Maintenance

Regardless of who built your thatched roof, William P. Cahill is the man to repair it. He is experienced with a variety of thatch installation techniques and materials and can marry new materials with old so they weather as one within a season.

A properly designed water reed roof can last up to 30 years, but 20 years is more common. Palm thatch roofs typically survive about half as long. The actual lifespan of a thatch roof depends on the material that’s used, the pitch, the climate and the site. Avoiding shallow pitch and high winds will increase the life of any thatch roof.

Selective repairs and partial replacement often are possible as thatch roofs age or are damaged in severe storms. It typically starts with replacing the thatch layer at the ridge.

William is adept at palm thatch repairs. He has adapted some of his Irish/English ridge-finishing techniques to enhance the durability of these African and Island thatch style structures. He applies a non-toxic fire-retardant solution when he completes each roof. The treatment should be repeated every few years.

To inquire about thatch maintenance and repairs, please use the form on the Contact page or contact William at 513-225-0368 or william@roofthatch.com

Products

In addition to designing an installing thatch roofs, William Cahill also distributes a number of high-quality, handcrafted thatch products from select suppliers in the United States, Africa, Asia and Europe.  These include bamboo, twig and heather privacy screening, thatch umbrellas and synthetic thatch. The synthetic materials resemble natural thatch but require less maintenance. Product samples are available. Shipping and handling charges for samples will be credited when products are purchased. To inquire about these products, use the form on the contact page or contact William directly at 513-225-0368 or william@roofthatch.com.