As a visitor in Britian I was delighted to see thatched roofs, something I have never seen in the US, please tell me more about these beautiful home additions?

Richzooie

Here is a very informative link http://www.britainexpress.com/History/thatching.htm Aug 23 02, 4:48 PM

Bryce

Thank you Richzooie. Aug 23 02, 4:54 PM

Siskin

Bryce - I don't know what part of Britain you visited but I do hope you had a great time. Down here in Dorset we love visitors - especially from North America because they take such joy in our tiny picture postcard villages and thatched cottages. The villages have names like Tarrant Gunville - Winterbourne Zelston and the favourite being Ryme Intrinsica. Thatching is a very specialised art and is usually past down through families - each family - and county having its own 'signature'. Aug 24 02, 11:26 AM

Jack Flash

Traditionally, thatched roofs are made either from straw or from reed, depending on which area of the country you are in. From personal recollection I think that the lifespan of straw thatch is about 30 years. Thatching is a very ancient craft which sadly has all but died out and in some cases (normally on preserved buildings in the ownership of the state) fibreglass is used to give the appearance of genuine thatch. Aug 24 02, 3:39 PM