Old Asbestos Square Siding

Covering old asbestos shingles with new siding may seem like an option too but it s not easy to do safely.

Old asbestos square siding.

Originally asbestos siding was used because of the fire resistant properties of asbestos. Asbestos shingles are relatively strong but brittle. It s available in a variety of sizes and shapes to match many of the old siding shingles installed over the last 60 years. Asbestos cement siding is very brittle and can be easily chipped cracked or broken.

However if you want to remove you have two options. On average asbestos siding removal costs between 4 and 6 per square foot. The use of a pressure washer for maintenance can crack the siding and lead to moisture intrusion if the pressure setting is high enough. If installing new siding you can install it over the existing asbestos siding as long as the existing siding is flat.

It s easy to install after properly removing the old siding simply nail the weatherside siding in place and paint. Weatherside is even resistant to warping denting rotting expansion contraction and termite infiltration. Unlike some of the original siding shingles that it replaces weatherside pre primed siding shingles contain no asbestos. Asbestos siding never needs to be removed simply because it is asbestos.

It is very brittle and has a tendency to crack and break when nailed which can release asbestos fibers into both the air and ground. As long as the siding remains intact it can stay. You can t drive screws and nails through them without pre drilling. Exposure to and breathing asbestos fibers can result in lung problems and cancer.

Asbestos siding was used extensively in buildings and homes from the 1930s until the 1970s when it s use was banned. In fact you may be able to install new siding on top of the asbestos siding no removal necessary. Because fiber cement siding manufactured in north america after around 1978 was made without using asbestos in those later products and because those non asbestos fiber cement shingles included products that by eye were an exact visual match for their older asbestos containing brothers and sisters already installed a building built. Weatherside fiber cement siding is the 1 and only solution for replacing or repairing old asbestos siding shingles.

About asbestos siding asbestos siding is composed of asbestos fibers mixed with portland cement.