SA Roofing July 2018 // Issue 102 | Page 24

SA Roofing investigates revolutionised roof tiles and learns how this building material is garnering attention for its innovation and sustainability .
RESIDENTIAL // COMMERCIAL // INDUSTRIAL
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Revving up roof tiles

SA Roofing investigates revolutionised roof tiles and learns how this building material is garnering attention for its innovation and sustainability .
By Candace Sofianos King
Pexels
Roof tiles are evolving with the times .

The design , application and maintenance of roof tiles have taken a significant turn in recent years thanks to new technology , innovative products and forward-thinking experts in the field .

The world finally got to see South African-born golden boy engineer Elon Musk ’ s innovative solar roof tiles , which have been in the pipeline since 2016 when Musk ’ s electric manufacturing company Tesla acquired SolarCity .
What makes these tiles so unique is that they look like traditional shingles and collect 98 % of the solar energy that traditional solar panels do . The tiles are required to look opaque from street level while remaining transparent to the sun . This was achieved by designing a special louvered glass , which functions in the same way as window blinds .
“ This is a connector that has to last for more than 30 years . It has to be weatherproof , heavy rain , snow , slush , salt , water leaking – it ’ s like connector hell ,” says Musk . Locally , these energy efficient solar roof tiles would work perfectly given South Africa ’ s sunny weather .
On South African soil another ecofriendly roof tile invention has come to the fore – Thevia Roof Tiles are 100 % recyclable and have been designed to solve many of the problems of traditional roof tiles by producing a stronger product made only of waste materials . These tiles , which were awarded the 2016 California Green Building award , weigh just a quarter of traditional concrete tiles and are twice as strong .
A solid case for concrete
According to Bryan Perrie , managing director of The Concrete Institute ( TCI ), concrete roofs are highly practical in both urban and rural applications . Perrie highlights that concrete is increasingly becoming the roof covering material of choice for a wide variety of practical reasons .
Perrie says the development of hightech computer modelling systems – coupled with advances in concrete technology and waterproofing – have elevated roof design and construction far beyond previous limitations .
Perrie says for housing in both urban and rural locations , there has been a rapid growth in the specification and application of concrete roof tiles . “ There is a timeless aesthetic appeal in concrete roof tiles , and the installation process is relatively simple . It requires no additional finish , is labour-
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JULY 2018