Vertigo is an innovative architectural facades system from roofing and facades manufacturer Marley Eternit, specifically developed to give more flexibility to specifiers and designers who want to use fibre cement slates across the whole building envelope.
The first of its kind in the UK, Vertigo consists of small 600mm by 300mm slate like panels which can be quickly fixed onto battens, with the desired amount of insulation in between. The fibre cement slates perfectly adapt to the contours of the building, providing a second protective skin which enables visual and performance continuity between roof and facade, creating a complete and beautiful building envelope.
Charlotte Hughes, product manager, from Marley Eternit, explains: “An increasing number of architects are specifying vertical slates to create striking designs, with notable projects such as the Garden Studio by Moon Architecture and the Tally Ho police training centre in Birmingham by Nicol Thomas. However, we have introduced a more innovative method of vertical slating to the UK market, with invisible fixings to provide clean lines and a modern aesthetic.
“Vertigo is the first range of fibre cement slates specifically designed for use on vertical facades, opening up a host of unique creative possibilities for architects. Perfect continuity between the roof and facade can be achieved by using it in combination with our Birkdale or Rivendale fibre cement roof slates.”
Lightweight, weather and temperature resistant and available in eight different colours from blue/black to terracotta, the innovative range of Vertigo slates can be used to create beautiful, distinctive and elegant vertical cladding solutions for a full range of building types.
As well as new build, Vertigo offers an excellent aesthetic and protective solution for renovation work where facades can be regenerated and insulated in an elegant, original and effective way without impacting on the interior surface of the building, or causing disruption to the occupants. Existing buildings with irregularities in the walls can also be corrected at the same time as being radically improved and given real added value. The slates are suitable for use on masonry panels and walls made of brick or block work, pre-cast concrete walls and wooden framed constructions.
As well as invisible fixings, the Vertigo slate range also has three different installation methods to give more design flexibility and freedom for architects. The first approach is the traditional method of installation which gives a natural slate appearance with slate hooks, the second option is broken bond, where panels are staggered to give a close boarded effect and the third option is a panel installation, where regular bond panels give geometric precision.
Charlotte Hughes continues: “We are increasingly seeing the use of fibre cement throughout the whole building envelope and we know architects are always looking for new ways that they can use the material to help them achieve their designs. The launch of Vertigo is another example of how our research and development teams are pushing the boundaries of fibre cement, taking its design flexibility to a different level and opening up new possibilities.
“Each building is unique and we have designed the Vertigo range to respond to the huge scope of architectural requirements for both new build and renovation, aesthetically and in terms of performance. This makes it easier for architects to use fibre cement in new ways and create imaginative yet cost effective facade designs that blend seamlessly with the roof.”
As part of Marley Eternit’s fibre cement range, Vertigo boasts superb sustainability credentials, helping to achieve environmental credits with a ‘very good’ BES 6001 Responsible Sourcing accreditation and its own Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). 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.
