Ten years ago, Cort and Helene Dondero finished building their dream home in Chattanooga, Tenn. — a sprawling, 20,000-square-foot modern-day castle overlooking the Tennessee River. The home’s original roof featured cementitious roofing tiles, which emulated the look of a traditional slate roof. Unfortunately, the tiles had a manufacturing defect and became very brittle over time.
They were severely damaged during a hailstorm in 2010, with several pieces breaking off and falling to the ground or slipping into gutters.