Nathan wrote:Q1: How old is your siding? It may have tar paper as an underlayment which will need replacement with Tyvec housewrap or similar (there's more to siding than just siding).
My house was built in 1957... so 53 years ago...
how do I check what kind of underlayment is under it without taking the siding off?
Nathan wrote:Q2: Almost all houses have plywood or OSB (oriented strand board) sheathing under the siding and underlayment, so no, your insulation isn't right behind your siding.
An obvious exception is trailerhouses and some houses build before 1920, they don't have sheathing and have the insulation right under the underlayment.
Ok, I'm glad I don't have to worry about the insulation then.
Nathan wrote:
Q3: When you pull off the old siding take care to ensure that you don't damage the sheathing (or the housewrap if you don't plan on replacing it). After you get the siding off you'll probably want to check for ants, termites, and dryrot just to be safe. Then you'll want to get the whole thing covered with Tyvec to protect your walls from the weather. From there on you can take your time (I know a guy who had Tyvec walls for 4 years as he slowly put on his siding :-)
What is dryrot? And I know termites eat the wood, but why are ants something to look for? Do they damage your house?
Nathan wrote:What are you planning on putting up as a replacement? Folks here in the pacific northwest have been partial to fibercement siding lately, and the stuff is pretty easy to install.
I'm not sure yet, I was trying to decide what would be best because I live in North Dakota and it gets crazy cold and snowy here so I want something that can help the house have a little more insulation, and that can hold up to the weather here.
Any ideas?