Replies

1. 
   Chem_man | Mar 31, 2000 04:38am | #1

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   i wouldn't worry about toxic off gassing from a
   roof for two reasons: 1, it is outside. The normal air currents and diffusion will dilute any off gassing in near instantaneous time to miniscule levels. 2, as soon as warm day comes, with the sun out, that roof will get superhot, and any volatiles will come off, never to return!

1. 
   Mark_W. | Apr 06, 2000 01:06pm | #2

   *I just went to the site after reading Peter's post, this looks like an interesting roofing material. While I'm not as worried about outgassing, my concern would be the stuff in the tires/rubber washing off the roof over the years and ending up around my house. I don't know what they put into tires, but I'm sure there are a lot of chemicals to make the rubber wear better, grip better, etc. Over time, I would guess a measurable amopuntof that stuff will wash/flake off and end up in the soil around the house. Then again, maybe it's no worse than whatever washes out of asphalt shingles. I'd like to see one of these roofs up close.

2. 
   Guest_ | Apr 07, 2000 02:07am | #3

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   Send an email at their site http://www.authentic-roof.com. I had pretty much the same questions. Jim Crowe himself answered my email and they mailed out a package of literature and a sample shingle shortly after. Can't look much closer than that.

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 09, 2000 11:36pm | #4

   *Peter;I'm glad to see that somebody else is considering Authentic Roof slates. I had posted questions about this product some 6 months ago (you may wish to check the archives). So far most of my concerns about this product have been somewhat answered, so I went to check prices locally. I'm looking at $350 per square which is roughly 10 times the price of a good quality composition shingle. I don't know if this will stop me in my tracks, but it's making me think twice... But it's a great looking product! Aside from that, I think it is made up of manufacturing waste from disposable diapers and other vehicular rubber (not tires). Being all recycled is a very attractive feature. Jon.

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 10, 2000 06:41pm | #6

   *Yeah, I am really interested in this stuff too because slate roofs are so beautiful to look at but too expensive for most of us. My two concerns have been:1) UV degradation of rubber over time - let's see how these things hold up after 20 or 40 years (rubber usually becomes brittle over long term exposure). Then again, slate is brittle too, but as long as it is heavy enough to resist wind damage and stiff enough to still support foot traffic...(I think the rubber is lighter and more flexible than slate - will that be a problem after degradation?)2) Half of the real beauty of slate roofs is in the copper flashing and in the use of color and size of the shingles (often they are sized smaller as they reach the ridge, which adds a contrast to a large expanse of otherwise fairly even shapes). Both of these things probably ought to still be done with this product if you want to get the real classic slate look, I think. So the actual dollar savings from slate may not end up being so much? I don't know, just thinking out loud here.I could see some housing development with aluminum flashing and all one size rubber "slate" looking kind of cheap (and the chimneys would have siding on them and not go all the way down to the ground either!)Very eagerly watching this kind of product, how it gets used and develped, and threads about it in places like this, until my roof needs replacing (a long time from now, knock wood).

3. 
   Peter_Case | Apr 10, 2000 06:41pm | #5

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   We are considering using Authentic Roof rubber-tire roof shingles on our new home. We hear that along with being expensive, they are incredibly strong and wear well. However, someone mentioned to us a concern about toxic off-gassing. We have only heard this once and third-hand, and would like to know if anybody else has any information on this, pro or con, before we make the investment.
   Peter