Flintkote Company
Flintkote produced asbestos-containing products across more than 10 categories: siding shingles, roofing, flooring, ceiling tiles, coatings, pipe insulation, cement board, joint compound, and plaster.
* The end date of asbestos use varies by country depending on when it was banned. See the ban year next to each country below.
Description
The Flintkote Company, established in 1901, was a diversified American building products manufacturer that produced asbestos-containing materials across an exceptionally wide range of product categories. Unlike manufacturers that specialized in one or two product types, Flintkote incorporated asbestos into siding shingles, roofing materials, flooring, ceiling tiles, coatings, pipe insulation, cement board, joint compound, and plaster products -- making it one of the most broadly diversified asbestos product manufacturers in American history.
Flintkote's asbestos-cement siding shingles were produced in numerous profiles including woodgrain, waveline, straight-edge, shake, wide-space, and brick-type designs. These shingles were marketed as fire-resistant, weather-proof exterior cladding and were installed on millions of American homes from the 1930s through the 1970s. The company also manufactured roofing products through its Beckman-Dawson and Richardson Roofing subsidiaries, as well as floor tiles and ceiling tiles for interior applications.
The company's specialty coatings division produced several asbestos-containing products with distinct formulations. The #229 Antisweat coating was designed to prevent condensation on cold water pipes and surfaces. Rexalt was an asbestos-containing roof coating used for maintenance and repair. Thermalkote was a thermal insulation coating. These products were often applied by spray or trowel, generating airborne asbestos fibers during application. The Synkoloid brand produced Plastibond plaster, a plaster product that incorporated asbestos fibers for improved fire resistance and workability.
Flintkote's broad product range meant that exposure could occur across numerous building trades. Roofers, siding installers, floor tile layers, plasterers, painters, and general construction workers all potentially handled Flintkote asbestos products. The diversity of products also means that Flintkote asbestos materials can be found in virtually every part of a building -- from the exterior siding and roof to the interior walls, floors, ceilings, and mechanical systems.
Flintkote ceased operations due to asbestos liability, and the Flintkote Asbestos Trust was established to compensate individuals who developed asbestos-related diseases from exposure to Flintkote products. The Trust processes claims for mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and other asbestos-related conditions.
Countries where commonly found
Commercial brands
How to identify
Flintkote products span many building categories, so identification requires checking multiple building elements. Siding shingles may carry the Flintkote name embossed on the back and come in woodgrain, waveline, straight-edge, shake, wide-space, or brick-type profiles. Roofing products may be branded as Flintkote, Beckman-Dawson, or Richardson. Floor tiles follow standard 9x9 or 12x12-inch formats. Ceiling tiles may be branded Flintkote. Look for Synkoloid Plastibond on plaster products. Coating products may be labeled as #229 Antisweat, Rexalt, Thermalkote, or Fibrex. Check building records, original specifications, and material labels for any Flintkote or subsidiary brand names. Products manufactured before 1987 should be presumed to contain asbestos.
Health risk & friability
This material has a risk level of 3 out of 5.
It is classified as mixed, meaning it can range from non-friable when in good condition to highly friable when damaged, weathered or disturbed. Professional assessment is essential to determine the current state and appropriate action.
What to do if you find this material
Due to the wide range of Flintkote asbestos products, a comprehensive asbestos survey by a licensed inspector is recommended for any building known to contain Flintkote materials. Do not disturb any suspected asbestos-containing material. For exterior siding shingles, do not cut, drill, sand, or pressure-wash. For interior plaster and coatings, do not scrape, sand, or demolish without testing. For floor tiles, do not scrape or sand tiles or adhesive. All Flintkote products should be tested before any renovation or demolition work. Removal must be performed by a licensed asbestos abatement contractor in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease from Flintkote product exposure, you may file a claim with the Flintkote Asbestos Trust.
Frequently asked questions
What types of products did Flintkote make with asbestos?
Are Flintkote siding shingles asbestos?
What is Synkoloid Plastibond?
Is there a Flintkote asbestos trust fund?
How do I identify Flintkote products in my building?
Related materials
Other asbestos-containing materials you might encounter.
Asbestos Cement Siding Shingle
Asbestos-cement shingles manufactured in various decorative profiles, used as exterior wall cladding on millions of North American homes.
Asbestos Roofing Felt
Bituminous roofing felt reinforced with an asbestos fibre mat, used on flat and low-pitch roofs.
Vinyl Asbestos Floor Tile (VAT)
Resilient vinyl floor tiles manufactured with chrysotile asbestos fibres for durability and fire resistance.
Asbestos Drywall Joint Compound
Joint compound, spackling, and taping compound containing chrysotile asbestos, used to finish drywall seams in millions of buildings.
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