As well as making good the Government’s promise to provide a million new homes in England by 2020, the construction industry is being encouraged to look at ways of maintaining the nation’s architectural heritage amid the forecast property boom.
Whether new build or renovation projects, specifiers have been criticised for paying too much attention to the bottom line and not enough to the building materials which could help sustain our country’s structural identity.
Since the 13th Century, when combustible roof coverings were banned in London, a tapestry of clay roof tiles in all shades, shapes and colours has decorated the whole country’s landscape. These days, any number of reproduction, machine-made alternatives are available, but if the nation’s prestige and tradition in the housing industry is to continue as the 21st Century nears its second half, only a well-crafted handmade tile will suffice. It would appear the message is beginning to hit home.
SIG Roofing, the UK’s leading roofing merchant, distributes a high-end, prestigious handmade clay roof tile which is perfect for projects large or small and available through its own SIGnature product range. By blending modern technology with the traditional skills of the clay tile maker, SIGnature offers a finest quality, durable tile which brings old world charm to natural roofs. This commitment to creating a select product of integrity and value has done much to ensure interest in handmade clay tiles at the company’s 120-plus branches nationwide continues to flourish. Joe Bordas, SIG Roofing Category Manager for Pitched Roofs, said: “Customers are buying handmade clay tiles for conservation projects as well as for heritage and historical looks. It’s not difficult to see why they are proving popular. They are a thing of beauty and bring a unique aesthetic appeal to roofs.”
With handmade clay tiles providing a rustic and long-established look, there is a perception they make for a time consuming, difficult application. Not necessarily so, according to Joe Bordas, who said in the right hands, fitting the tiles wasn’t as arduous as some might think. He said: “Yes, planning and preparation form part of the process, which includes blending pallets prior to laying, however beyond that, it is no more difficult than fixing other tiles or slates.”
SIGnature handmade clay tiles are made by craftsmen using traditional hand-operated moulds. The clay, which is locally sourced, is extruded into batts for hand-pressing, ensuring that each specific tile is as unique as the hand that made it. Joe Bordas said: “Nothing compares to the beauty of a true handmade clay tile. Indeed, customer demand continues to climb despite the premium over machine-made clay tiles. Genuine handmade tiles always stand out from the crowd based on their aesthetics.”
Handmade clay roof tiles are a natural and durable roofing material, and SIGnature’s select range comes in a variety of unique warm colours, textures and sizes. The tile’s timeless nature and best in class properties ensure it weathers naturally to actually improve with age.
SIGnature tiles, renowned for their elite quality and reliability, are suitable for most applications. It makes them an ideal, characterful roofing solution for heritage projects.
For total peace of mind, SIGnature clay roof tiles are proudly backed by SIG Roofing’s ONE Warranty, a warranty designed to provide reassurance for the property owner that their investment is well protected and to make roofing contractors’ lives as simple as possible whilst offering them a competitive edge. The warranty covers all key elements of a customer’s pitched roof products performance for 15 years, providing a warranty which is easy to understand and simple to use. It was created following extensive customer and market research which revealed the vast majority of contractors had to replace a roofing product through a warranty claim.
Joe Bordas added: “ONE Warranty was our response to contractors’ frustration at having to deal with multiple suppliers for a warranty claim. It gives the benefits of a single warranty for a wide range of products as well as confidence that the roof has been built with top quality products.”
Providing old world charm for natural roofs, SIGnature Clay Tiles offer an authentic, aesthetic link to Britain’s proud architectural heritage.