Asbestos Exterior House Siding

Asbestos siding was essentially a cement siding product that asbestos fibers had been added to.

Asbestos exterior house siding.

It is ideal for siding applications from new home construction utility buildings planters dog houses and other remodeling or do it yourself projects. Asbestos shingles are relatively strong but. This was done in order to add fireproofing and stability to cement siding so that it wouldn t crack or break as easily. Plywood siding is an all wood exterior grade panel.

Covering old asbestos shingles with new siding may seem like an option too but it s not easy to do safely. Asbestos cement is a mixture of portland cement reinforced with asbestos fibers. While older homes will likely contain asbestos in roofing insulation and tiles it can also be present in exterior siding. Asbestos siding is a cement based siding that contains asbestos.

Asbestos cement was first developed in 1905 by the johns manville company who became one of the premier manufacturers of cement asbestos materials. Instead of replacing asbestos siding on an old house homeowners have the option of treating it with specialty paint that will prevent any exposure to the dangerous chemicals. Asbestos siding was made by adding asbestos a naturally occurring mineral to portland cement. Both the epa and the vinyl siding institute recommend not disturbing asbestos if at all possible.

Asbestos ranks high on the list of dangerous substances because of its toxic and carcinogenic properties when airborne. If you suspect that your siding may contain asbestos there is no need for alarm. These paints seal the asbestos and prevent it from spreading as dust particles. Containing the asbestos typically costs 15 25 less than removal because you won t have to pay for disposal costs.

Lead paint wasn t outlawed until 1978 so it s sure to be present on siding going back to the 1950s. It plywood siding is an all wood exterior grade panel. Let the siding dry then prime and paint with the best exterior latex you can find. Cinder block semi gloss exterior paint is a base level solution for asbestos abatement.

Plywood siding features a rough sawn textured face for a beautiful rustic appearance. The cost of removing asbestos entirely has a wide range of costs depending on where the asbestos is located. The portland cement binds asbestos fibers into a hard mass. Containing asbestos might mean encapsulating the asbestos tiles in the basement instead of removing them altogether.

Asbestos house siding was used in many homes until the epa banned its use in new products in 1989. It was popular in the 1960s and 1970s across the nation and is still on homes constructed during that period. Installing vinyl siding will require disturbing the asbestos by nailing into it. Since it doesn t expand or contract with the outside temperature asbestos siding makes a good base for paint.