About the Company

For 65 years now, Gerard AHI Roofing has been an innovator in coated, extruded metal roofing tiles with volcanic sprinkles and its largest manufacturer in the world, with four production facilities. (in New Zealand, the United States, Malaysia and Hungary). As a pioneer in the industry, Gerard produced its first metal roofing tiles as early as 1957 in New Zealand. Gerard AHI Roofing Ltd is part of a large parent company, the Fletcher Building Roof Tile Group, which is a subsidiary of the Fletcher Building Company, founded in 1909.

In Poland, Gerard Ahi Roofing has been present for over 25 years, which has resulted in a large and experienced base of trained roofers and sales and service teams, as well as an extensive database of reference properties. In the Podhale region alone, nearly 10,000 houses are covered with Gerard Corona roofing sheets, while in Poland there are thousands of houses and key, major and prestigious hotels and restaurants.

GERARD , is 7 innovative profiles in 13 natural colours of rock (including Burgundy Red), resistant to discolouration, UV rays or acid rain, tailored to individual roofs and customer tastes.

Gerard tile with sprinkling consists of 8 layers. Steel, protected with Alu Zinc, is the heart of the tile, providing strength, rigidity and light weight. Each of the 8 layers has the dual function of protecting the previous layer and acting as a bond between the previous layer and the next. The final layers on each side have an additional decorative function, in particular a sprinkling of natural volcanic rock that covers 100% of the panel surface, protecting it from corrosion, weathering, and giving it the natural uncoloured colour of rock.

Characteristics of the coatings

Zincalume (2 layers): (45% zinc and 55%aluminium) Zinc-aluminium alloy coating is a combination of aluminium's protection of the oxidation layer against corrosion and zinc's shielding protection, i.e. a combination of the protective advantages of both metals. The unique advantage of the zinc component is that it protects even those areas of the steel that are not completely covered, such as cut edges, drilled holes, scratches, etc.

APS coating (2 coats): After the tiles are stamped, a very strong polymer-acrylic coating is baked onto them. It prevents micro-cracking, which occurs when the tiles are first painted and then formed by compression or rolling. The APS coating is applied to both sides of the zinc-aluminium alloy. It is a thin layer of tinted acrylic 1 to 2 microns thick. This system has been developed by AHI and Bluescope Steel. The APS coating is applied using rollers immediately after the zinc-aluminium coatings have been applied. It forms a homogeneous substrate that increases the adhesion of subsequent top coats (base coat and paint). The colouring is evidence that the coating has been applied and the transparency allows the characteristic structure of the zinc-aluminium coating to be identified.

Base coat: In the case of sprinkle-coated roofing tiles, this is bonded to the tile by a base coat. This specially formulated paint, based on a 100% customised acrylic resin binder, is available in two colours - brown and black - to match the different colours of the mineral sprinkles. The base coat has two functions. The first is to bind the sprinkles, which form a decorative layer, to the tile. The second is to protect the layer below from water and UV radiation. The base coating also contains algicides, which inhibit the growth of algae or lichen on the roof. The mineral-coated surface creates a natural growth environment for these organisms, and the algicides in the base coating seek to minimise their growth. The algicides are carefully selected to ensure that they are as effective as possible in inhibiting the growth of these organisms while maintaining the suitability of water collected from the roof for drinking or other purposes.

Sprinkle: To provide an attractive textured finish and at the same time increase UV resistance, a stone sprinkle is applied to the tiles. A range of colours created by stones selected for resistance to water, UV radiation and acid rain, guaranteeing an attractive appearance and protection of the base coat. The grain size and application method of the glaze ensure virtually 100% coverage of the base coat, and complete and even coverage is an option carefully looked after by inspectors and operators.

Glaze: A strong, thin layer flows between the sprinkle grains into the base coat and, when dry, gives the sprinkle a transparent, 'watery' sheen.

This thoroughly binds the sprinkle to the base coat, virtually completely encapsulating it in the acrylic coating, improving the appearance and further increasing resistance to physical damage.

The smooth painted surface shows little potential for algae or lichen growth and dirt accumulation.

As beautiful as a shingle, as strong as steel - tile roofing with a sprinkling of rock

As beautiful as a shingle, as strong as steel - a roofing tile with a sprinkling of rock Łukasz Malicki, Sales Director Central Europe GERARD Ahi Roofing

A wooden house deserves a long-lasting solution that, on the one hand, impresses with the aesthetics of natural shingles and, on the other, does not succumb to the forces of nature. Rock-coated roofing tiles

GERARD Corona is a roofing material of the highest calibre, the result of a well thought-out, continuously improved technology. For decades, the material has been subjected to numerous tests and the manufacturing process has been improved. The result is a roofing with excellent performance properties that meets the needs of the most demanding users and meets all design requirements.

The tiled roofing sheet owes its properties to the sum of many layers. The steel on both sides is protected by an aluminium-zinc coating, to which an acrylic resin is additionally applied. Aluzinc is active, so that it will not rust even if scratched at a damaged point. In addition, there is no risk of rust appearing where the panel is cut, where it will 'cure' molecularly. This corrosion protection is most effective, which is why even the most rust-prone roofs of houses located by the sea are not excluded from the tile guarantee. In the construction of the covering, however, the base is the most important. It is a unique bond that joins the sheet to the sprinkle in such a way that the aggregate does not spill over during installation, processing or use. Each step is covered by a 50-year manufacturer's guarantee, resulting from more than 60 years of manufacturing experience. The top of the tile is finished with a natural stone structure. This effect is achieved through the use of so-called sprinkles, i.e. loose, natural rock matter extracted from crushed rock. The final touch is given to the covering by a glaze of transparent acrylic. In this way, very lightweight tile modules are created in the form of panels, formed into rectangular profiles. They are fastened to the battens with nails driven from the front of the module, parallel to the slope. This creates a durable, compact structure that cannot be breached. The ease of installation, flexibility of coverage and systemicity of the tiled roofing tile make it one of the most popular roofing materials of recent years. The covering can be successfully used both at the construction and modernisation stage of a house.

The lightweight tile does not weigh down the roof structure, is resistant to storms, hail, winds up to 200 km/h, UV radiation, noise and fire - the fire-resistant, non-combustible material is a barrier to flames, effectively protecting the interior of the house from fire. In addition, the coarse structure of the coating prevents snow sliding off without the need for fences, and the panel system bears the weight of the snow mass deposited without detriment to the roof structure. Tiled roofing is a durable, practical and striking form of roof finish, clearly defining the style of the building. The range of style options includes both classic and avant-garde design lines, with matching roof accessories.

Gerard Roofing Systems tile collection. 8 models.

	GERARD DIAMANT® tile This is new to the manufacturer's range from AHI Roofing. The new tile profile joined the existing GERARD product family in spring 2013. GERARD DIAMANT is a tile with a roofing area 10% larger than AHI Roofing's existing products. This offers opportunities to save money on labour and roof trusses. The unique shape and ease of installation encourages the use of this type of roofing on large roof slopes.
	GERARD SENATOR® TILE is chosen by customers who appreciate sophisticated English elegance, as well as the unique harmony of the roof and building façade. The unique colour combinations and the classic shape of the asphalt shingle give the full effect of exclusivity and originality. Thanks to modern production methods, the SENATOR® shingle guarantees the highest quality and durability of the roof.
	GERARD CORONA® SHINGLE is deceptively similar to a wooden shingle. According to many architects in Zakopane, it is currently the most advantageous covering to replace traditional shingles. The running costs of CORONA® are favourable, as the durability of a roof covered with this profile is equal to that of ceramic tiles and, unlike wooden shingles, it does not require costly impregnation every few years. It is appreciated by owners of old-Polish styled houses from all over the country.
	GERARD CLASSIC® TILE is the traditional shape of the clay tile - the marsylka. Due to its low weight, it does not require large cross sections and dense rafter spacing like much heavier ceramic or cement tiles. This saves valuable wood and money. If you are building an extension to an existing building or replacing a heavy dilapidated covering with a new one, the GERARD Classic® tile fits in wonderfully with traditional architecture.
	GERARD MILANO® TILE is the classic shape of the tall German type tile gives the impression of a heavy covering. The shadows that form on the waves of the tile give the roof a refined appearance. It has already won acclaim in southern Europe: especially in Italy, France and Hungary. Its weight is only 7 kg / 1 m.
	GERARD HERITAGE II® TILE It is aimed at customers who appreciate the look of a plain tile. The additional ribbing on the back of the panel reinforces its structure and adds to its aesthetic appeal. Often used on old roofs as a replacement for heavy clay tiles. It weighs just 7 kg per square metre of roof, so it is approximately 7 times lighter than heavy clay roofing.
	GERARD ALPINE® TILE GERARD® Alpine tiles were designed in New Zealand with the intention of recreating the natural look of traditional European slate roofs. This unique profile offers exceptional visual appeal, perfectly imitating rock slate.
	GERARD ELEGANTA® TILE Thanks to its flat profile, the new GERARD® Eleganta roof tiles are perfectly in line with the trends and current fashion for flat roofing. The rock aggregate gives the tile a ceramic appearance. Eleganta fits in with modern construction, offering a rich history and experience.

Finishing the Milano ridge

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