Blue colored asphalt asbestos and vinyl asbestos floor tiles, 1900 -1986 using dominant floor tile color of blue to identify the probable asbestos-containing floor tile brand, pattern, and age.

Here is an asbestos floor tile identification key sorted by primary flooring color: blue.

This article series provides a guide to identifying asphalt-asbestos flooring (1917 - ca 1960) & vinyl asbestos floor tile (ca 1952 - 1986) and colors for asbestos-containing floor tile products made between about 1930 and 1986 - flooring materials that are reported to or have been confirmed to contain asbestos in asbestos fiber or asbestos powder-filler form.

These flooring products typically contain chrysotile asbestos, and possibly other asbestos forms.

Examples of Blue Floor Tiles Containing Asbestos

On this page we give examples of popular blue or mostly blue floor tiles that contained asbestos. Click the pattern names to see images not already shown, or

[Click to enlarge any image]

• ACOMA BLUE 705 Excelon straight-grained blue floor tile with some black and white, from 1961 - above

• BRITTANY BLUE 758, shown above, from 1954

• BLUE-OLIVE 54520 Excelon floor tile from 1973, by Armstrong. You'll note that what manufacturers call "blue" can vary considerably in hue.

• CORNWALL BLUE No. 733 - shown above, is a spatter pattern vinyl or asphalt asbestos floor tile from 1959
  
  Spatter pattern floor tiles were produced in Andover White 735, Bedford Gray 736, Cape Cod Beige 737, Cornwall Blue, Dorset Black, Rutland Beige 746, Worcester Gray 749

• CUSTOM BURNHAM BLUE 57080 floor tile, shown above, from 1973

• CUSTOM SAN PEDRO BLUE WHITE 57070 above, from a 1973 Armstrong floor tile catalog

• EXCELON CHANDELLE EMBOSSED BLUE-OLIVE 54520 (above), also from 1973

• ISLETA BLUE 711, shown above, from 1962

• LAGOON BLUE No. D-952 Standard Asphalt Asbestos Floor tile (1954)

• NORWICH TURQUOISE 743 dhown above, from its 1956 catalog appearance

• POWHATAN TURQUOISE No. 787, also an Armstrong floor tile, from 1958, shown above

• SHAWNEE BLUE 773 floor tile from 1955 - above.

Armstrong and other floor tile or sheet flooring manufacturers often offered several patterns with a particular dominant color that can help quickly identify the flooring brand and style.

Above is the color key to Armstrong Feature solid color floor tiles & accent strips 12" x 12" x 1/8" solid color floor tiles and 1" x 24" solid color vinyl-asbestos flooring accent strips in the colors shown. These tiles were intended for accent spots, not for tiling an entire floor, because the solid color flooring would show scratches.

Light Beige, rose, gray and blue chip pattern sheet flooring like that below is discussed

at MARBLE / STONE CHIP PATTERN FLOORING ASBESTOS

 

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Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2021-05-27 by (mod) - is it "safe" to say this blue bath wall "tile" contains asbestos?

@Ty:

If by "safe to call this wall covering asbestos" you mean" is it very likely that I'm right and it's an asbestos material: my answer is no, we have no basis to know what that material is from your photo alone,

but

If by "safe" you mean "am I erring on the safe side by treating an unknown wall-covering fake tiles as asbestos" - sure, it's always "safer" to treat an unknown material as possibly hazardous.

If you look at the material more-closely you may see that it is actually a wood-based fiberboard or hardboard product laminated with a plastic or vinyl skin to resemble tile - as that was a very common wall covering.

At our description of "Bathroom & Kitchen Laminated Hardboard Panels"

in our discussion at HARDBOARD BATHROOM & KITCHEN PANELS we state:

Laminated Masonite® and other hardboard products have been widely used as water-resistant panels to cover walls and sometimes ceilings in bathrooms, kitchens, and other work areas.

A hard thin plastic laminate was applied to the hardboard surface to simulate marble, tile, or other materials.

I will add your Q&A there to invite further reader comment that may be helpful.

Meanwhile, take a closer look at the edge or at any points of wear or damage to see if you can identify brown woody fibrous backerboard - and attach a sharp photo of what you find here or on the target page I just cited.

Yes it is "safe" to leave this wall covering in place and to cover it after you've made sure you won't have to remove it later to address mold or other water damage from prior leaks.

On 2021-05-27 by Ty

Is it safe to say that this material contains asbestos? Might be hard to tell from only one image

First time home buyer and bought a house that was built in the 1930's and remodeled around 1960. We have seen there is asbestos flooring in parts of the house but my question is about a recent finding during a bathroom demo.

The blue tile is in a sheet of vinyl with no specific dimensions. It has a circular or flower like adhesive on the back of the sheet. Is it safe to say this is asbestos? Is it safe to cover?

[Photo above]

On 2020-10-06 by (mod) - asbestos in 1950s and later blue-streaked 9x9 floor tiles similar to Armstrong Seneca White

I agree, Mike that there were other Armstrong floor tile patterns that were much like Seneca white but sold in other shades and colors.

The chances that there is asbestos in the tile and in the mastic are very significant.

On 2020-10-06 by Mike

I have I what I assume are 9x9 tiles.

Look like Seneca white but they have blue streaks instead of black what are the chances they contain asbestos. Have a mastic back

On 2019-10-01 by (mod) - Any chance this blue flooring is NOT asbestos ?

JJ

That looks like an older asphalt-based or vinyl-based asbetos-containing floor tile but with not even a guess at its age one cannot be sure.

As I have no information at all about your floor tile such as country, city, age, or building age,

your best guess at the tile asbestos question is to go through the 5 easy questions at

DOES THIS FLOOR CONTAIN ASBESTOS?

On 2019-10-01 by Jj

Any chance this is not asbestos tile? Looks darker blue indoors .

Any chance this is not asbestos tile?

-

On 2019-05-04 by (mod) - asbestos in S © (ARMSTRONG 1542032598 oceean blue floor tiles from 1970s?

If you think the flooring was installed in the 1970s, treat it as presumed to contain asbestos

On 2019-05-03 by Anonymous

@Ken Rogers,

Tthis floor tile was found under bathroom linoleum sheeting, on top of replacement decking done sometime in the 70's due to water damage around and beneath toilet. sheets are an ocean blue . stamped on back with S © (ARMSTRONG 1542032598

On 2019-05-03 by Ken Rogers

need help for info on armstrong peel and stick floor tile . number on back of tiles is 1542032598

On 2019-04-05 by (mod) - blue and white checkered tiles contains asbestos ?

Sue

Thanks for the query - no, not from a photo of solid blue and white floor tiles alone can one say if a floor has asbestos content or not.

But the Q&A at DOES THIS FLOORING CONTAIN ASBESTOS? https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/DIY-Asbestos-Floor-Test.php should be helpful; please take a look and let me know what you think.

On 2019-04-05 by sue

Hello- would you be able to tell if the blue and white checkered tiles contains asbestos ?

thank you so much for your help !
IMAGE LOST by older version of Comments code - now fixed. Please re-post the image if you can. Sorry. Mod.

On 2018-11-17 (mod) -

Wayne I can't make a certain asbestos determination from your (excellent) photo, but given the age of the floor I'd treat it as presumed to contain asbestos.

On 2018-11-16 by wayne

getting ready to remodel this room in a public building. Don't see anything like it in pics above, but some of them are not very clear. this building was built in 72-74 area

IMAGE LOST by older version of Comments code - now fixed. Please re-post the image if you can. Sorry. Mod.

Question:

(June 19, 2014) Anonymous said:

the tile in the basement of the house which was built in 1935 is blue and white-wondering if it is asbestos

Reply:

Certainly based on age that's a reasonable assumption if the floor tile is asphalt or vinyl material.

On 2013-03-25 by Mod - asbestos in self-stick felt floor tiles?

Stephanie,

Interesting question, I don't know for sure. My research has found that asbestos was used in some carpet paddings and backings; I have not found any reference to that material specifically in adhesive-backed carpet tiles.

I'd like to see some photos of the tiles, both sides and any brand markings.

If you decide to have a section tested the cost is not great, typically around $50.

Keep me posted.

On 2013-03-24 by Stephanie

I have adhesive backed felt carpet tile 12x12 by 1/4 inch that was put down in the 60's or 70's. Is it possible that the adhesive or carpet tile contain asbestos. The felt tiles are red and blue.

 

Question 1989 & Later Armstrong Accoflex Series Flooring Tiles

I think I've looked through all the photos here and fortunately, the only one that appears to resemble what I have is in the "1989 & Later Armstrong Accoflex Series Flooring Tiles" image just above this comment box.

UNfortuneately, it is very difficult to be sure from this small image and i am sure what I have is NOT from the UK.

The tiles I have are 12" x 12", 1/8" thick light blue and white (like streaked clouds on a blue sky) resembling "Spruce" above.

The tiles are VERY heavy, quite inflexible and have very tiny sparkling crystals throughout. These physical apsects make me very uneasy. Since the tiles are at least 25 years or more old, should I be concerned? Where might I go for an expert opinion? Thanks. - Scott 2/1/2012

 

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Continue reading   at DOES THIS MATERIAL CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 5 easy questions to tell if a BUILDING MATERIAL 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 COLOR KEY FAQs - questions and answers posted originally on this page

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• ASBESTOS FLOORING IDENTIFICATION GUIDE INDEX - all brands, all years
• ASBESTOS FLOOR TILE PHOTO ID GUIDE - home
• ASBESTOS FLOOR TILE IDENTIFICATION COLOR KEY - home
• ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION
• ASBESTOS FLOORING LEFT IN PLACE
• ASBESTOS FLOORING REMOVAL GUIDE
• DOES THIS FLOOR CONTAIN ASBESTOS? - 5 easy questions to tell if your FLOOR probably contains asbestos -
• FLOOR TILE / SHEET FLOORING PHOTO GUIDES

Suggested citation for this web page

ASBESTOS FLOOR TILE IDENTIFICATION BLUE at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to ASBESTOS HAZARDS

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