Where the older housing is
Westminster's older neighborhoods are concentrated in its southern portion, closer to Denver, where homes from the 1950s through the 1970s are common. Much of the northern part of the city was built later. As with other large suburbs, a general rule about Westminster homes is less useful than the construction year of your own.
In the older subdivisions you will find ranches, bi-levels and tri-levels with the materials typical of the period. Hail is a recurring issue along the northern Front Range, and roof and siding replacements are common. On homes with original cement-based siding or roofing, that turns a routine insurance repair into one where testing should happen first.
Storm repairs also tend to happen in a rush. After a widespread hail event, roofers and siding crews are booked solid and adjusters are handling many claims at once. That pressure is exactly when an untested older panel gets pried off and thrown in an open dumpster. Getting the material identified early keeps the claim and the schedule from being derailed later.
Because Westminster sits in two counties, owners near the edges should confirm whether their address is inside city limits before asking about permits.
Common Westminster situations
- IfHail cracked original-looking rigid siding panelsThenHave the siding sampled before replacement bids are finalized; do not power-wash or pry broken pieces.
- IfYou are finishing a bi-level's lower levelThenSample existing flooring, ceiling and wall finishes before demolition.
- IfThe furnace in a 1970s home is being replacedThenCheck duct connections and older tape before the swap.
- IfYour home was built in the 1990s or later in the north part of the cityThenOriginal materials are unlikely to be a concern; confirm any permit requirements for your project.
Jurisdictions and contacts
| Question | Where to ask |
|---|---|
| Building permit for an address inside city limits | City of Westminster building division |
| Building permit for an unincorporated address | Adams County or Jefferson County, depending on location |
| Asbestos certification and state permits | CDPHE Asbestos Program |
| Exterior changes in an HOA neighborhood | Your HOA's architectural review process |
Questions for a Westminster roof or siding claim
- Has anyone identified what the original siding or roofing is made of?
- Will the replacement contractor wait for sample results before tearing off?
- Who will remove positive material, and what is their CDPHE certification?
- Has my insurer been told testing is part of the repair?
- Will the HOA need to approve the new siding or roofing?
Common questions
My Westminster tri-level has a textured ceiling on every floor. Do all of them need sampling?
Only the ceilings your project will disturb need sampling for that project, but an inspector may recommend checking whether each level's texture is the same material. Different floors were sometimes finished at different times.
Can the roofer test the shingles?
Sampling for asbestos in Colorado is done by a CDPHE-certified inspector. A roofer may recognize a suspect product, but the sample and report should come from certified personnel.
General information for the Denver area, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.