Wheat Reed re-thatch project near Canterbury in Kent

This currently completed Wheat Reed re-thatch project near Canterbury in Kent. This roof was thatched using the wheat reed method to a depth of no less than 300mm.

Wheat Reed thatch near Canterbury in KentA block ridge was applied to weather the top fixing and an ornate pattern was cut from its thickness. A galvanised wire netting is applied to the whole roof area preventing all wildlife entry. The boxer dog being stalked by a cat has also turned many heads .

As a posed to thatching straight to rafters and battens , this is a case over thatch . Which means one to two layers of old thatch are stripped to a sound base and the new thatch is applied and fixed to the old thatch using twisted hazel pegs ( spars).