Materials

Reclaimed slates and tiles

Assuming that there is a quality-assured source of sufficient quantity available for the job,
there are few excuses not to use reclaimed slates and tiles.

Reusable
Down-cyclable
Negligible embodied energy if sourced locally
No toxic emissions from a manufacturing process
Diverts demolition waste from landfill
Issues concerning quality assurance

Timber shingles and shakes

As a sustainable roofing material, the timber shingle can only be matched in its low
environmental impact by thatch. If sourced in the UK it has the lowest embodied energy of
all roof coverings. Western Red Cedar is commonly imported from the west coast of Canada
where transport adds considerably to the embodied energy figure. Care should also be taken
in specifying FSC sources as a number of imported timbers are unsustainably harvested.

Shingles have relatively smooth faces and backs, while shakes have a highly textured, natural
grain face and either a sawn or split back.

Cedar shingles used in the UK are usually treated with preservative to meet with the higher
risk of decay in this country. A small number of projects have been completed using larch
and oak, but feedback is as yet inconclusive.

Reusable and recyclable

Very low embodied energy if sourced in the UK
Renewable resource but be sure to use FSC sources
Can be re-used though there are no facilities for recycling
Sequestered CO2
Production can make use of otherwise unusable logs and parts of logs
Light weight reduces roof loading
Cedar shingles are usually treated with preservative
High embodied energy associated with importation
Maintenance issues
Concerns over fire

Thermal conductivity
Western Red Cedar typically 0.11 W/mK

Density
Western Red Cedar typically 352 Kg/m 3

Embodied energy
(Currently unavailable)

Life expectancy
30-50 years

Natural slate
If sourced in the UK, natural slate has a very low embodied energy. Imported slate often
comes with quality issues along with added embodied energy from transportation. Slate is
very durable and can be reused with relative ease.

Reusable and recyclable

Low embodied energy if sourced in the UK
Very durable
High embodied energy if imported
Accessible reserves in the UK are relatively low
Slate quarrying can degrade landscapes
High level of waste (around 90%) generated during production

Thermal conductivity
Typically 2.5 W/mK

Density
Typically 2691 Kg/m 3

Embodied energy
0.1 - 1.0 MJ/kg (1)

Life expectancy

75 - 100 years - depending on quality

Clay tiles
Clay roof tiles are made from similar clays to bricks and come in either plain or profiled
formats. Like bricks, tiles can be hand-made or machine-made. Machine-made tiles come
with either a sand or smooth-faced finish whilst hand made tiles will be sand-faced from the
material used to line the mould.

Like bricks, clay tiles are a feature of this country's vernacular landscape with both tiles and
bricks often owing their origins to often long defunct local clay pits. Tiles also share with
bricks a similar method of production which can involve landscape-degrading clay extraction
and high levels of energy used in the firing of clay.

Manufacturers claim to be making progress in reducing their environmental impact through

investment in modern plant to improve firing efficiency and reduce flue gas emissions.

Reusable
Durable
Large reserves
Clay extraction can degrade landscapes
Very high embodied energy

Thermal conductivity
Typically 0.85 W/mK  (3)

Density
Typically 1900 Kg/m   3 (3)

Embodied energy
6.5 MJ/kg  (1)

Life expectancy
50 - 70 years

 
References

1 Inventory of Carbon & Energy (ICE) - Version 1.6a - Hammond & Jones, Univ Bath
3 CIBSE Guide A 1999

 Roof tile and slate products on GreenSpec

 
 

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