ECO-BALANCE
CHOOSING THE RIGHT ROOF
Customers take a number of factors into consideration when deciding which kind of roofing material to buy. Their personal attitude and opinion affects just how much these different factors affect the purchasing decision.
The architecture of the building and the aesthetics of the product are undoubtedly the first aspects people consider when choosing between clay and concrete roof tiles. As clay has been used as a building material for centuries, it is ideally suited to traditional construction where classic styles are important.
Concrete roof tiles, however, offer a wide range of design options, which makes them perfect for modern architecture. The excellent price-performance ratio, particularly for large format tiles, means the material is extremely economical. What is more, it is renowned for its strength and resistance to frost and weather.
Regarding the environment, there are arguments in favour of both clay and concrete roof tiles. Regarding the latter, the renowned Öko-Institut (ecological institute) in Freiburg, Germany published a study in 2008 stating that, “during its entire lifecycle, a concrete roof tile only causes around 45 per cent of the greenhouse gases triggered by a clay tile.” Concrete is also excellent in terms of energy consumption, the development of fine dust, and a range of other environmental factors.
