Cape reed, known in Afrikaans as dekriet, is Thamnochortus insignis, a restio harvested mostly in the southern Cape. It is the traditional thatch of the Western Cape, seen on Cape Dutch homesteads and farm cottages, and it gives a finer, denser and more durable finish than grass. It also costs more and needs thatchers who know how to work it. Tell us about your roof or ceiling, and we pass your request to independent Cape reed suppliers and thatchers who quote you directly.
Why Cape reed lasts
Cape reed stems are thin, tough and packed tightly, so a reed roof forms a dense surface that sheds water well and wears slowly. A well laid reed roof on a steep pitch, in a place where it dries out after rain, is often expected to outlast a grass roof of the same age. That still depends on the pitch, the thickness, shade and the care it gets, so ask your thatcher what they expect for your roof rather than relying on a general figure. The same rules about maintenance apply as for grass.
The look and where it fits
Reed gives a smooth, fine textured roof with sharp eaves and clean lines, which suits Cape Dutch and Cape vernacular houses, winelands homes and modern houses that want a crisp finish. Grass looks shaggier and more rustic. On a heritage building in the Boland or the Overberg, using reed may be part of keeping the building true to its age, and heritage rules can apply, so check with the municipality before changing anything. For a comparison with grass, see our thatch grass page.
Cost and supply outside the Cape
Reed is a slower crop and more work to lay well, so a reed roof usually costs more per square metre than grass. Outside the Western Cape the price climbs further because the reed travels a long way by truck and fewer thatchers have experience with it. If you want reed in Gauteng or KwaZulu-Natal, ask the supplier about delivery as a separate line, and ask the thatcher which reed roofs they have laid and where you can look at them.
Cape reed ceilings
Reed is also laid as a ceiling under a roof, often tied in neat rows between exposed poles or beams. It gives a warm, natural finish to living rooms, lapas and verandas, and it is used under thatch, tiles or sheeting. A reed ceiling is a lining, not a roof covering, so it needs a sound roof above it. Keep light fittings and cables clear of the reed and have a registered electrician do the wiring. Ask about fire retardant treatment for the ceiling too.
What to put in your request
- Roof or ceiling, and the area in m²
- Whether old thatch or reed must be stripped
- The style of the building and any heritage rules
- The delivery address and site access
- Whether you also want a grass quote to compare
Cape Reed Thatch for homes, lodges, farms and venues
- Homeowners: a reed roof on a Cape style home or a reed ceiling in the living room or lapa
- Estate homes and HOAs: reed roofs where estate guidelines ask for a fine, even thatch finish
- Game lodges and bush camps: reed ceilings in chalets and a dense reed roof on a main lodge building
- Guesthouses and B&Bs: reed ceilings and roofs on winelands cottages that guests come to see
- Farms and smallholdings: re-thatching an old homestead in reed to keep it true to its age
- Restaurants, pubs and beach bars: a reed ceiling over a terrace or tasting room for a warm, natural finish
- Resorts and holiday parks: reed ceilings in units where a grass roof outside would need more upkeep
- Wedding venues, schools and churches: reed roofs and ceilings on wedding venues and chapels in the winelands
- Builders, architects and developers: reed sourced for an architect's design, with transport and crew booked early
Frequently asked questions
Do you supply or lay Cape reed yourselves?
Is Cape reed worth the extra cost compared with grass?
Can I repair a reed roof with grass?
Does a Cape reed ceiling need plans or a certificate?
Cape Reed Thatch by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg