False thatch roof?

[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!

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.

Yeah cause new build estates are such great examples of beautiful planning and architecture, right? . Wouldn't want any solar panels spoiling it.

[Horse]

... considering that most people here own a property, multiple cars and motorcycles and even bicycles worth thousands of pounds, plus discretionary spends on all sorts of stuff, and in many cases they're happy to stack up loans for it, then I'd venture anyone here could probably afford a thatched roof if they really wanted one.

But this isn't where I hoped the thread would end up.

Well, I'll loop it back to solar panels. Neighbours have just had a set fitted, with a battery.

We've been considering similar. Even with me as a pensioner and Filly soon to be, we could take out savings to cover it.

Their installer said "we like 1930s house roofs, nice and strong."

But mine would probably need rebuilding, battens and felt (currently there isn't any), etc. There's nothing 'wrong' with it right now.

So, similar to your situation. Is the roof strong enough, would it be extra costs there?

And there's an interesting extra point: are you the sort of person who would be content with a plastic roof? You could consider it just like any other changes (electricity, for one) the house had experienced.

Or you might 'see' it as a shortcut, or a pastiche (like mock tudor beams on modernish houses). And that would be in your mind every time you thought about it.

But, really, you're a temporary custodian. Ask the kids what they want

[Horse]

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.

Could that be because the roof construction wasn't suitable?

[Count Steer]

....
Their installer said "we like 1930s house roofs, nice and strong."

But mine would probably need rebuilding, battens and felt (currently there isn't any), etc. There's nothing 'wrong' with it right now.

So, similar to your situation. Is the roof strong enough, would it be extra costs there?

Sort of similar situation here Hoss. I'd like this place reroofing but once it's done I still just have a house with a roof. So then I get to thinking about dormer windows at the back....loft conversion etc. But there's so much supporting timber up there it would take a whole new support structure to make any useful space.

It's about that point that I get to 'Sod it. If I want extra space that bad, it's time to move'.

[Noggin]

Some friends of mine are thatchers, probably too far south to help, but he may well be happy to answer questions, don’t know if he knows about false thatch tho!!!

https://ferrarithethatcher.co.uk/

I bloody love thatch. The look of it, old cottages with it.

But I do so detest spiders - a dislike that came about, almost certainly, from spending my first six years living in a beautiful thatched cottage!! Not helped by my mother being anti spiders too!

I’d probably be willing to live in a thatched place as I’m no longer actually scared of spiders

[Horse]

....
Their installer said "we like 1930s house roofs, nice and strong."

Sort of similar situation here Hoss. I'd like this place reroofing but once it's done I still just have a house with a roof. So then I get to thinking about dormer windows at the back....loft conversion etc. But there's so much supporting timber up there it would take a whole new support structure to make any useful space.

It's about that point that I get to 'Sod it. If I want extra space that bad, it's time to move'.

Yup. Filly has said '"What about a loft conversion?"

We're the late comers, cheapskates along this part of the road. Last to build an extension and no loft job

The shame of it. Well, of it not IYSWIM

But a loft conversion would actually result in trashing most of the house. Fire doors all the way through. Removing brick walls to get stairs in. Electrics and heating, etc. A year of planning, a year of grief and mess, loads of tidying and redecorating.

I really CBA.

We use every room in the house. Perhaps not every day, but no space is wasted.

One difference from you though. We've spent 25 years getting the place how we like it. I'll be buggered if we move now and let some other bastid enjoy it

[mangocrazy]

But a loft conversion would actually result in trashing most of the house. Fire doors all the way through. Removing brick walls to get stairs in. Electrics and heating, etc. A year of planning, a year of grief and mess, loads of tidying and redecorating.

I really CBA.

We use every room in the house. Perhaps not every day, but no space is wasted.

One difference from you though. We've spent 25 years getting the place how we like it. I'll be buggered if we move now and let some other bastid enjoy it

I looked into a loft conversion over 20 years ago and came to the same conclusion. I'm sure the requirements are even more onerous now. But boarding over the loft joists (after insulating to the approved depth below) would give lots of storage space for all those things you think you might possibly need in the future?

Ask Taipan about the loft of plenty...

[Horse]

But boarding over the loft joists (after insulating to the approved depth below) would give lots of storage space for all those things you think you might possibly need in the future?

Yup. Centre section (headroom to stand) is boarded. And absolutely full of crap.

Ask Taipan about the loft of plenty...

Sore point.

We spent a large part of yesterday shifting furniture between the 'office' and Foal's room (he's not living here). Intention to get a spare bed frame from the loft, ready for visitors on Thursday. So two spare beds available.

Bed frame down. "Where are the slats and fixings?" No chance of getting replacements in time, so bed ordered.

Filly tidied the loft a few years ago. So fark nose where they've gone. No sign ...

So I wonder whether Tiepan has them

[Count Steer]

Storage? Aaaagh no! Stuff just expands to fill available space. I'm more into skip mode now rather than adding storage. We shifted a load of stuff out of cupboards, off the walls and off the top of furniture recently so the missus could paint the hallway. A large quantity of said stuff is heading for the charity shop and not back to where it was.

It's a real pain finding ways to get rid of things now the dump is open only on days with a 'q' in within 14 days either side of an equinox if your name begins with z.

[demographic]

You were serious?
The prentice at work already takes photos of buildings with unnecessary tat details on them cos he knows I cant stand fake dormas and dodgy xetails for the sake of it.


Lad would have a field day with fake thatched roof.

[Mr. Dazzle]

One of the thatched cottages near me has an equally thatched fox on the roof. How dya feel about that Demo.

[Horse]

I think I gave the wrong idea when I said fake thatched roof, I meant a retrofit type thing rather some sort of nasty plastic pretend straw or something.

So basically a real thatch but on a building that didn’t start out with one.

That really isn't how it read

... I don't actually want the hassle of one.
... place that had a fake one ... it looked like the real thing.

[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.

Could that be because the roof construction wasn't suitable?

Possibly, the inside of the roof looks like it was made of matchsticks.

[cheb]

One of the thatched cottages near me has an equally thatched fox on the roof. How dya feel about that Demo.

AIUI that's likely to be the thatcher's mark that shows he did the roof.

I doubt that thatch on a roof that wasn't designed for it will look right. There's a few thatched houses up here, different style of thatching, that have been built to modernish regs and the thatch doesn't sit right on them. Too angular IYSWIM.

[Nobby]

I think realistically though it’s a huge amount of work.
We are planning to get a roofer in, it’s the last big job on the list and if he says it needs a full refurbishment then at that point it might not be a huge amount of extra work to change it completely.
[/quote]

It'll give you the opportunity to break out the Pyro tools.
Maybe.

[Horse]

That really isn't how it read

Yeah you’re right, when I started the thread it was straight off the back of the bloke that told me a ‘fake’ one looked great

So, with that and your 'cost' post, perhaps what I said was actually quite relevant to the thread?


Anyway. If it is at all a consideration, a 'roofer' might be biased in the advice he gives. Get a thatcher in first so at least you know whether it's even feasible?

[Horse]

So, with that and your 'cost' post, perhaps what I said was actually quite relevant to the thread?

None of it was irrelevant, I was simply reluctant to get into any discussion about cost/money because I know exactly how it would turn out

IIRC The post was actually about the what and how of other peoples' decisions, not yours.

[demographic]

One of the thatched cottages near me has an equally thatched fox on the roof. How dya feel about that Demo.

Meh, not that fussed.
I mean people can spend their own money on whatever they want.
If I wanted to put a Rolls Royce Greco Romanesque grill on my Toyota van it's my choice.
Pretty sure people would take the piss but its my choice.

However...

This is a recent pic of dodgy details that cost extra money to build, add possibility of leaks and don't enhance the living space.
Look at the fake dormas on the top floors of these houses, the ceiling height on those rooms aren't any higher than the ones without, there's more angled cuts on the roof tiles which are always weaker, theres extra leadwork which is more cost.
Less space to fit solar panels as well.
Then look at the downstairs, its all over the shop, anytime you add a corner its extra cost and again additional leadwork, cavity trays and the gain in floorspace? Just about fuckall.

Its a styling decision but wasts money and building footprint space.
Its a dogs dinner.

Doesn't affect me personally but I'm never keen on removing something good to replace it with an inferior product.
I do like a good slate roof so tend to compare thatch as being a poor substitute.
<shrug>.

[Count Steer]

This is a recent pic of dodgy details that cost extra money to build, add possibility of leaks and don't enhance the living space.
Look at the fake dormas on the top floors of these houses, the ceiling height on those rooms aren't any higher than the ones without, there's more angled cuts on the roof tiles which are always weaker, theres extra leadwork which is more cost.
Less space to fit solar panels as well.
Then look at the downstairs, its all over the shop, anytime you add a corner its extra cost and again additional leadwork, cavity trays and the gain in floorspace? Just about fuckall.

Its a styling decision but wasts money and building footprint space.
Its a dogs dinner.

They're awful! That leadwork looks like it's remedial. (+ why on earth have they let that whatever it is grow around the chimney?).

They look all fur drawers and no knickers. ie cheaply built but with a few unnecessary frills stuck on.

Yeah. Dog's dinner.

[Horse]

what I really meant was to ask about was changing from a non-thatched roof into a thatched one, where previously there had never been one, IYSWIM.

So what we're considering is changing the roof from a slate one into a thatched one, purely because we really like the look of thatched roofs.

Might be worth contacting your county / town museums, and any local history society, see whether there's any old photos or sketches of the property.

You said parts are old, there may be illustrations of a thatched roof.