Another type of farming

Majorman · Nov 12, 2023

Deutz tractor and bundles of reed, cut to use as thatch for house roofs. Used to be a common sight local to me and in Europe as it was used on roofs and, mixed with plaster to coat and form inside walls of houses. Now, highly prized by thatchers for the roofs of heritage houses. Wheat straw was also used but the modern varieties do not have a strong enough straw and modern combines knock it up too much.
Reed Cutting

RedMF40 · Nov 12, 2023

That's interesting, always liked the looks of those roofs. Probably a lot of trial and error before those early builders perfected the technique. I'd like to put up a small outbuilding and top it with a sod or turf roof just because. It's a pretty involved process and the idea was born in Iceland where my travels often bring me. Pretty sure you have the turf houses in the UK as well. Not sure if they need mowing and I don't have any sheep so that might be a consideration. Sorry for the change of topic but turf houses were on my mind when I saw your post about thatched roofs.
Gerrit

The photo is more of a man-made cave than a sod house. They appear around Iceland, were used as outbuildings on farms. This one probably housed sheep in the winter. I took the pic on the south coast.

showcrop · Nov 12, 2023

When in UK twenty years ago we drove by a house perhaps in Stamford where they were installing a new thatch roof.

Hemmjo · Nov 12, 2023

That is a very cool photo. Makes me wonder what the roof structure looks like.

Some people are creative. Too often these days, that natural creativity is lost from lack of use. When necessary people use what is available to create shelter.

Majorman · Nov 12, 2023

Example of a thatched roof in our local town. Have also added detail of the 'pargeting' or decorative work on the outside wall. This house was the home of an important Bishop, Bishop Bonner, and normal people would have just plain walls. When we restored our house, some of the inside walls were 'lathe and plaster', willow strips covered with reed and horsehair plaster mix. On the walls in the upstairs bedrooms were the shape of the previous steeply sloped, thatched roof. In the 1700's the place had been remodelled and the roof line was raised.

SkipperII · Nov 12, 2023

Soddies were quite common on the plains and prairies of America. Due to the lack of trees, the pioneer farmers built sod houses.

37 chief · Nov 12, 2023

If were installing thatch roof, I would put down a layer of 30# felt until I got good at it, just to be sure. Stan

Kelly in tx · Nov 12, 2023

Interesting. I'd love to see the process of how they harvest it.kelly

RedMF40 · Nov 13, 2023

(quoted from post at 05:17:53 11/12/23) That is a very cool photo. Makes me wonder what the roof structure looks like.

Some people are creative. Too often these days, that natural creativity is lost from lack of use. When necessary people use what is available to create shelter.

There were rough wood supports under the sod, maybe some boards laid over those. I didn't go inside for a close look. Light at the other end suggests another entrance. This was for farm animals, probably sheep.
Gerrit

jd2cyl1943 · Nov 13, 2023

(quoted from post at 06:28:25 11/13/23)

(quoted from post at 05:17:53 11/12/23) That is a very cool photo. Makes me wonder what the roof structure looks like.

Some people are creative. Too often these days, that natural creativity is lost from lack of use. When necessary people use what is available to create shelter.
There were rough wood supports under the sod, maybe some boards laid over those. I didn't go inside for a close look. Light at the other end suggests another entrance. This was for farm animals, probably sheep.
Gerrit

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Noy hobbits?

Another type of farming

Majorman

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RedMF40

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showcrop

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Hemmjo

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Majorman

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SkipperII

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37 chief

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Kelly in tx

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RedMF40

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jd2cyl1943

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