How Long Does a Thatched Roof Last?
If your home has a thatched roof or you’re considering investing in a thatched property, a common question tends to be how long thatch will last. There’s no set answer to this question, as there are so many factors that can influence their longevity. In this blog, we’ll explore these factors in detail and discuss why it’s beneficial to take out thatched property insurance to ensure your roof remains suitably protected.
How long does a thatched roof last?
There are many variables that can affect the lifespan of a thatched roof. Generally speaking, they tend to last up to 40 years before needing replacing, but some have been known to last upwards of 60 years.
Factors that can affect the lifespan of a thatched roof include:
Thatch materials
The lifespan of a thatched roof is largely determined by the materials used when building it. These materials can include water reed, wheat reed, and long straw.
Water reed is known to be more durable than wheat reed and long straw, and many newer properties with thatched roofs will use this material to improve the roof's lifespan. Water reed also provides a straighter and less rounded thatched appearance that is different from wheat reed, but a skilled thatcher can make it look similar.
Wheat reed thatched roofs tend not to last as long, with their lifespan being around 25 to 30 years. Long straw is typically used for more agricultural homes and is an all-purpose thatched roof material that can be used to complete many designs, typically having a lifespan of 20 to 25 years.
Thatch maintenance
A well-maintained thatched roof not only provides visual benefits for your home, but it also provides financial advantages. With proper maintenance, a thatched roof can last a lot longer, so you can avoid having to get a costly replacement. In contrast, if a thatched roof does not receive regular maintenance, this can cause bigger problems in the long run.
To make a thatched roof last longer, it's recommended to carry out regular care and preservation. Typical maintenance of a thatched roof includes:
- Removing debris such as moss and algae
- Ensuring proper ventilation to prevent mould
- Inspecting the roof at least once a year
- Patching any holes with a suitable material
- Replacing the ridge every 10 to 15 years
You can learn more about thatch maintenance in our Thatch Insurance FAQs.
Climate
The climate also has a substantial effect on how long a thatched roof lasts, with differing weather taking its toll.
Thatched roofs are made from natural materials and are therefore prone to breakdown when in the presence of moisture. This means they are less likely to last as long in a humid environment than somewhere dry. This also applied to climates that receive a lot of rain because the moisture can cause the material to break down and things like mould to grow.
If you are a thatch property owner living in an area where there are frequent high winds and rain, you would generally expect your thatched roof to have a shorter lifespan than others—though efforts can be made to mitigate against this with maintenance.
How often do thatched roofs need replacing?
The frequency of a thatched roof needing to be replaced can depend on all the factors we’ve discussed above. However, it’s important to note that the ridge of the roof does need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years.
Signs that a thatched roof should be checked for repairs and replacements can include the roof having raised wire netting on the ridge, fixings sticking out, a line across the main roof coat work, and dips. It’s recommended to have a thatched roof inspected annually by a specialist, who will then be able to advise on any repairs or replacement needs.
Is it important to have thatched property insurance?
Thatched property insurance helps your home stay protected if an unexpected event occurs. With a thatched roof, the risks of fire damage and general roof decay are higher than with regular roofs, which means they require more labour to ensure their upkeep—and regular home insurance usually won’t be enough.
At Higos, we have access to specialist thatch markets, as well as having our own thatched property insurance scheme with a leading UK thatch insurer.
Within our own thatch property insurance scheme, we can offer the following:
- A fully funded chimney survey for solid fuel stoves
- A fire risk assessment if your chimney is used by solid fuel stoves.
Contact our friendly team at Higos and let us help you find the thatched property insurance cover to protect your thatched roof. Call us on 01458 675522 today or request a call back.