What are Pros/Cons of leaving/stripping clapboards prior to blowing cavities and hanging vinyl?
This board has been very helpful sorting thru questions as we consider dense packing our empty cavities with cellulose. (Climate zone 6) My new Q is what are the pro/cons of stripping off the clapboards first instead of just rewrapping and re flashing right over them?
We have 2×4 stud cavitities and 1″ diagonal boards for sheathing. On top of that is a layer of original paper, and then the 3/4″ clapboards. Third profile from right in this pic (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siding#/media/File:Types_bardages.jpg} They are in good shape for the most part. In another geographic location we might strip the hideously installed vinyl and rehab the wood for paint. But alas, not where we live.
Earlier I assumed we’d need to remove the clapbpards before blowing, hanging new tarpaper and flashing, and then rehanging the existing vinyl.
But now I wonder…. can the clapbpards just stay put? What are the pro.cons?
Thanks,
Mark Baker
GBA Detail Library
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Replies
Mark,
The advantage of stripping the existing siding is that it gives you the opportunity to examine the existing sheathing for possible moisture problems or rot.
Most vinyl siding installers go right over old clapboard siding. To do this, however, you need to first install a thin layer of fan-fold insulation to give yourself a co-planar surface.