Roofing | Thatch or Stainless Steel?

[Kri]

I'd love to build a thatch roof, but my understanding is that they will not endure high winds.  Do you have any thoughts on this?

If that's not a possibility, I'm thinking corrugated stainless steel panels might be the way to go.  Any words of wisom?

Thanks!

[PEG688]

 

Thatch , where do you intend to use this ? Is it even available in your area??

SS roofing , are you sure about that? I hope your very well off $$ wise, IF they make it , it will be very expensive I would think. 

[Redoverfarm]

Probably not too far off from "slate" as far as the $$$ would be.  I would check on the newer metals that have come onto the market lately. They make them now that look just like shakes in appearance . There is also some good composites, concrete and the like to consider.  Some have 50+ years of warranty.  Thatch would be OK if you were in an area where they were available and the cost of shipping materials were prohibitive. 

[MountainDon]

I wouldn't want to be around a thatch roof with a wildfire in the area.

[ScottA]

Thatch or stainless...hmm seems like there might be a some middle ground in between those.

[glenn kangiser]

Is the stainless only for the look or for endurance because a normal modern steel roof will probably last more than a lifetime.

Thatch is a pretty specialized art and while I haven't done it I have read a bit on it.  It needs a steep roof, ideally good thatching materials which are not likely available and someone who really knows the art of making a good thatch roof. 

[Kri]

I'd prefer an eco roof and thatch is allowed where I'm at.

There's a master thatcher in the region and my understanding is that it needs to/can sustain 85mph winds, though I'd have to work with an engineer on this.

At the same time, I'd prefer something that can sustain more wind and which doesn't pose rodent issues.

The stainless roof avoids chemical metal treatments/run-off.  Stainless seems to be a fairly common option now, though expensive.

Still debating.  Might just choose a weathered (untreated) steel roof...

The good news?  It's a tiny roof.

Feel free to keep providing feedback.  It helps!

[glenn kangiser]

What area or general area are you in, Kri?

With galvanized you have zinc, which is generally considered acceptable.  Bare metal - untreated would be iron oxide or rust.  Generally harmless but leaves brown stains.  Our convention center has it in Fresno.

I really like the thatch look so if it is possible, don't be discouraged from doing it.

[MikeT]

What about a green roof?  You can't have a real steep pitch, but these are growing in popularity too.

mt

[glenn kangiser]

Like mine?

New recommendation by Mike Oehler is EPDM then put the garden on top. 

If done right it can go fairly steep -- framing has to be heavy enough for it.

Heres a shot of our roof.

[Kri]

The NW.

Apparently the galvenized/zinc wears off the panels and is currently one of the big ground water polluters (who knew?!).

What area or general area are you in, Kri?

With galvanized you have zinc, which is generally considered acceptable.  Bare metal - untreated would be iron oxide or rust.  Generally harmless but leaves brown stains.  Our convention center has it in Fresno.

I really like the thatch look so if it is possible, don't be discouraged from doing it.

[Kri]

I'd like to do this, but the only thing stopping me now is my caution about the materials currently used to create these.  I just don't trust them yet, and the waterproofing layers are still pretty toxic to manufacture/apply.

I've heard that the pitch should be 7 or less, with less working out better.  The load should be planned for, too.

I'm open to doing this eventually and hope they make conversion kits in the future, so they can be applied to existing roofing.  Or maybe this already exists??

What about a green roof?  You can't have a real steep pitch, but these are growing in popularity too.

mt

[Kri]

Do you walk on it?  How did you prepare for that?  Looks great!

Like mine?

New recommendation by Mike Oehler is EPDM then put the garden on top. 

If done right it can go fairly steep -- framing has to be heavy enough for it.

Heres a shot of our roof.

[glenn kangiser]

This one is per "The $50 and Up Underground House Book" Specs.

It has multiple layers of plastic and dirt on the bottom then about a foot of dirt on top of that for about 18" total where I put it all on.  Framing is logs sized per spec from the book -- engineered for Mikes book.

He now recommends EPDM and I would agree.  When I did this I had nothing to go by except his book and videos.  Now I could do better and would change a few things but no major problem.

Story is here.  http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=151.0

[glenn kangiser]

...and - yes -- we walk on it - garden on it etc.  No digging with a shovel to keep from damaging the plastic.  We let it reseed naturally or do the work by hand with small gardening tools -- the soil is usually damp and reasonably easy to work anyway in the main garden area.

[Mo]

I was looking at a self build in UK and saw this thought you might enjoy.

http://barclayscobhouse.blogspot.com/2007_11_30_archive.html

[Kri]

Oh wow, thanks.  What a beautiful piece of art!

I was looking at a self build in UK and saw this thought you might enjoy.

http://barclayscobhouse.blogspot.com/2007_11_30_archive.html

[glenn kangiser]

That is cool.  Looks like they put a membrane of sorts under the thatch -- didn't read enough to know what it is though