If you are researching what is asbestos and why was it used in roofing, the short answer is this: asbestos is a natural mineral with strong, heat resistant fibres that were widely added to building materials and construction materials for decades. It offered fire resistance, durability, and affordability, so it became a “go-to” ingredient in many asbestos products, including asbestos containing roofing materials used across many Australian homes.
The problem is that these same fibres can become a serious health hazard when they are disturbed, creating airborne dust and increasing the chance of asbestos exposure.
What Is Asbestos?
Asbestos is made of microscopic fibres (often written as asbestos fibres or asbestos fibers) that can resist heat and chemicals and add strength to cement-based products. These qualities made asbestos materials attractive in older buildings and older roofs, especially in harsh conditions where fire resistant performance mattered.
In Australia, asbestos was commonly used in cement-based products such as asbestos cement and cement sheets, including asbestos containing materials used in walls, eaves, fences, and roofing.
Why Was Asbestos Used in Roofing?
The history of asbestos in Australia is tied to fast housing growth and a demand for cost-effective, long-lasting roofing materials. From roughly the mid-20th century through the late 1980s, asbestos roofing was installed on a significant number of homes, particularly in products like corrugated asbestos roofing (often asbestos cement sheets shaped like corrugated metal). In some cases, people also refer to roofing shingles that contained asbestos, depending on the product type and era.
Home builders valued asbestos containing roofing materials because they were:
Heat resistant and offered strong fire resistance in bushfire-prone areas
Durable against weathering over decades (sun, wind, rain, hail)
Lighter and easier to transport and install than some other roofing options
Useful for basic insulation performance
Affordable for widespread housing developments across Australian homes
These benefits, at the time, made asbestos seem like a low-risk choice. Today, we understand the long-term health effects far better.
What Types of Asbestos Might Be in Roofing?
There are other types of asbestos fibres that have been used in building products. You might see them described as:
White asbestos (often chrysotile asbestos), historically the most common type used in many building products
Brown asbestos
Blue asbestos
Regardless of type, asbestos containing material can pose asbestos risks if fibres become airborne and inhaled.
Why Is Asbestos Roofing Dangerous?
The danger is not usually from a sealed, undisturbed roof. The significant risk happens when asbestos becomes damaged or breaks down, or when people unknowingly disturb it during repairs or renovations.
Over time, asbestos cement can deteriorate, especially on older roofs that are showing signs of wear such as cracking, flaking, corrosion around fixings, or soft, weathered edges. When asbestos materials become more fragile, they may be treated as friable asbestos or friable asbestos materials (meaning they can more easily crumble and release fibres). That increases the chance of asbestos exposure, particularly if dust becomes airborne.
Serious health risks linked to asbestos exposure
If inhaled, asbestos fibres can lodge in lung tissue and contribute to long-term health issues. The most widely recognised outcomes include:
Mesothelioma
Asbestosis
Lung cancer
These are serious health risks, and symptoms can take many years to appear. That delayed onset is one reason many homeowners underestimate the risk.
How Can You Identify Suspect Asbestos in a Roof?
If you suspect an older home was built with asbestos, treat it as suspect asbestos until proven otherwise.
Key facts to keep in mind:
Visual identification is unreliable. Corrugated asbestos roofing can be mistaken for metal.
Drilling, cutting, pressure washing, sanding, or breaking sheets can increase exposure risk.
The safest step is a professional inspection by a licensed asbestos professional who can help identify asbestos and advise next steps.
If you want help getting clarity and a safe plan, start with fortified.com.au and arrange an inspection.
How Do You Prevent Asbestos Exposure?
If you believe you have asbestos containing roofing materials:
Do not cut, drill, grind, sand, scrape, or pressure clean the roof
Keep people away from debris and avoid sweeping or blowing dust
Do not attempt DIY patching that could disturb fibres
Engage asbestos specialists who understand occupational safety requirements and know how to contain asbestos correctly
The goal is to prevent asbestos exposure for your household, neighbours, and anyone working on the property.
Why Is This Still a Problem for Brisbane Homes?
Even with the asbestos ban in Australia, many properties still have asbestos cement products because they were installed decades ago and have simply remained in place. As these roofs age, the chance of damage increases, especially after storms, impacts, or repeated minor repairs.
If your roof is deteriorating, replacement planning matters. For homeowners wanting a clear path forward, see options for roof replacement in Brisbane or learn about the broader re-roofing process.
What Does Asbestos Roof Removal Involve?
Asbestos roof removal should be planned and carried out by trained teams following safety controls. A reputable approach typically includes risk assessment, correct containment methods, compliant handling and disposal, and site cleanup processes designed to reduce exposure.
If you are weighing next steps, the safest move is to engage a licensed asbestos professional and choose a provider with clear systems for safety and compliance. To discuss your situation, use this contact page.
What Replaces Asbestos Roofing Today?
Modern roofing materials can deliver better durability, safety, and energy efficiency than older asbestos cement products, especially when combined with updated insulation and ventilation.
Useful upgrade options include:
Steel roof replacement pathways such as metal roofing options in Brisbane and alternative steel roof replacement solutions
Better thermal comfort using roof insulation upgrades
Hot-roof heat management with roof ventilators
If your existing roof has leaks or damage while you plan replacement, you can also review metal roof repairs (and for ongoing maintenance needs, metal roof repair support).
What Else Might Contain Asbestos in Older Buildings?
Asbestos was not limited to roofing. In older buildings, it also appeared in other building materials such as:
Vinyl floor tiles
Pipe lagging
Certain older brake pads and related industrial products
This is another reason to treat renovations cautiously. If you are planning works, get a professional inspection before disturbing older materials.
How Do You Protect the Rest of the Home During a Roof Upgrade?
Roof replacement is also a good time to improve water management and reduce future damage. Depending on your property, you may want to consider:
Commercial-grade drainage planning via commercial guttering
Targeted upgrades like downpipe replacement and fascia capping
Debris protection using gutter guard options
Full system refresh through gutter replacement
Done correctly, these upgrades can help protect your home, reduce leak risk, and keep the whole project more stress free.
Final Word
Understanding what is asbestos and why was it used in roofing comes down to recognising how a once-popular, fire resistant additive in building materials became a modern health hazard when its fibres are disturbed. If your roof is older, is showing signs of deterioration, or you are planning renovations, treat it as suspect asbestos and prioritise a professional inspection.
To organise a safe plan for asbestos roof removal, replacement, insulation, ventilation, and water management upgrades, visit fortified.com.au or reach out via the contact page.
