Covering Asbestos Siding With Vinyl Siding

The first option is to do nothing.

Covering asbestos siding with vinyl siding.

While covering lap siding with vinyl is an option for some siding other varieties of lap siding can t be covered by vinyl. If your siding is in good condition and intact the asbestos poses a relatively low health risk to your home and the environment. Asbestos shingles are relatively strong but brittle. A better strategy may be to cover it over with new siding which effectively seals in the asbestos material.

This goes for fiber cement hardwood and masonite siding. One of the most effective ways to neutralize asbestos siding is simply to paint the asbestos siding itself with mold and mildew resistant waterproof and hard sealing paint materials. This is usually the preferred method of dealing with asbestos building materials. Let the siding dry then prime and paint with the best exterior latex you can find.

It is best to do an undercoat with an asbestos encapsulating paintin other to reduce any chances of disturbing the asbestos when you add the final paint. Painting the asbestos siding will help prevent this from happening. Covering old asbestos shingles with new siding may seem like an option too but it s not easy to do safely. Send your questions to tom.

However removing the asbestos siding first though more expensive is the best alternative in the long run. Choose a paint that is mold and mildew resistant as well as waterproof. Generally the best idea is to remove any existing siding from your exterior walls before installing the vinyl siding. Removing asbestos is often cost prohibitive for most people.

Some homeowners opt to cover their asbestos containing siding with vinyl siding sheets or other materials in order to minimize risk instead of leaving their siding untouched. Asbestos siding though hard can flake over time which will lead to the possibility of you inhaling the asbestos. You can t drive screws and nails through them without pre drilling. 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.

Get help with your home improvement projects. The easiest way to paint the asbestos siding is to use a paint sprayer. But be sure to check your local building codes first to see if it is allowed in your area.