Long service life
On the coast a correctly pitched, densely packed reed roof lasts around 15–30 years on the surface — several times longer than a makuti deck that needs re-thatching every few years.
Diani Beach · Kwale County · Kenya
Reed roofs, hand‑thatched to last.
We build and re-roof coastal homes, villas and bandas with densely packed reed thatch — a natural roof that keeps interiors cool and stands up to the coast, longer than makuti.
- Reed · hand-thatched
- Built for the coast
- +254 115 395 464
15–30yrs*Reed roof surface, coastal climate
5–10yrsTypical makuti before re-thatch
100%Natural, renewable material
1dayFree site survey & quote
*Roof surface, correctly built and maintained; the ridge is re-dressed every 10–15 years. In our hot, humid coastal climate reed does not reach the 40–60-year figures quoted in temperate Europe — these are honest local ranges, not a guarantee. See the full comparison below.
Why reed
A natural roof, engineered to shed the coast.
Reed (Schilf) is bundled and packed tightly, layer over layer, so rain runs down the surface of the halms and never into the roof. Done well, it gives you the warm, natural look of a thatched home with far less patching than palm-frond makuti.
Cool & quiet inside
Thick thatch is a natural insulator. Rooms stay noticeably cooler under the tropical sun than under iron sheet — and rain on reed is a whisper, not a drum.
Weathertight
Steep pitch and tight packing move water off fast. Built for the long and short rains of the South Coast, ridge sealed and dressed to keep the weather out.
Coast-ready
No steel to rust in the salt air. A well-anchored reed roof rides the monsoon winds and, unlike mabati, won't corrode where the sea breeze reaches.
Natural & renewable
A plant-based roof with a light footprint. At end of life the material composts back to the ground instead of heading to a scrap heap.
Hand-crafted
Every roof is thatched by hand by our own crew — sorted, dressed and finished to a clean, even face and a crisp ridge line.
Reed vs. the rest
How reed compares — honestly.
No roof is perfect for every job. Here is how reed sits next to makuti and the other roofs you see on the coast, on the things that actually matter: how long it lasts, what it costs, how it feels to live under, and how it handles fire, weather and upkeep.
Ranges are typical outcomes in a humid, salty coastal climate — actual life depends on build quality, pitch, exposure and maintenance.
| Roof | Service life | Upfront cost | Comfort | Fire | Upkeep | Look |
|---|
Before & after
One build, start to finish.
A recent large residence under one of our hand-thatched roofs — real project photos. Drag the handle to compare the building site with the finished, landscaped home.
How we work
Four steps to a roof that lasts.
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01
Survey & quote
We visit your site, measure up, check the roof structure and pitch, and give you a clear written quote — free, no obligation.
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02
Reed sourcing & prep
We source clean, dry reed, sort it and bundle it. Where needed we repair or upgrade the timber structure to carry the thatch.
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03
Hand-thatching
Our crew lays the reed by hand, course by course, packed tight and dressed to an even face with the right pitch to shed water.
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04
Ridge, finish & care
We seal and dress the ridge, tidy the eaves, and hand over with simple aftercare advice. Optional fire-retardant treatment on request.
Our work
From the field to the ridge.
We cut the reed ourselves, haul it to the coast and thatch it by hand. Six pictures from one build.
Get in touch
Let's talk about your roof.
Tell us what you need — a new reed roof, a re-thatch, or a repair — and we'll arrange a free site survey around Diani Beach and the South Coast.