The Mastic Asphalt Council (MAC) is the trade association for the mastic asphalt industry, representing more than 90 companies, including mastic asphalt manufacturers, the contractors responsible for its installation, and associated suppliers of equipment and services.
Due to the continued popularity of mastic asphalt for waterproofing projects, MAC is spreading its reach and the latest contracting member to join the association is John Fetherston Asphalt Roofing based in Dublin, Ireland. The company is the first such MAC member based outside of the UK, representing the high level of interest and use of mastic asphalt across Ireland.
Established in 1961 in the Cabra area of Dublin, John Fetherston Asphalt Roofing is a family-run operation also located at Western Parkway Business Park in the Ballymount area of Dublin. From humble beginnings, this fourth-generation company has grown to become one of the leading and most reputable specialist roofing contractors in the country.
Managing Director John Fetherston said: “My father and his two brothers and their father before them were roofing contractors. My brother Paul is one of 12 employees that currently works with us while my son, John Junior, is the fourth generation to carry on the family tradition.”
John estimates that between 80-90% of the work the company carries out involves mastic asphalt and such is its popularity that the firm has a stock of 20 asphalt mixers ranging from 0.5 tonnes to 3 tonnes.
John added: “I’m very optimistic about the future of mastic asphalt and we have a great demand for it here in Ireland. Asphalt is back in fashion – in fact, it’s probably more popular now than it was back in the 70s and 80s. This is one of the reasons why we felt it was important to become a member of the Mastic Asphalt Council and we’re proud to be the first contracting company member outside of the UK. Mastic asphalt is becoming more and more recognised and it’s important that we acknowledge that.”
John estimates that John Fetherston Asphalt Roofing is one of around 20 contractors across Ireland that specialise in the application of mastic asphalt. John’s company is renowned for carrying out high quality waterproofing work across a diverse range of sectors such as construction, student accommodation, offices, hotels, retail and public departments, as well as the domestic market. Refurbishment and new build projects are carried out all over Ireland, most notably in Dublin, Galway and the Mayo and Sligo regions.
The company’s well-established track record in quality of workmanship has even seen a demand for the firm’s services overseas – in England, France, Spain and Scotland. One project involved the application of mastic asphalt on a residential property in Monaco, France, whereby an architect from Ireland had specified the use of mastic asphalt and insisted that John Fetherston Asphalt Roofing apply it. The company works alongside architectural firms on a turnkey contracting basis for major projects.
Recent mastic asphalt projects carried out by John Fetherston Asphalt Roofing include Enterprise House in Dublin, which provides a one-stop calling point for those starting and developing their own businesses. Mastic asphalt was applied to a 4,500m2 car park decking area. It has also been applied at Citywest Hotel in Southern Dublin – one of the most famous hotels in Ireland. The company’s high-profile client list includes the likes of Croke Park, Cork University, Dublin Airport, Dublin City College, Dublin City Council, HSE and St. James’ Hospital, to name a few.
John concludes: “We’re increasingly finding that mastic asphalt is being specified more and more. Lots of new roofing systems are being introduced but we’re being called out on sites where they have failed just a couple of years after being applied. None of them stand the test of time like mastic asphalt. It’s here to stay.”
This article featured within the November edition of Roofing Today Magazine – click here to view the full article.