Renewable, reliable, available and recyclable, thatch roofing is an ancient technique that may find new uses in a demanding niche market.
For those who are nostalgic about traditional roofing techniques, it's hard to get more basic than thatch. Reeds, grass, palm fronds and other vegetation have provided reliable roofs over the millennia.
In an age of highly engineered membranes from sophisticated manufacturing facilities, the thatch roof remains a throwback to a time when roofing was a handmade craft that required a deeper understanding of the natural processes.