Thatch (traditional Chinese building material)

Thatch is a traditional Chinese building material, widely used in the construction of houses as early as in ancient times. Thatched houses are traditional Chinese residential buildings with high practical and cultural values. Thatched roofs not only protect against wind and rain, but also maintain the indoor temperature, bringing people a comfortable living environment.

Thatch picking

Thatch picking is the first step in the construction of thatched roof. Thatch picking should be selected to grow in the swamp, lake, river and other wet areas of thatch. Picking to choose the stalks of thick, dense leaves thatch, with a sickle or lawn mower for picking. After picking, it should be dried and air-dried before proceeding to the next step.

Treatment of thatch

The treatment of thatch is an important step in the construction of thatched houses. The purpose of treating thatch is to remove impurities and make the thatch drier. There are two methods of treating thatch, one is manual treatment and the other is mechanical treatment. Manual treatment involves placing the thatch on a flat surface and beating the thatch with a wooden stick or bamboo to remove impurities. Mechanical treatment uses a thatch treatment machine, where the thatch is placed in the machine and filtered through a sieve to remove impurities.

Tying of thatch

Tying of thatch is a key step in the construction of thatched houses. Tying requirements thatch length, thickness, density uniformity. When tying the thatch should be erected, at a certain angle cross tie. When tying, pay attention to the direction of the thatch, so that it shows a natural curve, in order to facilitate the slope of the roof and drainage.

The construction of a thatched roof

The construction of a thatched roof is a complex process that requires the collaboration of many people. The first step in building a thatched hut is to build a frame. Once the frame is built, bundles of thatched grass are tied and placed on the frame to form the skeleton of the thatched hut. Next, the walls and roof of the thatched hut are covered, bamboo or wooden strips are used to secure the thatch to the skeleton, and finally the doors and windows of the thatched hut are installed.

Maintenance of thatched roof

Maintenance of thatched roof is an important guarantee that thatched roof can be preserved for a long time. Thatched roofs require regular maintenance, including cleaning dust and weeds on the surface of the thatched roof, repairing holes and damages in the thatched roof, and applying waterproof paint. Thatched roof maintenance can not only ensure thatched roof life, but also protect the cultural value of thatched roof.

The application of thatch

Thatch is not only used to build thatched houses, but also can be used in other fields. Thatch can be used to make thatched mats, thatched shoes, thatched pen holders and other crafts. Thatch can also be used to make thatch woven products, such as thatch woven baskets, bags and so on. The application of thatch not only enriches people's lives, but also protects thatch as a traditional building material.