Asbestos siding and roof shingles
Hard cement siding and roof shingles on older homes may contain asbestos. Like other asbestos materials, they're not likely to be a risk while intact. The risk comes from breaking, cutting, sanding or drilling them. Test before any repair or replacement.
How likely is it?
- EPA lists "roofing and siding shingles" among places asbestos is found in homes (EPA).
- CPSC lists "asbestos cement roofing, shingles, and siding" (CPSC).
- New York's Labor Department lists "transite (cement) siding" among materials assumed to contain asbestos.
Only a lab test confirms whether siding or shingles contain asbestos.
What not to do
Asbestos releases fibers when it's cut, sanded, sawed, drilled, scraped or broken (EPA). For contractors, OSHA's rules say siding and roofing should come off intact where possible, and prohibit cutting, abrading or breaking siding, shingles or transite panels unless no safer method works (29 CFR 1926.1101).
Your options
- Leave it and maintain it: intact siding isn't likely to be a health risk.
- Cover it: siding over the old layer avoids removal, if the installer won't need to cut or break it.
- Remove it: test first, and hire a trained, accredited professional. Some states let homeowners do it under strict conditions: check yours.
Cost
Published estimates for siding removal run about $3 to $15 per square foot. Roof removal figures vary too widely to estimate reliably: get quotes. Estimate siding.
Sources
Last reviewed October 29, 2026. See our sources.