Color photo guide to white or mostly-white or ivory tone asphalt asbestos and vinyl asbestos floor tiles, 1900 -1986 using dominant floor tile color 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: ivory, white or principally-white colored flooring that may contain asbestos.

This article series provides a guide to identifying asphalt-asbestos flooring (1917 - ca 1960) & vinyl asbestos floor tile (ca 1952 - 1986): identification photographs, product names, styles, colors, and vinyl-asbestos floor patterns, 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 White or Ivory Light Colored Asbestos-Containing Floor Tiles

Photo: white brick pattern flooring from an older North American Home. If your floor tiles or sheet flooring look like the pattern in our photo,

see SHEET & TILE FLOORING ASBESTOS ID-WHITE BRICK

Here are examples of popular white or mostly white floor tiles that contained asbestos.

Click the pattern names to see images not already shown, or

[Click to enlarge any image]

Below: Armstrong sheet flooring that matches the Armstrong Excelon Swirl Chip vinyl asbestos floor tile pattern released in 1968 and shown as a small tile image

Early and popular white floor tile patterns

• ACAPULCO WHITE 51762 - above
• ALLEGRO WHITE 801

• ANCESTRAL WHITE 861 - above

• ANDOVER WHITE 735 - above

• CHALKI WHITE 750 - above
• CHELSEA WHITE 731

• CHEROKEE WHITE 776 - above

• CONCERTO WHITE 805 - shown above

• The Dominion white-background linoleum above is discussed in detail at DOMINION & Other CANADIAN FLOORING ASBESTOS
  
  and the Congoleum Linoleum rug in White & Green pattern (shown below, estimated installation in 1949 ) is discussed in detail
  
  at 1928 CONGOLEUM RUGS SHEET FLOORING - Canadian Congoleum .

...

• EMBOSSED CRAFTLON STONEFIELD WHITE 54472 shown above

  is discussed in more-detail

  at MARBLE / STONE CHIP PATTERN FLOORING ASBESTOS

• DAKOTA WHITE 713 - above

• DIANNA WHITE CALIGULA - above

• DIANNA WHITE OLYMPUS

• DIANNA WHITE TRAJAN

• DOMCO Canadian flooring, white, modern - shown above, is detailed at DOMINION & Other CANADIAN FLOORING ASBESTOS

• IVORYTONE 833 - above, from 1959
• MEADOW WHITE 54193 [click to see]
• MINT WHITE 868
• MULTI WHITE 54525
• PRELUDE IVORY 806
• SENECA WHITE 770 - this was a very popular floor pattern widely used over many years

• 

  CUSTOM SHALESTONE (Bushkill white - left) 12" x 12" x 1/16" floor tile images from 1969

• SHATTERED STONE WHITE 51173
• SHATTERED STONE MULTI-WHITE 51171
• SMOOTH SURFACE EXCELON DRIFTSTONE AZTEC WHITE 51161
• STATUARY WHITE 54190

• Vinylasa Floor tiles, White, shown above, Vinylasa SS-T-312B Class IV, Astm F 1066 - discussed at
• WHITE 51880
• WHITE 54522
• WHITE GOLD 356
• WILD HONEY 876
• In addition, Excelon solid color strips were provided in Plain White 791

Hexagonal and Octagonal White, Beige, Yellow Floor Tile & Sheet Flooring Patterns

Above: Armstrong® Excelon 12x12 vinyl asbestos flooring made in 1972 and below

CUSTOM BISQUE BEIGE 57092 vinyl asbestos flooring as installed in a Massachusetts home.

Below, a similar Excelon Embossed: CUSTOM BISQUE 12" x 12" x 1/16" a new Armstrong flooring pattern in 1972.

...

Shown below is an Armstrong 12"x12" x 1/16" thick Custom Bisque #57090-White vinyl-asbestos floor tile from our online photo catalog

at Asphalt-Asbestos & Vinyl-Asbestos Floor Tiles Identification Photos - 1975-1979.

This tile was sold in White 57090, Rust, Beige 57092, Brown, Bronze, and olive vinyl asbestos floor tiles.

Below: a similar pattern produced by Kentile and found in a 1980's home - discussed at KENTILE KENFLEX ASBESTOS FLOOR TILE GUIDE

 

 

Test Results for White Stone-Chip Armstrong Sheet Flooring - 70% Asbestos

In one of the asbestos pages of your site there is a second photo of a white stone-chip pattern sheet flooring [probably from the 1960s - Ed.].

I wanted to let you know that I have that exact same sheet layment and had it tested. It's 70% asbestos.

I appreciate your site. Thank you for taking the time to put together all the information. - D.H. 10/11/2012

Reply:

Thank you so much D.H.

See details about this type of sheet flooring

at MARBLE / STONE CHIP PATTERN FLOORING ASBESTOS

Asphalt or Vinyl Asbestos Floor Tiles Color Guide

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. We include some examples here.

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.

Abestos-containing floor tile pattern number key

For Armstrong floor tiles, the three digit color or pattern numbers originated in the 1950's or 1960's while the five-digit color or pattern numbers date typically from the 1970's or 1980's.

Other manufacturers used different numbering and flooring naming schemes.

 

 

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Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2021-05-15 - by (mod) - pellets of white floor tiles on the floor

@Suz, with respect, that sounds ...
Ineffective ...

And also inviting more mold growth. Too slow, too long - if we don't remove water in 24-48 hours we invite mold growth on many building materials; wet areas under and behind cabinets can become mold-city.

On 2021-05-15 by Suzanne - contractor wants to run a fan in front of the cabinet for 3 days to dry it out.

the contractor wants to run a fan in front of the cabinet for 3 days to dry it out. There are little "pellets" and grainy pieces on the floor.

On 2021-05-15 by (mod)

@Suzanne, if there was no dusty mess and you're leaving g the flooring in place and covering it there ought not be an issue.

On 2021-05-15 by Suzanne

Found this tile under the base of a built in cabinet in our 1961 built house after mold was found in the cabinet. Contractor insists it's not asbestos. It looks like Armstrong Pastel gray 870. It feels like a very hard, dense material. Thoughts?

On 2021-04-01 - by (mod) - Red & White Asbestos floor tiles, 1950s

@carla.gore, I agree that the floor looks like a 1950s asphalt or vinyl asbestos floor product. Probably asphalt-asbestos flooring.

At the Recommended Articles you will find specific advice for leaving the floor in place or removing it. Please take a look and don't hesitate to ask follow-up questions.

On 2021-04-01 by carla.gore

Help......

Walked in to find mum pulling old tiles up from kitchen floor.

I'm very concerned about her health as no PPE worn. Also I've walked in house so may have had exposure.

I have posted picture and would like any advise please

On 2021-03-25 - by (mod) - I am wanting to tear up this subfloor

@2 Layers of 12x12,

See the live link at Recommended Articles for

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

If you don't know, and cannot find out anything to make a reasonable guess about the asbestosis content of a floor and you have to demolish it then it makes sense to have a sample tested.

On 2021-03-25 by 2 Layers of 12x12

Hello,

I am wanting to tear up this subfloor and fix as it is very uneven.

The house was built in 55 in NC. I believe this was the original bathroom, and I do not know when this first layer of floor was installed, or the second layer actually.

Can you please advise if you think I should have them tested to contain asbestos? Much appreciated!

On 2021-02-23 - by (mod) - fairly modern white floor tiles in a 1906 house

@Beth,

Your floor tile is much newer than the 1906 built home, perhaps from the late 1970s or into the 1980s or even later.

DOES THIS FLOOR CONTAIN ASBESTOS?

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

Has some advice on how to make the most reasonable guess on asbestos that you can short of having flooring tested

On 2021-02-23 by Beth

House built in 1906 but bathroom had been remodeled at some point. These appear to be vinyl stick down tiles, blue with roses. Asbestos? Or do these look newer than the 70-80’s?

On 2020-12-15 by Mod - white & black floor tiles in a 1956 home

Maggie, in the U.S. it would be unusual for ceramic wall or floor tile (if made in the U.S.) to contain asbestos. In any event it's not friable - there is no dust hazard unless you're demolishing the bathroom.

On 2020-09-19 - by (mod) -

If the floor is as old as the home, almost certainly yes - those black and white 1956 floor tiles are likely to contain asbestos. They're not friable - best is to leave the alone, in place, and cover the floor with a new layer.

On 2020-09-19 by irena1newman

Different colors black and white same home built in 1956. Are these asbestos vinyl floors?

On 2020-08-16 by Mari

Can you identify these 12x12" tiles? House was built in 1950 in US, but these tiles were added later by previous owner sometime prior to 2000. Any idea if they contain asbestos?

On 2020-06-08 - by (mod) - white 1980s floor tiles might contain asbestos

Mike,

It would be prudent to treat that floor as presumed to contain asbestos.

You'll want to review ASBESTOS FLOORING LEFT IN PLACE

as well as other risk reduction options mentioned at the end of that article.

On 2020-06-08 by Mike

The house that I’m thinking of buying. The flooring is from 1980 and it don’t know if it has asbestos in it.

On 2020-05-19 - by (mod) - visually determine if my white (with some black) floor tiles in fact asbestos tiles?

Sure, Karen

Just above on this page see the article titled

DOES THIS FLOOR CONTAIN ASBESTOS?

On 2020-05-19 by Karen

I'm hoping this might be a simple identification. I do think that the image looks similar to some the asbestos tiles on the site, but I'm not quite sure.

Is there a way to visually determine if my floor tiles seen in the attached photo are in fact asbestos tiles? Many thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

On 2020-02-28 - by (mod) - asbestos in UK Council House floor tiles

Alex

DOES THIS FLOOR CONTAIN ASBESTOS?

for some basic questions that help you make a reasonable guess at whether or not your floor contains asbestos

And

Yes black mastic adhesive often contained asbestos.

On 2020-02-28 by AlexPet

Found these tiles under my laminate. House was built 1920s ex council property. I'm assuming asbestos tiles?

I also have lino tiles in a cupboard that were broken and damaged when we moved in and uncovered but thought nothing of it but now worried about them too as think have black adhesive

On 2020-02-12 - by (mod) - so does my floor tile contain asbestos or not?

Thank you for the asbestos-suspect flooring question and for the photo, Erin.

Because popular floor patterns were made by more than one manufacturer, and because popular flooring patterns were produced across and past years when asbestos was a common ingredient, one cannot safely say, on a photo alone, whether or not a particular floor tile or sheet flooring pattern contains asbestos.

Short of having a sample of the flooring tested, you can make a reasonable *guess* at whether or not your floor contains asbestos by answering the few easy questions found at

DOES THIS FLOORING CONTAIN ASBESTOS? 5 easy steps that can help you make a reasonable guess at whether or not the floor you ask about contains asbestos.

As you may have seen, you can often find a match in the ID-library of asbestos flooring beginning

at ASBESTOS FLOOR TILE IDENTIFICATION - (floor tiles)

If your floor isn't tile but sheet flooring you might also want to see

at RESILIENT SHEET FLOORING ID GUIDE - (sheet flooring) organized by year and manufacturer where there are similar floor coverings.

There are so many factories and floor tile patterns, types, sizes, and colors over many decades that just looking through catalogs organized by even color or pattern can daunting task.

One can narrow the question by a reasonable guess about the age of the flooring. At the very least, narrow the search by the age of the building.

You can narrow the guess further if you know when a building was renovated, or by observing the type of tile adhesive or mastic used.
The floor tile dimensions and thickness are also useful.

With that data you can choose among our floor tile or sheet flooring photo ID guides that are organized by year beginning at the link I gave above.

In any event I agree that there are so many manufactures and floor tile patterns, types, sizes, and colors over many years that they just look through catalogs organized by even color or pattern can daunting task. So you could skip straight to this advice:

ADVICE: For buildings with floor tiles that could be assumed to have been installed in North America before 1986 it would be prudent to treat the flooring as "PACM" or "Presumed Asbestos Containing Material".

The presence of known asbestos-containing flooring does not mean we should panic nor that we should undertake an expensive and dangerous asbestos removal project.

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.

Generally the safest approach is to leave such flooring alone and to cover it with a coating or with another layer of flooring.

On any of our asbestos-related InspectApedia pages, at CONTINUE READING you will find
a complete

ARTICLE INDEX to ASBESTOS HAZARDS

See also

ASBESTOS FLOORING HAZARD REDUCTION
and

ASBESTOS FLOORING REMOVAL GUIDE

IF you are faced with a requirement for demolition and if you are uncertain about the flooring's asbestos content and can not identify it through our guides, then you have a sample tested.

See ASBESTOS TESTING LAB LIST

We would have much appreciated hearing any comments, criticize, suggestions, or further questions that you may have taken after you've taken a look at the articles I've cited. InspectAPedia is an independent publisher of building, environmental, and forensic inspection, diagnosis, and repair information provided free to the public - we have no business or financial connection with any manufacturer or service provider discussed at our website. We do not sell products nor services.

On 2020-02-12 by Erin P

Hi! I saw the identical tile on a page about asbestos tile removal. Do we think this tile contains it?

On 2020-02-11 - by (mod) - white asbestos-suspect floor tiles from 1968

Please try adding your image again, Nicole. The programmer was updating software - that may explain why your image isn't shown. Just use the "add image" button to post one image per comment.

On 2020-02-11 by Nicole R

This is our kitchen floor that was “redone” in 1968. The house was built around 1938. I didn’t think it had mastiff because it didn’t look black, but now I’m not sure. The glue looks more dark grey

Asbestos in White 1957 Floor Tile in Ontario Canada?

Hi I would like to ask if this is Asbestos on my flooring. It's in the basement and I think it's vinyl.

It's broken and saw white powder under. I'm concern that it has asbestos that are broken and floating in the air. What can I use to seal the tile?

We bought a house built on 1957 in Ontario, Canada.
Thank you for your help.

Moderator reply:

Tracy:

You can simply use a damp paper towel to pick up debris and dust; Don't run a conventional vacuum cleaner over broken or damaged asbestos-suspect flooring;

You can seal the surface temporarily with a clear lacquer primer/sealer, or apply a thin coat of floor leveling compound first;

For asbestos suspect floors that are to be left in place, the best option is to cover over the floor with new flooring; we've also used an epoxy floor paint.

See the advice given

at ASBESTOS FLOORING LEFT IN PLACE

Also DOES THIS FLOOR CONTAIN ASBESTOS?

may be helpful

Mod 2019/07 - does this 1967 speckled white floor tile in Buffalo NY contain asbestos?

Matthew:

Depending on its age both the tile in your photo and the mastic could contain asbestos. In your first note you didn't say anything about the building country, city, age &c.

A tile that looks like yours, installed in the U.S. in the late 1960s, is likely to contain asbestos. Treat it as presumed to contain asbestos.

You can also Use the on-page search box at the top or bottom of this page to see details for safe ASBESTOS FLOOR REMOVAL PROCEDURES

Some easy questions at DOES THIS FLOOR CONTAIN ASBESTOS? https://inspectapedia.com/hazmat/DIY-Asbestos-Floor-Test.php

can help make a reasonable guess at an answer.

We also show this flooring

at SPECKLED / SPOTTED FLOOR TILE ASBESTOS

Matthew Domagala 2019/07 - white floor tile with small spots

Looking for advice on if this is asbestos.

Country: US

City: Buffalo

Age: 1967

is there anything else that will help?

House was built in the late 1960's (1967), this was under the tile floor. I don't see any black like substance, my contractor doesn't seem concerned

On 2018-10-10 by (mod) -

I don't know that exact pattern but from your information it would be prudent to treat the floor as presumed to contain asbestos.

On 2018-10-10 by Mallory_Peterson

Hi, I am trying to ID a floor tile that may have asbestos in a 1973 house. I am unsure if it is Armstrong, as I can't find it in the '60s and '70s list of tiles. It seems to be a 60s design. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

On 2018-05-23 by (mod) - asbestos in 1970's Armstrong? multicolor mostly-white vinyl tile?

Neil

Sorry to say I can't tell from the photo. If you have no more data information about the floor and if you have to demolish it then you want have a sample tested by certified asbestos test lab.

Otherwise you may be able to cover the floor over.

The fact that a floor tile pattern is in current production does not mean that an older version may not have contained asbestos. Popular flooring patterns were continued in asbestos-free form after the early to mid 1980s.

On 2018-05-23 by Neil - Armstrong Vinyl Tile, white - could contain asbestos?

House built in 1977. Renovated at some point in the 90’s. We’ve owned it for 14 years. Pulled up bedroom carpet today and found this.

Thinking it’s likely Armstrong multicolor vinyl tile still in production. Or could it contain asbestos?

On 2018-04-03 by (mod) - Asbestos likely in 1950s spatter pattern 9x9" floor tiles

It's likely; treat the floor as presumed to contain asbestos or have a sample tested.

See the spatter pattern flooring sold by Kentile and Armstrong in this article series under those brands.

On 2018-03-28 by Maxwell

Hi, I have been looking through the photos but cannot seem to find a match for these 9 inch by 9 inch tiles to these look familiar to anybody the home was built in 1955 or 1956 do you think these contain asbestos thanks for your help

...

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 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
• MARBLE / STONE CHIP PATTERN FLOORING ASBESTOS
• WHITE BRICK SHEET & TILE FLOORING ASBESTOS ID
• WHITE SHIELD® BACKING ASBESTOS in FLOORING

Suggested citation for this web page

ASBESTOS FLOOR TILE IDENTIFICATION WHITE 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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Citations & References

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

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