Fixing

Thatching battens (the thin strips of timber between the rafters of the roof) were usually oak before about 1700, and were likely to be fixed to the backs of the rafters with oak pegs, rather than nails. Historically, many different local materials were used to fix the thatch to the roof.

The layer fixed to the roof construction was sometimes tied or stitched on to the timbers with tarred twine, but hedgerow materials were also used. Split hazel, willow, or rope made out of twisted straw were used to fix down each course of thatch.

Today combed wheat reed is sometimes still fixed with pliant split wooden (usually hazel) rods, called sways, fixed into the course below by U-shaped wooden staples, called spars.Today some thatchers use steel rods or wires and screws in place of sways.