than other types of fire, however when they do happen they can have serious consequences. More than 90% of thatch roof fires are traced back to a faulty chimney or flue.

What’s more, since thatch is designed to be water repellent, it makes fires difficult to extinguish. Taking sensible fire precautions will reduce the risk to your building and personal safety, and reduce your insurance premiums too. The Thatch Advice Centre has a useful Fire Safety for Thatch leaflet that you can download here.

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