What are MCR Tiles
High Quality Standards
Colors bring life into settlements
Technical Data of Cool Tiles

Roof Installation Sheet
Cool Tiles Poster

What are MCR tiles
 
Micro Concrete Roof tiles (MCR) are made with cement, sand and water. Due to vibration the concrete develops its strength, thus the tiles can be produced relatively thin and are lightweight. After vibration they are put on a plastic mould which gives them the right shape. Cool tiles are corrosion resistant (important for the coast), fire resistant, hail resistant, water proof, light weight, and function as sound and thermal insulators. Furthermore, they are produced locally, which creates jobs, reduces transports and makes them affordable.

To produce MCR a vibrating unit and moulds are needed, both produced in Cuba – south south technology transfer. As there is no industrial plant necessary for the production of MCR roof tiles, it is the optimal technology for small scale businesses. In Latin America there are more than 700 small entrepreneurs getting income out of tile production. They produce together around 3,000,000 m² roof per year.

The MCR technology has its roots in Latin America, where it was developed in the 1970's under basic participation of the Eco Sur/ South Network (www.ecosur.org). Nowadays MCR Tiles are produced in almost 30 countries around the globe, mostly in Latin America, but also in Africa (Cameroon, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, Malawi) and Asia (Bangladesh, Thailand).

The Clay House Project has introduced the name “Cool Tiles” under which the tiles are marketed in Namibia. The name shall guarantee in future the high quality of the MCR tiles on the market. The Clay House Project examines MCR workshops regularly to check the performance and to test the quality of the tiles. Only workshops, which produce high quality products under the quality standards of the Ecosur/Ecosouth Network will get the permit from the Clay House Project to market their tiles as Cool Tiles.

Cool tiles have been used throughout Namibia for private houses (Windhoek, Henties Bay, Otjiwarongo, Ongwediva), community buildings (Otjiwarongo) as well as on several farms and lodges.

Colors bring life in settlements

Cool tiles are available in gray and in a variety of colors. They can be colored with pigments during the production: Pigments are mixed in the concrete which give a long lasting pastel color. Another option is to paint the tiles with cement stainer, an acid based color which enters into the tiles surface. For friends of real bright colors there are varieties of cement stainer on the market.