Russell Roof Tiles says demand for its Bute tile is continuing to increase as it reports record sales.

Despite poor weather conditions resulting in a downturn in roofing activity during the winter, sales of Russell Roof Tiles’ Bute tiles have increased by more than 68% this year, compared to the same period in 2017. Sales of Bute have also surpassed 2017’s overall annual figures in just six months.

This increase has been growing year on year, since the product was launched in 2016. Bute is part of Russell Roof Tiles’ Natural Range - a developing collection of thinner leading-edge tiles that gives the appearance of clay or slate tiles.

Andrew Hayward, Managing Director at Russell Roof Tiles, said: “Since its inception, Bute has always proved to be popular, on account of its ability to offer the versatility of concrete and the benefits of greater strength, while also providing the authentic appearance of slate, clay or stone roofs.

“Taking into consideration Bute’s cost-effective benefits, thanks to its extended headlap which allows for a smaller tile format appearance, it is really no surprise that the product is now the go-to solution for many contractors and developers.”

The product used to be primarily used in the south of England as it was able to replicate the popular local stone roof slates. However, over the past few months, Russell Roof Tiles has seen a demand for the product in the North as well as more contractors and developers recognise that it can also replicate the look of clay and slate roofs, to meet local requirements.

More recently, Russell Roof Tiles secured a Bute specification for the St Mowden site in Derby and also Whitby Fire Station, which required Bute tiles in terracotta as part of a re-roofing project.

Hayward added: “A large part of Bute’s growth over the past few months has been its growing popularity in the North as it becomes recognised across the UK.

“We currently have a number of projects in progress using Bute, and we only expect this to increase over the next few months as the need to meet Government standards and targets on roofing projects becomes ever more apparent and developers look for sustainable product as a result.”