There are numerous styles of thatching largely dependant on where the property is in the UK. A cottage in Somerset will look slightly different than one in Gloucestershire, as would one in Suffolk. This is down to regional variations in the actual shape of the roof and the type of material used, but also how the local thatcher forms the features within the roof (gables, eve, windows etc.) and also what type of ridge he uses.

Fixing the coatwork on

Whatever the style the thatch can only be fixed on in one of two ways:

Straight onto the rafters using thatching crooks or screw ties with metal rod.

Or,

Spar coat - where the new thatch is fixed into an older coat using hazel spars.

The Ridge

A good quality thatch should be perfectly waterproof once completed. What the ridge does is protect the top fixing to give the whole roof far more durability. The ridge also sets off the thatch by being able to be more decorative.

There are two main types of ridge:

The flush ridge......

.... where the ridge is flush with the coatwork with patterned hazel stick work

or the block ridge......

.... where the ridge has a block which can be cut to form decorative patterns.