Asbestos Siding on Long Island: What Homeowners Need to Know
Asbestos Siding on Long Island: What Homeowners Need to Know
If your Long Island home was built before 1980, there is a reasonable chance it still has asbestos-cement siding somewhere on its exterior. That is not a reason to panic. It is a reason to understand what you are dealing with — and to make an informed decision about what to do next.
Asbestos siding on Long Island is an issue that tens of thousands of homeowners in Nassau and Suffolk County quietly navigate every year. The post-war housing boom that built Levittown, Valley Stream, Uniondale, and hundreds of other communities between the 1940s and 1970s relied heavily on asbestos-cement shingle siding as a durable, fire-resistant, affordable exterior cladding. Much of it is still out there, beneath layers of paint or aluminum siding, or visible on garages and older additions.
This guide covers everything Long Island homeowners need to know: what asbestos siding looks like, when it poses a risk, how to test it, and what your options are — including the real costs and the state regulations that govern any work involving asbestos-containing materials.
What Is Asbestos Siding?
Asbestos siding — more precisely called asbestos-cement (AC) shingle siding — is a composite panel manufactured from Portland cement and chrysotile (white) asbestos fibers. The asbestos content typically ranged from 10 to 15 percent by weight, though some products ran higher.
These shingles were produced commercially from the 1920s through the late 1970s, with peak installation occurring during the postwar housing construction surge. Several manufacturers produced asbestos-cement siding under brand names that were common household terms at the time: Certain-teed, Eternit, Johns-Manville, and Carey Asbestos Products were among the most widely distributed.
The product had genuine advantages for its era. It was dimensionally stable, resistant to fire, and extremely durable under normal conditions. Many asbestos-cement shingle installations that were done in the 1950s and 1960s are still physically intact today — which is part of why the decision to leave it in place is sometimes the right one.
How It Looks
Asbestos-cement siding typically presents as flat or slightly textured rectangular shingles, usually 12 by 24 inches, though smaller and larger formats exist. The most common profile is a straight-edge panel with a wood-grain or smooth surface texture. Colors range from the original factory tones — pale grays, tans, and greens — to whatever paint has been applied over the decades.
The shingle profile is distinctive: it has a nailed top edge and a slightly thicker bottom edge, creating a subtle shadow line between courses. This staggered overlap pattern is similar to asphalt shingles but applied vertically rather than on a roof pitch.
On a Long Island home from the 1950s or 1960s, asbestos-cement siding often shows up on:
- The full exterior of the original structure
- One or two elevations, with other sides having been updated in later renovations
- Detached garages and sheds built during the same era as the main house
- Dormers and gable ends on Cape Cods and split-levels
- Concealed beneath aluminum or vinyl siding that was installed in the 1970s or 1980s
Is Asbestos Siding Dangerous?
The short answer: in intact, undisturbed condition, asbestos-cement siding is generally not a significant health hazard.
Asbestos becomes dangerous when its fibers become airborne and are inhaled. This occurs when asbestos-containing materials are in a friable state — meaning they can be crumbled, pulverized, or otherwise reduced to dust with hand pressure. Solid, hard, bonded asbestos-cement shingles in good condition are considered non-friable. The fibers are locked within the cement matrix and are not released during normal exposure.
This is why many environmental professionals and public health agencies recommend a “leave it alone” approach for intact asbestos siding in good condition. If the shingles are solid, unpainted edges are not crumbling, and there is no physical damage, the risk to occupants is extremely low.
However, the calculus changes in several specific situations:
When the material is damaged. Cracked, broken, or deteriorating shingles with crumbling edges can release fibers. If you have shingles that are visibly fractured or powdering at the surface, those areas warrant attention.
When drilling, cutting, or sanding is involved. Any renovation work that involves penetrating the siding — running new electrical conduit, installing a new light fixture, cutting openings for a new window — will disturb the material and potentially release fibers. The same applies to power-washing with high-pressure equipment, which can abrade the surface.
When you are planning new siding installation. If you are replacing the exterior cladding, the removal of asbestos-cement siding is a regulated activity under New York State law. This is the most common scenario Long Island homeowners encounter.
When existing siding is being covered over. Even if you are installing new vinyl or fiber cement siding directly over the existing asbestos shingles — leaving them in place — the process of nailing through the old material and any incidental breakage during installation must be managed properly.
How to Test for Asbestos
Visual identification alone cannot confirm whether a material contains asbestos. Even experienced inspectors cannot make a definitive determination by sight. The only reliable method is laboratory analysis of a physical sample.
Do not collect a sample yourself. Improper sampling of potentially asbestos-containing material can release fibers and expose you and your family to unnecessary risk. In New York, sampling must be performed by a licensed asbestos inspector.
The Testing Process
A licensed asbestos inspector will:
- Conduct a visual assessment of your home’s exterior, documenting the location, condition, and quantity of suspected asbestos-containing materials.
- Collect bulk samples from representative areas — typically three or more samples from different sections of the siding to account for material variability.
- Submit samples to an accredited laboratory for polarized light microscopy (PLM) analysis, which identifies asbestos fiber types and quantifies content.
- Provide a written report documenting findings, condition assessments, and recommendations.
For a standard Long Island single-family home, asbestos inspection fees typically run $300 to $600, depending on the inspector, the size of the home, and the number of suspect materials sampled. The lab analysis results usually come back within three to five business days, with expedited turnaround available for an additional fee.
If asbestos is confirmed, the inspector’s report becomes an important document for any subsequent abatement work, permit applications, and insurance purposes. Keep it with your home’s records.
New York State Regulations for Asbestos-Containing Materials
New York State has some of the most comprehensive asbestos regulations in the country. The primary regulatory authority is the New York State Department of Labor (NYS DOL), which administers asbestos handling regulations under Industrial Code Rule 56 (12 NYCRR Part 56).
Here is what Long Island homeowners need to understand:
Removal of asbestos-containing material requires a licensed contractor. In New York, asbestos abatement must be performed by a contractor that holds a current NYS DOL asbestos handling license. Homeowners cannot perform their own asbestos removal. Violations carry significant civil and criminal penalties.
Notification requirements apply. Before beginning asbestos removal, the contractor must file a notification with the NYS DOL. For residential properties, the notification requirements depend on the quantity of material involved and the nature of the project.
Disposal is regulated. Asbestos waste must be properly double-bagged in approved containers, labeled, and transported to a licensed disposal facility. It cannot go into normal residential waste collection or standard construction dumpsters.
Encapsulation and cover-over have their own rules. If you are installing new siding over existing asbestos shingles rather than removing them, the work is generally subject to fewer regulatory requirements — but any activity that involves disturbing or damaging the existing material, including nailing through it, must still be handled with appropriate precautions. Some municipalities and permit offices will require documentation of the existing material’s condition before approving a re-siding permit.
Always verify current requirements with the NYS DOL and your local building department, as regulations are subject to change.
Your Two Main Options: Removal vs. Encapsulation
When asbestos siding is confirmed and you are ready to update your home’s exterior, there are two primary approaches.
Option 1: Remove and Replace
Full removal involves a licensed abatement contractor carefully removing all asbestos-cement shingles, disposing of them per regulatory requirements, and preparing the substrate for new siding installation.
Advantages:
- Permanently eliminates the material from the home
- Clean substrate for new siding installation
- No future concerns about disclosure at resale or future renovation complications
- Some buyers and lenders prefer a clean property history
Disadvantages:
- Higher upfront cost
- Longer project timeline, as abatement must typically be completed before siding installation begins
- Requires coordination between the abatement contractor and the siding contractor
Cost range: Asbestos siding removal on a standard Long Island single-family home typically costs $5,000 to $15,000 for the abatement work alone, before new siding installation. Smaller homes with less surface area fall toward the lower end. Homes with two-story elevations, complex architectural features, or large garages included in the scope push toward the higher end. Full replacement costs, including new vinyl or fiber cement siding installation, typically add $10,000 to $20,000 or more on top of abatement, depending on material selection and home size. Our siding replacement services page outlines the full process for new installations.
Option 2: Encapsulation (Cover-Over Installation)
In many cases, new siding can be installed directly over the existing asbestos-cement shingles without removing them. This approach — sometimes called over-cladding or encapsulation — leaves the asbestos material in place, sealed behind the new exterior.
Advantages:
- Lower cost than removal
- Faster project timeline
- Eliminates the need for abatement contractor coordination
- The existing shingles actually provide additional insulation value and a solid nailing substrate
- The material remains non-friable and poses no airborne fiber risk once sealed behind new siding
Disadvantages:
- The asbestos remains in the home — a fact that must be disclosed to future buyers in New York
- Any future renovation requiring access to the wall assembly (window replacement, new penetrations) will eventually require abatement
- Adds some thickness to the exterior profile, which can affect trim, window sills, and utility penetrations
- Some older homes with deteriorated sheathing may not be suitable candidates for cover-over
Cost range: Installing new vinyl siding over existing asbestos shingles on a typical Long Island home runs $8,000 to $18,000 depending on material selection, home size, and trim complexity — without the added abatement expense. Fiber cement installation over asbestos runs somewhat higher due to the material cost and installation labor.
The right choice depends on your budget, your long-term plans for the property, and the condition of the existing material. A qualified contractor will assess your specific home and give you an honest recommendation.
The Removal Process: What to Expect
If you choose full removal, here is the sequence of events from start to finish.
1. Inspection and testing. If not already done, a licensed asbestos inspector assesses the home and collects samples for lab analysis. Results confirm asbestos content before any work begins.
2. Abatement contractor selection and permitting. Your abatement contractor files the required NYS DOL notification and obtains any necessary local permits. Most Long Island municipalities require a building permit for re-siding work; the permit application should document the presence of asbestos and the planned abatement.
3. Site preparation. The abatement crew establishes containment around the work area using polyethylene sheeting and negative air pressure systems for enclosed spaces. For exterior siding removal, a “glove bag” or wet removal method is typically used to suppress fibers at the point of removal.
4. Careful removal. Shingles are removed whole where possible to minimize breakage. Workers wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) including respirators rated for asbestos fiber.
5. Waste packaging and removal. All removed material is double-bagged in 6-mil polyethylene bags, labeled as asbestos-containing waste, and transported to a licensed disposal facility by the abatement contractor.
6. Air clearance testing. A licensed industrial hygienist conducts air clearance testing following removal to confirm that fiber levels are within safe limits before the work area is released for conventional siding installation.
7. Siding installation. Once clearance is confirmed, your siding contractor proceeds with new installation. Visit our siding replacement services page for details on what that phase involves. For a full walkthrough of the installation process itself, what to expect during a siding replacement on Long Island covers every step in detail.
Total project timeline from initial inspection to completed siding installation typically runs three to six weeks, depending on permit turnaround times, contractor scheduling, and weather.
Getting Permits Right
Permit requirements for asbestos siding work on Long Island follow the same fragmented landscape as any other exterior renovation. There is no single Nassau County or Suffolk County permit authority. Incorporated villages have their own building departments; unincorporated areas file through their town.
In most cases, you will need:
- A building permit for the siding installation (required by virtually all Long Island municipalities)
- An asbestos notification filing with the NYS DOL (handled by the abatement contractor)
- In some municipalities, a separate demolition permit for the abatement work itself
Your abatement contractor should be familiar with local permit requirements for the specific municipality where your property is located. Any contractor who suggests skipping the permit process is one you should not hire.
Questions to Ask Any Contractor
Before hiring anyone to work on a home with asbestos siding, ask the following:
- Are you licensed by the NYS DOL for asbestos handling?
- Can you provide your current license number and certificate of insurance?
- How do you handle incidental breakage of shingles during the cover-over process?
- What air monitoring procedures do you use during removal?
- Who handles the NYS DOL notification filing?
- What disposal facility do you use, and can you provide disposal documentation?
A legitimate, licensed contractor will answer these questions without hesitation. If answers are vague or you are told that permits and notifications “aren’t really necessary for a small job,” walk away.
Next Steps
Asbestos siding is a manageable situation, not a crisis. Millions of Long Island homeowners have successfully updated homes with asbestos-cement siding through either full removal or cover-over installation — safely, legally, and at reasonable cost.
If you have identified or suspect asbestos siding on your home and want an honest assessment of your options, we can help. Call us at (516) 518-3353 or visit our contact page to schedule a free consultation. We work with licensed inspectors and abatement professionals throughout Nassau and Suffolk County and can walk you through the full process from testing through final installation.
For more on selecting the right new siding for your Long Island home, see best siding options for Long Island homes, which compares vinyl, fiber cement, insulated siding, and engineered wood in detail. When you are ready to move forward with new siding, what to expect during a siding replacement on Long Island covers every stage of the project from consultation to final walkthrough.
Sarah Brennan
Long Island Exterior Co.