Reed roof: main features
Let's make it clear right away: reed roofs and thatched roofs are practically the same thing. According to the properties of the material, according to the laying technology, according to the rules of operation and repair. The only difference is in the place of growth. Reed is a coastal aquatic plant, and straw is cereal stalks. Processed reed stalks, dried and prepared for laying, are often referred to as straw.
For a long time, the reed roofs were undeservedly forgotten. And completely in vain. Although in those distant times there were no such technologies for processing straw as in our days. Therefore, roofs made of untreated reed (straw) looked unpresentable and were considered the lot of the poor.
Much has changed now. The most successful people cover their mansions with straw or reeds without any inconvenience.
-
This is a non-standard approach to architecture. The skilfully laid thatched roof makes the structure stand out from the crowd, and at the same time complies with the established roofing standards.
- An environmentally friendly natural material was used, which wealthy people appreciate and are ready to pay big money for.
- But the most valuable thing is the unusual aura that the thatched roof creates. A lot is mixed here - both legends of deep antiquity, and a marvelous fairy-tale design, created thanks to the long flexible stems of reeds. And properties - the ability to maintain an optimal temperature inside buildings, regardless of the season.
Thatched roof significantly reduces the cost of air conditioning and heating. It does not need a ventilation and drainage system. Nevertheless, reed roofing is still expensive, and therefore belongs to the category of elite. A custom-made reed roof is about the same as a natural tile roof, which, alas, is too expensive for most consumers. Is that to do the harvesting of reeds (straw) yourself. But more on that later.
So, to summarize, what is good about a thatched roof:
- it is an excellent sound, heat and water insulator;
- environmentally friendly material - the stems are cut very young, when they are not more than a year old, so they do not have time to “recharge” with toxins;
- provides good natural ventilation;
- excellent dielectric, thanks to which the reed roof is protected from lightning strikes;
- improves the well-being of those living in the house - many know about reed therapy - while some modern building materials, even the best ones, reduce the human biofield - adobe, reeds, straw, on the contrary, increase;
- has an amazing moisture resistance - growing in a humid environment, the reeds have learned to resist moisture, which is why they do not let precipitation deeper than 3 cm;
-
allows you to create an original extravagant coating;
- it is distinguished by enviable longevity - the reeds treated with antiseptics are resistant to mold and mildew, therefore a thatched roof can please the eye for 50 years without repair.
Let us separately mention one more, one might say, about a rare property of a reed roof - its ability to change color over the years. Only a copper roof is endowed with such a feature, which also belongs to the category of elite, but is inferior to a thatched roof in some parameters - it has a more complex structure, as well as more difficult and more expensive installation work. The reed roof initially has a golden color, which becomes deeper and darker over the years, and after decades, takes on a greenish-brown color, merging with the landscape.
Disadvantages of a reed roof:
- reed cover is suitable for pitched roofs with an angle of inclination of 35 ° and higher - technologies are now being developed that will probably allow its use for a small slope, but so far this is at the project stage;
- even after treatment with fire retardants, the possibility of fire remains;
- thatched roofs are a favorite habitat for birds, which can cause a lot of trouble.
Although the last statement is very controversial - the reed roof is still laid in a thick layer and the birds are unlikely to have a sufficient beak to bite it to the bottom. In addition, treatment with various antiseptics is more likely to scare away than attract birds. So they won't do much damage, but they can mess up
Therefore, special attention should be paid to the dense laying of the reed cover.
Reed roofs are widely equipped abroad. Why are there roofs, whole houses are already being erected from straw and reeds. In Russia, so far, little use of reed coverings - either they do not trust this material, or they know little about it. But since they started talking about reed roofs, it means that it's all about time. And while many developers still doubt, some already enjoy such a roof and do not regret it at all.
Elimination of defects
A reed roof, in addition to its advantages, also has disadvantages that can be dealt with by different methods:
- Burns well. To avoid such a disadvantage, there are various processing technologies, including impregnation with compositions with refractory properties. The material must be processed both from the outside and from the inside. The impregnation has a composition that cannot be removed by various kinds of precipitation.
- For obvious reasons, it is a favorite spot for birds. The stems are used by birds as an excellent building material for arranging nests. To prevent the birds from dragging the stems from the roof, they need to be well compacted, to exclude protruding ends from a planned and dense roof.
The mansard-type reed roof, due to the high performance of the material, can last a long time without creating problems. The main thing during installation is to comply with all technical conditions and to prepare well the construction of the base from the crate.
Note! There is a misconception at the household level that reeds are a cozy place for rodents to live. In fact, they prefer old shingles, and the stems treated with flame retardants do not seem to be a possible hideaway for them.
Making reed slabs for insulation with your own hands
Mats are made not only in production. Reed slabs for insulation are also made at home. Work begins after the onset of frost. Cut the reeds with a sickle, then remove the panicle and the remaining leaves. The stems are collected in sheaves with a diameter of 40-45 cm. It is easier and more convenient to make large slabs with your own hands.
Before starting work, a frame is made of wooden planks. Pegs are driven inside the frame at a distance of 5-12 cm. Reed stalks are fastened in the frame opening. Connect the sheaves gradually, securing them with a rope or galvanized knitting wire. The bundles used must be of the same volume.
Basic properties of natural raw materials
Such material 
contains many positive qualities:
- it is very easy to work with such material;
- not allergenic;
- resistant to decay processes;
- protected from high humidity;
- a good indicator of sound insulation;
- high-quality waterproofing.
The main advantages and disadvantages of the material
The main reason for the refusal to use reeds in the construction was the laboriousness of the preparation of the reeds itself, its preparation and installation on the truss structure. Of course, it is much easier to install corrugated board or special slate on the roof slopes. Many people think that in the summer season they will have to feel intense heat and discomfort, being in a room with a floor of reeds, and in winter they will have to pay a high price for heating. When trying to save on roofing, you can end up with an uncomfortable home.
In this case, the way out will be an artificially created insulation, which will be mounted under the roof or in the attic. It really protects the room from overheating and helps keep it warm in winter. But when used, such thermal insulation can emit substances hazardous to the residents of the house.
In recent years, when information that many modern building products have a negative effect on the human body has become available, the owners of private houses purposefully begin to reuse pure materials in their structures, including reeds in this group.
It must be admitted that the first steps towards the return of reed coverings to use were made by the owners of suburban areas, hotels and restaurants in order to attract more visitors. They began to create buildings in a certain style, which fit well with the walls and roofs of reed.
Inspired by such an example, most of the owners of private houses, who wanted to make their home not only environmentally friendly, but also to give it a beautiful appearance, began to use such material for the roof of buildings. That is why the demand for roofing material in the form of reeds began to increase significantly.
Reed has many properties, which include the following:
The most important quality of a reed roof will be its heat-insulating ability. So, even at very low temperatures in winter, the reeds do not allow heat to escape through the roof. In summer, a thick layer of reeds protects the house from overheating, keeping the house cool. With the help of this quality, you do not have to resort to additional devices and materials for thermal insulation.
Reed grows predominantly in a humid environment, which is why it is considered absolutely insensitive to water.
It will not rot and rot, which is very important, fungus, moss and any mold rarely settle in it.
It can be noted the high resistance of the material to negative external influences: ultraviolet radiation, temperature drops, precipitation and wind loads.
The reed roof is laid with the creation of additional ventilation in the attic in the under-roof space. This feature of the coating helps to refuse additional hydro and vapor barrier inside the house.
Reed layers are considered good sound insulation materials due to their hollow tubular structure.
Such a roof will absorb all the noise, it will never resonate. This quality, together with the property of thermal insulation, makes it possible to use reed mats for wall cladding.
A reed cover, unlike a metal one, is not considered a static voltage accumulator, so the risk of one-time lightning strikes can be completely eliminated.
Long time of use. Such roofs do not require major repairs for 55-60 years, they do not need to be painted or cleaned. If it becomes necessary to carry out minor repairs, the operation may include the installation of patches. In this case, beams of new material are attached to the place of damage. The newly installed layer at first may differ slightly from the entire coating in its color, but throughout the year, under the influence of weather factors, the color becomes more even.
It should also be noted that over time, the color of reed rays not only does not begin to fade, but also becomes deeper and more saturated.
Rules of operation characteristics of a reed roof
- One year after erection, the roof must be repaired, re-sealed, then brushed out.
- For reeds, a roof slope of about 30 -35 degrees is allowed. The thickness of such a coating is 30-35 centimeters. The maximum load per square meter of the roof will be 35 kg.
- The lathing for natural material is made durable, discontinuous. The classic version of gutters will not fit such a roof, a linear drainage system is attached under the eaves overhang, the drain is carried out into the storm sewer.
- Multi-gable and hip roofs made from natural reed assume the same thickness of the main slopes and ribs. Such coatings, which have smooth transitions, are mainly made in the form of conical and hipped-roof structures.
- The roof under the trees will have to be systematically cleaned of twigs and leaves in order to prevent other plants from growing on the reeds.
Reed roof: the old look of the roof in a modern version
In ancient times, when people did not yet know about metal, tiles, corrugated board and other roofing materials, the roofs of dwellings were covered with thatch or reed. It would seem that in our age of advanced technologies, the use of such material makes absolutely no sense, unless someone wants to decorate their home, guided by the principles of unity with nature.
Recently, however, a reed roof has gained immense popularity literally all over the world. It turns out that reed as a type of finishing material has a lot of interesting advantages, and today "Dream House" will tell its readers in detail about them.
Reed roof
Reed - properties of finishing material
For the production of a reed roof, specialists use the stems of a plant about a year old. The process of collecting, drying and storing reeds is quite long and energy-consuming, but the unique properties of the plant fully justify the efforts expended. From the point of view of construction and operation, reed as a type of finishing material has the following positive characteristics:
Environmental friendliness. The stems of this plant, belonging to the sedge family, are distinguished by a unique structure. In terms of properties and strength, they resemble wood, however, unlike other natural products, the stalks of lake reeds do not absorb the negative influence of the environment. That is, even if the reed grows in an unfavorable ecological area, it remains clean. In addition, during preparation for roofing, the reeds are practically not treated with additional carcinogens and chemicals.
House with a reed roof photo
High resistance to weather conditions. Reed grows best near water bodies and in swampy areas. But also this plant is not afraid of either the scorching sun or frost. Consequently, the reed can be classified as the most weather-resistant cover. If any other organic material for the roof inevitably deforms due to the effects of precipitation, then for reeds, conditions of high humidity are natural.
House with a reed roof photo
Reed roof technology
Unique microclimate. The reed roof creates a unique microclimate in the room. First, the stems of the plant fill the air with useful molecules and essential oils, which have a beneficial effect on the respiratory tract and the human nervous system. And, secondly, they ensure the stability of the temperature regime in the room under any weather conditions. It is cool in summer in a house with a reed roof, and warm in winter. In addition, the special structure of the reed stalks provides this material with high sound insulation.
Insulation of the roof and walls with reeds photo
Beautiful roof made of reeds photo
Flexibility and strength. The reed stems are very strong and durable. With proper installation, the roof of this plant can last more than 50 years. But, despite its strength, the reeds are incredibly flexible, which opens up a huge scope for us for construction and architectural experiments.
House with a roof made of reeds photo
The original cane roof for the gazebo
However, the main advantage of reed roofing is manifested in aesthetics and extensive design possibilities.This material is perfect both for decorating residential buildings and for decorating garden buildings - gazebos, summer kitchens, etc.
Reed roof structures always look original and stylish, but most importantly, they are in perfect harmony with the environment, turning into an authentic landscape design object.
Reed roof: the old look of the roof in a modern version In ancient times, when people did not yet know about metal, tiles, corrugated board and other roofing materials, the roofs of dwellings were covered with thatch or reed. It would seem that in our age of advanced technologies, the use of
What you need to consider in order to properly align the bundles of a reed roof
Various techniques can be used to permanently attach the sheaves.
Here are just the most commonly used ones:
- The first method is wire stitching. It is most suitable for those roof options that are of the open type. Fastening work can be safely done together. One works directly on the very surface of the roof, while the other helps indoors.
- For the fastest fastening, it is better to prepare the screws with wire loops in advance.
- It can be stitched with nails, this option is almost identical to the previous one, the only difference here is that nails are not used, but screws.
- Another common method is flashing by means of constrictions. In this embodiment, the wire is, in fact, a constriction. With the help of it, pieces of reed are attached to the base of the roof.
Roof leveling
In order to give even greater density to the layer of reeds, when leveling it, padding is often used, it is done using a shovel-bit. This tool is very helpful in leveling reed decking.
The final stage after laying the entire roof and its leveling is the final trimming and giving the finished look to the roof. Here, of course, a lot depends on the wishes of the client himself, who ordered this type of roofing. You can make an undercut so that everything is neat, or you can leave a kind of "creative mess", that's who you like.
Reed roofing is an excellent choice to decorate the look of a private house or to give originality and uniqueness to your outbuildings. But it is worth remembering that the installation of such a roof is quite laborious, and, of course, it requires a lot of professionalism and experience in the construction of such roofs.
Characteristics and features of reeds as a roofing material
Reed is used as a roofing material due to its strength and durability, originality and originality.
The reed roof looks very unusual
Advantages and disadvantages
A reed roof is environmentally friendly, but it also has other positive qualities:
- waterproofing - a thick layer of reeds will not let water through, even if heavy rains do not stop for several weeks;
- thermal insulation - the reed roof does not need to be additionally insulated, while in such a house it will be warm in winter and cool in summer;
- flexibility - this property allows you to cover the roof of any shape;
- naturalness - such a roof does not need a vapor barrier, since reeds are able to provide natural ventilation;
- resistance to mold and mildew - this property is given by treatment with antiseptics and fire retardants;
- long service life - with proper care and installation, it can reach 50 years;
- no need for arranging a lightning rod;
- cost-effectiveness - the material itself is cheap, as well as its transportation, there is no need to buy additional materials for waterproofing, insulation, there is practically no need for repairs.
But the reed roof has some drawbacks. The main one is flammability. Reed is afraid not only of open fire, but also of excessive heat. Flame retardant treatment can only reduce the risk of fire, but not completely eliminate it.This is due to the fact that the protective composition is able to penetrate only 5–7 cm deep into the roof, and also be washed out by rain and snow. Therefore, it is recommended to repeat this treatment every 2-3 years.
Reeds can be placed on any roof configuration
In addition, birds and rodents are very fond of reeds. That is why it is necessary to lay the material as tightly as possible so that there are no protruding ends and cracks.
How to choose and prepare reeds for the roof yourself
Ready-made reeds for the roof can be purchased or prepared by yourself. In the second case, it is necessary to go for the material in late autumn or early winter. This is due to the fact that it is during this period that all vital processes stop in the reed stalks and the plant begins a dormant period. For harvesting, stems with a bronze-golden color and a hard surface are suitable, while they must be hollow on the inside. Be prepared for the fact that a few months after the installation of the material on the roof, due to constant exposure to ultraviolet rays, the material may change color to a grayish brown. But the operational properties of such a roof will not change from this.
It is necessary to dry the reeds for the roof in sheaves
It is best to choose the one that grew on the shore of a fresh reservoir, since it is such a reed that has the required level of strength and reliability. The highest quality material grows in the Krasnodar Territory, the Volga Region and in the Astrakhan Region.
It is better to choose reeds that grow on the shore of a fresh water body
The procurement process itself is carried out as follows.
-
The stems are mowed with a special technique or by hand.
-
After that, they are knitted into sheaves, then dried and tied up in heaps. It is necessary to achieve a stem moisture content of 18%.
- Upon reaching this, they are collected in cone-shaped heaps, while the brushes are placed at the top.
- Leave the reeds for several months before final drying. Only then can the stems be combined into stacks.
Before direct use, the brooms must be cut off, since their presence can accelerate the decay process. You also need to remove all leaves and other plants that may have gotten into the sheaves.
It is not difficult to calculate the amount of material, since the consumption per 1 square meter of the roof base is approximately 8 bundles of reeds.
Laying reeds on the roof
When constructing a roof from reeds, you do not need a complex tool, technique, or special equipment. Only the professionalism of the roofer, his skill and experience are important.
Not everyone can make a reed roof with their own hands. Some knowledge is needed here, therefore, experienced roofers are invited to construct roofs. Bunches of reeds are placed on the roof in a specific way to create a waterproof coating. Reed is a rather heavy material.
The weight of one square meter of a reed roof is about 40 kg. When wet, this value increases by 10 kg. Therefore, the recommended roof slope when using reeds is 30 degrees or more. The reeds are attached to the base of the roof using stainless steel wire and special rods. The wizard evens out each applied layer. As a result, the finished roof has a thickness of 25 to 40 cm.
When creating a reed roof, European laying technologies are used:
- Danish;
- english;
- American;
- Dutch;
- Polish;
- German, etc.
Polish - German technology implies the device of a ridge from a natural brown material, with the Dutch technology, the ridge is made of tiles. Differences in technology are also evident in the way of padding.For example, according to Polish technology, the roof has a looser appearance, in contrast to the Dutch one.
In the construction of private residential buildings, the Dutch reed laying technology is most often used. It involves attaching sheaves of reeds to a solid base, usually made of sheets of waterproof plywood or glued sheets of chipboard, fiberboard.
reed laying scheme
There are technologies that can significantly reduce the cost of reed roofing. In this case, not sheaves, but reed mats are used. They can cover small roofs of arbors, awnings, baths. Reed mats are characterized by simpler installation, ease of transportation and storage. All work is done using manual labor and requires a lot of skill and effort, so a roof made of reed is considered expensive.
Features of mounting a reed roof
The reed roof can be either open or closed. The first method is that the reed bundles are laid on the crate in such a way that the roof is at the same time the ceiling. This is best suited for rustic interiors. In addition to the fact that such a technology is laborious, it can still bring a lot of inconvenience to the inhabitants, since reed waste can sink into the room itself. Closed roofs are easier to install, so they are more often used for residential premises.
When installing a reed roof, various fastening methods are used:
- wire firmware;
- firmware with screws;
- stitching with nails;
- flashing by constrictions.
Good reeds should not be burnt, moldy, and should not contain any admixtures of other herbs or plants.
Nowadays, natural materials are highly valued, therefore a reed roof is not very cheap.
Despite the fact that in our country this type of roofing has not yet become popular, the demand for reed roofs is increasing by 50% every year compared to the previous year. People are beginning to understand all the positive aspects of reed roofs.
We also recommend looking at:
- Arched roof or custom roof approach
- Bath roof insulation - doing it right
- Sliding and sliding roofs
- Glazing of balconies with a roof - the subtleties of the device
Architectural features and installation procedure
Architectural features of reed roofs
There are no special rules for the installation of this type of coating, but some recommendations are still available. Here they are:
reeds are usually used to cover hip and conical roofs;
a reed roof should have a slope of 30 degrees and higher;
the thickness of the laid and compacted material should be 30-35 cm, which creates a load of 35 kg per 1 square meter;
at least 8 bundles are laid for each meter of the roof;
the crate should be strong and strong enough, but not solid;
smooth processing of beams is not required;
in the case of a hip or multi-gable roof structure, it is important to maintain the same material thickness on valleys, ribs and main slopes.
In the old days, there were three ways of laying reeds:
- "In natrus";
- "Parks";
- "Under the brush".
In the first case, the reeds were thrown at random and pressed from above with poles or bundles tied from the reeds.
When laying in the second way, the bottom row was placed with the roots down, and all subsequent ones - with the roots up.
Modern technology for installing reed roofs uses the third method, which implies that the sheaves are stacked on the roof in rows from the eaves. At the same time, the stems are located with the roots down.
Installation procedure for reed cover
Installation of this type of roof does not require the use of special tools. The most important thing here is the experience and skill of the master roofer.It is clear that the more complex the roof configuration, the more difficult it is to lay reeds on it, especially if a reed roof is being built with your own hands and without the involvement of professional stackers.
Reed roof structure
Installation of a reed roof is carried out in the following order:
A rafter system and a crate are being built. Usually, this is based on a load of 35 kg per 1 square meter. For the manufacture of the lathing, a 50x50 or 40x60 bar is used. Mount it with a step of 30 cm.
Metal screws are screwed into the base, fixing the curved stainless steel wire with them. During installation, this wire will serve as a fastening element.
The reeds are sorted, dividing it into three groups - in the first, short stems (1.2-1.5 m long) are laid, in the second - medium and long (1.6-2.2 m long), in the third - hardened curved ones.
Reed bunches are collected from stems of equal length and size. Bunches of medium and long reeds are used to cover the central part of the roof, gables, corners and ridge are covered with short bunches. Curved stems are used for underlays and inner roofing layers.
Installation starts from the bottom. The beams are overlapped. A wire fixed on the base is pulled through the bundles. The first layer is laid from the stairs or from the scaffolding.
When installing subsequent layers, they move along the beams
It is important to observe the density of the layer when building up the thickness. A spatula is used to align the bevel lines.
A small edge is left on top
It is knocked out with a spatula when laying subsequent layers. During installation, the edge of each row is held with hooks stuck into the previous layer. The hooks move as the layer progresses.
In order not to create visible grooves and lines, which can later become spontaneous gutters, increase the indentation as you move towards the ridge.
After laying the sheaves, the reed roof is compacted and leveled with shovels and pitchforks. If the installation is done correctly, the roof surface takes on a velvety monolithic appearance.
Ridge bunches are dipped into water, placed on a ridge and left to dry. When the beams take the shape of a ridge, they can be decorated with natural tiles, as is done in Holland.
The standard reed roof gutter system is not installed due to the large thickness of the roofing. To organize the drainage of rain and melt water under the eaves overhang, a linear drainage system is installed with a drain into the "storm drain".
In conclusion, the coating is treated with a fire retardant - a special substance that prevents fire. Can be treated with reeds and antifungal compounds.
If the roof of a gazebo or canopy is to be covered, only short stems can be used.
Varieties of reed roofs
The installation of the same building materials in different countries occurs in different ways, so now I will talk about different schools of roofers. I note right away that everything is somewhat different here. The laying process itself is no different from each other, but the technologies for harvesting reeds are completely different.
According to the Dutch technique, dried reeds are knitted in bundles of length 110-180 centimeters, while the diameter of each stem should not exceed 6 millimeters. In the Danish style, there is enough material up to 100 centimeters in length with a diameter of 5 millimeters. However, the smaller the diameter of the stem, the more accurate and noble the roof will look. That is why the nuance can distinguish a high-quality roof from an average one. Reed picking also plays an important role in the installation process. For example, the Polish technique will give the skate a disheveled look, but the Dutch technique, on the contrary, will make it even.
In addition to all this, there are the following varieties: closed and open roof. If we consider the first option, then the bundles of a natural product, laid on the crate, are sheathed with plywood or other facing material in order to create an even ceiling.In the second version, the same beams are stacked in such a way that their reverse side acts as the top on the attic floor.
Reed roof material properties
Along with originality, reeds also have the following remarkable qualities:
- a high degree of resistance to natural whims (heat, torrential rains, frost, wind);
- the ability to create complex roof shapes due to the flexibility of the reed stems);
- resistance to the formation of fungi and mold, since high humidity is a natural environment for reeds;
- available natural ventilation due to the tight fit of dry stems with a hollow structure in large quantities;
- ideal protection of the house with reeds due to the tubular structure;
- low level of thermal conductivity, due to which it is possible not to use additional materials for thermal insulation;
- no need to use materials for waterproofing when arranging the roof;
- durability of the roof, since the operational period of such a roof can reach up to 60 years or more, while there is no need to clean, tint and insulate the roof.
Today, reed roofs are considered a very original and sophisticated element for decorating houses and structures. In the initial period, the reeds have a golden color, which after a certain time becomes even more saturated, which ennobles the facade of the house and the adjacent area.
Material properties
Over the years, people are getting more and more tired of artificially created products and strive to acquire something natural, and such an opportunity is provided by reeds. Using it as a coating is becoming more and more popular every day, especially in Western countries. But as you know, fashion cannot stay in one place, it spreads to everyone, and now the reed roof has reached Russia.
It is worth noting the absurdity of the situation that reeds as a material were used exclusively by the Slavs several centuries ago, and today they are going to learn from the experience of Western roofers.
Surely you understand that before laying reeds on the roof of a house, it will have to go through quite a few processing processes. First, it is cut and folded, then sorted, treated with special protective solutions in the form of antiseptics and fire retardants. Impregnations will allow the material to keep its qualities at a high level for a long time and not deteriorate, as well as reduce the degree of its flammability.
Advantages and disadvantages of a reed roof
As a roofing material, reed (or its variety) is absolutely unique.
Its undoubted advantages:
- not subject to decay and deformation - resistant to heat, hard ultraviolet light, cold, temperature extremes, precipitation and winds;
- the stems and sheaves are flexible, which means that the most whimsical architectural fantasies about the roof can be realized;
- has excellent thermal insulation properties;
- has good sound insulation qualities - you will not hear the noise of rain, hail, wind due to the structure of hollow stems and their large number in sheaves;
- provides natural ventilation of the attic and under-roof space due to some looseness of the structure of sheaves and hollow stems;
- resistant to fungi and mold due to its lake-river origin;
- with proper processing, it is not fire hazardous - and even without processing, reeds and its varieties, like marsh plants, burn badly;
-
durable - in this sense, it is not inferior to synthetic roofing materials, moreover, for several decades, the reed does not need to be cleaned, painted and repaired;
- such a roof does not need a lightning rod, since it does not accumulate static electricity;
- the main quality of the reed is its amazing artistry and authenticity. A house with such a roof looks like a real work of art and will never look like the surrounding buildings.
If all of a sudden repair of a reed roof is nevertheless required, then it is quite simple to perform, and the "patch" will soon merge in color with the main coating.
Its non-critical flaws:
- color change over time - from golden to grayish-earthy, but this will further emphasize its environmental friendliness and nobility;
- if the laying is loose, birds can become its enemies - either by arranging nests, or by pulling the stems to nests in another place;
- rodents can settle in the reed cover, which is eliminated by appropriate preliminary processing of the material;
- in our conditions and in our time, the construction of such a roof is a rather expensive pleasure. A square meter of material alone will cost from five hundred to two thousand rubles, and together with the work of highly paid (due to the rarity of the profession) masters - from 6 to 8 thousand;
- rather complex installation, which requires either a thoughtful study of technology, or the involvement of masters.