THATCHED ROOFS

OÜ Transar EF has been active in constructing thatched roofs and exporting reed since 1992. We export reed to many foreign countries, including Denmark, Sweden, Latvia and Finland. Each year we construct more than 2000 m2 of thatched roofs. When you order from us, there is no need to be apprehensive about a lack of high-quality roof reed.

 

Why choose a thatched roof?

  1. Reed is one of the first roof construction materials that people started using. The lifetime of a thatched roof has been tested already for centuries.
  2. A thatched roof is both a roof cover material and an insulation material; during the winter it is warm underneath it, while during the summer it is pleasantly cool.
  3. The roof, as well as the garret, can be made in any shape and skylights can also be added.
  4. A thatched roof is traditional and natural.
  5. A thatched roof requires less heat insulation material than other roof types.
  6. Reed has a very high level of sound insulation.
  7. Reed is a local and renewable material; a new plant grows each year.

 

How long does a thatched roof last?

If a thatched roof has been properly made, its incline is 45° and it is 28 cm thick, it should last for 60-80 years. The lifetime of the roof is also influenced by the vicinity of trees (branches shouldn’t be closer than 2 m to the roof), the quality of the works and the reed used. The thickness of a thatched roof alone does not guarantee the long lifetime of the roof. The proper fastening of fastening staves and the distance from the surface, which must be at least 10 cm, are also of importance. The correct distance between roof batten staves, which depends on the length of used reed, is also important.

 

Therefore, in order to achieve the maximum lifetime of a thatched roof, it would be necessary to (in order of importance):

  1. If possible, make a roof with inclination of 45°-50°.
  2. Choose the executor of roof construction works wisely.
  3. Keep the roof clean of leaves and litter.
  4. Use only high quality reed for making roofs.
  5. Ensure the roof is provided with sufficient ventilation and is covered by as little shade as possible. Large trees should be located as far away from the roof as possible.
  6. The ridge of the roof should initially be renewed after 5 to 10 years, later after every 15-20 years.
  7. Small defects should be taken care of as soon as possible.

 

Fire-resistance of thatched roofs

Mostly in our climate up to 5 cm of the surface layer of thatched roofs is moist and does not catch fire as easily as commonly thought. It must be made sure that fire safety is ensured on the lower part of the roof, where the reed is dry and the blossoms catch fire easily. The main emphasis should be placed on the bushing of chimneys and making roofs fireproof from below. It is possible to install a spark net at the end of the chimney pipe. If the chimney has been properly built there is no threat of the roof catching fire!

 

Additional guarantee of the high quality of our work is represented by:

  1. Long term work experience.
  2. References given by our clients. We have built thatched roofs, for example, in Finland – private house and auxiliary buildings for Mr Maagnus Lillkvist; in Latvia – at the complex of Ungurmala. In Estonia we have built dozens of roofs, including for the A. H. Tammsaare Museum in Vargamäe, and the Estonian Open Air Museum in Viimsi, near Tallinn.
  3. There is always a sufficient amount of high quality reed available in the warehouses of the company.

Usually the defects of thatched roofs become apparent during the first few months. We give our roofs a 24-month guarantee.