IRVINE, CA--(MARKET WIRE)--Sep 29, 2008 -- Builders and homeowners have turned to MonierLifetile for over four decades as the answer to sustainable roofing solutions. As the green building movement gains momentum, MonierLifetile continues to demonstrate its leadership, garnering recognition from the top building industry associations and publishers for its innovative products, energy-efficient systems, and preference by builders across the country.

"Concrete roof tile has been used for centuries throughout Europe and Asia because of its sustainability," said Christian Doelle, vice president of marketing and strategy for MonierLifetile. "It's heartening to see that the U.S. is adopting similar building practices and as a leader, MonierLifetile is pleased to provide solutions to help move the trend forward."

Tiles are made from naturally occurring raw materials in a manufacturing process that poses no threats to our environment. Concrete tiles are non-petroleum based -- unlike asphalt shingles -- and are made by mixing sand, cement and pigments to form a solid, long-lasting, inert product that lasts for the life of a structure. And, if tiles are ever replaced, they can be crushed and used as road base, clean fill or even re-introduced back into new tiles -- reducing the impact on our over-taxed landfills. Additionally, MonierLifetile sources materials locally within a 500-mile project radius, and manufactures the tiles with indigenous materials and post-industrial recycled content, including Fly Ash and Slag.

Builders using MonierLifetile's inherently green products can meet the requirements of regional and national green building programs such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), the Energy Star® program, Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC), National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) Green program and California's Title 24.

As a testament to the industry-wide acceptance of green building, a 2007 survey of 250 builders estimated consumers are willing to pay 11-25% more for green built homes and a study by McGraw Hill and NAHB found that 63% of consumers are motivated by lower operating and maintenance costs for green homes. According to an article in the Wall Street Journal (March 5, 2008, "Home Builders Go 'Green' To Seek New Selling Point"), "as much as 10% of all housing starts, at a market value of $38 billion are expected to include environmentally-friendly construction by 2010 -- up from 2% of starts, or $7.4 billion, last year, according to the National Association of Home Builders."

About MonierLifetile:

Based in Irvine, Calif., MonierLifetile is the leading U.S. manufacturer of premium, high quality concrete tile roof systems. MonierLifetile has 14 manufacturing plants and service offices throughout the U.S., and a plant in Guadalajara, Mexico.

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