Architectural conservation is central to preserving New Zealand’s cultural identity, yet historically many heritage buildings have been compromised by upgrades that prioritised cost or compliance over original design intent. Roofing is one of the most visible examples. Traditional slate roofs, common on period homes and civic buildings, are often replaced with long-run metal due to seismic concerns, weight, and expense — frequently altering the building’s character in the process.

Natural slate is prized for its longevity and distinctive aesthetic, but it presents challenges in earthquake-prone regions. It is heavy, increasingly scarce, and can pose safety risks during seismic events if individual tiles become dislodged. Following the Christchurch earthquakes, many damaged slate roofs were replaced with lighter alternatives that met safety requirements but significantly changed the appearance of historic buildings.

Viking EcoStar is a pitched roofing system designed to mirror the appearance of Welsh slate, providing modern durability, sustainability, and seismic resilience without compromising architectural heritage while still meeting modern performance standards.

EcoStar tiles are manufactured from approximately 80% postindustrial recycled rubber and plastics, including materials such as car bumpers and industrial offcuts. They are injection-moulded using dozens of subtly different moulds — often more than 60 per profile — to replicate the natural variation, texture, and handcrafted imperfections of traditional slate. The result is a roof that closely mirrors the appearance of natural stone while avoiding its inherent limitations.

A key advantage of the EcoStar system is its lightweight construction. A fully installed EcoStar roof, including the timber sarked substrate, weighs around 24kg per square metre, compared with 40kg per square metre or more for natural slate, clay, or concrete tiles. This reduced weight places significantly less stress on existing structures, making EcoStar particularly well suited to heritage buildings and seismic retrofits.

The sarked substrate forms a continuous diaphragm that contributes to overall building bracing. In the event of an earthquake, this system reduces the risk of tiles becoming dangerous projectiles — an important safety consideration for older buildings.

EcoStar has more than 25 years of proven performance in New Zealand, withstanding harsh UV exposure and varied climatic conditions. Installed exclusively by Viking Roofspec Approved Applicators and supported by engineer assessment and a 50-year product warranty, EcoStar offers a practical way to preserve historic character while future-proofing buildings for generations to come.