May 2024

Ask the Expert
REVIVING LINCOLN PANTILES
Kevin Taylor of Marley discusses the recent re-launch and expansion of the Lincoln clay
pantiles range, which is now manufactured in the UK, plus answers the key pantile
installation queries the Marley Technical Team receive...
For centuries, clay pantiles have been, and
remain, a highly popular roofing solution,
especially in the East and South of England.
Combining tradition and aesthetic beauty, a
pantile roof offers kerbside appeal alongside
proven performance.
As pantile roofs continue to be specified, it is
important that contractors are aware of the
increasing choices available, and understand how
to overcome some common installation
challenges.
Made in Britain
Marley has re-launched a new range of its longstanding
Lincoln clay pantiles, which will become
one of the only clay pantiles manufactured in
Britain.
The Lincoln Clay Interlocking Pantile, with an s-
curve profile and thin leading edge, offers roofing
contractors – and their customers – a series of
design enhancements to underpin the product’s
traditional appearance and robust performance.
Production for the new Lincoln is located at
Marley’s site in Keele. The clay used for its
manufacture is sourced from nearby quarries,
meaning Marley is able to offer the same
colourway found on its Red Smooth Single
Camber Clay Plain Tiles.
This makes Marley one of the only providers of a
British-made clay pantile, delivering an additional
confidence boost for the trade that relies upon
product availability when assessing project
timescales and booking new work.
From an aesthetic perspective, the new Lincoln
Clay Interlocking Pantile range is available in
single coloured Red Smooth, and Rustic Red,
which incorporates a flash of black dusting to
Above: Marley’s Lincoln Clay Pantile offering now includes
Rustic Red (left) and Red Smooth (right).
create a more weathered appearance and
enhanced attractiveness. The two colours can
also be combined across the roof, creating more
options for a unique and traditional appearance.
With a minimum pitch of 22.5°, the Lincoln’s
open gauge design offers a quick and easy
installation and is also fully compatible with its
roof integrated Marley SolarTile.
How to install clay pantiles...
To make things as easy as possible for
contractors, we have answered some of the most
common pantile installation queries, below.
What is the minimum pitch for a clay
pantile?
It depends on the tile you are using. Traditional
machine-made clay pantiles tend to have a
minimum pitch of around 30 degrees. Marley’s
new Lincoln interlocking pantile can be used
down to a pitch of just 22.5°, giving contractors a
low pitch traditional option.
Can a dry fix system be used with a clay
pantile?
Some handmade and traditional machine-made
pantiles may not be suitable for use with dry fix
systems because they have deep and sweeping
rolls, with natural variations in size, which means
there can be gaps. While BS 5534 requires all
ridges and hips to be mechanically fixed, this
does not have to be dry fix. For some pantile
projects, such as particularly sensitive
refurbishments or projects in conservation areas,
sometimes dry fix is not the right option
aesthetically. In these cases, mortar bedding in
conjunction with a mechanical fixing kit to ensure
BS 5534 compliance while maintaining traditional
aesthetics should be used.
Does the pantile have to be installed to
BS 5534?
Yes, but there are some special exceptions for
heritage and historical projects. If in doubt check
with the local planning office. However, for the
majority of new and refurbishment projects,
pantile roofs will have to meet BS 5534 fixing
requirements, which means all pantiles have to
be mechanically fixed with nails and/or clips,
depending on location and exposure. Some
modern machine-made traditional pantiles, such
as Lincoln, do have nail holes drilled into them to
make this a bit easier.
Will an interlocking pantile be accepted
by planning departments?
It depends on the area and the type of project.
Lincoln Interlocking Clay Pantiles have been
approved for barn conversions in conservation
areas, and many planning departments across
the country are happy for them to be used.
However, inevitably there will be some projects,
particularly heritage developments or sensitive
refurbishments, where an interlocking tile won’t
be accepted either by planning or for aesthetic
reasons.
Contact Marley
www.marley.co.uk/roof-tiles/clay-roof-tiles/
lincoln-single-pantile
Marley
16 TC MAY 2024