“The idea of taking tires out of the dump and turning them into a useful product is incredible,” says Nick Sims. “I’ve seen products come and go. In my 35 years in the roofing business, it’s one of the most unique products.”

Four years ago, Sims’ company Sunik Roofing and Siding first started installing EuroSlate on Calgary homes. The company has re-roofed an estimated 100 Calgary homes with the eco-friendly, rubber-roofing tiles. Initially, Sims admits he was impressed by EuroSlate’s stylish look not its environmental friendliness factor. “It takes a regular-looking roof and makes it something else, an eye catcher,” he says.

Essentially, EuroSlate resembles high-end slate tiles while EuroShake is similar to cedar shakes. Each is available in a range of colours such as black, grey, brown, green and copper. In fact, EuroSlate is so popular, Sims has a four- to six-month, “huge waiting list,” especially for larger projects as demand exceeds supply of the eco-friendly product. With the growing trend towards green building, Sims says EuroSlate has “really caught on.”

EuroSlate/EuroShake is designed to overcome extreme weather impact and temperature variances that cause curling, splitting, cracking and rotting.

The way it works is simple. The reverse side of each rubber roofing tile sheet has small cubical chambers to ensure structural integrity. As well, the cubicles trap air, which creates an insulation barrier and reduces energy use. Its interlocking tongue-and-groove design results in an impenetrable seal.

Since he began installing EuroSlate, Sims says his clients have been “very, very happy” with the product and nothing has come back. “It’s a good insulator, keeps cooler and its cooler to the touch. There’s also a lot of interest in its high wind rating.”

The product is covered by a 50-year warranty. If EuroSlate were to break down within the warranty, the company would replace it with new product and recycle the constantly renewable material.  All excess pieces on a EuroSlate job site come back to the manufacturing facility to be ground up and reused whenever possible.

Not an inexpensive product, EuroSlate is more common in high-end markets, priced comparably to cedar and concrete (clay tile). With the re-roofing of an average, Calgary home with EuroSlate, Sims estimates the cost would be $7-per-foot including installation and depending on the complexity of the job.

Made in Alberta
“The fact is EuroSlate was invented here in Calgary and the plant makes them here,” says Sims. “It’s a local-boy (Henry Kamphuis) done-good story.”

GEM EuroSlate/EuroShake is a member of Built Green™ Alberta. Built Green™ “adds value to new home construction by promoting and recognizing the use of practices and products that represents resource-efficient and environmentally-friendly construction.” The program focuses on four areas of environmental concern: energy efficiency; indoor air quality; resource use (including waste management); and overall environmental impact.

“GEM has been a member of Built Green™ since its inception and is one of the few roofing products that meet the maximum requirements for both percentage of recycled content and longevity of product,” says David C. Bengert, president of the Built Green™ Society of Canada.

“The company and product is a perfect example of Alberta initiative using a waste product to produce a finished product that has a high esthetic appeal and a low environmental impact.” NL

Statistics show:
More than 40 million (Alberta) scrap tires have been recycled since 1992. It is estimated Albertans have saved well over $200 million by not sending scrap tires to the landfill. Recycling 47,686.77 tonnes of tire material instead of burying it saves 405,337 cubic yards of landfill space. Over 80 per cent of the rubber material being recycled today is used right here in Alberta.

Recycled tire products manufactured in Alberta include “loose crumb” for playgrounds, pour-in-place playground surfacing and molded rubber products including patio “pavers,” tiles and roofing tiles.

Source: Alberta Recycling Management Authority