It is VCT tile, not "asbestos tile", not ceramic, but there is sometimes asbestos in the glue.

Asbestos is mostly dangerous for removal when airborne. Seal the room off, Wet it, bag it, and be gone. Wear a mask and appropriate attire to be tossed when done .

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-safely-remove-asbestos-floor-tiles

It's just plain old Armstrong VCT in the warm white. In zillions of homes and businesses. Not uranium or asbestos. The other is just sheet vinyl. Not asbestos either. Not from that era.

But, you're not removing that and having a good looking floor underneath. It wasn't mint to be mood looking concrete pour. Which is why they put down the vinyl. Vinyl reminds the flooring of choice for basements. And there are far more choices today.

Remove it. Prep the floor properly. Put down new vinyl.

Background for Asbestos in the building industry: The production of Asbestos based products was "ended" in 1982. The SELLING of asbestos products was allowed for another 5-7 years so that businesses could sell off their stock piles. Your home construction was right at the end of the "active" asbestos era. The materials shown could have been purchased/installed sometime before the end of the 'sell off' area (mid/late 80's).

If you are nervous about asbestos, then go ahead and get things tested. The tests are about $100 each. You have 2 different floors ($100x2=$200) and 2 different adhesives ($100 x 2 = $200). Therefore, it is possible you will have your answer after you send away 4 samples + $400. The 'white' tiles are my biggest concern. The peach coloured faux travertine looking tile is most likely asbestos free...I'm not sure about the black cut-back adhesive underneath it.

I would get the testing done. For $400 you will have your answer inside of 1 week. You can then make plans from there. Check your square footage and then check your State's/County's ordinances for homeowner removal of asbestos. There are several states that recognize the safe removal of asbestos by homeowners - in SMALL AREAS! They have STRICT limits on how MUCH can be done "DIY" (like 150sf or smaller...that type of restriction). Removal and disposal methods are mentioned - you will still pay for the disposal...but at least you will learn how to go about it.

Once the square footage exceeds your State's allowance, it will need to be professionally done. Which then comes down to the test results. You won't know if you *need remediation until you test the products.

So - first things first - test all 4 products.

Just to follow up with everyone reading...

I took in a sample of the tile flooring to be tested ($36.75 not bad) and got the results back just now! The tiles do NOT contain asbestos!

I decided to hold off on testing the sheet vinyl flooring & adhesive at this moment, as that flooring is in a basement bedroom and will be last on the list of basement renovations.

Awesome. The test amount is better than I had imagined. I've heard of $75 per test...but nothing as low as $40. Good for you. Now you know the tiles themselves are good to "go". The adhesive underneath them will be the next step...

Feels better knowing doesn't it? Whew. Now you can move forwarding knowing HOW to test (and the cost of it). I agree that it can wait until you get to that point. And yes, the testing is SUPER fast!

Oops I should have noted that the adhesive came up with the tile and both were tested. Adhesive was also negative for asbestos!

Good news, as that paricular flooring is throughout the entire basement level - save for that one room with the sheet vinyl and black adhesive that has yet to be tested - and would have been a whole lot of work/money to remove.

Thanks to the Houzz community for the replies :)