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Marley Eternit is helping to make roof system specification easier with the launch of a new version of its popular roofing guide.

The 2017 Roof Systems Specification Guide now includes all of the information architects need to design and specify a complete pitched roof system, ensuring compliance with BS 5534 and reducing the risk of product substitution.

Marley Eternit’s new guide covers more roofing elements than ever before, from battens and underlay to clay and concrete tiles, fibre cement slates, profiled sheeting, shingles and shakes, right through to ventilation and fixings. It covers all aspects of roofing design and practice, including building regulations and standards, as well as the management of condensation, thermal insulation and weather resistance.

Alex Gill from Marley Eternit, explains: “Just like the rest of the construction industry, we know that architects and other specifiers are increasingly stretched. With more projects, less time, new innovations and changing regulations, they can’t be experts on all products. That’s where support from manufacturers is vital and resources like our new Roof System Specification Guide can be invaluable. We’re sure that this new, more comprehensive, guide will prove even more popular than previous editions.

“Recent figures from the NBS Specification survey show that 78 per cent of respondents think product substitution is still an issue in the industry, so there is a clear role for manufacturers to support specifiers in developing robust specifications that protect design intent. Using a complete tested roof system from Marley Eternit can help specifiers take greater control of the supply chain, with less risk of product substitution further down the line. It also delivers clear levels of accountability and integration, giving greater protection to specifiers by helping to reduce risk to their design liability.”

Marley Eternit offers the most comprehensive pitched roof system on the market, with more elements guaranteed to work together than any other manufacturer and a fifteen year system guarantee.

To download your copy of the new Roof System Specification Guide, or request a hard copy, visit www.marleyeternit.co.uk/roofingguide.
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. If it matters to you it matters to us, that’s why with ME it’s all about you.

Canterbury handmade clay plain tiles from leading roof systems manufacturer, Marley Eternit have been used to create an authentic roof for a new build historic-style cottage in the Denham Conservation area.

The self build project, in the picturesque old English village of Denham, had to adhere to strict planning guidelines for roof height and use of materials due to the number of listed buildings along the same road. The homeowner consulted independent roofing merchant Skyline Roofing Centres, who recommended the Canterbury clay tiles in Loxleigh to give a premium rustic aesthetic and complement the cottage’s Welsh oak timber frame.

The homeowner explains “Denham village dates back to the Doomsday Book and has 46 listed buildings, the majority of which are along Village Road where our new house has been built. These historic properties are largely vernacular with a mix of brick and timber frames and many of them have handmade clay tiles on the roof.

“We chose the Marley Eternit handmade tiles because they achieved the traditional, heritage look demanded by local planning and blended in well with the rafters and open eaves on the roof. They also complemented the copper gutters and downpipes, which needed to fit with planning requirements as well.

“We have been aspiring to build our own home for over five years, so we had a clear image of what we wanted it to look like and had even built a model of it. The handmade tiles have helped us to achieve our dream picturesque cottage, which sits perfectly in this idyllic village and is a welcome break from the busy city.”

Marley Eternit’s range of Canterbury tiles are handmade by skilled craftsmen, using locally sourced Etruria Marl, generally accepted to be the finest clay for strength and durability. The tiles are available in three colours; Chailey (orange), Loxleigh (antique) and Burford (brown) with their own handmade fittings range.

Daniel Redfern, product manager from Marley Eternit, comments “We developed the Canterbury range specifically for projects like this, giving architects and self builders more choice when only genuine handmade clay plain tiles may be specified to meet planning requirements. The traditional hand making process brings random undulations and variations that give each tile its unique appearance, creating a distinct rustic style roof that is ideal for conservation or aesthetic purposes.”

For more information, literature and samples, please contact 01283 722588 or visit www.marleyeternit.co.uk/handmade

Marley Eternit has launched a ground-breaking new Dry Verge system that will make it quicker and easier for contractors and housebuilders to fit to NHBC and British Standards, whilst offering outstanding performance and durability.

Unlike anything else on the market, the new Universal Dry Verge is compatible with all three major interlocking tile types – large standard, medium format (15” by 9”) and large format thin leading edge, as well as Marley Eternit’s own Lincoln clay interlocking pantile.

This means contractors only need to buy and carry one type of dry verge for use with the majority of manufacturers’ interlocking tiles and merchants can consolidate their stock holding with just one system instead of multiple versions.

Marley Eternit’s new system has also been designed to be much easier to fit than existing dry verge products. Developed in conjunction with roofing contractors, it includes a quick starter-verge fixing that can be installed even if the gutter is already in place. This provides an easy-to-install, robust method of securing the first verge unit – providing subtle, yet visible evidence to housebuilders and the NHBC of a correct and secure fix.

Gavin White, technical product manager from Marley Eternit, explains: “The decline in mortar use means the dry verge market is huge, with many products to choose from. Some of these are limited in compatibility and also value engineered to make them more affordable, which inevitably has implications on the performance and durability of the systems. At the same time, the correct and secure fixing of dry verge systems is coming under greater scrutiny, particularly by warranty providers such as the NHBC.

“We were the first manufacturer to launch an interlocking dry verge system back in the 1980s and our original Dry Verge was a revolutionary product. As such, we wanted to use our expertise to design a brand new Universal Dry Verge system that takes the best from the original version, with its renowned aesthetics and quality, and builds on it to make it even easier to fit to BS 5534 and NHBC standards, with the greatest compatibility of anything currently on the market.”

While many dry verge products are sold as being universal, to date, none have been compatible with all three main interlocking tile types. Marley Eternit’s new Universal Dry Verge has been designed with a unique internal rail system and leading edge hinge, so it can be used with the majority of popular interlocking tile types from most manufacturers. This saves roofers the hassle of buying and carrying different verges and enables merchants to keep just one verge unit in stock that is compatible with many tiles, saving cost and space.

In addition, the new Universal Dry Verge is made from an extremely durable form of polypropylene, which has outstanding weather resistance – particularly to freeze/thaw cycles and UV degradation. It includes unique drainage features which help correctly channel rain water to prevent gable end staining – a common problem for some verge systems that do not incorporate this functionality. This means specifiers and installers get a product that gives peace of mind in terms of product longevity and no call backs.

For more information about the new Universal Dry Verge, go to www.marleyeternit.co.uk/universaldryverge.

Holiday-makers visiting luxurious log cabins set deep in Scottish woodlands, are able to enjoy the great outdoors more safely after JB Antislip Plus from Marley Eternit was specified to provide the external antislip surface for the cabins’ outdoor decking areas.

The 11 woodland cabins, which are located in Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, Strathyre, on the edge of Loch Lubnaig, offer guests a secluded escape in a variety of cabin options, many with a hot tub on the decking area.

It was this unique combination of solid timber cabins against a picturesque mountainous background, which saw project owners Forest Holidays, need to specify a robust decking solution, which not only provided a natural extension to the cabins’ timber exteriors, but also delivered effective antislip properties.

With the hot tubs located on the decking area outside, Forest Holidays needed a product which would ensure holiday-makers remained safe while enjoying the outdoor area. As a result, the company specified JB Antislip Plus, which features grey resin based aggregate inserts injected into the deck board grooves, delivering a durable and effective external antislip surface to minimise the risk of slipping.

Mark Sheppard, procurement manager at Forest Holidays explains why the company is confident in its decision to specifiy JB Antislip Plus. He says: “Having worked with Marley Eternit on a number of previous projects, we already knew its products were capable of meeting our exact requirements.

“So, when we were developing our Strathyre location, it was really important we specified a product which complemented the surrounding forest environment. Yet, our requirements also meant we needed a solution which not only held the antislip credentials to ensure holiday-makers stayed safe, but one which could also cope with the unpredictable Scottish weather! JB Antislip Plus delivers the best of both worlds and also ensured we used the highest quality specialised materials throughout the project.”

JB Antislip Plus timber decking boards are specifically designed to provide a durable and effective external antislip surface, designed to perform even in the most adverse weather conditions. Furthermore, the decking can be treated for extra protection to either Use Class 3 (MicroPro®) or Use Class 4 (Naturewood®) to further suit the project requirements.

Charlotte Hughes, Product Marketing Manager at Marley Eternit, concludes: “JB Antislip Plus is an ideal decking solution for a project of this nature where people are moving in and out of a hot tub, and the risk of trips and slips can be high. In addition, it was also important to take into account the natural surrounding area, and as such, we needed to deliver a solution which really complemented the forest and mountainous backdrop. JB Antislip Plus not only seamlessly blends with the cabins’ exterior, but its antislip properties also exceed HSL slip testing guidelines, ensuring the highest level of protection for visitors.”

For further information on our range of products and services please visit www.marleyeternit.co.uk/decking.

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.

Architectural practice Alexander Sedgley has specified a pioneering vertical fibre cement slate facade system for a luxury private mews development in London.

The Vertigo slates, from manufacturer Marley Eternit, have been used to create striking projecting bays on the front and rear of the exclusive terraced and semi detached rental properties at William Mews, near Brockley.

Built by Proctor Developments, the distinctive eco-friendly homes use timber frame construction, so the architects needed to specify a lightweight cladding material. They also wanted the bays to create a strong contrast against the yellow-flecked London stock brick required by planning. Although zinc or render were initially considered, Alexander Sedgley architects selected the new Vertigo system for its aesthetic and lightweight properties.

Project architect Stephen Alexander explains: “As we were using a timber frame, getting a lightweight material to clad the projecting structures was very important and when we saw the Vertigo system, we knew it was perfect for this development.

“The site is surrounded by two-storey Victorian houses and we wanted to create a contemporary contrast, without it being too imposing. As well as meeting our weight criteria, the Vertigo system gives a clean, contemporary slate aesthetic that will stand the test of time, but crucially remains sympathetic to the surroundings.

“It was very easy to detail and the other big advantage was that the roofing contractor was able to install it, so we didn’t need a specialist fitter. It was also much more economical than using sheet metal and removed the aesthetic problem of visible seams.”

The first of its kind in the UK, Vertigo consists of small 600mm x 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.

Charlotte Hughes, product manager from Marley Eternit, adds: “Vertigo is still a relatively new product in the UK market but is already proving popular in the luxury private residential sector, particularly with developers and architects who want to create striking properties in urban environments. As a lightweight material, it is ideal for adding aesthetic interest to timber frame buildings like this one at William Mews. In fact, using Vertigo with a block and timber frame can be 15% lighter than a traditional brick and block system.”

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.

Architect John Murray has specified Marley Eternit’s JB Shingles to create a stunning cottage annex for a luxury Victorian boutique hotel in Dumfries and Galloway. The aptly named Shingle Lodge, built by 3b Construction, has been wrapped entirely in the western red cedar shingles to blend in with its natural surroundings.

The owners of Knockinaam Lodge hotel wanted to create a separate cottage annex to cater for guests who require easy accessibility and self-contained accommodation. Situated in 30 acres of landscaped grounds, with its own private beach, the architect needed to ensure that all exterior materials for the hotel annex were robust enough to withstand the severely exposed conditions without deteriorating.

Marley Eternit’s JB Shingles were specified for both the roof and cladding of the annex, creating a stunning cottage that sits beautifully within its surroundings as a breath-taking piece of architecture. When viewed at a distance, Shingle Lodge has achieved what the architect intended by retaining its aesthetic integrity and blending into the coastal environment.

Architect John Murray, comments: “I could see that using shingles would maintain the character of the hotel, retain the unique sense of place of the cove and fit well with the abundant backdrop of vegetation behind the cottage. The real beauty of shingles is that they age gracefully. In just a few years, the aptly named Shingle Lodge will blend into the local area as if it has always been part of the natural landscape.”

Sarah Jackson, marketing product manager from Marley Eternit, adds: “The use of our JB shingles on this cottage annexe provides the perfect aesthetic for this location. Using the product for both the roof and cladding creates a striking contemporary, yet natural, aesthetic, which is ideal for its rural and coastal setting.”

With one of the lowest carbon footprints of any widely used building product, shingles are perfect for projects which are driven by sustainability objectives. Marley Eternit’s JB western red cedar shingles also offer the highest-quality ‘Blue-label’ grade and are accredited by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), which ensures that the biodiversity and ecosystems of the forest are preserved.

JB Shingles are available with a clear preservative treatment called MicroPro® to retain the natural look of cedar, with a guaranteed minimum lifespan of 40 years. Many preservative treatments are alkaline and react with the natural tannins in the cedar, often leaving black or dark stains, or are prone to leaching (washing) out. However, MicroPro’s® unique formulation uses a suspended micronised copper-based preservative that leaves the shingle looking completely natural.

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.

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

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.

A commitment to deliver “world class customer service” has resulted in Marley Eternit being awarded the coveted ServiceMark accreditation from the Institute of Customer Service (ICS).

The accreditation from the ICS, the independent, professional membership body for customer service, means that Marley Eternit not only delivers a “world class service” but is committed to upholding those standards for its customers. This means continually striving to increase efficiency, using feedback to enhance and improve service and helping customers to have queries answered quickly and effectively saving them time and money.

During the assessment, Marley Eternit was commended for its innovations such as an on-line portal which makes it quicker and easier for customers to get in touch, its strong focus on and culture of continuous improvement, which uses feedback to put new initiatives into action, and placing customers at the heart of everything it does.

Marley Eternit joins household names such as Anglian Water, EDF Energy, Holland and Barrett and Which? that have been awarded the ServiceMark accreditation. The company became a member of the organisation in 2014 and since then has been striving to achieve the ICS’ top award, the ServiceMark accreditation.

Nicola Downes, supply chain director at Marley Eternit, says: “The ServiceMark accreditation is a result of all the hard work and care that the team put in to ensure excellent service for our customers. Our continual improvement of speed of service and delivery is designed to provide the best experience for our customers, so it is great to receive recognition for this.

“Achieving the ServiceMark standard lets our customers know we are committed to constantly improving our services, and finding new ways to increase speed of service and efficiency for them.”

As part of the three-stage accreditation process, the ICS carried out surveys with employers and employees for two consecutive years to understand better what customers want and how to get it. The final stage involved an independent assessor interviewing team members, conducting observations and checking written documentation to verify the company was meeting the benchmarks set and implementing action plans to develop areas for improvement.

The assessment highlighted the extensive training and coaching, compliance audits and competency checks that allow employees to better empower and support customers. The accreditation recognised that enquiries, information and complaints are all given a high priority and positive outcomes are generated quickly.

Jed O’Mara, management consultant at ICS and lead on the assessment, noted: “Our assessment showed us that Marley Eternit has sought to differentiate itself by seeking to achieve a world class customer service through working with the ICS. All employees questioned on this area had a sincere belief that this ambition is achievable and they are continually making good progress, which we have recognised through this accreditation.”

For more information, visit www.marleyeternit.co.uk or call 01283 722588.