Asbestos Siding Vs Cement Fiber Siding

The common reinforcing fiber used was asbestos.

Asbestos siding vs cement fiber siding.

All of these products use some sort of fiber along with cement. As the experts at asbestos siding note it is sometimes difficult to spot because it was often manufactured to resemble different types of siding in a variety of colors and textures. It is formulated using sand cement and cellulose fibers. Some evidence of delaminating or gapping.

It is available in a variety of sizes and shapes to match many of the old siding shingles installed over the last 60 years. Since asbestos was included as an additive when siding was manufactured for many decades the odds are good that original shingle siding on holder homes may contain asbestos. Fiber cement siding was manufactured as a replacement for asbestos siding which was popular for its attributes of being fire retardant and rot and insect proof. Older style cement siding shingles were traditionally made by mixing asbestos into the cement in order to fireproof and strengthen siding.

Very hard to cut and work with. Asbestos siding was made by adding asbestos a naturally occurring mineral to portland cement. That cement was then pressed into siding shingles that came in a wide variety of sizes profiles and textures. Some manufacturers use the term fiber reinforced cement for these products.

Silica dust is a danger to those cutting and installing the product if they do not use the right tools. These materials are known as fiber cement siding and they contain no asbestos. I have had many houses built with fiber cement and have never seen any delaminating in 8 years. Siding is cement impregnated asbestos it s going nowhere unless you grind or pulverize it.

Cement asbestos siding tiles do not need to be removed simply because they contain asbestos. Two fire marshals i work with one in texas the other in nj have both opined that in their experience fires spread slower in asbestos clad houses than vinyl. Manufacturers use asbestos in fiber cement siding although some of the earlier versions of fiber cement siding did indeed have some asbestos particles blended in fiber cement was actually designed to replace the asbestos siding products to create a safer environment for the installers and the home s residents. Before 1978 in the u s.

Siding materials that use fibers and aggregate other than asbestos are properly called fiber cement building siding products. Cementitious siding installed after 1973 is very unlikely to contain asbestos. Identifying asbestos siding is a major concern for many homeowners with older homes that have cement siding. It is very durable and can be painted or stained.

The resulting product was very durable fire resistant and absorbed paint well.