Thatching

Thatching is the process of creating a roof surface using plant material.   Phragmites reed grass, a traditional thatching plant originally from Europe, is the material that we are using at Natural Cottage  Project workshops and at the Strawbale Studio.  Flemming Abrahamsson taught us the basics in a 2 week workshop, and the we went on to thatch all the structures on this page! the Oxford Kids’ Cottage, The Retreat Cabin, The Spiral Chamber, The Kensington Kids Cottage, plus several smaller wood shelters.            SLIDESHOW of Strawbale Studio Thatched Buildings

Roofs made with reed thatch are long-lasting, insulative and very beautiful.   Reed harvested in local fields and marshes are applied in layers, and held in place with sways (long wooden sticks harvested from the woods) which are literally sewn to the roof structure to secure the reed to the roof.   The layers are applied in an overlapping fashion and tamped up to create a finely shingled effect. Rain transfers from reed to reed on the outer layer, and does not penetrate down into the roof. A ridge application, of reed or other natural materials, protects the top of the roof.

In the design of the roof it is important to have at least a 45 degree angle (12/12 pitch) so that the water flows quickly down the surface and off the roof. It is a slowly biodegrading roof expected to last 25 or more years, and re-thatching on top of the existing layer can continue to extend the life of the roof. Ridge applications need to be redone, or over-coated more frequently from 5 – 15 years depending on the plant material used, or a more enduring copper cap can be constructed. Thatched roofs are traditionally put on hip roofs and gable roofs.

Spiral Chamber ~ Thatched Cap. photo by A

Spiral Chamber, enchanting cap added 2014 by Deanne, Ruthie & Zack

Although this is an artful craft and a skill that can take many years to master, the basics can be understood and learned by beginners, and a successful and beautiful roof created.   After learning the basics in a course, it would be recommended to start on a small structure to practice the process of harvesting, storing and application.

A portrait of Deanne demonstrating thatching technique with a model piece of thatched roof at a natural building colloquium.

Deanne demonstrating thatching technique

Thatching Outline  Details, ordering materials..

The Thatchers Craft   Time-honored on-line resource book includes reed thatching & other styles

In 2025 Paul Lewis & Patty from the Architecture program at Princeton University visited Strawbale Studio to learn thatching techniques to apply to a creative project associated with their book A Manuel of Biogenic House Sections which is available as a book, download, or flipbook. 
View this Vertical Thatching Project Slideshow of the amazing structure they created using vertical thatching with their students!  

 

View photos of the project they create

Rain dripping off the Thatched Roof of the Strawbale Studio ~  1 min. Youtube video by Dana Driscoll.

2016 Thatching Workshop Blog!  Sweet. Lots of pictures and info.

Natural Building Materials & Strategies, including extensive information on Thatching.

Thatch Roof Basics – link from the Endeavour Centre

Retreat Cabin

Natural Building Handouts – go to Thatch Folder

Folks involved in Thatching in U.S. ~  Master Thatchers: William Cahill, Collin McGhee.  Lay-thatchers: The Brotherhood of Christ, Eric Puri & Michael Beck from thepoosh.org. (reed harvesting video)  Deanne Bednar of Strawbale Studio.

Video by Petar Simic: Reed Collecting  with Deanne of the Strawbale Studio

Friend, Eric Puro writes: I just got exciting news!  Tarmo Ahonen who is the only commercial thatcher in Finland has welcomed me to learn with him over the rest of the summer.  I am very excited to learn more traditional and local techniques for thatching here.  The ridge line is done in a real nice way –  Finnish Thatching Powerpoint
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