Roofing Material: Is Asbestos Roofing Material Safe for Me?

The roof of your home is hardly on top of the list of fun and exciting renovations. However, if there is a leak in your house, you may change your mind. All of the sudden, you will think that a dry, airtight house looks very appealing. Since there are various types of roofing materials, you need to be carefully when choosing one. Choose the type of roofing that can make a significant difference when it comes to longevity, cost and appearance.

The prices of roofing materials are various, from very cheap to very high. You will see how the raw materials increase or decrease the price of the entire project if you divide the cost of roofing materials related expenses such as labour, market conditions and also seasons.

We have gathered some roofing materials from The Spruce, Arcbac, The House Designers, Roof Calc, This Sold House, Improvenet, HGTV, and AIC to help you choose the right material.

Modified bitumens

In the 1960s polymer modified bitumens were manufactured in Europe. Since mid-1970s the materials have been in use in the United States. These materials are available in rolls. Developed in Europe, bitumen was manufactured to enhance its natural properties by modifying it during the production process. Usually this means mixing in plastic or rubber.

Atactic Polypropylene Plastic (APP)

Atactic polypropylene (APP) plastic becomes more flexible and increases its resistance to ultraviolet radiation when mixed with asphalt. Generally, modified sheets of APP are applied to the burner.

Asbestos cement

Asbestos cement is mainly a cement based product. About 10-15% w/w asbestos fibres are mixed to strengthen the cement.

Asbestos cement which is used because it is good material for insulation, it is also fire resistant, weatherproof because, although it absorbs moisture, does not pass through the product. In 2003, asbestos was banned because asbestos risks our health. Asbestos can cause severe disease such lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. So, it is advisable to test asbestos in our property especially for properties built between 80s-90s. You can ask more information about asbestos here asbestoswatchballarat.com.au

Polyurethane foam

At first, sprayed polyruthane foam or SPUF was used as an alternative covering material some 35 years ago. Because of its excellent insulation properties, it has gaine constant popularity.

Metal (steel, aluminum, copper and tiles)

For new homes, metal roofs are among the coolest roofs when it comes to temperature and style. Metal roofs are sold in copper, stainless steel and aluminum and normally have a high percentage of recycled content. They offer high solar reflection and long life, often twice as long as wood or asphalt.

PVC roof

Another option for your roof is PVC roof. You should consider carefully if you have a house with a flat roof. More modern than EPMD rubber, a PVC roof offers many advantages.

The unique design of a PVC roof.  membrane has seams that are welded by hot air making it absolutely impermeable to leaks. It is also completely waterproof and very resistant to UV rays. This is why it is an ideal choice for areas with hot summers and heavy rains.

Ceramics

Ceramic roofs can be found everywhere in the Mediterranean and the Levant . In architecture, without a doubt was influenced by the revival of the Mediterranean in Florida and California. The most common type of ceramic tiles is barrel tiles. It resembles half cylinders about 16 inches long.

Synthetic slate

Some synthetic slates are formed from fibre cement and are not recommended by the manufacturers for use in freezing and thawing areas. The fibres of the fibre cement roofing products are made of cellulose or wood and in some cases there are claims that the fibers can absorb water, which can lead to roof failure. Another synthetic slate is made of ceramic, which is lighter than the actual slate and is not as fragile but very resistant to fire.

Slate roof

A slate roof is for for those who don't accept anything beyond high-quality. The real slate roof is exactly what it looks like: authentic and thin slabs of real stone. Since the slate can relax in thin layers, it is easy to extract quarries, making it ideal for roofing.

Wood shake shingle roof

Compared to wood shingles, wood shakes are much thicker. The shakes are split or sawed from the tree trunk. In both cases, these thicker shakes can withstand the UV-time and better than thin wooden shingles.

Asphalt shingles

In the United States, asphalt is the most commonly used roofing material. They are popular because they are economical as well as easy to install. These tiles can be reinforced with fibreglass or organic materials (cellulose) without altering the look of the tile.