# Fibre-Cement Slate

> A thin, flat roofing slate made of cement reinforced with fibres; a uniform, lower-cost manufactured alternative to natural slate.

- URL: https://roof.wiki/fibre-cement-slate/
- Topic: Roofing Materials
- Also known as: man-made slate; artificial slate; composite slate; cement slate
- Regions: Europe, Latin America, Global
- First published: 2026-11-02 · Last reviewed: 2026-11-02
- Cite as: "Fibre-Cement Slate." roof.wiki. https://roof.wiki/fibre-cement-slate/

## Key facts

- **Material:** Cement reinforced with cellulose-based fibres
- **Asbestos replaced:** From the 1980s
- **Invention of fibre cement:** 1900 (Hatschek, as asbestos cement)

A fibre-cement slate is a manufactured roofing slate made from cement reinforced with fibres, pressed into thin, flat, uniform units. Fibre-cement slates resemble natural slate from a distance but are lighter, more regular and generally cheaper. They are also called man-made, artificial or composite slates.

## Composition and history

Fibre cement was invented as asbestos cement: Ludwig Hatschek patented it in Austria in 1900 (some sources give 1901), and asbestos-cement slates became common across Europe during the 20th century. From the 1980s, manufacturers replaced asbestos with cellulose-based fibres because of the health risks. Modern slates are usually supplied with a factory-applied coloured surface coating. Old slates made before the change may contain asbestos and need careful handling.

## Properties

- **Uniformity**: every slate has the same size, thickness and colour, making setting out quick.
- **Fire**: cement-based products are usually classed as non-combustible under the European fire classification system (EN 13501-1).
- **Appearance**: they weather differently from natural slate; the surface coating can fade, and edges can show erosion over time.
- **Life**: generally shorter than natural slate, and more dependent on coating quality.

## Fixing

Fibre-cement slates are usually laid double-lap and nailed through pre-punched holes. Hook fixing, common on the continent for natural slate, is also used. Because they are thinner and more flexible than natural slate, manufacturers specify minimum pitches and headlaps that differ from natural slate, so their installation guides should always be followed.

## Use

Fibre-cement slates are common on new estates, extensions and commercial buildings. Heritage bodies generally regard them as unsuitable replacements for natural slate on historic or listed buildings because they look and age differently.


## Sources

1. Fiber cement siding — Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiber_cement_siding
2. Eternit — Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eternit
3. Asbestos cement — Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asbestos_cement
4. Hook vs nail fixing: the facts — SSQ. https://www.ssqgroup.com/technical-articles/hook-vs-nail-fixing-the-facts
5. Ludwig Hatschek — Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_Hatschek