A thatcher is a craftsman specializing in the manufacture and restoration of thatched roofs, a natural material made from rye, wheat, or reed straw. This deeply rooted craft involves selecting, preparing, and installing thatch bales to form a thick, durable, and insulating roof, often on historic buildings or in rural areas. The thatcher follows several steps: sorting the materials, threshing to remove unwanted weeds, drying, and finally laying the thatch in successive layers, either vertically or horizontally, depending on the desired technique.
Nowadays, thatchers also participate in the conservation of architectural heritage and the development of ecological solutions by modernizing certain techniques to meet contemporary needs.