Palm and Grass Thatch

Palm and grass thatch covers a wide family of roofs made from the leaves of palms and from tropical and savanna grasses. They are the traditional roofing of many hot and humid regions and are still widely used for houses, shelters and resort buildings.

Materials and regional names

• Makuti (East Africa): coconut palm fronds woven or folded around sticks and tied to the roof frame in overlapping rows.
• Nipa (South-east Asia): leaves of the nipa palm, used on the traditional Filipino bahay kubo.
• Alang-alang (South-east Asia, Pacific): a tall grass used for thatch in the region.
• Pili grass (Hawaii): used with ti leaves and lauhala on traditional hale shelters.
• Savanna grasses (sub-Saharan Africa): bundled grass thatch on round houses and granaries, for example in Ethiopia and southern Africa.

Characteristics

Like all thatch, palm and grass roofs depend on a steep pitch so rain runs off the surface. They are light, can be built with local materials and labour, and insulate well against heat. The open weave of some palm thatch also allows hot air to escape, helping to ventilate the space below.

Durability

Palm and grass thatch generally lasts less time than European water reed. Life depends greatly on climate, pitch, insects and fire. Roofs in humid tropical climates are vulnerable to rot and to termites and other insects, and need regular patching and periodic replacement.

Fire

Dry palm and grass are highly flammable. Fire-retardant treatments are available, and fire precautions similar to those for European thatch (keeping chimneys, flues and open flames away from the roof) apply.