Does Cement Board Siding Contain Asbestos

Older style cement siding shingles were traditionally made by mixing asbestos into the cement in order to fireproof and strengthen siding.

Does cement board siding contain asbestos.

Unlike wood siding fiberboard siding does not rot or require frequent repainting. There is no legal requirement to do so nor is there significant real estate benefit. The asbestos network recommends bringing in a professional to collect samples. While most siding containing asbestos has been removed from public buildings due to health concerns it may still be present on some older buildings and homes.

Fiber cement siding advantages one of the most desirable qualities of fiber cement board is that it is so durable. These materials are known as fiber cement siding and they contain no asbestos. Asbestos cements and cementious products including some cement pipes contained asbestos fibers as a strengthening material. Asbestos is a natural fibrous mineral used for insulation and fireproofing.

Cementious siding and roofing such as fiber cement siding lap siding and fiber cement roof shingles containing asbestos may then have appeared on homes constructed between 1906 and 1980 in north america and contining later in some other countries. The only way to be sure whether your siding contains asbestos is to have it tested. Fiber cement siding does not contain asbestos. Cementitious siding installed after 1973 is very unlikely to contain asbestos.

Asbestos cement roof ing is described just below and cement wallboard and cement siding containing asbestos are described later in this document.