African thatch bundle
The traditional format for 20 cm roofs, ridges, finishing details and repairs. Always in stock.
Find out more| Format | Price |
|---|---|
| Bundle (supplied in packs of 10) | €1.50 / unit |
The material
African reed thatch: the natural roof that lasts longest.
A solid fibre that comes from South Africa and, properly laid, gives shade for decades. We import it ourselves and supply it in bundles or as thatch tiles from Marbella.
- South Africa
- where the material comes from, with certified origin
- 20 cm
- thick on a bundle thatch roof
- Up to 30 years
- of life in bundles; 8 – 10 in tiles
- 4.5 tiles
- cover one square metre
What it is
A solid stem, not a cane.
What we call African thatch here is also known as Cape reed. It is a plant with a fine, straight, solid stem that is harvested in South Africa and tied into bundles for thatching roofs.
That is what sets it apart from European water reed and from common reed, which are hollow: the African stem doesn’t flatten or split over the years. Laid in tightly packed layers, it forms a mass about 20 cm thick that water runs off without soaking in.
Freshly laid, it is golden. Sun and rain gradually darken it, and within a few years it has the toasted tone you see on old thatched roofs.
Why people choose it
Six reasons to put it on a roof.
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Waterproof
At the right pitch, water drains off the outer layer and never reaches the structure.
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Cool shade
The thickness of the fibre blocks the sun and lets the air through: it’s comfortable underneath even in the height of August.
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Lasts for decades
A well-made bundle thatch roof reaches 30 years. All it asks is a going-over every four years or so to remove loose strands.
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Can be fire-retardant treated
Fire-retardant products can be applied when the project or the regulations call for it.
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Genuinely natural
Plant fibre with no plastics. It suits a contemporary house just as well as a historic building.
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Versatile
It works for pergolas, palapas, umbrellas, beach bars, interior ceilings and even entire houses.
How it’s supplied
In bundles or in tiles.
The bundle is the time-honoured format: sheaves of reed that a thatcher stitches to the structure, layer upon layer, until the roof reaches 20 cm. It is the longest-lasting roof and the one used on pergolas, palapas and beach bars.
The thatch tile – or panel – is reed already stitched into 45 × 80 cm pieces. It fixes with its own clips or with staples, covers at a rate of 4.5 pieces per square metre and anyone can fit it. It lasts between 8 and 10 years and, when a piece is damaged, you replace just that one.
- Bundles: maximum lifespan, laid by a thatcher
- Tiles: quick to fit and replaced piece by piece
- Both formats come from the same imported material
Maintenance
How little it asks to last so long.
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Pitch, pitch and pitch
It is the one thing that can’t be corrected afterwards. Bundle thatch needs a steep pitch so that water runs off and the reed dries quickly.
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A going-over every four years
The strands that time has worked loose are removed so they don’t hold water and rot the ones around them. It’s a job of hours, not days.
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Repair rather than replace
If one area deteriorates, the thatch in that area is replaced. We travel with material and a team to repair roofs we didn’t build ourselves.
Trade price list
What the material costs.
Importer’s prices, the same for the professional buying a lorryload as for the homeowner roofing a pergola. Above a certain volume there is a discount.
Natural African thatch tile
The 45 × 80 cm thatch tile for umbrellas, pergolas and roofs: it fixes with clips or staples and is replaced one piece at a time.
Find out more| Format | Price |
|---|---|
| 45 × 80 cm tile | €16 / unit |
Unit prices, excluding VAT and delivery. Volume discounts available.
On site
From the warehouse to the roof.
The same material, newly arrived and already laid.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about African thatch
What is the difference between African thatch and European water reed?
African thatch is solid and European water reed is hollow. The European reed is cheaper and lasts more than 20 years; the African lasts up to 30 and keeps its shape better.
Can it get wet? Does water get in?
It gets wet on the outside and dries by itself. With the right pitch and the 20 cm thickness of bundle thatch, water doesn’t reach the structure.
Does it burn easily?
It is a plant material and, as such, combustible. A fire-retardant treatment can be applied; if you need it, tell us when you ask for a quote.
How much does a roof weigh?
In tiles, about 22.5 kg per square metre (5 kg per piece). Bundle thatch weighs more and the structure is calculated to carry it.
Can I fit it myself?
The tiles, yes: they fix with clips or staples. Bundle thatching is a craft; we lay it for you or supply the material to your thatcher.
How do I know it’s genuine African thatch?
Every consignment is delivered with the material’s certificate of origin.
Keep reading
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African thatch, heather, reed and synthetic compared.
Find out moreNo-obligation quote
Tell us what you want to cover and we’ll tell you what it costs.
The measurements, a photo of the site or the plans are all we need to prepare a quote for the material, with delivery and, if you need it, installation.