What type of roofing is classified as brittle?

Roll roofing is classified as brittle due to its composition and the materials used in its manufacturing process. Typically made from asphalt-saturated felt, roll roofing is designed to be laid down in large sheets and is often used for low-slope roofs. While effective in certain applications, roll roofing can become rigid and susceptible to cracking or splitting, especially in colder weather conditions. This brittleness can make it less flexible than other types of roofing options, such as asphalt shingles, which have more elasticity, or clay and concrete tiles, which, while also considered brittle, deal with brittleness differently due to their inherent design and material properties.

Other options, such as clay tiles and concrete tiles, are indeed brittle but are typically favored for their durability and aesthetic appeal in pitched roof applications. Asphalt shingles are more flexible and better suited for a variety of climatic conditions, whereas roll roofing's design limits its long-term durability and structural integrity in harsher environments, thus reinforcing its classification as brittle.