HOW THATCHED ROOFS ARE BUILT

Learn all about this historic building method that masterfully tops roofs with layers of dry vegetation

- AILSA HARVEY

Thatched roofs have been crafted for thousands of years, originating as a housing solution for both the poorest communities and the wealthiest royals. When compacted together, the layers of straw, reeds or heather used in tatched roofs direct rainwater away from the building's interior. The densely packed vegetation also traps small pockets of air throughout the roof, serving as insulation for the home. In medieval times, the materials used for thatching roofs varied based on the locally available vegetation. The method was popular in rural areas because of the wide availability and low cost of suitable thatched roofing materials. Stone and tile were much more expensive, but by the 19th and 20th centuries, industrialisation made these materials more accessible and affordable, leading to a decline in thatched roofs.