How Harvey EcoTile is transforming roofing

A building’s green credentials are determined by a variety of factors such as water efficiency, energy efficiency, environmentally friendly materials, waste reduction, lowering carbon emissions and sustainable development and growth.

In pursuit of sustainable, revolutionary roofing, Harvey Roofing Products has developed the Harvey EcoTile, a sustainably produced mineral composite roof tile with superior functional benefits and enviable green credentials.

Roofing materials are some of the least environmentally friendly components of construction. In South Africa where roofing materials are primarily steel and concrete, it scores poorly in the sustainability index. It is well known that concrete production is one of the world’s top polluters, causing 8% of global CO2 emissions and is a significant water waster.

Waste material

Harvey EcoTile is manufactured from mineral waste products and waste polymer from recycling initiatives. Instead of contributing to water, land and air pollution, EcoTile removes these waste materials from the environment for productive use. Its blend of 70% mineral (silica) and 28% polymer ensures that for each tile the equivalent of 3.8 two litre milk bottles are removed from the environment.

100% Recyclable

Each Harvey EcoTile is manufactured from 100% recyclable waste material.

Waterless product

A standard concrete roof tile mix consists of 11.42% water addition, thus for every square metre of roof 5.4 litres of clean drinking water is used. In addition, concrete needs to remain moist during curing which requires yet more water. The Harvey EcoTile product requires no water, in fact we extract moisture from the mineral to manufacture the product. It is also the ideal roof tile for water harvesting as it absorbs less than 0.36% of its weight in water (compared to 6-10% for concrete tiles).

Community Development

Harvey Roofing Products sources waste materials from local community projects, providing support to these initiatives and creating opportunities for gainful employment.

Green is not enough

Having excellent green credentials is only one part of a product’s success. Harvey EcoTile is engineered for superior functional performance in its intended use. The lightweight roof tiles are precision engineered with an interlocking design to eliminate gaps, making the completed roof 100% weatherproof. It withstands gale force wind, UV rays, rain, hail and dust and is virtually unbreakable once installed. Future maintenance is also minimised as all roof elements (such as ridge caps) provide a precision fit for a maintenance-free seal. Gone are the days of unsightly crumbling concrete ridges and hips.

Harvey EcoTile® is trademark registered and patent pending.

SOURCE: First Published on Leading Architecture & Design