We would like you to understand a little better what we mean when we talk about how thatching is a passion for us and why we see it as a true mission.
I'm András Vadász, I'm the commercial manager of Innovative Solution Ltd. We have been dealing with thatched roofs since the second generation. The Building Regulations for Carpenters/Roofing trade sheet have a chat with us, we hope we can give you some useful information.
Where I was born, the reed is still an integral part of life. When I was a child, my father used to tell me stories about the witch of the bog, the outlaws, the strange and mysterious world of the reeds. When I was young, he showed me what could be made from reeds, whether it was an iron or a new roof, with precise, accurate and patient work. I knew that reed was my world, but I also knew that I wanted more. Like in the fairy tales, when the servant goes out into the world to gather knowledge and return home a master, somehow I did the same. 20 years in the Netherlands, Western Europe gave me the experience to know that we can make our environment a better place.
I can still smell the scent of my father hanging bacon under the thatched roof when I was a child, or of my brothers and I in the summer heat, up in the cool, but what is really important to me in the present is how this old craft can be used in today's world to create an everyday, breathable home that is neither a skanzen nor a museum piece, but very modern.
Reed is a natural material, so its lifespan is limited. In its natural environment, reed decomposes in 2 years. With old thatch roofing techniques, a roof can last a maximum of 10-15 years, which is admittedly neither sensible nor economical. In the Netherlands, where the weather can be very extreme compared to our country, the lifespan of a thatched roof is 30-40 years.
What can we do differently to achieve this at home? How can we protect our wallets in the long term?
Natural thatched roof:
Spinal cord injury: The previous thatched ridge tile is replaced with a special thatched roof ridge tile. This solution, in terms of roof ridge, increases the life of the roof by more than 50%.
Fixing wires: By replacing the conventional fixing wires with fully stainless materials, the 45% means an increase in service life.
Treatments: By impregnation, we can protect against the fungi that break down the cellulose material of the reed and the mosses that feed on it. Moreover, we can protect the roof against fire damage by flame retardant treatment.
Maintenance: The lifespan of a thatched roof can be greatly increased by taking care of it. The thatched roof needs to be repaired and maintained from time to time.
Our partners often take advantage of our maintenance contracts to ensure their continued good condition.
Innovative thatched roof:
In short, what is negative about the natural thatched roof is not here.
I have had the privilege of being involved in the development of this product, so I can recommend it first hand.
What is it?
Innovative reed is a unique product made of a special plastic. A roof made from it can have a lifespan of up to 120 years. No algae or moss. UV resistant. Retains its original colour. Fire resistant. No bugs, rodents, birds. No wear. Sufficient 12cm thickness. Less weight, same insulation value. Can go on 20 degree roofs, which means more space.
- Innovative thatch has been on the Western European market for almost 10 years as an alternative to natural thatch. The product was developed with the aim of eliminating the disadvantages of building and maintaining a natural thatched roof. Innovative thatch is a surprisingly good alternative to traditional natural thatch, which is being discovered by more and more customers and will be available in Hungary from 2022. What it is and why it's worth thinking about it in the long term is explained below.Innovative thatch is the result of 30 years of development. It is a very high quality plastic based on anthracite rock salt, which means it has no harmful oil content. What makes Innovative Reed unique is its properties:
Fire shelter
Unlike natural reed, Innovative Reed is fire-resistant, with clear advantages in terms of insurance, construction technology and safety. It has a fire rating of V-0 in the Netherlands, which means it does not burn and does not contribute to the spread of fire.
Water repellent
Thanks to the lotus effect, Innovative Reed is water-repellent, making leaks, soaking and moisture problems a thing of the past.
New architectural opportunity
Unlike natural reed, Innovative Reed can be installed on the roofs of homes or buildings with a slope of 20° or more. This allows for roof shapes that were not possible with natural thatch. We have only been able to describe the most important factors here, but the list could go on and on. What is most important for us is your needs, plans and ideas, so please contact our office in Debrecen for more information.
Cost-effective
Innovative thatch is a maintenance-free hardtop, resistant to all weather conditions and extremely durable.
Natural appearance
Innovative Reed is based on natural reed in terms of colour and colour transition. It is UV resistant and retains its original colour throughout its lifetime. The stems are
broken off at the end for a natural look.
No moss growth
Innovative reed does not rot, so algae, fungi and moss cannot colonise the stems.
- Constant insulation values: a comfortable climate at any time of the year.R-value of an innovative thatched roof.The Dutch standard NEN 1068, which specifies a method for determining the thermal performance of buildings, refers to NEN 1068 for the determination of the R-value.The above discussion and information can be found in the latest issue of the Carpenters/Roofers magazine published by the ÉMSZ: https://emsz.hu/acs-tetofedo-2023-2/
We hope that whether you are thinking of building a thatched roof or just need to renovate or maintain your thatched house, we can help you in the future to realise your ideas.
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