Thatching Services in Cape Town
Eight things we do, and exactly what each one includes. Every job starts with a free site visit anywhere in greater Cape Town: measured, photographed and quoted in writing within three working days.
New thatch roofs
Lapas, gazebos, bomas, patio covers, entertainment areas and full residential roofs. We handle the structure and the thatch together: treated gum poles or engineered timber, a true 45° pitch, and 200–250 mm of hand-dressed Cape reed laid to shed water the way it should.
Re-thatching
When a roof has thinned past repair, we strip it back to the battens, replace anything rotten, and re-lay with fresh graded reed. Interiors are sheeted and taped before a single bundle comes off, so your ceilings, floors and furniture stay clean.
Repairs & maintenance
Leaks after the first big rain, slipped ridges, storm damage, bird and rodent nesting, or a valley that never drained properly. We find the actual cause: usually pitch, ridging or a thin patch: and fix that rather than smearing sealant over it.
Fire-retardant treatment
Most Cape Town insurers and every HOA we deal with now want proof that your thatch has been treated. We spray SABS-approved retardant at the specified coverage rate, top and underside where accessible, and issue a signed certificate with batch numbers and litres applied.
Waterproofing, ridging & capping
The ridge is where most Cape thatch roofs fail first: it takes the full brunt of the south-easter. We rebuild ridges properly in reed, fibre-cement or screeded capping, and install sealed under-membranes on rooms where a single drip is one too many.
Cape reed & thatch grass supply
We buy Cape reed direct from harvesters on the West Coast and Vermaaklikheid thatch grass from the Overberg, so we know the grade before it leaves the field. Supply only for builders and developers, or supply-and-install with our own crew.
Lapas, bomas & gazebos
Freestanding entertainment structures designed around how you actually use the garden: the braai, the pool, the view of the mountain. We set out the footprint on site with you before a single pole goes in the ground.
Roof inspections & reports
A written, photographed condition report on the thatch, timber, ridging and fire treatment: the document estate agents, bond inspectors and insurers ask for. We give remaining life in years, not adjectives.
How Our Thatching Process Works
Site visit
We climb up, measure, photograph and talk you through what the roof actually needs. Free, anywhere in greater Cape Town.
Written quote
Within three working days: scope, materials, timeline and price, itemised. Valid for 60 days.
On site
Protection up, scaffolding in, daily progress photos on WhatsApp if you’re away or overseas.
Handover
We walk the roof with you, hand over certificates and guarantee, and diarise your first free inspection.