New triple tile innovation set to speed up housebuilding

Posted on 7 Nov 2024 by The Manufacturer

The new Government is committed to delivering 1.5 million homes (during this Parliament) including the biggest increase in social and affordable housing in a generation, therefore speed of construction is a priority.

To help meet this demand, British roof tile manufacturer Russell Roof Tiles is launching a revolutionary new roof tile which is 33% quicker to install than similar tiles and has never been made at high production speeds before, anywhere.

Russell Roof Tiles has invested more than £2m and five years in design and development, pushing the boundaries of concrete roof tile manufacturing.

The roof tile is being produced at the firm’s brand new £18.5m fully automated production line in Burton on Trent, designed specifically for this product,

The new product utilises 60 years of knowledge from the specialist concrete roof tile manufacturer, combined with the wealth of expertise from supplying the UK housing and commercial market.

The first of its kind in the UK, Bute3 is a truly innovative design, a triple interlocking multipurpose roof tile. The design and colour options of the thinner leading edge Bute3® provide a real alternative to small-format concrete, natural clay, and slate roof coverings.

Andrew Hayward, Managing Director at Russell Roof Tiles has led the development of the new product, working closely with a team of design, manufacturing, and technical experts. “The market has grown consistently over the past 30 years for thinner concrete roof tiles, but quality and tile strength have always been a major challenge for manufacturers.


 New triple tile innovation set to speed up housebuilding
Andrew Hayward from Russell Roof Tiles

“We have addressed this issue head-on, making this huge investment in designing Bute3® a tile that utilises all of the latest pioneering technology and precision engineering to create a multifunctional triple interlocking tile of the highest quality, which meets the demands of both planners and contractors.

“We’re very excited to finally bring Bute3to market, a high-quality product which matches the superior, design capabilities and production qualities reflected in every aspect of our current range.”

The size of the tile means that it can be delivered to building sites more efficiently, with up to 40% fewer deliveries across a typical private housing site and using the state-of-the-art production process is 20% more efficient to manufacture compared to similar tiles.

The extensive investment in design and development means this new triple tile has the strength and characteristics of a regular large format tile.  Bute3 is being launched in six colour options, including ones which provide a credible alternative to popular clay interlocking and plain tile products as well as featuring an innovative double-cambered shape.  The colours provide housebuilders and developers with maximum choice, offering options to meet local planning requirements as well as being sympathetic to the local aesthetic.

Bute3’s triple-tile format allows for excellent coverage with only 10.9 tiles per square metre, significantly reducing the number of tiles needed compared to traditional plain tiles. The product is also suitable for roofs with a pitch as low as 25°(22.5°site dependent), offering flexibility in application while maintaining strength and durability.

Russell Roof Tiles is a leading independent pitched roof tile manufacturer supplying products for top housebuilders and high-profile social housing and commercial projects.  The company produces thousands of tiles every week that are used on roofs across the country for the UK’s premier housebuilders, social housing projects, architects, and developers.

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