Saving future roofs by buying tiles today

By Emma Peterson. 

All Points Tile & Slate buys the remaining tiles off demolished roofs to build a new roof and a profit.  

Host Heidi J. Ellsworth met with Jeff Littleton, Harrison Jarman and Kelly Connors in Season 5, Episode 48 of Roofing Road Trips®. All three are from All Points Tile & Slate and met to talk about the company’s transformation through the years and mission to keep historic tiles out of landfills. 

Having been there for 23 years, starting in labor and moving into management, Jeff offered some insight on how the company began, saying, “It originally was started by Penn Marshall, who unfortunately passed away last year. And clay was his passion. He started this after closing his roofing company.” The original intent of the company was to sell new tiles, but Penn’s passion for clay and tiling meant that he was always trying to keep historic tiles out of the landfills and scrapyards.  

This passion became the company’s focus when the economy collapsed in 2007. It was at this point the company shifted away from new tile production and towards the repair business. Jeff explained, “When the economy went the way it did, we were already dabbling in it, and we decided that we could be a much bigger player with reclaimed tile than we could with new tile." 

This shift has proven to be a powerful one, as the demand for repairs and reclaimed tile is only growing. As Kelly, their administrative director, explained, “Even now since the hurricanes that we've had last year, we're contacted more by people who are looking to repair more so than replace the roof.” By offering repairs that work in place of full replacements, All Points Tile & Slate is creating a more economically affordable option for people.  

They are even taking it one step further with their Tile Buyback Program. Harrison, who works in acquisitions and resales, explained the program, saying, “We like to buy back discontinued tiles that aren't being produced anymore. And we take in these serviceable tiles, and we'll store them until people are ready to buy them to repair other roofs.”  

Their process of re-using the good tiles that come from the demolition of old roofs is not only more economical for the seller but also helps if repairs are needed further down the line. As Harrison said, “The demolition of one roof system doesn't mean that we can’t save more roofs in the future.” 

Read the transcript or Listen to the full episode to learn more about All Points Tile & Slate and their Tile Buyback Program.