The Director of a new £10 million luxury hotel development in Kenya has specified Marley Eternit fibre cement slates to replicate the traditional slate roofs of the Cornish countryside where he was born.
Marley Eternit shipped 50,000 Garsdale fibre cement slates from the UK, whilst contractors Bracknell Roofing provided training and support, to the complex roof installation at the new Hemingways hotel in Nairobi.
The roof itself was a challenging design featuring several valleys, a hipped end and a number of gables. The fibre cement slates were nailed to the battens and Bracknell Roofing sent one of its most experienced roofers to demonstrate correct fitting to the construction team on site, as well as providing supervision during the initial stages. The new boutique hotel opened earlier this year and comprises 45 suites overlooking the beautiful Ngong Hills, close to the former coffee plantation where the true story ‘Out of Africa’ was based.
Charlotte Hughes, Campaign Manager from Marley Eternit, comments: “The fact our fibre cement slates have been used in Kenya to recreate Cornish roofscapes demonstrates their versatility as a roofing material. From luxury hotels to schools, hospitals and housing, fibre cement can be used to create the effect of a traditional slate roof anywhere in the world, in a more cost effective and sustainable way.”
Marley Eternit’s range of fibre cement slates can be used to create innovative and imaginative designs on roof pitches as low as 15°. They also boast industry leading sustainability credentials, including a low carbon footprint and the ability to achieve the lowest environmental rating (A+) in the BRE Green Guide. Fibre cement also offers sustainability benefits throughout its whole life cycle, as it can be fully recycled at the end of its use. Waste fibre cement can be ground down and used to replace limestone and shale in clinker production, the essential ingredients for Portland cement.
