The regular asbestos roof shingle consists of a mixture of hydraulic cement and asbestos fibers. Those shingles are known to be very durable, resistant to extreme temperatures and incombustible. Around the end of the 19th century, the asbestos roof gained popularity and had since been considered as valuable resource for builders and architects.
Considering its product properties, it is apparent why it was often chosen over traditional roofing methods. In the 1920, the demand for asbestos cement roofing shingles began to grow rapidly in the United States. Many manufacturers including Carey, Johns-Manville, Eternit and Century carried a variety of different asbestos cement roofing shingles. Initially, the product was naturally gray, but due to customer's demand, asbestos companies started to add pigments in order to offer a broader selection of different shades and colors. And there was another key aspect that must be attributed to the popularity of the asbestos roof. In comparison to other roofing shingles, the asbestos shingles and roofing sheets were significantly lighter.


Asbestos Roof Paneling

The asbestos roof shingles were first produced and patented Europe in 1900 by the Austrian discoverer Ludwig Hatschek, whose exclusive rights have been re-issued again in the U.S. in 1907. The Hatschek Method basically allowed for an inexpensive way to produce different kind of asbestos products. Here are the main reasons why the asbestos roof found such widespread use for over a decade:

Fireproof: Asbestos is extremely resistant to heat and fire.

Weight: Asbestos shingles are significantly lighter than clay - hence, handling, installation and delivery costs are lower.

Durability: Asbestos roofing shingles can last thirty years or more. Some products even exceed a lifetime of 60 years.

In the 1980s the public started to become aware of the hazards that can be caused by being exposed to asbestos containing materials. Rather suddenly, the downfall of asbestos products began. It is important to note though, that the majority of the asbestos experts believe that there is no health risk present as long as the material remains undisturbed. In other words, as long as your asbestos roof is in good shape, you should be okay. The problem is: you don't know for sure unless you have asbestos testing done on your properties. If you feel that there might be an issue, it is probably worthwhile to hire an asbestos contractor to evaluate your premises. But then again, you must know that I got diagnosed with kidney-cancer and I have reason to believe that it might have been caused by exposure to asbestos.