Ecologic Roof Tile Supports Green Push For Swansea Council

Product innovation, sustainability considerations and long-term value for money lie at the heart of Swansea Council’s partnership with Marley Eternit. It has seen the company’s ground-breaking Ecologic roof tile specified on a major housing renovation scheme taking place in the city. Ecologic, with its ability to absorb and neutralise harmful nitrous oxides in the atmosphere, has been chosen for use on a number of refurbishment schemes being undertaken by the council. Such is the impact of the tile’s performance characteristics, estimates show that during its lifetime an average-sized roof using Ecologic tiles could remove an amount of NOx equivalent to that emitted by a modern car driving 100,000 miles. In addition, the tile contains a high level of recycled content at around 50%. Both these factors appealed greatly to Swansea Council, which is positioned as a leading council within Wales when it comes to tackling ongoing environmental and sustainability issues. Den Thomas for Swansea Council comments: "After a thorough review of the proposed roofing specification from Marley, it was clear that the Ecologic roof tile solution could deliver on a number of fronts. The council is passionate about ensuring it plays its part in helping the environment, and the thinking behind the Ecologic tile, as well as its proven performance in terms of influencing the surrounding air quality, made it something we had to consider very carefully. "If you also add in the fact that it is a 50% recycled product, and that it is delivered as a maintenance-free solution going forward, then as a product it supports both our sustainability and value for money objectives. We are delighted with the specification and the tile’s ambitious credentials are enhanced by the finished appearance in situ which will give the refurbishment schemes around Swansea a new lease of life." Ecologic is an innovative tiling product due to a special external coating which contains grades of titanium dioxide (TiO2). This surface coating triggers a reaction under the influence of UV radiation in sunlight which converts harmful asthma-causing pollutant nitrogen oxides (NOx) into nitric acid ions. These are then neutralised by the lime and calcium carbonate in the concrete, so removing the potentially harmful pollutants from the atmosphere. Such air borne pollutants are thought to contribute to asthmatic and bronchial problems in the general population. The Marley Eternit technical team recommended fixing specifications and material estimates to complete the renovation, and these also satisfied the environmental concerns of the council. To deliver a solid and environmentally friendly technical solution, matching colour ridge and hips, all secured with Dry-Fix products such as Ridgefast and Hipfast, would provide a maintenance free roof which was mechanically fixed and would not require any use of mortar as part of the construction. It is acknowledged that providing an environmentally sensitive solution will deliver great benefit to the occupiers of the houses undergoing the roofing transformation. At a time when all local government budgets are under pressure and have to perform to the maximum to create value from taxpayers’ money, the low-cost and maintenance-free aspect of the Ecologic Dry-Fix solution can help achieve such budgetary objectives in the short, medium and long term.

For more information on Ecologic Roof Tile Supports Green Push For Swansea Council talk to Marley Eternit Ltd