False thatch roof?

[Horse]

I seem to recall real thatch needs replacing every 25 years too. Bugger that.

Depends on the state of it, but it's not a "complete" replacement. According to the master thatcher we had to look at our place they only strip off the worn out material and then re-cover, leaving the stuff deeper in which is still ok.

Because synthetic thatch roofing is made with high-quality HDPE or PVC materials, it is built to last 20-years.

Bugger that.

[Mr Moofo]

Blimey - the equivalent of fake grass lawns for the Chablis set

[demographic]

From my point of view I reckon this must be a windup.

Every time I see a thatched roof I think "Did they not have access to slates?"

Not Burlington though, shite stuff.

[mangocrazy]

Thatched roofs were the best they could manage at the time, but time has moved on. More modern roof coverings (y'know, revolutionary things like tiles) are better in every quantifiable way but for some inexplicable reason a fire-prone and rodent-infested maintenance nightmare is seen as desirable in certain quarters.

Nowt so queer as folk...

[Mr. Dazzle]

From my point of view I reckon this must be a windup.

Every time I see a thatched roof I think "Did they not have access to slates?"

Slates?

Chap its 2024! You want some electric slates.

https://www.gb-sol.co.uk/products/pvsla ... gKWC_D_BwE

[Sunny]

From my point of view I reckon this must be a windup.

Every time I see a thatched roof I think "Did they not have access to slates?"

Slates?

Chap its 2024! You want some electric slates.

https://www.gb-sol.co.uk/products/pvsla ... gKWC_D_BwE

How are these doing tech-wise? I'd been expecting a second/third generation to come out that's more efficient etc, but not really been keeping up with how they've been evolving.

[demographic]

From my point of view I reckon this must be a windup.

Every time I see a thatched roof I think "Did they not have access to slates?"

Slates?

Chap its 2024! You want some electric slates.

https://www.gb-sol.co.uk/products/pvsla ... gKWC_D_BwE

Honestly, I really like the idea but havent kept abreast with the costings and ease of fitting.
As round Cumbria we have historically had good access to slate and for me its kind of a good default setting.

Never been keen on those big numb sandstone "Slates" that barn conversions often have.
The builders don't have much choice as they are often mandated in the planning stage as they'll have been on the old barn.

[Mr. Dazzle]

From my point of view I reckon this must be a windup.

Every time I see a thatched roof I think "Did they not have access to slates?"

Slates?

Chap its 2024! You want some electric slates.

https://www.gb-sol.co.uk/products/pvsla ... gKWC_D_BwE

How are these doing tech-wise? I'd been expecting a second/third generation to come out that's more efficient etc, but not really been keeping up with how they've been evolving.

No idea TBH...I live in a thoroughly identikit house built in 2005, I only worry about "normal" solar panels!

I just thought the PV slates were neat.

[Count Steer]

Slates?

Chap its 2024! You want some electric slates.

https://www.gb-sol.co.uk/products/pvsla ... gKWC_D_BwE

How are these doing tech-wise? I'd been expecting a second/third generation to come out that's more efficient etc, but not really been keeping up with how they've been evolving.

No idea TBH...I live in a thoroughly identikit house built in 2005, I only worry about "normal" solar panels!

I just thought the PV slates were neat.

I'm surprised that some planning authorities don't insist on them. There are some real eyesore installations of the standard type, even in places that would go purple if you changed tile type/colour.

[Mr. Dazzle]

I'm surprised/annoyed that planning regs don't require solar panels on all new builds. The cost to add them when you're first building the place is surely quite low, certainly compared to any other time in the property's life.

Maybe they do require it now!

[Horse]

I'm surprised/annoyed that planning regs don't require solar panels on all new builds.

Should have been done years ago.

Local generation eases pressure on the grid, etc.

[Mr. Dazzle]

When my rents had their's fitted the actual panels were less than half the cost. I would have thought a developer could buy them in bulk for much less.

A huge part of the cost (the majority in my parent's case) is getting up on your roof and doing the wiring....which you're doing anyway for a new build.

[Mr. Dazzle]

I reckon slate looks better

Maybe that's just the philistine in me.

[Horse]

... it's the aesthetics that I'm going for and it would be a shame if people turned their back on what looked nicer simply because they don't want to pay for it or put the work in to look after it.

Unsurprisingly I'm the sort of person that would rather put the extra effort in, rather than take an easier option.

Costs of roofing (or anything) don't really have much to do with the 'sort of person'. Everyone has their own personal compromise on cost, however easy or difficult it is.

And if aesthetics are actually important for you, you'll be arranging quotes now - and with proper thatch too. Even if the roof does need reinforcing.

[mangocrazy]

I don't 'get' the aesthetics of a thatched roof, and never have done. Just because something is old-fashioned and expensive to maintain does not make it beautiful or even attractive, but then that is the basis on which a lot of antiques are valued. The roof is the most important part of the house in keeping it weatherproof and a sensible person's primary concern should be to maintain the integrity of the house. IMHO, of course.

But as long as it's not inconveniencing anyone else then it's your property to deal with as you see fit. You could make the case that it's serving a community function by attracting rodents and spiders away from neighbouring properties...

[Count Steer]

I'm surprised/annoyed that planning regs don't require solar panels on all new builds. The cost to add them when you're first building the place is surely quite low, certainly compared to any other time in the property's life.

Maybe they do require it now!

I saw one development where there was a mandatory factor. Every house had ONE panel.

I think the developer spotted a loophole and offered additional panels, at a price, to buyers. It's hardly worth putting an inverter in for one panel.

[Mr. Dazzle]

When i win the Euromillions I'm gonna get a proper Grand Designs type job, all right angles and glass and polished concrete.

Then I'll put a thatched roof on.

[Horse]

... it's the aesthetics that I'm going for and it would be a shame if people turned their back on what looked nicer simply because they don't want to pay for it or put the work in to look after it.

Unsurprisingly I'm the sort of person that would rather put the extra effort in, rather than take an easier option.

Costs of roofing (or anything) don't really have much to do with the 'sort of person'. Everyone has their own personal compromise on cost, however easy or difficult it is.

I haven't mentioned the costs, it's not something that I'd be focussed on,

Choosing not to do it because of cost wasn't the discussion that we were having.

Fair enough. I read the 'pay' bit as introducing cost into the discussion as part of the compromise people often have to make.

[Horse]

Fair enough. I read the 'pay' bit as introducing cost into the discussion as part of the compromise people often have to make.

Yes I suppose I did.
However, I don't think the cost seems important to anyone, I think the discussion was more about the performance of a thatched roof versus slate.

Indeed. I posted a manufacturer quote suggesting only 20 years anticipated life - potentially less than real thatch.

When you say anyone, do you mean 'people posting here about your roof'? If so, I'm sure we're all willing to help you spend your money

However, if you mean 'anyone who owns a property', then it's a very different matter.

[Rockburner]

I'm surprised/annoyed that planning regs don't require solar panels on all new builds. The cost to add them when you're first building the place is surely quite low, certainly compared to any other time in the property's life.

Maybe they do require it now!

When i bought a new build in Horsham, (less than 10 years ago iirc) there were clauses in the agreement specifically preventing the fitting of solar panels.