Master Thatcher, Hampshire
Steven Hewlett and his brothers are the third generation of their family to work as master thatchers.Call Steve today on 01980 611 880 or 07790 020 917
Member of the National Society of Master Thatchers
Traditional roof thatching services in Hampshire
Steven Hewlett of Salisbury is one of the rare remaining Master Thatchers keeping Hampshire’s heritage of thatch alive and healthy. He represents the third generation of his family to work as Master Thatchers in the area, and is proud to practice his craft and skill in the time-honoured tradition of his ancestors.
Steve is proud to thatch houses across Hampshire, including but not limited to Winchester SO, Southampton SO, Portsmouth PO, Basingstoke RG, Gosport PO, Andover SP, Farnborough GU, postcodes and surrounding areas.
Sustainable Hampshire thatching
The historic county of Hampshire has a rich thatching heritage. It’s villages even still today feature some of the most striking thatched roofs anywhere in the English countryside, the crowning glory of many surviving old timber-framed halls and cob cottages. In fact, according to the website thatchinginfo.com Hampshire (including the Isle of Wight) has around seven percent of all Britain’s thatched buildings.
Now and again modern new builds also opt for the quintessential quaintness of eco-friendly thatch – a roofing option steeped in tradition that will never lose its popularity.
Steven explains that in days of yore – right back to the Iron Age roundhouses – thatched roofs in Hampshire were commonplace, with a variety of locally available materials including straw, turf, heather and reeds used for thatching in towns and hamlets, including the historic city of Winchester, the capital of the ancient kingdom of Wessex.
Gradually as Hampshire cities and towns grew bigger, local authorities discouraged the urban use of thatch because of the danger of fire, but it remained an economical alternative for rural cottages and agricultural buildings, giving them a unique and special charm and character.
Hampshire’s traditional style was multi-layered long straw thatching, but today that’s largely been replaced on the remaining thatched buildings by combed wheat reed, in the same style. The old multi-layered local ridge patterns, ligger (hazel or willow sticks) roof edging and slightly arched dormer window coverings are characteristic of Hampshire thatch.
Steven Hewlett is an expert on Hampshire thatch, and is always delighted to work on repairing or restoring a thatched roof anywhere in Hampshire, from the New Forest to the scenically beautiful Test Valley (which has more listed thatched buildings than any other district in Hampshire). He believes it is important to preserve the distinctive character of the county’s villages and landscape, of which traditional thatched buildings are an integral part.
Hampshire thatched roof maintenance
He believes that thatching is making a come-back in Hampshire as property owners realise that not only is it aesthetically appealing but it is also an extremely sustainable and natural roofing option, farm-produced, biodegradable and hand-crafted. Combed wheat reed thatch, for example, has a life expectancy of around 40 years (up to 50 years for water reed thatch). Thatch also provides excellent insulation against the elements.
Steven Hewlett Thatching recommends annual thatch inspections to keep roofs in tip-top condition, and undertakes all sorts of thatching repairs or complete re-thatches across Hampshire. The company is also in demand for installing wire-netting on thatched roofs in Hampshire to protect against vermin or wildlife infiltration, and fitting fire-proof barriers and batts to comply with insurance regulations.
We provide thatching services and thatched roof repairs across the South West of England including thatching in Dorset, thatching in Hampshire, thatching in the New Forest, thatching in Somerset & thatching in Wiltshire.
If you are fortunate enough to own a thatched building in Hampshire and surrounding Winchester SO, Southampton SO, Portsmouth PO, Basingstoke RG, Gosport PO, Andover SP, Farnborough GU postcode areas or are planning a new build with a thatched roof, call Steven Hewlett on 01980 611 880 or 07790 020 917 to put your roof in expert hands.