New like old

[88v8]

I wonder how many thatched properties are being built now?
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-26514114.html?utm_content=ealertspropertylink&utm_medium=email&utm_source=emailupdates&utm_campaign=emailupdatesjun11&utm_term=buying&sc_id=4990530&onetime_FromEmail=true

The interior is too modern for me, and the garden, well, it has potential.
But full marks for what I can see of the exterior.

Ivor

 

[DJH]

I might have this wrong Ivor but I seem to remember that Dorset required a certain percentage of new houses in rural locations to be covered in thatch. Then of course comes the reed or straw discussion!

Doug

 

[vicky whitworth]

That's nicely done outside. There are quite a few new builds with thatch in Devon and Dorset. Most of them are horrid.

 

[Flyfisher]

I wonder what modern building regulations require for using thatch on a new build? I imagine there are various fireproofing/resisting things that could be easily be implements on a new build that might be quite difficult to retrofit. Fireproof roof linings above the rafters for example? All cabling to 'pyro-spec' (can't remember the correct term, but basically fireproof)? Probably other things as well.

I also wonder whether insurers would treat a modern built thatch roof differently to a traditional one?

 

[DJH]

That's a good point FF. I know that new thatch roofs have an underlay beneath it but whether that's fire retardant or just to stop loose thatch from falling into the space below I'm not sure. Is new thatch treated with some sort of fire retarder solution I wonder? Seems a good idea to me if that was possible.

Doug