History of Cement Asbestos Siding
Asbestos-cement siding was once a prevalent building material for many American homes. Its fire-resistant and low-maintenance properties made this siding attractive, until the effects of asbestos on health became known. Does this Spark an idea?
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Discovery
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Builders first began using asbestos as a commercial building material in the U.S. in 1879. Asbestos was combined with Portland cement in the early 1900s to craft, among other materials, asbestos-cement siding.
Use
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In the beginning, asbestos-cement siding seemed ideal. It was tough, accepted paint well and was fire resistant. Asbestos was an organic material and readily available.
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Manufacturing
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Asbestos-cement siding is Portland cement that is reinforced with asbestos. In 1907, Austrian engineer, Ludwid Hatshek, created a machine that mass-produced sheets of siding.
Appearance
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Asbestos-cement siding resembles wood-siding shingles. The sheets, usually manufactured in 12-by-24-inch pieces, exhibited a wood-like grain. The siding was pre-drilled to receive nails, allowing easy installation of the product.
Prevalence
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During the 1940s and '50s, asbestos-cement siding was regaled as a product to safeguard the modern home; it was fireproof, rot proof and termite proof. The National Board of Fire Underwriters recommended asbestos shingles in place of wooden shingles for roofing.
Dangers and Myths
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The Environmental Protection Agency banned asbestos products in 1973. However, asbestos-cement siding is not considered dangerous unless pulverized or sanded. When left undisturbed, asbestos-cement siding is nonhazardous.
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References
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