Welcome to the Thatched Home Inspector website. This is a primary resource for Home Inspectors, Domestic Energy Assesssors and Surveyors who need to find out more about Thatch.

RdSAP & Thatched Properties

The RdSAP 9.82 review in September makes EPC's on properties with a thatched roof very much easier and reflects the insulation value of the thatch material. Here is a breakdown of the changes:-

New roof type = Thatch

The roof is pitched.

Insulation is at the rafters (any loft insulation at ceiling level is ignored and there will be no thickness of thatch required).

The following U values have been assigned to thatch. This has been considerably simplified where a standard figure covers all thatching materials used and ignors the thickness of the thatch.

Horizontal ceiling and standard loft will have a "U value" of 0.35W/m2K

Sloping ceiling (Room in roof) will have a "U value" of 0.25W/m2K.

Software generated recommendations.

Solar panels and photovoltaic panels are not recommended for thatched properties.

Where there is existing loft insulation there will not be a recommendation to top up, and where there is no loft insulation there will be no recommendation to install any. There can be potential interstitial condensation problems where loft insulation is fitted.

 

Courses on Thatch for Home Inspectors

and Domestic Energy Assessors.

Current training about Thatch for Home Inspectors and Domestic Energy Assessors is minimal and quite often the generalised assumptions of the depth of thatch and life spans of thatch are wrong.

Home Condition Reports/Surveys on Thatched properties should only be performed by competent HI's. It is generally understood that the Dip HI only qualifies Home Inspectors to undertake HCR surveys on buildings of Standard Construction that are newer than 1875. Older buildings that are constructed of traditional materials (Cob, stone rubble, old timber frame etc) require HI's that have specialist experience in vernacular building techniques and to have received specialist training. For newer thatched properties specialist training is also necessary due to various methods of fire protection that may now be incorporated in the construction of the building.

I have 3 courses on this website:

Introduction to Thatch and EPC's to train Domestic Energy Assessors (DEA's) and Home Inspectors about thatched roofs for the preparation of Energy Performance Certificates

Understanding Thatch  to train Home Inspectors how to interpret thatched roofs for the Home Condition Report section of the Home Information Pack. This includes the Introduction to Thatch and EPC's course and Defects in Thatched roofs and How to Condition Rate a Thatched roof.

Hands On ~ Weekend Thatching course  As a retired Master Thatcher I do have specialist knowledge about Thatch. This course is more of an unusual weekend break but you will be thatching. I will be arranging some of these in Summer 2009.

I am now an Accredited Home Inspector, and I can undertake surveys for Home Condition Reports and Energy Performance Certificates for all types of domestic properties excluding System build. I do specialise on Thatched houses, Cob and Stone Rubble houses and older property.

courses@thatchedhomeinspector.co.uk