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Armstrong floor combining Seaspray Green D911 and Foam Grean C092 from a 1955 Armstrong floor catalog at InspectApedia.comIndex to Asbestos Flooring Identification Guides

Identification Key to asbestos-containing flooring

  • POST a QUESTION or COMMENT about how to identify asbestos-containing flooring materials and what to do when asbestos-containing floor tiles or sheet flooring are found in a building.

Index to guides used to Identify Floor Tiles & Sheet Flooring That May Contain Asbestos:

This article lists all of the ways to identify asbestos-suspect or asbestos-containing floor covering tiles & sheet flooring.

Our original Vinyl Asbestos Floor Tile (and asphalt asbestos and sheet flooring asbestos) photo catalog became so huge that the file was slow to load and unwieldy - so we broke the catalog into segments by year range.

Scan through our images of asphalt asbestos or vinyl asbestos flooring, both tiles and sheet flooring) using the links below by starting at the earliest year that might pertain to your building or to when you think the flooring was installed.

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

- Daniel Friedman, Publisher/Editor/Author - See WHO ARE WE?

Index to Asbestos-Containing Floor Tile Identification Guides & Photos

Vinyl asbestos flooring 1974 (C) Daniel FriedmanHere we provide an index to all of the guides and photographs of asbestos-containing floor files or sheet flooring products to permit identification of definite, probable, or possible asbestos materials in buildings.

Asbestos is safe and legal to remain in homes or public buildings as long as the asbestos materials are in good condition and the asbestos can not be released into the air.

 

Because many floor tile patterns were produced over many years there is of course overlap among these year ranges.

These photo guides to asphalt asbestos & vinyl asbestos floor tiles and to sheet flooring that does or does not contain asbestos are given for each year shows at include color photos of each floor tile style or pattern in an example color.

The list below each group of photos includes the names of and links to additional photos for other colors of these styles.

Quick Answer: see DOES THIS FLOOR CONTAIN ASBESTOS?

How to Find Your Floor Tile or Sheet Flooring in the Flooring Reference Photo Guides Listed Just Below

Vinyl asbestos floor tile identification photo U.S. Library of Congress Vinyl asbestos floor tile identification photo U.S. Library of Congress

Asphalt asbestos and vinyl-asbestos floor tiles were produced in 9" x 9", 12" x 12", and even 18" x 18" as well as in decorative strips, and in thicknesses of 1/16", 3/32", and 1/8", also in 0.08 gauge.

Some sheet flooring or resilient flooring also contained asbestos, as did floor tile mastics.

This photo guide to asphalt asbestos & vinyl asbestos floor tiles for each year shows at least one color photo of each floor tile style or pattern in an example color. A list below each group of photos includes the names of and links to additional photos for other colors of these styles.

Asbestos is safe and legal to remain in homes or public buildings as long as the asbestos materials are in good condition and the asbestos can not be released into the air.

To identify a particular asphalt-asbestos or vinyl-asbestos floor tile pattern & color, start in the image group most likely to be the same age as your building.

If you don't find your floor tile or sheet flooring by looking forward from that that year, you should also look backwards in the earlier years as your specific flooring pattern & color may have first appeared in an earlier year. For other tile brands than Armstrong, see the brand name floor tile links included in this list.

If you can identify your floor tile collection name or model number, or if you recognize it in the extensive library of flooring color and pattern photographs provided in these pages, laboratory testing of the sample to screen the flooring for asbestos may be unnecessary.

Index to Asbestos & Non-Asbestos Flooring Identification Guides by Year & Brand

Many of the colors and patterns of asphalt-asbestos or vinyl-asbestos floor tiles were manufactured over many years and may appear in more than one of the floor tile photo collections listed by date range here.

For each year we list the names of the tile patterns sold during that year, we include representative color images of the floor tiles, and throughout the entire floor tile pattern & color history series we include each floor tile color & pattern of the floor tile in the first year that it appeared , and we include representative colors and patterns in other years.

Examples of floor tile packaging, labeling, and other information can be found throughout the flooring photo collections listed here.

...


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Reader Comments, Questions & Answers About The Article Above

Below you will find questions and answers previously posted on this page at its page bottom reader comment box.

Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

Does this 1950s kitchen floor contain asbestos?

green sheet flooring (C) InspectApedia.com Deborah

Hi--I've lived in my apartment for 30 years. This flooring is in the kitchen, and it's chipping quite badly; concerned about asbestos. Building was built in 1950's, although I don't know if this is original. Thanks so much for any help. - On 2023-12-15 by Deborah Haines

Reply by InspectApedia Publisher - flooring and backing could contain asbestos

@Deborah Haines,

Looks like that was really a nice floor in its day but I agree that it's worn and damaged and some of the backer is showing through.

Simplist at least expensive and safest approaches to leave the flooring in place and simply cover it over with a new layer. That's considered safe and perfectly acceptable. More details and options can be read in our article

ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION

For which you will find a live link in the recommended articles list on this page.

Followup by Deborah Haines

@InspectApedia Publisher, Thanks--do you think it contains asbestos, or is it impossible to tell? It's rough enough in some spots that I'm not sure they could lay a flooring on top without sanding, but obviously wouldn't want to do that if there's a risk. Appreciate your help!

If you have an inkling about how much of a risk this flooring is, I'd love to hear--I'm worried about it now!

Reply by InspectApedia Publisher

@Deborah Haines,

The anxiety about asbestos in a case like this may be a greater health hazard in my OPINION,

But it's easy enough to take a very low cost temporary step to make the floor less of a possible concern: buy some spray floor paint in a suitable color and just spray those worn spots so that they're less likely to shed until you've had time to replace the floor.


Someone told me these asphalt tiles contain asbestos

asphalt floor tiles (C) InspectApedia.com Alfred

Are these asphalt tiles someone told me they was and they contain asbestos - On 2023-12-11 by Alfred casingena

Reok by InspectApedia DF (mod)

@Alfred casingena,

That's certainly possible, but as we don't know the building age and location nor that of the floor, a more-accurate guess is at

DOES THIS FLOOR CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 5 easy questions to tell if your FLOOR probably contains asbestos -

https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/DIY-Asbestos-Material-Test.php

Please take a look, answer those questions as best you can, and let me know if you need more help.

Dan


Does this marble chip linoleum contain asbestos?

marble chip flooring (C) InspectApedia.com Ruth

Read that many linoleum type floors don't have asbestos in the linoleum, but rather, in the backing which is felt like. Does this look like it? Can't find pattern/manufacturer so far. - On 2023-11-30 y Ruth m

On 2023-11-30 by InspectApedia Publisher - Yes: see this Marble / stone chip pattern flooring asbestos article

@Ruth m,

That flooring contains asbestos.

Details about that sheet flooring product and pattern, its manufacturer, history, patterns and asbestos content are at

MARBLE / STONE CHIP PATTERN FLOORING ASBESTOS

Please take a look and don't hesitate to post follow-up questions or comments there.

Dan


Does this sheet floor contain asbestos?

bathroom sheet flooring (C) InspectApedia.com BrandonK

I removed this floor does it look to contain asbestos 4'6x3' sheet floor - On 2023-11-22 by Brandon kelso

On 2023-11-22 by InspectApedia DF (mod)

@Brandon kelso,

I can't see much of your bathroom floor, but it's easy to make a reasonable guess at the asbestos question.

As a first step, you would do well to take a look at the easy questions in the article

DOES THIS FLOOR CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 5 easy questions to tell if your FLOOR probably contains asbestos

(live link for this article is in the Recommended Articles list on this page)


Does this Armstrong sheet vinyl floor contain any asbestos?

Armstrong Excelon Swirl Chip flooring (C) InspectApedia.com Jo

I have this in my kitchen. All I know is that was Made by Armstrong but I don't know what year. It's a vinyl Sheet flooring. Any chances it contains Asbestos? - On 2023-05-30 by Jo

Reply by InspectApedia DF (mod)

@Jo,

Your photo seems to match the Armstrong Excelon Swirl Chip vinyl asbestos floor tile pattern shown on this page:

MARBLE / STONE CHIP PATTERN FLOORING ASBESTOS

It would be prudent to treat this as presumed asbestos containing material but it also looks to be in good condition so no need to panic. The safest and simplest thing to do is the leave the flooring in place and cover with new flooring or seal it.

In the Recommended Articles list just above on this page, see the live link for

ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION

Followup by Jo - I already removed this asbestos suspect flooring: now what do I do?

@InspectApedia DF,

I already removed it as someone who works in demolition told us this type of floor does not contain asbestos.

I am now worried for me and my family. What should I do next?

Replyby InspectApedia DF (mod) - damp wiping and HEPA vacuum are basic procedures for asbestos flooring dust cleanup

@Jo,

Of course, we don’t know what was involved in the removal of the flooring and what the cleanup at that time was. Your onsite demolition person may have been able to identify it more accurately, or not.

If it was sheet flooring and you/they were able to mainly roll it up and remove it, there would be little risk. The bigger risk is when it is ground, chopped, sawn - creating dust.

But again, we don’t even know if it contained asbestos. No need to panic as that could be more of a health risk than the possibility of asbestos itself.

Fresh air ventilation and a follow-up cleaning by damp wiping and HEPA vacuuming are reasonable if you're concerned about the airborne asbestos & demolition dust.

Try to avoid tracking dust into other building areas and wearing persona protective equipment (PPE) during any cleanup is also a good idea.


Gold vinyl linoleum floor from 1976 to be covered or removed: asbestos worry?

1976 Gold Block Flooring (C) InspectApedia.com Guinevere

I discovered this gold vinyl or linoleum floor after removing the underlayment and much newer floor. I want to remove this gold floor to lower the height level. I put vinyl plank over it a few years back but it is failing so I am hoping to remove it all.

Does anyone know if this one has abspetos? This is the only photo I have. My house was built in 1976. - On 2023-05-27 by Guinevere

Reply by InspectApedia DF (mod) - 1976 gold block flooring

@Guinevere,

Given we don’t know that exact pattern and given the year 1976, it would be best to treat that flooring as presumed to contain asbestos.

First take a look at

DOES THIS FLOOR CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 5 easy questions to tell if your FLOOR probably contains asbestos

And then also our articles on

ASBESTOS FLOORING REMOVAL GUIDE
and
ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION

Live links for all of these are found in the Recommended Articles list just above on this page.


Asbestos 12"x12" floor tiles in 1920's house?

Tan brick floor tiles (C) InspectApedia.com Kate

Hello I’m in a rental and this is the floor. Could it contain asbestos? I’m only worried because the floor is pretty damaged throughout the space, and I don’t really have access to test. They’re 12 x 12 tiles.

I forgot to add, the house is old 1920s? but obviously this is newer but have no idea when it was installed but looks like 80s or 90s?

Thank you so much! - On 2023-03-09 by Kate

Reply by InspectApedia Editor - light tan or beige or white brick pattern flooring asbestos?

@Kate,

That looks like a 1970's or 1980's or later vinyl floor tile.

It could contain asbestos but, of course, we can't determine that for sure from one photo. I don't see this pattern in our identification guides but even a same pattern, manufactured at different times, may or may not contain asbestos.

If this was installed after 1986 in North America, it wouldn't contain asbestos as that was the final year of asbestos containing flooring to be allowed.

From the photo, it doesn't look too damaged but of course, we can't see the rest of the floor. If it did contain asbestos, the simplest and safest thing to do is to leave it in place and cover with new flooring or seal it.

Can you ask your landlord of the installation date?

In the Recommended Articles list just above on this page, see the live link for

DOES THIS FLOOR CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 5 easy questions to tell if your FLOOR probably contains asbestos

And in the that same list of articles, you can learn more about

HAZARD ASSESSMENT and REDUCTION and
ASBESTOS FLOORING REMOVAL GUIDE

at the end of this article

 

Thank you to our readers for their generous comments

On 2023-05-29 by Guinevere

@InspectApedia DF, Thanks so much and this info is much appreciated.

 


...

Continue reading at DOES THIS FLOOR CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 5 easy questions to tell if your FLOOR probably contains asbestos -, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see ASBESTOS FLOOR TILE IDENTIFICATION FAQs - questions and answers posted originally on this page

Or see these

Recommended Articles

Suggested citation for this web page

ASBESTOS FLOORING IDENTIFICATION GUIDE INDEX - all brands, all years at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.


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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to ASBESTOS HAZARDS

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Citations & References

In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.

  • David Grudzinski, Advantage Home Inspections, is a professional home inspector in Cranston, RI. 02910. He can be reached at 401-935-6547, fax- 401-490-0607 or by email to contact/us@advantagehomeinspections.us 04/26/2009
  • Thanks to reader R.M. for the photo and test information documenting chrysotile asbestos in a vinyl-asbestos floor tile from a 1969 home. January 2011.
  • Thanks to reader Kim for the photo of black and white VAT resembling Armstrong Excelon from a 1952 home - January 2011.
  • EVER WEAR TILE CO is currently (2009) in the Terrazzo, Tile, Marble, and Mosaic Work industry in Fallon, NV. 775) 423-6221. [We do not know the company history nor whether there is an association with EverWear vinyl asbestos floor tiles discussed in this article.]
  • "Asbestos in your home or at work," Forsyth County Environmental Affairs Department, Winston-Salem NC12/08
  • "Asbestos Floor Tile Removal", the University of Minnesota's advice on removing VAT (vinyl asbestos or asphalt asbestos floor tile) can be read in detail at www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/asbestos/floortile/index.html
  • EPA, ASBESTOS IN YOUR HOME [PDF] - U.S. EPA, Exposure Evaluation Division, Office of Toxic Substances, Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington,D.C. 20460
  • Resilient Floor Covering Institute, 1030 15th St. NW, suite 350, Washington D.C.
  • ASBESTOS REGULATIONS FOR SCHOOLS (the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act, "AHERA") [PDF] (96 pp, 589k), web search 08/17/2010, original source: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/2003pt763.pdf,
  • Asbestos Regulations: State asbestos regulatory agencies (5 pp, 17k) (original source http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/statecontactsapril2009.pdf ) for information on how to find an accredited asbestos professional.
  • Asbestos products and their history and use in various building materials such as asphalt and vinyl flooring includes discussion which draws on ASBESTOS, ITS INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS, ROSATO 1959, D.V. Rosato, engineering consultant, Newton, MA, Reinhold Publishing, 1959 Library of Congress Catalog Card No.: 59-12535 (out of print).
  • EPA Guidance for Controlling Asbestos-Containing Materials in buildings, NIAST, National Institute on Abatement Sciences & Technology, [republishing EPA public documents] 1985 ed., Exposure Evaluation Division, Office of Toxic Substances, Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington,D.C. 20460
  • The ABCs of Asbestos in Schools (August 2003), U.S. EPA, Web search 08/17/2010, original source: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/abcsfinal.pdf - aqui se encuenta la misma documenta escrito en Espan~ol: El ABC del Asbestos en las Escuelas, copy on file as /sickhouse/EPA_Asbestos_ABCs_Schools_Spanish.pdf, fuente original: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/spanishabcs.pdf
  • How to Manage Asbestos in School buildings, AHERA Designated Person Self Study Guide, U.S. EPA 910-B-96-001, January 1996, web search 08/17/2010, original source: http://www.epa.gov/region2/ahera/e23.pdf
  • MANAGING ASBESTOS in PLACE: A Building Owner's Guide to Operations and Maintenance Programs for Asbestos-Containing Materials ("Green Book"), web search 08/11/2010, original source: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/management_in_place.html
    How to Develop and Maintain a Building Asbestos Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Program, This information is designed to assist building owners and managers in understanding how to develop and maintain an operations and maintenance program for asbestos-containing materials in their buildings.
  • EPA ASBESTOS REGULATIONS FOR SCHOOLS (the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act, "AHERA") [PDF] (96 pp, 589k), web search 08/17/2010, original source: http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/2003pt763.pdf, require that an accredited inspector reinspect school buildings at least once every three years to reassess the condition of ACM.
  • "Asbestos Floor Tile Removal Guide & Instructions - copy on file as Asbestos_Floor_Tile_Removal_MDH.pdf ] - ", Minnesota Department of Health, retrieved 12/7/2010, original source: http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/asbestos/floortile/index.html
  • Asbestos Identification and Testing References
    • Asbestos Identification, Walter C.McCrone, McCrone Research Institute, Chicago, IL.1987 ISBN 0-904962-11-3. Dr. McCrone literally "wrote the book" on asbestos identification procedures which formed the basis for current work by asbestos identification laboratories.
    • Stanton, .F., et al., National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 506: 143-151
    • Pott, F., Staub-Reinhalf Luft 38, 486-490 (1978) cited by McCrone
  • ASBESTOS IN YOUR HOME U.S. EPA, Exposure Evaluation Division, Office of Toxic Substances, Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington,D.C. 20460
  • Asbestos products and their history and use in various building materials such as asphalt and vinyl flooring includes discussion which draws on ASBESTOS, ITS INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS, ROSATO 1959, D.V. Rosato, engineering consultant, Newton, MA, Reinhold Publishing, 1959 Library of Congress Catalog Card No.: 59-12535 (out of print, text and images available at InspectAPedia.com).
  • EPA ASBESTOS MATERIALS BAN: CLARIFICATION 1999
  • EPA Guidance for Controlling Asbestos-Containing Materials in buildings, NIAST, National Institute on Abatement Sciences & Technology, [republishing EPA public documents] 1985 ed., Exposure Evaluation Division, Office of Toxic Substances, Office of Pesticides and Toxic Substances, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington,D.C. 20460
  • In addition to citations & references found in this article, see the research citations given at the end of the related articles found at our suggested

    CONTINUE READING or RECOMMENDED ARTICLES.

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