Though cement has been used in construction since Roman times, cement roofing materials have only been in use since the early 19th century. The Germans began producing cement roofing shingles, shaping them into intricate diamond patterns.

American ingenuity brought cement fiber shingles into the mainstream in the 1900s, allowing manufacturers to vary the texture and color of cement roof shingles to make them mimic other types of roofing material. Cement roofing materials offer strength and beauty, making them perhaps the most versatile composite roofing materials on the market.

Cement Roofing Shingles: The Doppelganger Material

Cement is a very versatile substance. Because it can be easily molded, cement shingles can be made to look like virtually any substance. Cement can combine with other materials, as is the case with slate composite shingles. Many of today’s cement shingles are combined with recycled wood fibers, making them environmentally friendly roofing materials.

Here are just a few types of materials that cement roof shingles can imitate:

• Cedar shake shingles
• Clay roof tiles
• Slate tiles
• Spanish tiles.

Asbestos Fibers in Cement Shingles

Composite roofing materials, such as asbestos-containing cement shingles, came onto the market in the US in the 1920s. Asbestos was used as a composite, as it is very resistant to fire. Only in the 1960s did the negative effects from inhalation of asbestos fibers become clear.

Generally, asbestos in cement roof shingles won’t cause negative health effects. However, if asbestos-containing cement shingles are mishandled or cut with mechanical instruments, they can produce the fine asbestos dust that can cause serious health problems. For this reason, you should contact a professional when you need to work on cement fiber shingles containing asbestos.

Here are a few things to remember if you’re looking to replace cement fiber shingles containing asbestos:

• Bag and seal all asbestos waste.
• Don’t disturb material containing asbestos unless when necessary.
• Don’t drill or saw. (When necessary, do so outdoors.)
• Don’t use a vacuum cleaner, as this will make asbestos fibers go airborne.
• Ensure contractor is specially licensed.
• Seal off your work area.

Today’s Cement Roof Shingles: A Green Option

Today’s cement roof shingles no longer contain asbestos. In fact, new cement roofing shingles contain wood fibers. Though these newer cement shingles have not been tested by time, their stability and makeup seems to show that they will last for fifty years or longer. Compare that to other types of shingles, especially asphalt shingles, and that in and of itself makes cement shingles a very green option.