Durable building article and method of making same

A cement composite roofing article having a MoR/MoE ratio of about 1.2 MPa/GPa or greater, a density of about 1.6 g/cm3 or less, and is nailable without developing stress induced cracking.

A cement composite roofing article configured for covering the hip or ridge areas of a roof, comprising:

• a first portion comprising a nailable and substantially crack resistant cementitious material;
• a second portion comprising a nailable and substantially crack resistant cementitious material;
• wherein said first and second portions are hingedly interconnected to each other by a connecting member in a manner such that at least one of the portions is pivotable about a central axis defined by the connecting member.

A method of forming a cement composite roofing article, comprising:

• mixing a hydraulic binder, aggregate, a low density additive, and a hydrophobe to form a cementitious mixture;
• forming a green article;
• curing the green article by partially hydrating the cement to form a cement composite roofing article, said article is nailable and substantially crack resistant, said article having a MoR/MoE ratio of about 1.2 MPa/GPa or greater and a density of about 1.6 g/cm3 or greater.

A method of forming a cement composite roofing article for use in covering the hip or ridge of a roof, comprising:

• positioning a nailable and crack resistant cement composite roofing article adjacent to a second cement composite roofing article wherein the side surfaces of the two articles face each other;
• and
• attaching the first cement composite roofing article to the second cement composite article in a manner such that the first roofing article is pivotable about the second article.