Non Asbestos Roof Slates

Before the 1980s most artificial roofing slate was made from asbestos cement a material that had a long track record of successful performance.

Non asbestos roof slates.

Cembrit fibercement slates are manufactured using portland cement together with a non asbestos formulation of superior blended synthetic and cellulose fibres. Many asbestos roofs and siding are damaged cracked or broken. The slates are pigmented during production and are fully compressed. When removing asbestos siding or roofing from your home you must be properly covered head to toe with respirators properly worn to make sure no exposure is possible.

When the use of asbestos became forbidden manufacturers rushed to replace asbestos containing products with cement based products reinforced with non asbestos materials. Asbestos roofing tiles are predominately comprised of cement. It only takes being exposed to asbestos one time to get mesothelioma and other lung diseases and any improper handling of asbestos can impact a person s health down the road. Asbestos was banned in 1989 so as the buildings that incorporated it age their roofing and siding will fall into disrepair.

A number of these products promising a life of 50 years or longer were found to fail early in their life in the 1990s. They are finished with a high quality semi matt acrylic coloured coating to the top face and edges and a tinted or transparent high performance binder to the back face. The asbestos content will vary on the manufacturer but the content will typically be 15 or less. The fire resistant properties of these roof tiles weren t the only reason they were so popular as asbestos is incredibly durable and strong.

This can release fibers into the air. Thanks to its impressive durability and fire resistance the mineral was widely used in a variety of roofing slates.