Before and Just After

The Before 1912 Craftsman. The owner wanted to pursue a new/old exterior color scheme, potentially stymied by the asbestos-cement siding (installed atop the original wooden clapboard and shingle).

Asbestos-cement is a mixture of Portland cement reinforced with asbestos fibers, first produced by Johns-Manville in 1905 as a coating, and used originally in chimneys.

The After
Experiments with asbestos, as a building material valued for its fire resistance, began as early as the 1880's; but without a binder, these long, thin, naturally occurring fibers proved too coarse and abrasive.

The cement-asbestos composite, pre-formed beginning in 1907, demonstrated incredible durability, and could be inexpensively molded (to imitate wood or other) and mass-produced.

As early as 1920, the National Board of Fire Underwriters recommended asbestos-cement shingles as a roof covering. The product enjoyed extensive use, on roofs and as siding, between 1930 and 1973, when it was banned.

Some building professionals recommend total household asbestos removal, be it ducting, siding, tiling, etc. Others are concerned only with loose or damaged materials, and contend the best and least risky management technique is to leave undisturbed.

Shingles contain non-friable asbestos, which means fibers are only released when they're broken or penetrated, a likelihood with removal.

But why not just paint? Some painters are opposed to working on a surface that cannot be prepped with traditional techniques, and might be damaged with power washing.

In the end, the guys with the haz-mat suits and proper disposal methodologies took a star turn.

Afterwards, the 2 ton-simian evicted, the building archaeologists made the rounds, noting missing aprons, gable details, and a window box.

Here's hoping for Part 2!