One of the finest and most distinctive traditional roof coverings available,
the cross cambered Goxhill handmade clay plain tile gives a rich textured roof
guaranteed to withstand the British climate.
Each tile is made with finest quality alluvial clay from the alluvial plains
of the river Humber. These extensive natural reserves have been used and managed
for generations to produce highly durable clay tiles in rich colours and textures.
Working to strict environmental standards our clay pits are periodically restored
as wetland habitats, two of which are now registered as sites of special scientific
interest (SSSI).
The real character in a handmade plain tile comes from the way the tile is handled
by the maker. Each of our craftsmen does things slightly differently in a way
that makes the tiles unique, and which in turn makes every roof unique.
When it comes to the durability of natural clay tiles, the UK has one of the
most aggressive climates in the world. This is due to the frequent cycles of soaking,
freezing and thawing that occur each year. These unique conditions have been recognised
in the latest European Standard for frost testing of clay tiles, which now contains
a new test method and with it a recommendation that clay tiles for use in the
UK should be able to withstand at least 400 cycles of freezing and thawing. This
is nearly four times the freeze-thaw limits set for other countries and is recognition
that the current mandatory limit of 100 cycles for the UK is inadequate.
Drawing on more than a century of experience, Sandtoft clay tiles have been designed
to be resistant to the UK climate throughout their lifetime. Our tiles are tested
way beyond the limits of even this latest Standard and will withstand several
times this new recommendation of 400 cycles. This long and successful history
means we can comprehensively guarantee all our clay tiles for a period of 60 years.
For specifiers choosing materials with the environment in mind the Goxhill is
made from 100% green electricity using raw clay sourced immediately adjacent to
the manufacturing facility. The switch to renewable energy has been accompanied
by a number of initiatives to reduce energy usage such as recycling heat from
our kilns to dry the tiles and an investment in the latest ceramic tile making
technology. These changes have enabled us to reduce our total CO2 emissions by
more than 40%, using 2001 as our base year.
The Goxhill will also offer significant environmental benefits over similar products
imported from Eastern Europe which, on average, require an extra half tonne of CO2 per roof in their transportation to the UK.
