The Cottosenese company was founded in Italy, in Tuscany in 1925. It was then that only water and clay were used to make the first ceramic products with the utmost respect for the environment.
Today, more than 90 years later, the company's philosophy and approach to production have remained virtually unchanged. The eco-friendly product is made from high quality Italian Cotta clay, which is mined in the Siena quarries on the banks of the Orcia River. The San Quirico d'Orcia factory for the production of ceramic tiles is located there, in Siena, but supplies its products all over the world, including Russia.
The deliveries of the famous Italian tiles to our country are carried out by the Red Roofs company, guaranteeing the reliability and durability of the use of this roofing material. The fact is that, unlike analogues, Cottosenese tiles are ideal for use in harsh climates. High-quality raw materials and firing of products at a temperature of 1085 ° C make them resistant to severe frosts, atmospheric influences and temperature extremes.
Ceramic tiles of this brand are characterized by very high performance properties. The service life of the roof is from 80 years. Water absorption is minimal, since the surface of the material repels moisture, preventing the possibility of mosses and lichens. Also, the tile is highly durable, does not crack or collapse under a thick layer of snow and under mechanical stress. At the same time, the cost of the original Italian tiles in Russia practically does not differ from the market average.
Another advantage is the ability to cover roofs with a slope of 22 °, and subject to certain installation features - with a slope of 18 °. In the latter case, high-quality roof ventilation must be provided. The fact is that Cottosenese ceramic tiles are of the high wave type - a popular variety of French, Spanish and Italian Mediterranean models. Choosing such a tile, you need to understand that it has a number of features. It is known that dew forms on the back of any roofing material. In the case of high wave shingles, moisture at the top of the profile is retained longer than usual, which can negatively affect the life of the roof. To avoid this, the specialists of the Red Roofs company advise to follow a simple rule: if the length of the slope is more than 6 m or the angle of inclination of the roof is less than 22 °, it is absolutely necessary to strengthen the roof ventilation. This can be done in two ways: either insert additional aeration into the roof slope in the form of special ventilation tiles, or increase the height of the counter bar that provides the ventilation gap. Sometimes, as in the case of complex Olympic venues, it is necessary to use both, up to forced ventilation. Subject to all measures, the high-wave tile roof will last as long as possible.
Despite all the technical advantages of Italian tiles, they are chosen primarily for their unsurpassed design: in every detail, in every line, the warmth, sun and atmosphere of Siena are preserved. The main Cottosenese models are manufactured using the Romanesque tile technology with a characteristic expressive profile. The range includes nine basic colors and textures, mixing and combining which, you can achieve an endless variety of Mediterranean-style roofing options. In Russia, the most popular colors are Antika Pienza and Millennium. However, all shades are available.
To create a spectacular mix of different shades of tiles, Red Roofs specialists offer their services to avoid installation errors. For a high-quality and exclusive solution, a visualization of a square fragment of the roof with a side of 1-1.5 meters is being developed, within the boundaries of which the layout of tiles of different colors is fixed. In this case, installation is carried out according to the created template, which eliminates the possibility of errors and significantly speeds up the construction process.
"Red Roofs" for the Russian market offer two models of the classic Mediterranean tiles Cottosenese, resistant to severe weather conditions - Francigena and Portoghese.
Francigena created on the basis of Roman tiles and perfectly combines tradition and modernity. The shape curved like antique tiles with clearly defined edge lines, as well as a variety of shades - there are seven of them - allow you to embody any architectural solution of the roof. The convenient shape makes it possible to form a clear pattern on the roof. The weight of one tile of Francigena shingles is just over 3 kg, which guarantees resistance to weather conditions - snowfall, hail, heavy rainfall or hurricane winds.
Model Portoghese is also an example of the Italian style, but it is characterized by smoother lines. This model is presented in three classic shades, thanks to which you can easily reproduce the architecture of the Mediterranean in cold Russia. The main advantages of this model are ease of installation, tightness, durability and relatively light weight (no more than 2.8 kg), which makes it possible to abandon the massive roofing structure. Such tiles are more suitable for roofing country cottages or townhouses.
In addition to the basic natural shades and textures, both Francigena and Portoghese offer a complex color scheme that imitates aged tiles. This version was created thanks to a soft combination of natural colors that reproduce the surface of an old tile roof and make it easy to create the most interesting images with a touch of antiquity. In Russia and in the world, such solutions are very popular.
