I'm looking into replacing my wood siding on my house (Chicago)that was built in 1956. I was going to strip off the old and put some new siding up BUT on further inspection I noticed a drywall type insulation between the plywood and the siding. It's about a 1/2 in thick and it looks like drywall (white W/ a very slight grayish look) but paper sides are BLACK and has USG SHEATING FIREPROOF written on it. I know that you really have to look at it but is it possible it is asbestos?

Thanks Noel

I'm looking into replacing my wood siding on my house (Chicago)that was built in 1956. I was going to strip off the old and put some new siding up BUT on further inspection I noticed a drywall type insulation between the plywood and the siding. it's about a 1/2 in thick and it looks like drywall (white W/ a very slight grayish look) but paper sides are BLACK and has USG SHEATING FIREPROOF writen on it. I know that you really have to look at it but is it possible it is asbestos?

Thanks Noel
... contact USG at the site below. Sounds more like a moisture barrier but who knows?
http://www.usg.com/

If it is, you should have little to worry about. The regulations usually allow existing asbestos to remain if intact and undisturbed. The dangers of asbestos are greatly exaggerated. I don't know of them tracing a single case of cancer to to somebody that used an asbestos containing product. All the cases involve men that worked for years under severe exposure. Lawyers and remediation contractors have gotten rich on an over hyped danger. Junk science and trial lawyers at their worst.

Biggest hazard could be if you ever sell the house. It could cost you along with the lead in paint scam.

Thanks for the help! Looking further in the garage it seems that it is taking the place of the plywood so I think I'm just going to put siding over the wood
Thanks again!