It’s called Tectum, and the first question we usually get asked about it is “Does this stuff contain asbestos?” No it does not. Tectum is manufactured from excelsior (long, thin wood strips, a byproduct from shaving logs that is also used for craft projects and packing material) and a hydraulic cement slurry, pressed together under heat. First produced in 1949 by the Tectum Company, it was popular with Florida's "mid-century modern" architects as an exposed roof sheathing that also has sound deadening qualities.

    Today it is mostly used as a ceiling material or exposed roof decking in noisy public spaces like high school gyms and public pools. But it was once a nifty detail for architect-designed homes, like the one shown above.

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  To learn more about roofs and attics, see these other blog posts:

• Why is my roof sheathing sagging between the trusses?

• Why is granule loss a problem for an asphalt shingle roof? 

• What are the mistakes to avoid when doing attic improvements?

• What causes roof shingles to curl up at corners?  

• What causes shingles to buckle along a line on the roof? 

• What causes leaks at a fake roof dormer? 

• What causes bubble-like blisters in a built-up and gravel roof?  

• Why does it cost so much more to replace a steep roof than a low slope roof? 

• What is "ponding" on a flat roof?

• Why is there no attic access hatch in the house?

• What causes a lump or dip in the roof? 

• If my roof is not leaking, why does it need to be replaced?

• How can I make my roof last longer?  

• How can I find out the age of a roof? 

• Should I buy a house that needs a new roof?

• Why do roof edges start leaking?

• Do home inspectors go on the roof? Do they get in the attic?

• Should I put gutters on the house? 

     Visit our ROOF AND ATTIC page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.

Thanks to home inspector Harry McBride, Gainesville, FL,  for top photo.