Rivendale Fibre Cement Slates Offer Economic Environmental And Aesthetic Appeal For School Project

When spending funds from the public purse, it is essential that specifications made on building projects can be seen to deliver both in terms of suitability for the scheme in question, as well as offering excellent value for money. These were the requirements that Pembrokeshire County Council was looking to satisfy when it set about developing Portfield Special School. Using Marley Eternit’s Rivendale fibre cement slates, the council were able to deliver on some key scheme objectives and support the overall design vision. The councils design team laid out some fundamental characteristics which the roofing design had to fulfil. It wanted to replicate the design style that was prevalent in the surrounding area so that the new scheme would blend in with the local built environment. Mindful of pressurised public funds, the roofing solution also had to be both cost effective to install and have low maintenance commitments for the future so that ongoing and continued remedial work would be kept to a minimum. Finally, the Council was aware of its responsibility to a sustainable future and environmental considerations, and the selected roofing product had to make its own green case for inclusion on the scheme. All the key objectives were met through the specification of the Rivendale fibre cement slates in a blue/black colour choice. With a finely detailed surface and dressed edges, the Rivendale reproduces the attractive appearance of natural slate, but without the environmental consequences of having to use a scarce natural product. The Rivendale is lightweight and offers strength and a durable performance, whilst also delivering an economic, authentic and easily installed alternative to a natural roofing material such as slate. In addition, all Marley Eternit’s fibre cement slates are manufactured in the UK and are the only slate product of its kind that can achieve an A+ rating, the lowest environmental impact in the Building Research Establishments Green Guide to Specification. The 3000 sq metre roof was installed by Camilleri Roofing and has provided the architectural team with a solution to meet its building requirements. The blue/black colour scheme has helped the school blend in attractively with the local traditional roofing style so it fits in seamlessly with its surroundings. With a number of education-based building schemes underway courtesy of the Government-led, Building Schools for the Future initiative, the cost effective nature of the Rivendale roof product solution helps provide real value for money in terms of both quick installation and long-term maintenance considerations. Finally, using a product such as fibre cement slates has allowed the council to maintain its focus upon environmental factors. Andrew Nicholas, Pembrokeshire County Council architect, says: “The Marley Eternit fibre cement slate was chosen for the new Portfield School scheme in Haverfordwest primarily due to its close aesthetic match to natural slate with its textured surface and dressed edges. The UK manufactured slate also provided an A+ BRE rating and really good value for money.”

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