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Marley has teamed up with Leeds College of Building to help support the next generation of roofers.

A unique one-day training course created and delivered by Marley provided an opportunity for 16 second and third year roofing apprentices to gain first-hand experience on how to compile accurate roofing estimates.

The course built upon existing construction skills developed by the students, and exposed them to the next level of training to enable them to complete a fully-fledged roof estimate.

David Cassell, Training Manager at Marley, delivered the course content. He comments: “As the construction industry continues to face an ongoing shortage of skills, including roofers, it is vital that we support the next generation coming into the sector, and providing training in areas such as roof estimating is a prime example of how we can help them build strong foundations for a career in construction.”

The training was based upon working through Marley’s comprehensive roof system, which includes tiles, underlays, battens, fixings, ventilation and dry fix solutions – all of which are tried and tested to work together seamlessly while also meeting current British Standards.

The course also covered roof constants so that the apprentices could calculate rafter, hip and valley lengths that couldn’t be measured. In addition, expert guidance was provided to students on best practice when examining roofs in plan view, using final project drawings.

With final measurements in place, by the end of the course the students were able to complete a final roof estimate using components from the Marley roof system.

David Cassell concludes: “There are many advantages to working with a complete roof system from a single manufacturer, which can ultimately help to make contractors lives easier. It enables quicker installation as the products are designed to work together, and contractors can be assured that all the components satisfy the required standards such as BS 5534 for slating and tiling.

“A complete roof system is also an ideal foundation from which accurate roof estimates can be created. I am confident that the roofing apprentices at Leeds College of Building will have gained a lot by attending this bespoke course, and going forward can utilise the knowledge they have gained for the benefit of their future careers.”

www.marley.co.uk

Marley introduces new colour to popular Edgemere slate range

Following significant increase in demand for cost-effective alternatives to natural slate, Marley has further enhanced its slate offering by introducing a fourth colour to the popular Edgemere range.

The new Anthracite colour has been developed to provide a closer aesthetic match to natural slate and offers an affordable way to comply with planning requirements.

Daniel Redfern, product manager at Marley, explains: “There is growing demand for thin leading edge concrete interlocking slates, so this new finish for Edgemere provides greater choice within this popular range. Strict planning stipulations often determine product selection and we are confident the introduction of this attractive tile colour, which further mimics the appearance of natural slate, will result in an increased specification of Edgemere in areas where slate has historically been used.”

The new Anthracite colour option joins the existing range of Old English Dark Red, Smooth Brown and the most popular colour, Smooth Grey, which has seen strong growth due to the aesthetic trend towards slate-look roofs for new homes.

The slate-like appearance of Edgemere is further enhanced by its thin leading edge and the broken-bond laying technique. At only 18mm thick and sleek in appearance, the slates can be viewed as an affordable alternative to natural slate, or a cost effective upgrade from standard concrete interlocking tiles.

Daniel adds: “Edgemere has the ability to perform at pitches as low as 17.5°, which gives it the versatility to be used on a wide range of roof types. Increasingly people are prepared to pay a small cost uplift to get a premium roof finish and Edgemere offers a surprisingly affordable upgrade from standard interlocking tiles, with a high coverage rate of just 9.7 slates per square metre. Up to 40% thinner and lighter in weight, it provides a slate like appearance on a tile budget.”

The Edgemere range also delivers outstanding environmental benefits, with an A+ rating in the BRE’s ‘Green Guide to Specification’, BES 6001 Responsible Sourcing certification and, extra credits are available for the use of Edgemere on projects being built to the Home Quality Mark or BREEAM.

A wide range of fittings and accessories are available to complement the entire Edgemere range.

For more information, visit www.marley.co.uk

 

The latest episode of ‘DIY SOS: The Big Build’ has been supported by Marley Eternit, after the company supplied its JB CitiDeck solution to the project free of charge.

‘DIY SOS: The Big Build’ – a special for the BBC’s charity Children in Need – saw the team work to renovate a Victorian house into a new, much needed, young carers’ facility in the legendary seaside resort of Blackpool.

The Blackpool Carers Centre project is the show’s biggest charitable build to date, and was headed up by renowned interior designer Lawrence Llewellyn-Bowen. Over the course of just 10 days, the project involved completely renovating what were two separate homes, while also incorporating the landscaping of the building’s one-acre of wild garden.

The team called upon Marley Eternit to help in the construction of a circular decking area installed in the grounds of the centre. Measuring 25m² and with a circumference of over 15m, JB CitiDeck in a robust oak finish – with its smooth profiled boards, which feature two non-slip inserts – was installed.

Charlotte Hughes, Product Manager at Marley Eternit, explains more about the project and why Marley Eternit was delighted to help out. She says: “Giving back to the community is something which is important to us as a business. So, the chance to be involved in such a huge project for BBC’s Children in Need was a fantastic opportunity.

“After spending some time learning more about the project, and the great work the Blackpool Carers Centre provides to young children and their families, our JB CitiDeck was the perfect choice as it not only exceeds the HSL’s anti-slip testing guidelines, it is also an incredibly durable solution ensuring that the decking area will be enjoyed for many years to come.”

Michelle Smith, CEO of Blackpool Carers Centre, added: “We sincerely thank DIY SOS, BBC Children in Need and everyone else that has been involved. We are astonished by the efforts of the team, businesses who have donated materials and volunteers – the support has been beyond what we could have ever imagined. This renovation will enable us to help improve the lives of more children and young people with caring responsibilities who are in need of our support both now and in the years to come.”

The new build also incorporates a child-friendly kitchen and open plan play spaces, as well as a woodland garden adventure and an allotment, providing a safe a supportive environment for the young carers to enjoy a bit more child-time.

The episode of ‘DIY SOS: The Big Build’ Children in Need special aired on BBC on 17 November 2016.

For further information on our range of products and services just ask ME at www.marleyeternit.co.uk or call ME on 01283 722588. You can also follow ME on Twitter @MarleyEternit.

In partnership with Associated Architects Birmingham and leading commercial roofing company Briggsamasco, Marley Alutec has supplied a unique rainwater solution for the cascading roofs of Leicester’s Centre for Medicine.

The £42 million Passivhaus and BREEAM Certificate of Excellence holding Centre for Medicine built for The University of Leicester comprises three towers of differing heights linked by glass-roofed atria. Whilst visually stunning, the building posed a significant rainwater drainage challenge, therefore complex calculations and bespoke components had to be made to cope with the cascading run-off.

Tony Wereszczynski, Technical Director at Marley Alutec, commented: “As a medical building, the roof drainage design specification for the Centre for Medicine had to meet what is known as Category 3 standard, which dictates that rainwater systems must have capacity for extremely high levels of rainfall. When combined with the unusual roof structure of the building, this meant that we had to design and develop specially wide and long rainwater chutes which included roof membrane clamping flanges and which penetrated the complex parapet wall configuration.

“Purpose made hoppers and downpipes were also required to suit. In addition, some of the rainwater pipework intended to be run internally had to be diverted to drain outside the building before transferring to internal drainage, something which was not originally intended.”

Marley

Marley Alutec worked very closely with the architects and roofing contractor, providing all flow calculations and matrices for the complicated cascading roof system. Duncan Philbin, Project Supervisor at Briggsamasco, said: “The high level of specification on this project demanded the best quality products and high quality workmanship. As the main roofing contractor responsible for the waterproofing, capping, green roof and rainwater system installation, we were in constant communication with Marley Alutec’s technical department and the architects.

“During the pre-design meetings it was clear that Marley Alutec were very knowledgeable and their expertise made our job much easier. Equally, working with aluminium products, particularly at height, was preferable as they’re extremely lightweight yet offer the durability required.”

Complementing the high quality ethos of the build, all of Marley Alutec’s products installed are made of marine grade aluminium and have a life expectancy of 50 years or more. What’s more, this extended life expectancy is virtually maintenance free, reducing life cycle costs and any disruption to the building’s operation. Roof and roofline products can be particularly expensive to maintain due to the costs of access equipment, so any reduction is of great benefit.

Another extremely important consideration on this project was the sustainability of the building materials used as it strived for BREEAM certification. Marley Alutec’s aluminium products were the perfect fit as they are amongst the most sustainable in the UK. Made from the third most abundant element in the world they are completely recyclable at the end of their life span. In fact, it is estimated that 75 per cent of all aluminium ever produced is still in use today.

For more information please visit www.marleyalutec.co.uk.

Manufacturer Marley Eternit has launched its own easy-to-install Vapour Permeable and Non Breathable underlays, further enhancing its position as the leading roof systems provider in the UK.

Following the acquisition of John Brash, the latest announcement means Marley Eternit now offers the most comprehensive roof system in the market, including roof coverings, fittings and accessories, roofing battens and underlays. This allows specifiers, merchants and contractors to benefit from buying a whole roof system from a single source.

The new Universal lightweight underlays incorporate a range of useful features to ensure installation is compliant with the latest requirements of BS 5534. As well as being designed for use in all five UK wind zones, the underlays are marked with guide lines for straight laying and to correspond with the different overlap lengths set out by the British Standard, making it easier for contractors to comply.

To meet the British Standard, securing underlay can either involve wastage by requiring larger laps to coincide with a naturally occurring batten course or introduce a health and safety risk with the use of a dangerous fly batten. To overcome these challenges, Marley Eternit’s Vapour Permeable and Non Breathable underlays come with integrated tape to seal and secure the laps. This provides an effective and easy-to-install solution capable of resisting problems associated with wind uplift, whilst meeting the British Standard.

Gavin White, product manager from Marley Eternit, explains: “Following our integration with John Brash, the launch of our own range of underlays is the final piece of the jigsaw, meaning we are now the only UK manufacturer to offer as many elements of the roof within one system package. This is particularly important given many specifiers are now looking for a total roof solution and it gives advantages in terms of a single point of accountability and technical support, all underpinned by the peace of mind that comes with our system warranty.”

The high performance Universal underlays have been manufactured using the latest materials and processes. They have been designed either to integrate as part of a complete Marley Eternit roof system, or for use in conjunction with a range of roof coverings – regardless of manufacturer.

Gavin White adds: “Most breathable underlays have a significant role to play when used as part of an integrated ventilation system. Our new Vapour Permeable underlay is a complementary means of ventilation when used in conjunction with traditional low and high level ventilation products. We feel this is the most effective way of meeting the requirements of BS 5250 and is a tried and tested approach which avoids placing the heavy burden of roof ventilation on one single element. We are also launching a Non Breathable underlay for use when traditional ventilation methods are preferred. Both underlays provide an ultra strong, durable and easy-to-install under-tile layer suitable for warm or cold roof applications.

“Choosing a full roof system from Marley Eternit gives peace of mind that all elements meet the highest level of quality and sustainability and have been designed and tested to meet stringent standards, with ease of fitting in mind.”

For more information about Marley Eternit’s new Universal underlays, visit www.marleyeternit.co.uk/underlays.

Ashdowne handcrafted clay tiles transform 17th century pub.

Marley Eternit’s Ashdowne handcrafted clay plain tiles have been used to help transform a derelict 17th century pub into a new fine dining restaurant and village centre. The £3 million restoration project by David Bishop has seen the Wheatsheaf pub in Rettendon brought back to life as an exciting new complex which, in addition to Le Benaix Bar and Brasserie, includes a village store, hair dresser and separate beauty salon.

Famous for being a drovers’ pub back in the 17th century, the former Wheatsheaf pub in the Essex village of Rettendon is a building of significant historical importance but had remained derelict for almost ten years. The challenge was to restore and extend the ageing building, retaining many of the existing features.

Owner David Bishop selected the handcrafted Ashdowne clay plain tiles from Marley Eternit to replicate the aesthetic of the clay peg tiles used on the original roof. 38,000 tiles were used to create the beautiful clay roof, creating a heritage appearance that connects both the old and the new parts of the building. The roof includes a large octagonal shaped section to create a striking design feature.

David Bishop comments: “With such an important local building, we wanted to stay as close as possible to the aesthetic of the original clay peg tiles and we chose the Ashdowne handcrafted tiles because they had a very similar appearance and were more cost effective.

The aged look of the handcrafted tiles also meant we could use them to blend the new parts of the development in with the renovated historical pub.

“As the building was disused for almost a decade, many of the original roof tiles were missing, so we would have had to find a huge number of old clay peg tiles, so the City Council planning department acknowledged the benefits of the handcrafted tile instead. The finished effect is stunning and the tiles really do help to combine the two parts of the building and ensure the new build is sympathetic to the old. Complementing the local village surroundings was very important and we’ve had several local people comment on what a beautiful roof it is and how well it blends in.”

Ashdowne handcrafted clay plain tiles are available in two weathered colours making them the ideal choice to enhance the beauty of a new build development or for a refurbishment project. The traditional handcrafted finish ensures each and every roof takes on a character of its own.

Charlotte Hughes, product manager at Marley Eternit, adds: “The roof on this project certainly is stunning and demonstrates how handcrafted tiles like these can be used very sympathetically on restoration projects, at the same time as adding beauty to new builds. The Ashdowne tiles on this project help to blend the old and the new buildings very effectively, with the aged clay appearance complementing the vernacular style.”

Ashdowne clay tiles also offer impressive environmental credentials, including the ability to achieve an A+ rating in the BRE Green Guide to Specification, BES 6001 Responsible Sourcing accreditation and certified carbon footprint data at product level.

For further information, visit www.marleyeternit.co.uk/Roofing/Clay-Tiles/Ashdowne-Clay-Tile

John Farquharson Partnership LLP has specified an innovative vertical fibre cement slate system for an exclusive development of rooftop penthouses in East London.

The Vertigo fibre cement slates from Marley Eternit have been used to create a contemporary facade for Damien Court’s eight duplex penthouses, which have all been constructed on the rooftop of the existing four storey apartment building in Whitechapel.

Raj Saund from John Farquharson Partnership, who acted as structural engineers and architectural detailers on the project, specified the Vertigo fibre cement slates alongside Marley Eternit’s Cedral lap. He comments: “The choice of materials and colours is intentionally restrained with a sophisticated palette of grey and timber to achieve a timeless quality finish.

“We were looking to create a slate aesthetic for the facade and when I saw the Vertigo system, I thought it looked amazing because of the horizontal planking. It complemented the timber aesthetic of the Cedral panels, which were also from Marley Eternit and it was much easier to source all of the facade materials from one manufacturer. We also had a lot of assistance from its team, including technical advice and samples, although the Vertigo system itself was actually very easy to use.”

The first of its kind in the UK, Vertigo consists of small 600mm by 300mm slate like panels which can be quickly fixed onto battens, with the desired amount of insulation in between. The fibre cement slates perfectly adapt to the contours of the building, providing a second protective skin. The Vertigo slate range is very easy to fit and has three different installation methods to give more design flexibility and freedom.

Garry Clark from AJE Facades comments: “This was the first time we had used the Vertigo system and we fitted it using the panel installation method to get the horizontal geometric precision desired by the architect. We were impressed by how quick and easy it was to fix and it is a great solution for residential buildings like this.”

Charlotte Hughes, product manager from Marley Eternit, adds: “Vertigo is becoming a popular choice for apartment buildings like this one where it offers a striking, yet understated finish. The invisible fixings and panels of the Vertigo system give sharp clean horizontal lines, which complement the vertical timber aesthetic of the Cedral. This combination of slate and timber gives a distinctive, high specification finish to these unique penthouses, creating a contemporary contrast against the existing 1930s building below.

“Using both Cedral and Vertigo will also give a quality, maintenance free finish for many years to come, which is particularly important given the location of the penthouses at the top of a four storey building, where remedial work is costly. As it is made from fibre cement, Cedral helps to reduce whole life costs because unlike real timber, it won’t rot and is low maintenance. The Vertigo slates create a robust, durable and weatherproof finish, giving the penthouses a protective skin against the elements.”

Lightweight, weather and temperature resistant and available in eight different colours from Anthracite to Terracotta, Vertigo slates can be used to create beautiful, distinctive and elegant vertical cladding solutions for a full range of building types. Perfect continuity between the roof and facade can be achieved by using Vertigo in combination with Marley Eternit’s Birkdale or Rivendale fibre cement roof slates.

Vertigo also boasts superb sustainability credentials, helping to achieve environmental credits with a ‘very good’ BES 6001 Responsible Sourcing accreditation and its environmental impact is easily reviewed with its own Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). Fibre cement also offers sustainability benefits throughout its whole life cycle, as it can be fully recycled at the end of its use. Waste fibre cement can be ground down and used to replace limestone and shale in clinker production, the essential ingredients for Portland cement.

For more information or design advice, please visit www.marleyeternit.co.uk/vertigo or call Marley Eternit on 01283 722588.

A roof extension project in London has used an innovative fibre cement slate, specifically designed for vertical application, to create a distinctive, contemporary dormer conversion, which had to meet stringent local planning requirements. The project is one of the first in the UK to use the new Vertigo slates, which were developed by roofing and facades manufacturer Marley Eternit.

The home owner specified the Vertigo fibre cement slates to create a clean cut, precisely engineered, slate panel aesthetic for his dormer loft conversion and roof extension, forming a contrast against the riven tiles used on the existing roof and differentiating it from other roof extensions in the area.

The first of its kind in the UK, Vertigo consists of small 600mm by 300mm slate like panels which can be quickly fixed onto battens, with the desired amount of insulation in between. The fibre cement slates perfectly adapt to the contours of the building, providing a second protective skin.

He explains: “There are hundreds of similar roof extensions in Chiswick, all determined by the same stringent local planning requirements. We appointed PRS Builders to carry out a flat roof dormer conversion for us but we wanted something different, we didn’t want a ‘me-too’ extension. The idea was to create as modern an aesthetic as possible, using an innovative material, not the same type of vertically hung tiles used on other conversions in the area, but still working within the planning constraints.

“We originally chose zinc but it proved to be too expensive and not eco-friendly enough. When we heard about Vertigo, we changed the specification as it offered the stand out aesthetic we were looking for but was a more cost effective and sustainable option.”

The Vertigo slate range is very easy to fix by any builder or roofing contractor and has three different installation methods to give more design flexibility and freedom. On this project, PRS Builders fitted the Vertigo fibre cement slates using a panel installation, so that the regular bond panels give geometric precision. However, it can also be fitted using a traditional method of installation, which gives a natural slate appearance with slate hooks or another option is broken bond, where panels are staggered to give a close boarded effect.

The homeowner adds: “We’re really pleased with the finished effect, the extension blends in with surrounding roofscapes but at the same time, the Vertigo finish offers something a little bit different – a distinctive, yet under-stated, aesthetic that sets ours apart from all of the other similar dormer conversions in the area.”

Charlotte Hughes, marketing product manager from Marley Eternit, comments: “As architects, specifiers and self builders look to create stand out residential designs in urban areas, fibre cement is becoming an increasingly popular material, not only for the roof but also for vertical slating. We developed Vertigo to give more flexibility to specifiers and designers who want to use fibre cement slates across the whole building envelope. This innovative method of vertical slating uses invisible fixings to provide clean lines and a modern aesthetic and is perfectly suited to new build or refurbishment work.”

Lightweight, weather and temperature resistant and available in eight different colours from blue/black to terracotta, Vertigo slates can be used to create beautiful, distinctive and elegant vertical cladding solutions for a full range of building types. Perfect continuity between the roof and facade can be achieved by using Vertigo in combination with Marley Eternit’s Birkdale or Rivendale fibre cement roof slates.

Vertigo also boasts superb sustainability credentials, helping to achieve environmental credits with a ‘very good’ BES 6001 Responsible Sourcing accreditation and its own Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). Fibre cement also offers sustainability benefits throughout its whole life cycle, as it can be fully recycled at the end of its use. Waste fibre cement can be ground down and used to replace limestone and shale in clinker production, the essential ingredients for Portland cement.

For further information on our range of products and services just ask ME at www.marleyeternit.co.uk/vertigo or call ME on 01283 722588. You can also follow ME on Twitter @MarleyEternit. If it matters to you it matters to us, that’s why with ME it’s all about you.

Marley Eternit’s Canterbury premium handmade clay plain tiles are available in three colours to achieve truly unique roof design.

Loxleigh boasts an antique appearance due to its semi-sanded finish in red and grey shades, Burford is a rich red-brown tone in a fully sanded texture and Chailey offers a vibrant orange tone and can be used on the main roof or as a contrast tile for vertical tiling.

The authentic blend of colours means all three tiles can be mixed on the roof to create their own unique design or replicate a patchwork of colour often seen on traditional roofs in Suffolk, Sussex and Kent. Canterbury clay plain tiles are also available with a complementary range of traditional handmade fittings and decorative accessories to achieve the perfect finish.

To request a brochure or samples contact 01283 722588 / www.marleyeternit.co.uk/handmade