Get a Green Roof Without the Grass
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A pioneering new green roofing product has been unveiled to meet the ever growing need for sustainable construction materials which clearly sets out its green credentials – an essential requirement for sustainable materials.
As architects continue to push the boundaries there is an increasing need to look at exciting new technologies that incorporate recycled or renewable materials in their construction, lessening the environmental toll. Green architecture does not only benefit the environment, investing in green materials also reduces energy costs for structures by using more efficient products.
The Russell Envirotile is the first fully sustainable interlocking roof tile: manufactured from recycled polypropylene (mainly from car components such as bumpers normally destined for landfill) it is also fully recyclable at the end of its life. Understanding the origin of construction materials, including their environmental impact, is an essential skill-set of the green specifier.
The innovative product has been launched by leading independent manufacturer Russell Roof Tiles, in collaboration with the Green Roof Tile Company, and offers a serious response to the Code for Sustainable Homes – the Government owned national standard intended to encourage continuous improvement in sustainable home building.
The Code for Sustainable Homes calls for a step change in the way new homes are designed and constructed. It is part of the Government’s programme to improve the sustainability of new homes, with a view to national targets for reducing carbon dioxide emissions, but taking a more holistic approach by considering a wide range of environmental and social impacts of new build properties.
Offering unrivalled technical performance along with excellent eco-credentials, the BREEAM compliant Russell Envirotile was developed by a seasoned experienced roofer over a four year period in association with Wolverhampton University and the Green Roof Tile Company and it provides a technically advanced alternative to traditional roofing materials. BREEAM is the world's foremost environmental assessment method and rating system for buildings and sets the standard for best practice in sustainable building design, construction and operation.
The precision design and manufacture fully utilises the latest in recycled materials technology, which ensures every tile meets the highest standards.
The Russell Envirotile’s light weight (just 720g) means they can be transported efficiently, thus reducing transport costs and carbon footprint. They are also much easier to handle, being up to 25% quicker to fit than traditional roofing products and can be cut with a handsaw rather than requiring a petrol saw again lessening its environmental impact.
They provide a viable alternative to flat roofing as they can be used on pitches as low as 12.5 degrees, and with each tile interlocking with the adjacent tiles in eight places, the roof’s integrity acts as a whole so no individual tile can easily dislodge. The Russell Envirotile also comes with a 25 year guarantee against lamination and decay.
The product has been designed not only for domestic new build but is also expected to be particularly attractive to public sector build projects and social housing. Specifically where local authorities require the relevant Code for Sustainable Homes standards to be met as a condition of planning consent, for example in the case of the new eco town applications.
This is the latest product from Russell Roof Tiles, who deliver a growing range of innovative leading products for house builders and commercial projects. Andrew Hayward Managing Director at Russell Roof Tiles comments; “Despite a very challenging construction sector, not helped by the global banking crisis, there are still opportunities for UK manufacturers willing to invest and innovate. It is imperative that manufacturers of traditional construction materials respond to changing market developments and look at the challenge of sustainable roof tiles.
“On the back of our successful Grampian Tile we were the first manufacturer to launch a thin leading edge interlocking tile on the market, known as the Galloway. This latest product is the next step in enhancing our market offer. The Russell Envirotile is the newest addition to our developing portfolio and provides a true alternative product for those markets where sustainable products are high on the agenda.”
About Russell Roof Tiles
Russell Roof Tiles is wholly owned by Russell Building Products who acquired the business in November 2011 from CEMEX for £13.6m. The company was originally founded in 1892 as Alexander Russell. Russell Roof Tiles manufacture a range of concrete roof tiles and fittings designed to meet the requirements of most roof applications. Russell Roof Tiles also manufacture an extensive range of dry fix and dry ventilation products suitable for both new and refurbishment projects that are designed to meet current building regulation requirements.
The firm offers a growing range of roofing solutions for both commercial and housing. Clients include all of the major national house builders, local authorities, Primary Care Trusts, care homes providers as well as numerous commercial projects. Recent projects have included £44m regeneration project for Reading Borough Council, social housing for North Wales Housing, £22m Pannel Croft Retirement Village in Birmingham, and a cutting-edge housing development close the former site of Glasgow Zoo.
About The Code for Sustainable Homes
The Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH) is an environmental assessment method for rating and certifying the performance of new homes based on BRE Global's EcoHomes scheme. It is a Government owned national standard intended to encourage continuous improvement in sustainable home building. BRE Global act as advisors on issues related to maintenance and development of the technical contents of the CSH standard and manage implementation of the scheme under contract to the Department of Communities and Local Government. The CSH covers nine categories of sustainable design:
-Energy and CO2 emissions (M),
-Water (M),
-Materials (M),
-Surface Water Run-off (M),
-Waste (M),
-Pollution,
-Health and Wellbeing (M),
-Management,
-Ecology.
There are mandatory performance requirements in 6 categories (denoted by an M above). All other performance requirements are flexible. It is possible to achieve an overall level of between zero and six depending on the mandatory standards and proportion of flexible standards achieved.