Old Asbestos & Aluminum Siding Replacement in Wichita, KS

Which old siding do you have?

• Asbestos-cement shingles: rigid, brittle shingles, often about 12 by 24 inches, with a wavy or dimpled surface and straight or wavy bottom edges, usually painted. Common on homes from the 1920s through the 1970s. The EPA lists cement siding and shingles among household products that may contain asbestos (EPA, protect your family from exposures to asbestos).
• Aluminum siding: thin metal lap siding that dents easily and has a chalky painted finish. If a magnet does not stick and it sounds tinny when tapped, it is likely aluminum. Common from the 1950s through the 1970s, often installed over original wood.
• Hardboard (pressed wood): lap siding made of compressed wood fibers, popular from the 1970s into the 1990s. It looks like painted wood but swells, softens and crumbles at the bottom edges and joints when water gets in.
• T1-11: plywood panel siding with vertical grooves, common on ranches, split-levels and outbuildings. It delaminates and rots at the bottom edge. See what is T1-11 siding?

If you are not sure, take close photos of a corner, the bottom edge and any broken piece, and include them when you request a quote.

Asbestos-cement siding: what to know

Asbestos-cement siding in good condition is generally not considered a hazard as long as it is left alone. The risk comes from breaking, cutting, drilling, sanding or power washing it, which can release fibers. The EPA advises against disturbing material that may contain asbestos and recommends trained, accredited professionals when it must be repaired or removed (EPA, protect your family from exposures to asbestos).

• Testing: only a lab test can confirm asbestos. Accredited inspectors take samples safely.
• Removal: removal rules depend on the building, the amount of material, who removes it and state and local requirements. In Kansas, asbestos work is regulated by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and disposal must follow its rules. Ask the contractor who will handle removal and disposal and whether a licensed asbestos contractor is involved.
• Covering: some homeowners cover intact asbestos siding with new siding instead of removing it. It avoids disturbing the shingles, but nailing through them still disturbs some material, it hides the condition of the wall behind, and it leaves the asbestos in place for the next owner to deal with. Discuss the pros and cons and the rules with the contractor.

Lead paint on older siding and trim

Homes built before 1978 may have lead paint on wood siding, trim and painted asbestos shingles. Under the EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting rule, contractors disturbing more than a small area of painted surfaces on those homes must be lead-safe certified and use containment and cleanup practices (EPA, Renovation, Repair and Painting (lead-safe) program). Ask whether the firm is EPA lead-safe certified.

Aluminum siding: replace or keep?

Aluminum siding does not rot, and well-kept aluminum can last a long time. Owners usually replace it because of dents (hail is hard on aluminum), a chalky, faded finish, loose pieces, or because they want a new look or better insulation. Replacement usually means removing the aluminum, which is recyclable as scrap, inspecting whatever is underneath (often original wood clapboard), repairing as needed, and installing house wrap and new siding. Covering aluminum with new siding is rarely recommended because it is not a flat, solid nail base.

Hardboard and T1-11: replace when it starts to fail

Hardboard and T1-11 fail from the edges in. Once swelling and rot are spread across several walls, replacing individual boards becomes a losing battle, and matching discontinued hardboard profiles is often impossible. Engineered wood (LP SmartSide), fiber cement and vinyl are the usual replacements, and engineered wood panels are a natural fit for T1-11 walls on outbuildings.

What is under the old siding

Old siding often hides problems: missing or damaged sheathing, no water-resistive barrier at all, rotted sills around windows and old wiring routed through exterior walls. A good replacement quote explains how surprises like these will be handled. Older homes sometimes have board sheathing or none, which affects how new siding is fastened.

Permits

In Wichita and other MABCD areas, siding replacement over 400 square feet in 12 months needs a permit (Wichita-Sedgwick County Unified Building and Trade Code (permit exemptions)), so a whole-house replacement of old siding does. Asbestos removal has its own regulatory requirements separate from the siding permit.

Questions to ask

• Has my siding been tested for asbestos, and if not, should it be?
• Who will remove and dispose of asbestos-containing siding, and what rules apply?
• Is your firm EPA lead-safe certified for work on pre-1978 homes?
• Will you remove the old siding or cover it, and why?
• How will you handle rotted sheathing or missing sheathing?
• What new material do you recommend for this house, and why?

What replacement usually looks like

For a typical mid-century Wichita-area home with aluminum or asbestos siding, a replacement project often includes removing the old siding (with asbestos handled by qualified workers), repairing or adding sheathing, installing house wrap and flashing at every window and door, new siding and trim, and new soffit and fascia at the same time. Some homeowners also replace windows while the walls are open; see siding and window projects.

Getting a quote

Choose "Siding replacement" on the form and mention the type of old siding in the details, along with the year the house was built if you know it. We will call you back to set up a free quote. Published ranges, including removal and disposal, are in the cost guide.

What does it cost? See published national ranges for old siding removal in the siding cost guide. They are general industry estimates, not quotes.

Related guides

• What Is T1-11 Siding? Problems, Repair and Replacement
• Can You Put New Siding Over Old Siding?

Good to know: Requesting a quote is free and there is no obligation. Ask for a written quote that lists the material, the scope, permits and the warranty terms.