Marley Alterna: Irish Farmhouse Case Study

IMAGES Alice Clancy, courtesy of Ryan W. Kennihan Architects

Marley Alterna provides the ultimate in fibre cement quality, functionality and aesthetics. With more than 65 years of roofing expertise and heritage, Marley Roofing continues to shape the roofscapes of South Africa.

Forming part of the global Etex group ­– with a diverse portfolio in building and roofing solutions – Marley Roofing proudly offer a comprehensive range of fibre cement solutions to the South African market that meets European standards and provides the ultimate assurance of outstanding quality, durability and aesthetics.

International Case Study

Situated within the beautiful surroundings of Galway, Ireland, a farmhouse with a strong, distinct roofline rises above the contrasting green fields of the countryside. The house, with its slate tile roof, white lime-washed walls and a rough-cast concrete finish, reflects the rural characteristics of its surroundings.

Ryan W. Kennihan, the architect behind this award-winning project, designed the roof of this vernacular, Irish farmhouse to incorporate – through the exposed ring beam – functions such as water collection and lateral thrust resistance, allowing for an open, unbraced timber roof.

Incorporating Marley Roofing’s Alterna Fibre Cement Slates as a choice of roof covering provided the required roofline Kennihan was seeking. “Even if the budget permitted, I wouldn’t have used natural slates,” he says. “Fibre cement suits the outline of the form and makes it sharp, knife-edged.” Thanks to the combination of Marley Alterna’s light, thin 4 mm smooth finish and square edges, outstanding aesthetics were achieved for this project.

Though not just elegantly beautiful, modern fibre cement technology provides a host of other technological features that make it a superior choice to most other roof coverings.

Improved indoor comfort throughout the year – Marley Alterna slates are normally unaffected by the range of climatic temperatures (-20 °C to +70 °C), making it a more stable roofing material in terms of heat conductivity.

Service lifespan of over 30 years – the high density of the material offers outstanding quality and durability, from the best frost and heat resistance, added fibres for flexural strength and siliconised paint providing a unique water repellent to improved paint application.

Environmentally friendly – All component materials are essentially non-volatile.

Fire resistant – Marley Alterna Fibre Cement Slates are non-combustible, allowing unrestricted usage on roofs and walls.

For more information, visit marleyroofing.co.za or email info@marley.co.za.