Roof thatching is an ancient craft in which natural materials are installed in courses along steep roofs to shed water and insulate. The thatch may be bundles of water reeds, prairie grass or palm fronds. The layers typically are dressed or feathered to create a uniform plane. Then eaves are neatly trimmed and sculpted. And the ridge is capped with flexible prairie grass or reeds and secured with hazel rods or hardwood spars.
Fast-growing thatch materials are a green building material. William harvests his thatching materials locally with the permission of private landowners and imports materials from Europe, Africa and Asia. He personally works on each project.
A thatch roof made from water reeds typically lasts about 20 years, palm thatch about half that. Thatch usually can be patched if damaged. Although thatch naturally repels water and directs it downward from ridge to eave, William often installs his roofs over continuous, self-sealing waterproof membranes. Thatch also can be installed over exposed timbers and battens so it is visible from below.
Please contact William P. Cahill for additional details.