Thatching laths

The internal structure of the thatch roof is usually constructed with laths. Laths are thin pine poles that are fixed horizontally in lapas and thatch roofs with the grass placed over it. This creates a more stable thatch roof. Laths are also used to make screens and for the roofs of pergolas and carports. For a panel of laths (to construct a pergola roof or a screen) about 30 laths are used per meter.

Our wooden poles comply with South African Wood Preservers Association requirements for thatch roofing materials and are SABS approved, they are SANS 457-2 or SANS 457-3 approved. Laths and poles comply with SANS 1288 and SANS 1783-4 (pine). All timber is preservative CCA treated in accordance with the requirements of SANS 10005. We treat our wood right to the middle, thus ensuring stability and durability.

Always purchase your gum poles and laths in the size that you require as cutting can expose an area where the treatment has not reached the wood. If the wood is cut try to ensure your supplier brushes your wood with CCA or creosote to retain the quality of the wood. Do not plant a cut end of wood into the ground and always use an anti split plate when you cut a pole. Ask us for expert advice on ensuring drainage for poles and laths that have been planted into the ground, as well as those that have been used for thatch roofs.