Non Asbestos Roof Slates

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.

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. Asbestos was banned in 1989 so as the buildings that incorporated it age their roofing and siding will fall into disrepair. Before the 1980s most artificial roofing slate was made from asbestos cement a material that had a long track record of successful performance. The slates are pigmented during production and are fully compressed.

When the use of asbestos became forbidden manufacturers rushed to replace asbestos containing products with cement based products reinforced with non asbestos materials. The asbestos content will vary on the manufacturer but the content will typically be 15 or less. 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. Many asbestos roofs and siding are damaged cracked or broken.

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. Thanks to its impressive durability and fire resistance the mineral was widely used in a variety of roofing slates. A number of non asbestos manufactured or synthetic slates or fiber cement roof shingles slate tiles that were produced when manufacturers stopped using asbestos were made using wood fibers or other materials. 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. Asbestos siding in particular however has a tendency to chip crack and break with normal wear and tear of family life.