thatched roof, Solvang California

thatched roof in Solvang California

thatched roof in Solvang California

   I was doing some roofing, and decided I’d look at the photos of the thatched roof I saw recently in Solvang.

  But I’m using plain old ‘Three tab asphalt shingles’.  Nothing near as exotic, foreign, and attractive as this thatch.

  Thatching is an old practice. It is also very effective, and has the added benefit of insulation value. So it has always been a favorite in northern Europe. Lately however it has fallen out of favor due to the longevity and relative cost savings of concrete tiles, or asphalt shingles.   Thatch requires a special set of skills and training to install. Weathering will grey the exposed surfaces.  It will also weaken those fibers, causing them to shed irregularly, giving the roof a ragged appearance. For this reason it needs to be ‘shaved’ every year or so. An inch or so is removed from the ends of the shafts. This will take the grey away, and leave you with a roof that appears new. A thatch roof might last five years or so depending on the materials, and the weather.