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Lightweight steel roof tiles from Decra have been “integral”
to the success of two timber frame modular housing projects
by designer Roger Case for the Lincolnshire Rural Housing
Association |
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Parctiles in three colours – Terracotta Red, Teak and Fern
Green – were used most recently on phase 3 at St Swithen’s
Close, Bicker, Boston, while Decra’s Oberon tiles were used
on phase 2 which was completed a year before. |
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Decra tiles are particularly
suitable for modular buildings due to their lightweight. But
they are also low-maintenance, and independent research by
Davis Langdon shows they are up to 66% cheaper than many
other roofing systems based on a whole life costing. |
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Manufactured from steel, the
world’s most recycled material, approximately 25% of every
Decra tile’s steel content is recycled. Moreover, when
eventually the steel tile roof is decommissioned, the steel
can be recycled once again. |
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The St Swithen’s Close houses –
12 semi-detached properties on each phase – were designed as
Concept Homes by Roger Case Design & Management and built in
Sweden by KarlsonHus for erection on site. |
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KarlsonHus builds to stringent
Swedish specifications using a large, highly insulated,
closed panel system incorporating doors and windows, with
all the plumbing and wiring integrated within the walls.
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The homes typically feature
hand-made kitchens and bathroom and toilet pods, triple
glazed timber windows and solid timber floors to reduce
allergens. This factor is helped by a ventilation system
that filters out airborne elements such as pollen. A heat
recovery system ensures bills are much lower than
traditionally built UK homes. |
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Roger Case, who has used Decra
tiles on eight Concept Homes projects since he first
discovered them in 1998, said of the St Swithen’s Close
development: “The Decra tiles have been integral to the
concept, with low weight, low manual handling, modular and
rapid installation, and a good range of profiles and colours
to match the various elevational finishes.” |
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His brief from the housing
association was to design homes with high levels of thermal
performance, air tightness, low water usage and renewable
energy and his response, an unusual, brightly coloured take
on the traditional semi, was well received by local
planners. |
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“The Decra tiles meet the
project intentions and have good visual impact,” he said.
“The client is very satisfied.” |
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East of England Roofing Services
installed some 4,000 of the Decra tiles on the first phase
for main contractor Lindum Construction, the second for
Robert Woodhead. |
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For further information on Decra Roof Systems Ltd see
www.roofinfo.co.uk/decra |
