TudorCottage
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The new thatch has been started. Very interesting to see how they go about it.
Not expecting a quick job this time of the year.
Not expecting a quick job this time of the year.
- Thread starter TudorCottage
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Mrs McG
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May I ask roughly how much it is costing you to thatch? And how long you had to wait for the thatcher to be available? I’m several years off needing to do mine but as I’m also in Bedfordshire the information could be useful!
TudorCottage
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From receiving the quote to starting was 18 months. Had another quote with a similar waiting time.
We’re in Eaton Bray and the Thatcher is very local in Totternhoe and he thinks this will be his last big job before retirement. Although I think he’ll have his arm twisted for local work.
Cost is £29k for complete new thatch on original cottage, new ridges on original cottage and extension, tidy up of extension roof and wire mesh over the whole roof.
We’re in Eaton Bray and the Thatcher is very local in Totternhoe and he thinks this will be his last big job before retirement. Although I think he’ll have his arm twisted for local work.
Cost is £29k for complete new thatch on original cottage, new ridges on original cottage and extension, tidy up of extension roof and wire mesh over the whole roof.
tobydog
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That sounds like a good price for everything. It's interesting to see him working from the bottom up rather clearing the whole thing and using tarpaulin. Must make it far easier to manage with the weather at this time of year. Far easier to clear up as well.
It is, however, a little bit scary looking at your photos. Your thatch looks to be in far better shape than ours and I'm hoping to replace ours completely in about 12 to 15 years time when the current ridge wears out. We have a fungal disease in parts that turns the thatch to crumbs. We've had some repairs done but getting the guy back to do more is a nightmare. Was yours failing in any particular area because your ridge and base layers still look in good shape?
It is, however, a little bit scary looking at your photos. Your thatch looks to be in far better shape than ours and I'm hoping to replace ours completely in about 12 to 15 years time when the current ridge wears out. We have a fungal disease in parts that turns the thatch to crumbs. We've had some repairs done but getting the guy back to do more is a nightmare. Was yours failing in any particular area because your ridge and base layers still look in good shape?
Toby Newell
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comforting to know there are still a few craftsmen out there
TudorCottage
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Yes, would pull lots more of the old thatch off in one go in the summer. Rain is forecast tomorrow so easier to work in small sections and cover with tarpaulin.
Thatcher did say the existing roof was still ok for a good few years. I’m of an age where I hope to enjoy the new roof for a few years and may well have to revisit the ridge, but the main roof should see me out
We don’t intend moving any time soon but if things changed, whilst probably not adding any value it might make the cottage easier to sell.
Thatcher did say the existing roof was still ok for a good few years. I’m of an age where I hope to enjoy the new roof for a few years and may well have to revisit the ridge, but the main roof should see me out
We don’t intend moving any time soon but if things changed, whilst probably not adding any value it might make the cottage easier to sell.
TudorCottage
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The rain just runs off it, aided by the high angle of the pitch. During heavy rain it’s like walking through a power shower when you walk under it.
Great insulation upstairs. Really is a cottage of 2 halves, in cold weather upstairs nice and toasty whilst downstairs struggles to keep the cold out. Lovely and cool in hot weather both up and down.
Great insulation upstairs. Really is a cottage of 2 halves, in cold weather upstairs nice and toasty whilst downstairs struggles to keep the cold out. Lovely and cool in hot weather both up and down.
Toby Newell
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Amazing and roofing material made (almost all) with solar energy...
Gothichome
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How long can you expect a brand new thatch to last ?
tobydog
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If it's water reed then the main part of the thatch can be good for more than 50 years. By the time we replace ours in 12 - 15 years time (presuming we're still here) it will be nearly 55 years old. The ridge needs to be replaced roughly every 12 - 15 years because it's normally made from wheat straw. With water reed everything comes off as you can see from the photos above. If the main thatch is wheat straw then it may last just 20 -25 years, however, normally only the top coat is replaced each time. This is why water reed thatches are normally about 12 inches thick whereas wheat straw can be a few feet as old layers are removed and thicker new layers are added. In rare cases, 400+ year old houses with wheat straw thatch can still have their original base layers. These can be seen from inside the roof space and may be blackened with soot from the days of inside open fires before inglenooks.
Frustratingly the idea is not to get caught with having to re-thatch. It's like pass the parcel where you don't want to get caught holding it when the music stops!!
Frustratingly the idea is not to get caught with having to re-thatch. It's like pass the parcel where you don't want to get caught holding it when the music stops!!
Gothichome
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50 years (or longer) with proper maintenance, that’s longer than I would have guessed. That’s the equivalent expected life span of top of the line architectural shingle in our part of Canada.
TudorCottage
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Things are coming along. Weather isn't helping.
That bundle of Reed is the original thatch, not in bad condition considering it's nearly 40 years old and was only a couple of inches below the top level.
The new stuff comes in bundles, 1300 have been ordered for our roof!!
That bundle of Reed is the original thatch, not in bad condition considering it's nearly 40 years old and was only a couple of inches below the top level.
The new stuff comes in bundles, 1300 have been ordered for our roof!!
Toby Newell
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amazing, looks like the guy did his own head...
Gothichome
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That looks great so far. The cottage will be good for another 40 years.
TudorCottage
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All finished and very pleased with the final results.
We decided to have half of the extension renewed rather than tidied up as it wasn't in as good a shape as we thought. With that and the weather it's taken longer than originally planned but a good job rather than a quick job was always the priority.
We decided to have half of the extension renewed rather than tidied up as it wasn't in as good a shape as we thought. With that and the weather it's taken longer than originally planned but a good job rather than a quick job was always the priority.
Gothichome
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Now were is the chocolate or biscuit box photographer. A home as pretty as that deserves a tin box image.
TudorCottage
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Thank you Gothichome.
When you look back at the original photographs taken when it was started, you realise how worn the roof was. But before it was started I didn’t think it was in bad Knick for a 45 year old roof
When you look back at the original photographs taken when it was started, you realise how worn the roof was. But before it was started I didn’t think it was in bad Knick for a 45 year old roof
Toby Newell
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What a beauty.
tobydog
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Wow - what a gorgeous transformation. Your old roof was how ours looks now but we're holding out for about another 10 years until the ridge goes. We had a thatcher round a couple of months ago to check it over and provide a condition report (still waiting on the report!). Whilst it's recognised practice to replace the entire thatch when renewing with reed, he said he has developed a technique (and trained apprentices) in only removing the top few inches and leaving about a 6" base layer. The new reed would then be attached to the old base. This is pretty much how a straw thatch is renewed so I'm very interested in that. Will save on the the cost as well (apparently). Enjoy living under it.