Fixing Single Layered Thatch

There are several types of fixing, used to hold thatch coatwork firmly on the roof. These can be divided into two types. One type, fix the thatch directly onto the roof timbers, when a single layered roof is created. The second fixes into the existing thatch, when a multilayered roof is rethatched. This section deals with fixings used on single layered roofs. The methods of fixing used here, have changed more in recent years, than almost any other aspect of thatching.

Twisting the old man’s beard… The traditional and universal method of fixing thatch, directly to the roof timbers, was to tie the material on, often known as stitching on. This method was almost completely superseded, by the use of metal thatching crooks and steel bar. Which in turn have mostly been replaced by a wire and screw method. With these later methods one thatcher can now do the work of two.

Many old multilayered roofs still show the ties that hold on their original coatwork; being made from a natural material. Using, either the original thatching straw, made into a rope; thin willow; brambles stripped of their thorns; ‘old man’s beard’ or some other type of sinewy climbing plant. By the middle of the eighteenth century, twine impregnated with Stockholm tar, came into use. And the more natural materials faded away. Tying on, with this Tarred Twine, was common until a few decades ago.

Two ties… A close up, of this old combed wheat reed wadd, from Dorset; shows two ties. The upper, of straw, was used to tie the wadd itself; a method still used by today’s thatchers. The lower, more intricate knot, was used to fix the wadd to an eaves batten. This bond is made of thin willow, no doubt originally soaked to make it more pliable. It held this wadd in place, for three centuries.

A thatchers metal Needle, is used when tying on. This is an extremely large version, of that used in the clothing trade; but with the hole at the bottom, not the top and is usually around 3 to 4 feet (900mm/1.2m) in length. In times past these were made out of wood.

 Simple. The Thatcher’s needle… Found all over the world.

The method of stitching on is quite simple. With the course of thatching material in place, a fairly stout stick, usually around 5 feet (1.5m) long; known as a Sway or Ledger, is laid across the new layer, being placed around 18 inches (450mm), up from its bottom edge. One end of the twine is tied to the sway and the other threaded through the hole in the bottom of the thatcher’s needle. This is pushed through the coatwork, on one side of a rafter. The needle is then unthreaded, from inside the roof space, usually by an assistant. The needle is then pulled out and pushed in again, on the other side of the rafter. The assistant threads the needle and the thatcher pulls the needle and twine out. The thatcher then pushes down on the sway and ties the free end of twine to it…

Often a thatcher can reach into the roof, and rethread the needle themselves. But this inside work was a traditional task for the apprentice. Not the best of jobs. It’s always dusty inside the roof and a sharp thatcher’s needle can come at you suddenly through the coatwork…

All over the world… Many cultures use or used the ubiquitous thatching needle. The one illustrated above, was noted in the Pacific, on Tahiti; by Joseph Bankes. Who accompanied Captain Cook, on his first great voyage; ending in 1771.

Sways and Ledgers, around 1900… In this case, made from lengths of hazel wood. The thatcher here has made them up, from the bundle, on the very far left; of this photo. The completed sticks are standing up nearby. He has pushed several, temporarily, into the coatwork. Ready for use, as he thatches up the roof. Thus we can tell that this thatcher is tying a coat of long straw on. His yoke, full of yealms, lies just above him… No needle is visible. But what appears as a vertical stick, to the right of the thatcher, is his side rake; used to tidy a section of long straw coatwork, when firmly tied into position…  

Crooks ancient and modern… The three old ones on the left show the individual style, of the blacksmiths who wrought them… The right hand modern crook lacks character, but is much cheaper.

The thatcher needs various lengths of crook. Generally, the further up the roof it is required the longer a crook needs to be, as the coatwork thickens slightly, as it nears the ridge. The most common lengths are between 8 and 12 inches (200/300mms). The thatcher nails a crook into each rafter, which should be every 16 inches (400mms), along the width of the roof. Holding down the metal sway, with the crooked end. This should be in the same position, as a tied on sway. Only one pair of hands is needed for this technique…

Another method, which has greatly superseded the thatching crook, is simply a length a wire wound around a screw. The screw is fixed into the rafter; the wire being tied around the ubiquitous metal bar, cum sway. The advantage of this system, is that the there is potentially less damage to any ceilings, that lie close to the underside of the rafters, as no metal spikes are being driven through… This method returns in some degree, back to the original needle and twine idea; except the apprentice can now be better employed, on the outside of the roof, in the fresh air.

It is good practice, with all these methods of fixing, that only the vertical timber rafters should be fixed into. Not the much smaller (and weaker) horizontal battens…