As experts in metal roof historical reproduction and restoration, we are often approached with questions about appropriate ways to replace asbestos roofing materials. Our clients want to know everything from engineering and reproduction issues to what constitutes an appropriate substitution.
There’s is a strong likelihood you own a building with an asbestos shingled roof if you live in an historic district. Odds are, due to roof aging and health concerns, replacing the roof has probably crossed your mind. Before we get into solutions, here’s a bit of background information if it’s of interest:
Asbestos products were born in Austria in 1893 where Ludwig Hatscheck first started manufacturing from the material. He dubbed his merchandise “Eternit” to reference its perennial nature.
The roofing shingles Hatscheck produced were a dream come true for the general homeowner. At that time, homes were highly combustible and prone to certain devastation should an errant spark find its way outside the fireplace or candlestick. To apply a virtually fireproof roof on an otherwise susceptible home was unprecedented peace of mind indeed.
Strong and durable beyond the features of other roofing options accessible to the masses back then, Hatscheck offered a 30 year warranty and by 1911, his delighted clientele grew to markets in Africa, Asia and South America.
Easing these efforts, asbestos shingles were lighter than other roofing options which axiomatically meant shipping costs were cut resulting in a hefty savings for end use consumers. Adding to the frenzy, in the 1920s, American manufacturers started incorporating pigments and providing roofing materials in a number of iterations resulting in even more popularity.
This was the height of the asbestos shingle heyday. Shortly thereafter, the undeniable links to lung cancer and other maladies could no longer be ignored.
Some of the large manufacturers did their best to suppress the latest medical calls for the abolishment of the material. In fact, it wasn’t until 1989 that the U.S. government banned all asbestos building products on new structures. To this day, settlements to the tune of billions of dollars advance as cover ups continue to become exposed.
The 1950’s ushered in asphalt as an alternative to asbestos. Better for the lungs to be sure, but perhaps merely for the short term as its ubiquity (80% of the U.S. market) poses a number of threats to the environment at large. This is a topic for another day, but bears the thought.
So the question becomes, what to replace these materials with? Particularly if the roof carries an historic significance (which arguably most with asbestos materials do) how does one retain a similar look, keep safe the building below not built to withstand heavy weight materials, and address the issues of compliance imposed upon it by historical societies?
Glad you asked. This is a clear example of not always being able to replace an historic component with an exact replica. Here are ways we can help you tick all the boxes when restoring a building with an asbestos shingle roof:
- Our metal roof and cladding systems, by sake of comparison, are very light.
- We can recreate virtually any shape, size and design of an historic shingle using any of our historically accurate metal options. Pressed and stamped pieces can also be made.
- We manufacture from metals like terne which already have the blessing of historical societies. Our offerings also include, but are not limited to: zinc, painted galvalume and aluminum, copper, brass etc.
- Our systems are made to last lifetimes so that historically significant buildings don’t have to be continually “restored”.
- We are numbered among the top historical restoration experts in our field in the world. Whether you are an architect, installer or owner, we have all the solutions you’ll need to ensure a compliant, beautiful and functional outcome for the rest of your days.
Have more questions about replacing an asbestos roof with a metal roof or any other historical restoration issues?
