France in Focus

A thing of beauty is a joy forever, and when it comes to centuries-old buildings, that is also an almost guaranteed starting point to make a sustainable construction a success. In the part of France where we are now, near Pont-Audemer in Normandy, you still come across quite a few half-timbered houses with thatched roofs. It’s remarkable how cool they stay inside during this current heatwave. And I can’t get enough of those oak-beamed structures, built to last a very long time. And with the overhang of a thatched roof like that, you don’t need gutters. That saves on costs. But the flip side of the coin is, of course, the fire hazard. It also needs regular inspections for damage because repairs can be extensive and expensive.

A lovely home for dormice. Great material for wasps nests. Ideal for the chocolate box lid. Otherwise, no thanks.

I do agree. Thatched roofs look splendid - on other people's houses

I not a fan of thatch myself but Kent peg tiles are a different story. Hand made clay, oak pegs, over split chestnut battens can last for centuries. The most oldest section of my roof was very old indeed and the newest was Georgian. My adventure with a period house in Kent was a Wealden Hall house very similar to this one.