From the journal
Advice from the roof
Straight, practical answers to the questions Cape Town owners actually ask us on site: on lifespan, fire compliance, maintenance and knowing when it is time to re-thatch.
Repairs6 Sep 2026 · 6 min readThatch Roof Storm Damage: Prevention and RepairHow Cape winter storms damage thatch roofs, what to check before the season, what to do after a storm and what insurance usually covers.Read the article 
Advice6 Sep 2026 · 5 min readThatch Roof Pros and Cons: An Honest AssessmentThe real advantages and disadvantages of a thatch roof in South Africa: insulation, looks and lifespan against fire risk, insurance and maintenance.Read the article 
Repairs6 Sep 2026 · 5 min readThatch Ridge Replacement: Signs, Cost and TimingWhy thatch ridges wear out before the roof, the signs yours needs replacing, what it costs and why it is the cheapest way to protect a…Read the article 
Design6 Sep 2026 · 5 min readThatch Roof Extensions: Adding to an Existing RoofHow to extend a thatch roof so the join works: matching material and weathering, junction detailing, structure and what it costs in Cape Town.Read the article 
Advice6 Sep 2026 · 6 min readSolar Panels on Thatch Roofs: Is It Safe?Whether solar panels can go on a thatch roof, the fire and structural risks, ground and outbuilding alternatives, and what insurers say.Read the article 
Maintenance6 Sep 2026 · 6 min readThatch Roof Pests: Birds, Insects and What WorksBirds, wasps, borer and rodents in thatch roofs: what damage each one does, what actually keeps them out, and what to avoid.Read the article 
Design6 Sep 2026 · 5 min readCommercial Thatching for Lodges and RestaurantsWhat commercial thatching involves for lodges, restaurants and venues: compliance, phasing around trade, maintenance contracts and cost drivers.Read the article 
Costs6 Sep 2026 · 5 min readHow to Measure a Thatch Roof for a QuoteHow thatch roof area is measured for a quote, why roof area exceeds floor area, and how to sanity-check a thatching quote before you accept it.Read the article 
Materials6 Sep 2026 · 5 min readThatching Materials in South Africa ExplainedThe thatching materials used in South Africa: Cape reed, thatching grass, bulrush and synthetics, with lifespan, look and where each one suits.Read the article 
Advice6 Sep 2026 · 5 min readThatch Roof Inspection Before You Buy a HouseWhat a thatch roof inspection covers before you buy: thickness, ridge, pitch, timber, certificates and the faults that cost the most after transfer.Read the article 
Repairs6 Sep 2026 · 6 min readThe Re-thatching Process: What Actually HappensWhat re-thatching involves step by step: stripping, structural checks, laying, ridging and finishing, plus how long it takes and living through it.Read the article 
Maintenance6 Sep 2026 · 5 min readThatch Roof Ventilation and Condensation ExplainedHow thatch roofs breathe, what causes condensation under thatch, and the ceiling and vent decisions that cause damp problems in Cape homes.Read the article 
Compliance6 Sep 2026 · 5 min readThatch Roof Pitch: Why 45 Degrees MattersWhy thatch needs around 45 degrees of pitch, what happens on shallower roofs, and why an under-pitched thatch roof cannot be patched right.Read the article 
Lapas6 Sep 2026 · 5 min readBoma Designs for South African Gardens: Ideas & CostsBoma designs for South African gardens: circular, open and enclosed layouts, sizing around a fire, thatch options and what a boma costs to build.Read the article 
Compliance6 Sep 2026 · 5 min readThatch Roof Insurance in South Africa: A Clear GuideWhat insurers want on a thatched house in South Africa: SANS compliance, lightning protection, fire treatment and the paperwork that lowers premiums.Read the article Maintenance6 Sep 2026 · 5 min readCleaning a Thatch Roof: Moss, Algae and Safe MethodsThe safe way to clean a thatch roof, why moss on the shaded slope matters, and the cleaning methods that destroy thatch. Cape Town guide.Read the article 
Advice6 Sep 2026 · 5 min readIs a Thatch Roof Waterproof? How Thatch Sheds RainThatch is not waterproof like a tile, it sheds water by density and pitch. How that works, when it fails, and why sealing thatch backfires.Read the article Advice6 Sep 2026 · 5 min readThatch Roof Insulation: Are Thatched Roofs Warm?How thatch insulates, why thatched homes stay cool in summer and warm in winter, and why adding insulation under thatch usually backfires.Read the article Repairs6 Sep 2026 · 5 min readThatch Roof Leaks: Causes, Fixes and What They CostWhy a thatch roof leaks, how to tell a ridge fault from a worn slope, what repairs cost and when a leak means it is time…Read the article 
Materials6 Sep 2026 · 6 min readCape Reed vs Thatching Grass: Which Is Better?Cape reed vs thatching grass compared on lifespan, look, fire behaviour and cost, and which one suits a Cape Town roof best.Read the article Design6 Aug 2026 · 5 min readThatch Roof Design Ideas for South African HomesThatch roof design ideas for South African homes: full thatch, combination roofs, lapas, dormers and modern styles: plus the rules that keep a thatch roof sound.Read the article Advice6 Aug 2026 · 5 min readHow to Choose a Thatching Contractor in Cape TownHow to choose a thatching contractor in Cape Town: what separates a good thatcher, the questions to ask before you sign, and the red flags to…Read the article Compliance6 Aug 2026 · 5 min readLightning Protection for Thatch Roofs: Why It Matters & What It CostsLightning is a leading cause of thatch fires. How lightning conductors for thatch roofs work, what they cost, and when your home really needs one.Read the article Costs6 Aug 2026 · 5 min readConverting a Thatch Roof to Tile: Cost, Pros & ConsWhat it costs to convert a thatch roof to tile in South Africa, what the job really involves, and the questions to ask before you strip…Read the article Maintenance6 Aug 2026 · 5 min readDo Thatch Roof Sealers Work? Waterproofing a Thatch Roof, HonestlyDo thatch roof sealers and waterproofing sprays actually work? Why coating thatch usually backfires, and what really keeps a thatch roof dry.Read the article Lapas6 Aug 2026 · 5 min readLapa Designs for Cape Town Homes: Ideas, Styles & What They CostLapa design ideas for Cape Town homes: freestanding, patio, pool boma, entertainment and modern styles: what makes a lapa work, and what one costs to build.Read the article Materials6 Aug 2026 · 5 min readThatch Tiles vs Real Thatch: Are Harvey Thatch Tiles Worth It?Thatch tiles versus real Cape reed thatch compared: look, insulation, maintenance, fire and cost: and an honest take on when each one is the right choice.Read the article 
Costs6 Aug 2026 · 5 min readWhat Does a Thatch Roof Cost in South Africa? A 2026 Price GuideWhat a thatch roof costs in South Africa and what drives the price: reed grade and thickness, pitch, height and access: plus how to spot a…Read the article 
Maintenance6 Aug 2026 · 5 min readThatch Roof Maintenance: A Cape Town Owner’s Year-Round GuideA practical thatch roof maintenance guide for Cape Town owners: the twice-a-year check, what to do each season, and which jobs to leave to a thatcher.Read the article Repairs6 Aug 2026 · 5 min readThatch Roof Repairs in Cape Town: Costs, Common Fixes & When to Call a ProWhat thatch roof repairs cost in Cape Town, the faults we fix most often, and how to tell an honest patch from a roof that needs…Read the article