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What is a thatched cottage?
The cottages are small traditional houses of northern and western Europe, with a thatched roof (wheat or rye straw, reed stems as the case may be) from which it takes its name.
There are 2 main reasons that have slowed down the use of its roofs:
• The method of harvesting wheat, which breaks straw;
• And high fire hazards.
However, if the thatched roof is designed according to the rules of the art, then it is no more flammable than a tile roof. It also does not attract insects or rodents. And does not present more risk of moisture than other covers. Because the tools used make the installation more compact. All on one condition: that the roof is perfectly laid!
Ecological and insulating roofs
These roofs are excellent thermal and sound insulators, in addition to being a renewable material.
This roof keeps cool in summer and warm in winter. Rain does not produce noise when falling on it and it is insensitive to frost, hail and snow, which makes it very resistant.
Thatch is a rot-proof material, totally biodegradable, they dispense with the installation of a gutter. Its biggest advantage is still its aesthetic appearance, which gives the house a "countryside" look.
This roof requires regular and constant maintenance, it must be treated with an anti-flame treatment. This must respect a slope of at least 40% otherwise the water will not evacuate properly and your roof may rot!
The creation of openings in a thatched roof quickly proves complex and if you want to install a roof window, a craftsman with special skills will be highly recommended. Similarly for the installation of a chimney in the house: installation of a flame extinguisher, anti-heating duct ... If you want to collect rainwater, a thatched roof is not suitable.
Thatched roofs are not allowed in all municipalities and its price is high because of the difficulty in finding specialized workers.
How to maintain this roof and its cost
Thatched cover costs more than conventional covers because of labor (the price of a boot does not exceed 5 euros): the working time is very high and specialists are rare, therefore expensive.
Nevertheless, it should be noted that gutters and additional roof insulation are unnecessary and therefore represent a cost less on the final bill.
The maintenance budget of a thatched roof can range between 600 and 1500 €.
Type of work
- Price of installation of a thatched roof (supply included): 120 - 150 €
- Price of installation of a single thatched roof (without opening) 80 - 100 €
- Price of a thatched roof ridge 75 - 90 €
The price of a thatched roof depends on several criteria:
• The roof area to be covered
• Thatch thickness
• The complexity of the site: windows, roof sections, difficult access, etc.
• The region
• The hourly rate of the craftsman in charge of the installation
Choosing to have a thatched roof is certainly a high price, but it must be taken into account that there is no gutter installation and that there are savings to be made in terms of insulation and framing.
The lifespan of a thatched roof is 40 to 50 years if regular and thorough maintenance is carried out every 3 years (plugging the holes, compensating for the reduction of the roof ...). It should be noted that the north-facing sections are the ones to watch out for more, because fungi and cyanobacteria can settle and proliferate quickly on the thatch, sometimes causing significant damage and requiring expensive renovation work.
The higher the slope of the roof, the longer the roof will last. The cleaning begins by removing the thin layer damaged by the passage of a thermal hedge trimmer and then a spray of organic anti-foam solution. Algae and mosses could form a layer and prevent the stubble from drying out.
Careful
Do not use any defoaming product: this could mold your thatched roof. And never use a pressure washer to clean a thatched roof.
The thatched roof should not be exposed too much to shades of trees, as this shortens its lifespan, it is not recommended to have this roof in wooded areas. Over time, the stubble erodes or detaches. The maintenance of the roof will necessarily lead you to damage certain layers, it is better to entrust this step to professionals.
It is not necessary to maintain a thatched roof within seven years of its installation. This can be up to ten years if you find that your roof has no imperfections. After 25 years, it is recommended to replace the thatch to ensure the longevity of the roof.
Our advisors in Normandy are at your disposal to accompany you in the search for your cottage.
Madison VATEL
Real Estate Consultant
Normandy Region
06 40 20 02 93
Posted on 21/12/2022 by
Cyril POTTIER
Entrepreneur and founder of the agency GABRIEL FRANCE, my career began in the field of accounting, but my passion for real estate led me to this captivating adventure. With GABRIEL FRANCE, we bring our expertise to every stage of real estate, from purchase to sale, including rental management. Through each transaction, our goal is simple: to ensure your satisfaction.
