Roof Thatching

Have you thought about thatch roofing? The phragmites used in the UK for thatching is now spreading like a pest here in the US, choking out / hybridizing with the native sub-species of "water reed". It takes a lot of labor - there is a book (scanned) on a UK historical preservation website which tells/shows how to properly thatch a roof - starting with framing scantlings. A good "water reed" thatch job can reputedly last 30-50 years before major work need be done - some roof have been found with reeds more than 400 years old against the roof framing! Small grain straw was also used historically in many districts for thatching, but doesn't last as long as phragmites.

http://p1.countryside.gov.uk/LAR/archive/publications/thatchers_craft.asp