Thatch - DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR ARCHITECTS

The following study contains only the basic technical conditions for the execution of thatch, which have a major impact on the durability and safety of the facility (thatched roof)! If it is necessary in the future, we will complement them and expand them with new topics, because despite the fact that thatched roofs have their origins in prehistory, this technology is still actively developing, adapting to the challenges posed by modern construction! If you have not found the answer to your question, please contact us.

Coefficient of thermal conduction of thatch: Let us repeat - in the implementation of thatch, in any system, the cover should be well ventilated from the bottom to maintain proper durability - this, however, significantly affects the fluctuation of the thermal insulation of thatch. As a result of complying with the requirements ensuring durability of the material, we obtain a cover characterized by periodic changes in the insulation ratio - for thatch in dry and windless periods it is almost twice better, while during strong winds and high humidity our thatch has insulation comparable to 12 cm thick insulation with mineral wool - excellent, but still demanding insulation (!), in winter the U-value is almost twice as high - especially when the cover is covered with a layer of snow, closing the road with gusts of wind, which is not so important for other types of coverings! From my own experience I know that it is worth to ensure comfort without jumping down and to additionally insulate a thatched roof if we intend to use the attic as a residential floor. Then we do not feel the negative effects of the insulation differences of thatch, and we use the unique effect in the summer (cold in the greatest heat!) And in winter (the heat despite the February frosts!). What is worth remembering when thinking about roofing? The fact that the value of the coefficient U = 0.35W/(m²K) given in foreign sources (and often on polish plunder sites) refers to thatch with a standard 28-30 cm thick, in the wet state in the West! Among other things, this is why such a big weight should be applied when designing thatch to maintain air circulation, which ensures the longevity of the roofing and significantly better roof insulation for most of the year!;

Window construction:

• the smallest distance to the edge of a thatched roof 2m
• the smallest distance to break thatch 2m
• the smallest distance to the trash - 2m
• the smallest distance from the top of the roof structure 1m
• the distance of the lower edge of the window structure to the upper surface of the patches, at right angles to the pitch of 20-25 cm

The angle of the thatched roofs on the windows covered with thatched roofs:

• thatched, arc-shaped window: min. 35 degrees
• thatched rectangular window, square: min. 45 degrees

Masonry elements, tangents with thatched roofs (dormers entering the roof, brick dormers, chimneys, etc.) in the place of contact with the thatched roof should have an "otter" with a height of 25-30 cm, in which the cover will come, or alternatively so-called. "cat's stairs" - brick ledge 14cm, which will cover the connection of the wall with the cover, providing initial coverage.
Eaves: - the end of the thatch can be parallel to the ground or at an angle of 90 degrees to the roof. The fastest and most easily possible fire spreads from the eaves - here we pay special attention to solutions that obstruct the spread of fire, but at the same time we are moving as far as possible to avoid wall covering.

I am perfectly aware that the information contained herein does not exhaust the scope that may be found in the area of architect or designer's interests, when it is the task of designing a thatched object. I am convinced that I have discussed issues that are neglected, or to which one is still paying little attention during design. Of course, the sections "Irbis Thatching Rethatching Services" contain sections describing exactly the issues that are missing here. Also pictures illustrating the elements described here! I invite you to read our content - a link at the bottom of the "Site Map" page. I especially recommend the department devoted to fire protection systems.