Can you replace asbestos shingles?

Do-it-yourselfers should avoid drilling, sawing or breaking up asbestos-cement shingles unless safety precautions are taken, such as wearing a respirator mask to protect against breathing particles. For this reason, I suggest that a few cracked shingles be left in place. A missing shingle or two is an easy repair.

What can I replace asbestos siding with?

Finding Replacement Asbestos Siding As far as finding replacement siding, various types and styles are now available from companies such as GAF,, with the GAF Weatherside line of fiber cement siding being one of the most popular and readily available.

Can you match asbestos siding?

The shingles are perfectly designed with wavy, straight, and thatched edges, as well as striated, textured, and wood-grain surfacing, to match the most popular styles of old asbestos siding shingles. They are ready to be painted to match the existing siding on the home.

Can you nail into asbestos?

Because it’s better than risking your health. However, if your asbestos siding is in good condition, you can definitely nail into it. Directly putting pressure while nailing into the siding can cause it to break.

How do you replace one piece of fiber cement siding?

To remove and replace damaged siding: Cut the fiber cement siding to length (wear approved dust protection). Blind-nail the fiber cement siding in place, starting with the bottom piece. Face-nail the top piece of fiber cement siding through the old siding. Prime and paint new siding to match the old.

Can you put stucco over asbestos siding?

If your building has old asbestos siding, cover it with stucco. It’ll give you a smooth finish. Its hazardous effects will be lessened as well.

How long do asbestos roof shingles last?

Cement asbestos roof shingles typically have a much shorter life than the siding panels. The thinner shingles, about an eighth of an inch thick, typically last about 50 to 60 years. The thicker ones are about a quarter of an inch and I’ve seen them last 70 to 85 years.