No need for vast exploitation of natural resources, or massive energy consumption, as the production of clay tiles does. No need for extremely high initial investments, as setting up production of clay tiles or asbestos fibre cement does.
At ABECE – we manufacture “The Original” in concrete roof tile machines. Our solutions range from single manual machines to complete automated, robot-powered plant concepts. Designed for you to produce the highest quality concrete roof tiles in the world.
Making concrete is both relatively cheap and easy: sand, cement, water and oxide pigments – that is what you need in terms of raw materials to manufacture high quality concrete roof tiles.
The advantages of concrete roof tiles are many. Let us explain more and look at some concrete reasons to choose a concrete roof tile.
The advantages with concrete roof tiles
Concrete roof tiles are extremely durable and will last a lifetime because concrete has the remarkable property of becoming stronger and stronger over time. Concrete roof tiles are purposely designed for you to be able to walk on and are strong enough to withstand any tough weather conditions. Even after heavy rain the weight of the tiles remains the same, as concrete roof tiles are dense and solid.
The properties
Concrete roof tiles are developed not only to have excellent physical properties but also to look good. Concrete roof tiles can be produced in a vast number of varieties, colours and treatments such as antique pigmenting, clear acrylic overspray, double coating, granule coating, with knife cuts and mock joints – you have almost unlimited options to create or follow new trends in your market.
The aesthetics
Concrete roof tiles produced on an ABECE production line are market standardised, to exact dimensions and designed to interlock, making it easy to lay them on the roof. With plastic strapping or wrapping, handling the tiles when laying them is even easier and safer.
The simplicity
Most countries are fortunate in that they have ample natural deposits of sand that is suitable for producing concrete tiles. These sands will contain a balanced distribution of course and fine particles ranging from 4 mm downwards.The coarse particles provide strength and the fine particles a close-textured surface finish. Where natural sand deposits are rare, crushed aggregates will provide a suitable substitute and make an equally good tile.
The grain sizes of sand can be checked by separating a sample through a series of vibrating sieves and comparing the results with a classification chart showing the ideal particle grading. Ordinary Portland Cement (surface area 350 sqm/kg) is most widely available and recommended for general use in the roof tile industry. When a reduced curing period is required, the use of a rapid hardening cement (with an increased surface of 450 sqm/kg) is advisable.
In order to simulate the vibrant colours of ceramics or naturally occurring stone, the grey of concrete is artificially altered by the addition of coloured pigments (synthetic iron oxides). As these pigments colour only the cement, the level of addition is normally calculated on the cement weight. The pigment is added as a dry powder or as a liquid and, depending on the required colour, 2.5 – 5% is the generally accepted proportion.
Concrete roof tiles vs other roof materials
Both concrete and clay roof tiles have a long life span, are beautiful to look at and come in many shapes and dimensions. However, unlike concrete roof tiles, production of quality clay roof tiles is both very energy-consuming and complicated, and also requires extremely high initial investment. More poor quality clay tiles are produced worldwide than good ones – these delaminate very easily and will crack in wet and cold conditions, causing extensive damage to buildings.
Clay roof tiles
Unlike concrete roof tiles, steel roof sheets are very vulnerable to changes in the weather. They are easily damaged in strong winds. In rainy conditions steel roof sheets both transfer sound and cause condensation to build up, which can cause mould and lead to corrosion of roof trusses or the sheets themselves. Concrete roof tiles provide good insulation, which is not the case with steel.
Steel roof sheets
Sure, the life span of asbestos fibre cement is as long as concrete roof tiles, but at the expense of possible major health implications, which is why new asbestos plants are banned in most parts of the world.
Asbestos fibre cement
Why concrete?
The basic raw materials used in the manufacture of coloured concrete roof tiles are sand (quarried or river), cement, colour pigment and water. The production of concrete roof tiles adds considerable value to these economic and readily available materials and as a result, the popularity of the product continues to grow in both established and developing countries alike.
Raw materials
