Putting New Siding Over Asbestos Siding

Removing asbestos is often cost prohibitive for most people.

Putting new siding over asbestos siding.

Lap siding is often referred to as clapboard or horizontal siding. If the job had been done right the house would have been a total loss. In general it was a very successful siding material and continues to perform well. It s called lap siding because the beveled bottom edge of the top piece of siding generally overlaps with the top edge of the siding below it.

It s essentially a product that can be installed on the side of a home s exterior for aesthetic and protective purposes. I ve seen house fires where the vinyl siding burned off only to reveal the superior asbestos shingles underneath which saved the house. Installing vinyl siding will require disturbing the asbestos by nailing into it. Unless asbestos siding is disturbed it doesn t pose a significant health hazard and does not need to be removed.

Was the problem that they put new siding over old or that they put new siding over a rotted wall with no drainage plain in between. Alternatively if you leave the asbestos on your home you can safely seal the old siding underneath the new siding and because asbestos is an excellent insulator you will actually be adding to the energy efficiency of your home by leaving it on. Installing vinyl siding over wood siding. Removing existing siding and installing osb has several benefits such as having brand new substrate on the home and the ability to inspect the wall cavity and all framing insulation and structural integrity of the home before replacing siding.

Asbestos cement shingle siding is common on houses built or re sided from the 1940s generally through the 1960s. Both the epa and the vinyl siding institute recommend not disturbing asbestos if at all possible.