Roofing
slates UK diamond roofing
Cembrit Blunn - Diamond Slates from Cembrit Blunn restore lodge to its former glory
Cembrit Blunn, specialist in natural and
fibre cement slates, has supplied red diamond roofing slates for
the renovation of a Scottish gate lodge, originally built around
the turn of the 20th century by WR Thomson & Co of Edinburgh.
The lodge was commissioned by a prominent English aristocrat who
leased the country estate as a retreat. When an authentic match
for a traditional diamond-shaped slate was required for this
unusual project, the owner enlisted the help of Cembrit Blunn
who supplied red diamond slates from their comprehensive and
diverse range of roofing slates.
Originally a timber framed pre-fabricated sectional structure,
Cairnsmore Lodge has been extended and renovated by the current
owner to bring it up to current standards. The owner felt it was
important to maintain an authentic appearance and took great
care in sourcing materials to reflect this. The whole project
has been re-roofed with red diamond fibre cement slates, as well
as blue/black fibre cement ridges – all from Cembrit Blunn. The
existing eaves projection has also been extended to give
additional protection from the elements as well as to improve
overall appearance.
“Diamond slates are unusual now and Cembrit Blunn were the only
UK supplier who could provide us with suitable replacement
slates for the lodge” says the owner. “The staff at Cembrit
Blunn’s Yorkshire office were extremely helpful and were able to
provide an exact size and colour match to replace the original
slates. The new slated roof successfully maintains the
architectural integrity of the lodge. We are delighted with the
finished result and our home is much admired by all who see it.”
Once the most commonly available imported man-made slates
available in the UK (and popular in the 1920s and 30s) diamond
shape roof slates fell out of fashion in the UK during the
1960s. The new roof using Cembrit Blunn’s Diamond slate range
successfully preserves the architectural integrity of the lodge
by matching the size and colour of the original slates.
Reminiscent of the original ‘red diamond’ slates, the ‘Diamond’
range from Cembrit Blunn is ideal for the specifier or
contractor working on refurbishment projects. Available in three
colours (blue/black, russet and brown) the finished effect
supplies a ‘retro’ feel whilst closely recreating the
traditional appearance. One of the additional benefits of the
diamond shape is that the slates are single rather than double
lap. This ensures that the less material is used per m² (i.e.
only eleven are required instead of thirteen).
Diamond slates are manufactured from Portland slate, together
with a non-asbestos formulation of superior blend synthetic and
cellulose fibres. Diamond slates are manufactured in accordance
with a quality assurance system to BS EN ISO 9001 : 2000 and the
requirements of BS EN 492 : 2004 product specification for fibre
cement slates and their fitting.
Using skills built up over 80 years, Cembrit Blunn select
natural slate from Spain, Canada, Brazil, China, India and the
countries of Western Europe. From UK quarries Cembrit®Blunn
offer Welsh, Cornish and Westmorland slates. Quality levels at
Group factories are rigorously maintained to high standards with
many products manufactured under the control of ISO 9001 and
British Board of Agrément. Cembrit Blunn is a member of the
Dansk Eternit Holding A/S Group of Denmark, one of Europe’s
major building material producers of fibre reinforced cement
products for the roofing and cladding industry. The ultimate
parent company FL Smidth this year celebrates its 125 year
anniversary.
Email:
sales@cembritblunn.co.uk