Adjoining villages St. Francis Bay & Cape St. Francis are well known holiday destinations on the Eastern Cape coastline. Homes and holiday homes in the villages stand out in their uniformity with whitewashed walls and black roofs - the majority of which traditionally, are thatched. During the history of this area, fire has been a devastating force with several large and unrelenting fires ravaging homes and buildings, the worst of which took place in 2012 where 76 homes were destroyed.
As a result of this many of the homes and houses have been rebuilt with tiled roofs. Others have chosen to remain with the traditional and beautiful thatch but have followed specific instructions on the installation of the roof and the thatch fire protection, as laid out by insurers and reliable thatching contractors.
The Cintsa Thatching team were recently contracted to re-thatch an old, traditional home in Cape St. Francis which was leaking and needed the fire protection methods updating.
The newly thatched roof includes five important features of modern thatched roofs which are protected from fire.
- Installation of a fire blanket stitched in with stainless steel wire
Our client in Cape St. Francis opted to install a fire blanket which is stitched into the roof as it is thatched. It is important when installing a fire blanket to stitch with thin, flexible stainless steel wire - the traditionally used tarred twine is not suitable for this application.
- Custom made valley sections installed to provide clear drainage
Many thatched roofs suffer from leaks and drainage problems around the valley sections. Cintsa Thatching installs custom-made Aluzinc sections into valleys - these are installed during the thatching process. This roof, which is located on the coast, uses the highest spec. Aluzinc available to avoid rusting and erosion.
- Custom drainage channels at parapet wall sections
The traditional style of the house includes stunning parapet walls. The drainage of the roof where thatch meets parapet wall is often a problem in thatched roofs. As with the drainage channels above, Cintsa Thatching installs custom-made Aluzinc valley sections during the thatching process, which are secured neatly into the wall structure to prevent leaking and all adequate drainage.
- Protected cement cappings
We find that cement cappings at the top of the roof give a strong, neat finish to the roof. Cement however cracks with time and as the roof settles. To prevent leaks when this process happens, Cintsa Thatching install an underlay beneath the cappings (not visible from the internal view of the roof) as well as coating the capping externally with layers of water proof membrane.
- Application of fire retardant spray - internally and externally
The final feature of this roof is additional thatch fire protection with a fire resistant spray. The spray in applied upon completion of all thatching work and is applied internally and externally by trained applicators to ensure that adequate coverage of the liquid protects the roof. The fire retardant spray needs to be reapplied every 5 years to ensure protection.
You can see from the features discussed above as well as the images of the new thatched roof in Cape St. Francis, that thatch is still a viable (and very beautiful) roofing option. We recommend that you always consult a reputable and experienced thatching contractor when considering the installation of a thatched roof to ensure that you're committing to the best quality and safest structure available.
If you have any questions or would like a quotation for a modern thatched roof don't hesitate to get in touch with us.
As a result of this many of the homes and houses have been rebuilt with tiled roofs. Others have chosen to remain with the traditional and beautiful thatch but have followed specific instructions on the installation of the roof and the thatch fire protection, as laid out by insurers and reliable thatching contractors.
 |
| Newly thatched home in Cape St. Francis |
The Cintsa Thatching team were recently contracted to re-thatch an old, traditional home in Cape St. Francis which was leaking and needed the fire protection methods updating.
5 Important Features of a Modern Thatched Roof
The newly thatched roof includes five important features of modern thatched roofs which are protected from fire.
 |
| Thin Stainless Steel wire used to fasten the thatch |
- Installation of a fire blanket stitched in with stainless steel wire
Our client in Cape St. Francis opted to install a fire blanket which is stitched into the roof as it is thatched. It is important when installing a fire blanket to stitch with thin, flexible stainless steel wire - the traditionally used tarred twine is not suitable for this application.
 |
| Aluzinc valley sections being installed at drainage points during the thatching process |
- Custom made valley sections installed to provide clear drainage
Many thatched roofs suffer from leaks and drainage problems around the valley sections. Cintsa Thatching installs custom-made Aluzinc sections into valleys - these are installed during the thatching process. This roof, which is located on the coast, uses the highest spec. Aluzinc available to avoid rusting and erosion.
 |
| Neatly finished parapet wall drainage sections |
- Custom drainage channels at parapet wall sections
The traditional style of the house includes stunning parapet walls. The drainage of the roof where thatch meets parapet wall is often a problem in thatched roofs. As with the drainage channels above, Cintsa Thatching installs custom-made Aluzinc valley sections during the thatching process, which are secured neatly into the wall structure to prevent leaking and all adequate drainage.
- Protected cement cappings
We find that cement cappings at the top of the roof give a strong, neat finish to the roof. Cement however cracks with time and as the roof settles. To prevent leaks when this process happens, Cintsa Thatching install an underlay beneath the cappings (not visible from the internal view of the roof) as well as coating the capping externally with layers of water proof membrane.
- Application of fire retardant spray - internally and externally
The final feature of this roof is additional thatch fire protection with a fire resistant spray. The spray in applied upon completion of all thatching work and is applied internally and externally by trained applicators to ensure that adequate coverage of the liquid protects the roof. The fire retardant spray needs to be reapplied every 5 years to ensure protection.
Thatch - A Beautiful Roofing Option
You can see from the features discussed above as well as the images of the new thatched roof in Cape St. Francis, that thatch is still a viable (and very beautiful) roofing option. We recommend that you always consult a reputable and experienced thatching contractor when considering the installation of a thatched roof to ensure that you're committing to the best quality and safest structure available.
If you have any questions or would like a quotation for a modern thatched roof don't hesitate to get in touch with us.
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