Anyone got any inside knowledge re. double glazing?

[Longtalljosie]

I have asbestos in one of my soffits - the one above my bedroom, naturally... I have one company making the sign of the cross, and another insisting it's not a problem because they won't break the soffit when they get the old wooden window out. And I don't know what to think... I wish I could just leave the old windows but they're rotting...

I expect the soffit is asbestos cement board. It is not considered particularly dangerous, but you have to be careful not to break it or saw it, and to keep it moist so it does not get dusty during dismantling, and bag up the waste for disposal. If it is starting to crack you could look into having it all removed and replaced with WBP ply or even plastic, which would avoid future worry. I think a roofing company would do this kind of work, it is not common.

General Builders will be familiar with taking down old garages or sheds made of asbestos cement, and disposing of it correctly.

There are some terrible stories about asbestos dust, but it mostly affected people in mines or factories, and those exposed to fluffy asbestos insulation in ship and factory boilers.