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How Green is Your Valley (gutter)? |
How Green is Your Valley (gutter)?
When it comes to the true definition of sustainability, no other roofing material can come close to Lead.
A sustainable building material must, by definition, be one that can be reliably utilised for the foreseeable future, have the maximum possible service life, while at the same time consuming as little as possible of the Earth’s finite natural resources in its production. That definition just about sums up Lead used in roofing.
Almost all new Lead sheet is produced from recycled raw material. Not just recovered demolition scrap, but from old car batteries as well. The scrap collection and recycling industry for Lead is now so efficient that its collection rate is almost 100%. And that means that very little new Lead needs to be dug out of the ground, thereby depleting natural resources. The other bonus for Lead recycling is that it is done at relatively low temperature so harmful emissions and energy use are minimised.
Now add to that very proud boast the fact that every good roofer knows: if you fit Lead properly, you can forget it. No call backs, no failures, no problems. There are plenty of examples of Lead roofs in this country that are over 700 years old. Correctly fitted flashings using British Standard rolled lead will last 150 years or more – longer than any other part of a roof.
Always insist you are given British Standard Rolled – it’s the only one that is proven to maximise the lifespan of a roof. And the only one that the UK Lead Sheet Association recommends should be used.
Anything else will have a limited service life, and in the case of the bitumen based need replacing in a matter of years. So Lead hits the mark for sustainability on two counts: it comes from recycled raw material and it has the longest service life of any flashing or roofing material. But how can it be truly sustainable unless the skill base for its use is sustainable too. Last year the Lead Sheet Association (www.leadsheet.co.uk) opened the UK’s only permanent specialist Leadwork Training centre just outside London. With lifesize roofing rigs and a range of courses running all year round to suit everyone from beginners to experts the centre provides up to 2,000 training days per year. So the most sustainable and green roofing material now has a future with craftsmen Leadworkers ready to maintain
Lead’s unique reputation for quality.
Joss Campbell, Commercial Director, British Lead commented “Again, just stop and consider the comparison between Rolled Lead and the hydro-carbon, non-recyclable, limited lifespan, plastic looking and unreliable bitumen covered mesh flashings. Doesn’t take long to work out which option to pick, does it? If you want people to admire the quality and high standard of your work, probably best not to stick a bit of plastic flashing round that chimney.”
BLM have a proud reputation for producing quality Lead Sheet, all is manufactured to BS EN 12588, ensuring thickness consistency. And it is this consistency that gives confidence in the products they produce to architects, contractors and homeowners.
Being part of the world’s largest Lead recycling group also ensures the raw material used to produce their Lead is just that -100% recycled - making it one of the most sustainable products in the building industry.
BLM supply the highest quality Lead Flashings and Lead Roofing, providing lasting protection and an attractive finish for historic and contemporary buildings both large and small. |
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