When we picture a charming lapa in the Bushveld, we imagine that light brown, rustic thatched roof with all the “storybook” vibes. It looks warm. It looks natural. It looks… like a fire hazard that gets the insurance companies into a frenzy.
The truth is simple: modern roofing materials have solved every major problem that traditional thatch creates — and they’ve done it while keeping the classic, textured, stone coated aesthetic people still love.
Enter our own Noag’s Market Stone Thatch Tiles (1340 x 420mm, 0.4mm) — the smart, safe, durable alternative built for SA weather and modern living.
Here’s the uncomfortable truth:
Traditional thatch ignites fast, burns hot, and is almost impossible to extinguish. A single ember — from a braai, lightning strike, or veldfire — can wipe out a home in minutes.
Modern stone-coated steel (SCS) takes this risk and engineers it out of existence. With a Class A fire rating, the steel core and stone granules are completely non-combustible. No chemicals, no spray-on treatments every two years. Just built-in protection for the long haul.
“The steel core and granules are non-combustible… an exceptional first line of defence for burning cinders.”
Fire risk: eliminated. That alone puts SCS in a different league.
Rodents, mites, insects… every critter loves thatch. It’s warm, it’s soft, and it’s basically the Airbnb of pests.
Modern stone-coated tiles? Zero food value. Zero soft spots. Zero entry points.
Plus: No rot, No mould, No algae, No nests, No decay
A thatched roof must be cleaned, maintained, sprayed, and inspected constantly.
Stone-coated steel needs… the occasional glance.
South African storms don’t play, just the Stormers do!
But stone-coated steel comes ready for them.
With a UL 2218 Class 4 Impact Rating, these tiles have survived the infamous “2-inch steel ball drop test” — twice, in the same spot — without cracking.
Plus: Wind resistant up to 110 mph, UV resistant, Corrosion resistant
Built for freeze–thaw cycles. Traditional thatch doesn’t even try to compete here.
At first glance, thatch looks “old-school and affordable.” In reality, it can be one of the most expensive roofs to own.
Why?
Because the costs never stops: Re-thatching every 8–10 years, Fire retardant treatments every 2 years, Annual professional cleaning and massive insurance premiums
Compared to that, stone-coated steel almost feels unfair: 20–30 year lifespan, minimal maintenance, potentially lower insurance costs, lower long-term total cost of ownership
Traditional charm… modern pain.
This is the best part.
Modern tiles like ours at Noag’s give you the exact rustic shake appearance — the grain, the depth, the texture, the shadow lines — without any of the risks.
So you get the aesthetic…
Without the fire.
Without the pests.
Without the financial bleeding.
And at just 2–3.5kg per tile, they’re up to 4x lighter than thatch, making them perfect for renovations and older structures.
What Makes Noag’s Market Stone Thatch Tiles So Good?
Each tile is built with a 7-layer system engineered for performance:
1. Aluminium–zinc alloy coating for unbeatable corrosion resistance
2. Galvalume steel core for strength
3. Acrylic primers for adhesion
4. Stone granules for colour, UV resistance, and texture
5. Overglaze finish for long-term protection
Specs at a glance:
• Size: 1340 x 420mm
• Effective size: 1290 x 370mm
• Weight: 2.35–3.50kg
• Coverage: 0.48 m² per tile
This is performance you can measure — and trust.
Final Word: Choose the Roof Built for the Future
Don’t get me wrong, Yes, thatch has charm, warmth and feels like holiday, but charm doesn’t protect your home from fire, hail, storms, pests, or escalating insurance bills.
Stone-coated steel does.
And it does it while keeping the natural shake aesthetic alive — safely, beautifully, efficiently.
Visit Noag’s Market today to see our Stone Thatch Tiles in person, get expert advice from our team, and choose the roof that makes sense for your home and your future.
And while you’re here… grab a cappuccino at coffee@NOAGS. Big life decisions go down better with caffeine.