Water reed, a common thatching material used in approximately half of the UK’s thatched homes, is naturally waterproof. The inside of the reed is hollow, so it doesn’t absorb water or go soggy.

As such, simply bundling these reeds together on the top layer of a thatched roof can be enough to keep even the most torrential rain at bay. The typical thatch roof is around twelve inches deep, but no moisture will seep any further than the first couple of inches.

While it may seem strange to term a roof ‘energy efficient’, thatch is just that.

In recent years, with environmental awareness growing, more importance has been placed on home insulation – but few modern building materials insulate as well as age-old thatch.

On cold winter days, a thatched roof can help keep your home warm. In summer, thatch will help keep the property cool.

Despite this high level of insulation, thatched roofs don’t require loft ventilation.

Being made out of straw or reeds, thatched roofs give the impression to many that a stiff breeze could be a real cause for concern. Few things could be further from the truth.

In fact, in high winds, a well-constructed thatch roof will likely fair much better than its slate counterparts.

Thatch is constructed from natural crops like water reed. It doesn’t need to be mined or quarried, is wholly sustainable and creates no wastage.

Thatching itself is a sustainable and traditional country practice which has survived centuries in spite of newer building materials. Even now, with the help of existing thatching companies, more people are learning how to thatch.

Thatching a roof is a complex process that involves laying a network of steel rods, which in turn hold the many bundles of reed in place.

The roof is then finished with the sealing of the ridge line – often done in a style unique to the thatcher.

It takes up to five years’ apprenticeship to learn how to thatch a roof in this manner, but you can pick up some of the tricks of the trade at workshops and day courses around the country. They won’t make you a thatcher, but they will help you better appreciate the art of thatching and how it’s done.