Is a thatched roof a fire risk?

Thatched roofs are always at risk from fire. Once a fire has taken hold in a thatched roof, it will spread rapidly. Some main causes of fire in thatch are: stray sparks from the chimneys, discarded cigarettes and garden bonfires.

How flammable is a thatched roof?

Thatch Foil It is applied in exactly the same manner as roofing felt and contains no flammable materials. Thatch foil has excellent insulating properties, reflecting over 90% of radiated heat.

How do you fire proof a thatched roof?

Barrier Foil acts as both a fire resistant barrier and a thermally reflective insulator. An added advantage is that, once it is fixed to the roofing laths, the foil provides a weatherproof covering to the the roof during the thatching operation, thus avoiding the necessity of using tarpaulins, etc.

Do thatched roofs burn easily?

FAQ #3: If you have a thatch roof, your entire house is going to go up in flames. Any material will catch fire if a flame is present, thatch is just more susceptible to burning faster or smoldering.

Do thatched roofs attract vermin?

Thatch roofs attract all sorts of animals all year round; they would also like to make these atmospheric spaces their home. Common thatch pests may include birds, rats, insects and squirrels.

Can you have a wood burning stove in a thatched cottage?

The fundamental recommendation is that wood burning and multi-fuel stoves should not be used in thatch roofed buildings.

How effective is a thatched roof?

Thatched roofs are an excellent feature to any building, effective and aesthetically pleasing in equal measures. The materials used are extremely hardy, weather resistant and durable to strong winds. Thatch is also a natural insulator, air pockets within straw thatch insulate a building in both warm and cold weather.

Is a thatch roof safe?

Thatched roofs are more vulnerable to fire than any other roofing material. If a thatch roof catches on fire, it spreads quickly as dry reeds and grass are extremely flammable. They are difficult to extinguish and can cost thousands of dollars in damage.

Is thatch flammable?

Thatch is not as flammable as many people believe. It burns slowly, “like a closed book,” thatchers say. All thatched roofs should have smoke detectors in the roof space. Spray-on fire retardant or pressure impregnated fire retardants can reduce the spread of flame and radiated heat output.

Are thatched roofs full of bugs?

Insects: Thatched roofs also can become a haven for all sorts of unwelcome insects including Cluster flies and Wasps. Insects such as spiders live in thatch and are only a pest if you are scared of them.

What are the problems with thatched roofs?

The Issues with Thatched Roofing

Leaking. Perhaps the most common and obvious problem with thatched roofing is the potential for leaks.
Compaction. Ensuring that a thatched roof is watertight and weather resistant is a difficult task, and largely relies on effective compaction.
Insurance.
Animal Damage.

Why are there so many fires on thatch roofs?

Evidence strongly suggests that the growing popularity and use of wood burning and multi-fuel stoves have been responsible for an increasing number of fires in thatched roof buildings. Moreover, recent studies have shown that these types of stove are more likely to cause fires in thatch roofs than traditional open fires.

Can a multi fuel stove be used in a thatch roofed house?

As a result of these findings, this new guidance on measures to reduce the risk of fire has been produced. The fundamental recommendation is that wood burning and multi-fuel stoves should not be used in thatch roofed buildings. But where these types of stove are being used, the guidance lists actions that can be taken to reduce the risk of fire.

What kind of roofing material is synthetic thatch?

Synthetic Thatch Premium synthetic thatch roofing solution that excellently captures the beauty of natural thatch cottages from exotic destinations worldwide. Made from Nylon/HDPE material, our synthetic thatch roofing materials simulate the appearance of natural thatch with added durability and fire resistance.

How does a chimney fire affect a roof?

Chimney fires endanger thatch roofs in several ways: they can result in extreme chimney temperatures, the emission of flames from the chimney top and the ejection of burning material. The frequency of chimney sweeping depends on the fuel being burned and how often the stove is used.