East Midlands Master Thatchers' Association
  • Home
  • Materials
  • Thatch
  • Specification
    • Part I - Water Reed
    • Part II - Combed Wheat Reed
    • Part III - Long Straw
  • Gallery
  • Find Your Thatcher
  • BECOME A MEMBER
  • CONTACT

Water Reed

Thatching to timbers
Preparatory work 
  • Old wire and thatch to be removed. 
  • The roof frame shall comply with specifications for thatch. 
Fixings 
  • The reed is to be secured by adequate fixings to ensure that there is no slippage. 
  • Every course of reed should be fixed to every rafter with suitable length hooks or other appropriate fixings. 
  • The dimensions of lateral fixings should be sufficient to ensure that there is no bowing between rafters. 
Coatwork 
  • The water reed shall be sufficiently compact and be of even density to maintain suitable angle. 
  • The surface of the reed will conform to the pitch of the rafter which will not normally be less than 45 degrees. 
  • The minimum depth over the batten from the surface of the thatch will not be less than 305mm (12in). 
  • Lining and backfill courses shall be employed as necessary to avoid the reed laying too flat. 
  • The depth of reed over fixings will be a minimum of 102mm (4in). 
  • Facework thicknesses will be maintained throughout all features. 
  • Soil pipes etc extending through coatwork will be weathered by adequate flashing. 
  • Box gutters to chimneys will be sufficiently large to accommodate removal of debris. 
  • Eaves and gables will be dressed to give adequate overhang. 

Ridgework
Material - good quality long straw, combed wheat reed or sedge 
  • All ridges will preferably be of the block pattern type, minimum thickness 76mm (3in) cut to ornamental pattern if required and secured by liggers and cross spars. 
  • Rolls are normally employed in ridging work, and covered with a 4in minimum thickness. 
  • The ridge shall be set at the best possible angle dependent on the features of the roof. 
  • Joints at the chimney etc projecting from the ridge shall be proofed against weather by adequate flashing. 

Netting
The ridge should be protected by 20 gauge x 19mm galvanised wire netting. If wire netting is fixed to reed coat, it should conform closely to roof shape.




​

if you are looking for a thatcher near you please click here


Privacy & Cookie Policy
© 2019 EMMTA
  • Home
  • Materials
  • Thatch
  • Specification
    • Part I - Water Reed
    • Part II - Combed Wheat Reed
    • Part III - Long Straw
  • Gallery
  • Find Your Thatcher
  • BECOME A MEMBER
  • CONTACT