thatch-roofs-msg – 8/18/05
Thatch roof construction.
NOTE: See also the files: buildings-msg, mills-msg, straw-crafts-msg.
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/* Written 1:54 pm Jul 8, 1991 by dolata at lead.uazaic.arizona.edu in inmet:rec.org.sca */
There are three types of thatching currently used; long straw, combed
straw, and combed reed. The first two methods both use cut wheat straw,
but differ in the handling, laying and attaching. The third uses water
reeds, which have a waxy coat and shed the water a bit better. The old
(70+ yrs old and still climbing ladders with 60 pound loads of straw!)
master thatcher I worked with has used sedge (a type of grass), flax
(a LINEN roof!), and has heard of people using long shavings of wood.
The main requirements for a good thatch material are;
1) fairly long; 2.5 -> 3.5 foot
2) unbroken; this means no bailed materials (I might have to try though)
3) fairly smooth; twiggy branches couldn't be laid with the techniques
I learned - Scottish thatchers do use bracken and heather, but must
use another technique altogether
4) availalble in largish quantities; a 10 foot "square" of roof requires
1/4 ton of straw, or 200 wadds of reed (a wadd is about 3 hands
circumference).
Question; what do people think of the idea of my writing a TI article on
thatching???
From: Chris Zakes <moondrgn at earthlink.net>
Date: April 29, 2005 7:00:21 AM CDT
To: Barony of Bryn Gwlad <bryn-gwlad at ansteorra.org>
Subject: RE: [Bryn-gwlad] OT- Thatcher (Roofer) needed
[The original message was someone asking if anyone had a "Thatcher(Roofer) to recommend after a hailstorm here. - Stefan]
>> LOL, heaven's no...that's why in the title I put "Thatcher(Roofer)"....
>> Thatched roof with skylights? Sounds like my definition of a hole in
>> the roof.
>
> nah, I was just funning with you. Though I helped build a cottage at
> Scarborough Faire that had thatching. Luckily I didn't have to help
> with that part.
>
> Clare
You could always try here: http://www.nsmt.co.uk/ (although they might
charge a little extra for "time and travel." <G>) Or here's one a
little closer to home: http://www.thatching.com/
Or do it yourself... http://www.thatch.org/
I wonder how well a thatched roof would withstand hailstones? And
*could* you put a skylight in one?
-Tivar Moondragon
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