Is There Asbestos In Vinyl Flooring

Asphalt based asbestos floor tiles and later plastic or vinyl based asbestos flooring were popular in the u s.

Is there asbestos in vinyl flooring.

Unfortunately vinyl tiles and sheet flooring that contain asbestos pose a potential exposure risk. Mixing asbestos fibers into building materials makes them stronger and more heat resistant. New vinyl laminate flooring hardwood engineered floating flooring and carpeting can all be successfully installed over asbestos tiles. Asbestos is fibrous meaning it can be pulled apart into a soft woolly consistency.

The wondrous new no wax flooring sold by companies such as congoleum put a glossy sheen on post war american prosperity. Some asbestos containing flooring products were manufactured we estimate as early as the late 1920 s. Unfortunately particularly for 1970s and early 1980 s vinyl floor tiles there were popular patterns that were originally produced using asbestos fibers and filler that later were produced in almost the identical design but without asbestos. The vinyl acts as a binder that holds the asbestos fibres within a solid matrix.

Asbestos has been used in vinyl wallpaper since the 1920s and vinyl floor tiles and sheet flooring rose to prominence in the 1950s. If the material is in good condition it normally does not pose a threat because the asbestos is enclosed in vinyl preventing the fibres from escaping. In the 1940 s 1970 s and were produced by some manufacturers armstrong as late as 1980. This is why asbestos was a popular additive in vinyl flooring products for much of the 20th century.

But the flooring companies aim wasn t so much to make the floor tiles fireproof as it was to make the tiles more durable. Asbestos is a mineral that lends fireproofing qualities to any substance it is mixed with. Vinyl flooring with asbestos may also have adhesives that contain asbestos as well.