Mc Hales Irish Pub
NY City

Poolside Cabana
Nashville, TN

:: North America's Master Thatchers ::

McGhee & Co. specializes in water reed thatching, a proven roofing system with a life expectancy in excess of 60 years. Thatched roofs are sturdy and durable housetops that keep out the elements and are impenetrable to bugs, birds and vermin.

McGhee & Co. is led by Master Thatcher Colin McGhee, who started thatching at the age of 16 in Essex, England. At the age of 25, he became the youngest thatcher ever to win the Master Thatcher's Cup. Since moving his award-winning business to America in 1991, he and his crew have been in great demand, traveling across the country to thatch everything from private residences to buildings at zoos and theme parks. McGhee & Co. has completed projects for the Jamestown Settlement, the Bronx Zoo, and numerous individuals.

Colin and his crew of highly skilled artisans craft each roof by hand using only the finest materials. The work is not farmed out to contractors, so you can be assured that each roof is a unique piece of art - the result of traditional, time-tested materials and methods. McGhee & Co. roofs are guaranteed and are checked at least every two years at no charge. Thatching materials are provided and assistance with design and planning approval is available. Click here to see more photos in our "Portfolio" section.

:: The Art of Thatching ::

Thatching is an ancient craft found in various forms around the world. European thatch dates back to the middle ages when the first small, permanent villages were established. The creation of villages brought with it the need for readily available, inexpensive, and durable building materials. One of these materials was thatch.

In America, early settlers used thatch as far back as 1565 and Native Americans used it for generations before that. When the first settlers arrived in Jamestown in 1607 they found Powhatan Indians living in thatched dwellings. The settlers used the same type of thatch on their own buildings, and this method of roofing was used commonly into the 18th century.

Various types of vegetation can be used as thatch. Reed and straw are two common choices, but in any case the material has to be gathered, dried, bundled, and secured to a framework on top of a building in thick, overlain layers. A skilled, professional thatcher can create a visually appealing roof that is easy to repair, highly effective as an insulator, and resistant to rain, snow, wind, and vermin. Click here to find out more in our "About Thatching" section.