I own a brick rancher with wood trim, and am planning to install
siding for the fascia and soffit. I also want to put siding on
gables. House is 40+ years old; the wood soffit and fascia are in
pretty good shape. My questions concern whether -- in a case like
this -- the "one-by" soffit are generally *removed*, or whether the
siding is "simply" installed over the wood. So, queries a


(1) Should soffit be removed and completely *replaced* by a quality
siding? *Or* should (most) everything be left in place, and the
siding overlaid?


(2) If the best answer is to leave the wood in place, should the wood
be refinished [like primed and painted], or at least some Waterseal or
Spar Urethane be put on the wood before "siding it in"?


I have two straight strips to consider soffit-wise -- about 75 feet in
front and back, reachable by ladder. I realize I will probably need
to consider more vents somewhere. Also the soffits follow the pitch
of the roof. Is it better to stay with that or box it off by nailing
the j-channel level with the bottom of the fascia?


I also want to do the gables [which have triangular metal vents at
apex]; but I assume that, in that case, I would finish the wood and
then put on vinyl siding panels. The gables currently have wood
siding. Can I install the vinyl siding directly over it?

I also haven't decided whether to go with vinyl or aluminum for the
soffits and fascia. Any ideas on which one is easier to install?

On Jul 17, 1:01*pm, wrote:
I own a brick rancher with wood trim, and am planning to install
siding for the fascia and soffit. *I also want to put siding on
gables. House is 40+ years old; the wood soffit and fascia are in
pretty good shape. *My questions concern whether -- in a case like
this -- the "one-by" soffit are generally *removed*, or whether the
siding is "simply" installed over the wood. *So, queries a

(1) *Should soffit be removed and completely *replaced* by a quality
siding? **Or* should (most) everything be left in place, and the
siding overlaid?

(2) *If the best answer is to leave the wood in place, should the wood
be refinished [like primed and painted], or at least some Waterseal or
Spar Urethane be put on the wood before "siding it in"?

I have two straight strips to consider soffit-wise -- about 75 feet in
front and back, reachable by ladder. *I realize I will probably need
to consider more vents somewhere. *Also the soffits follow the pitch
of the roof. *Is it better to stay with that or box it off by nailing
the j-channel level with the bottom of the fascia?

I also want to do the gables [which have triangular metal vents at
apex]; but I assume that, in that case, I would finish the wood and
then put on vinyl siding panels. *The gables currently have wood
siding. *Can I install the vinyl siding directly over it?

I also haven't decided whether to go with vinyl or aluminum for the
soffits and fascia. *Any ideas on which one is easier to install?

Your choice. Usually the aluminum is bent to cover the existing rake
and fascia baords. Replacement boards made of PVC and cement can be
installed but the cement-based still need paint.

You can install the vinyl directly over the existing wood siding
depending on the overlap of the wood. In my last house I installed
vinyl directly over cedar shake siding that only overlapped about
3/8". Sometimes the wood is covered by large sheets of foam to create
a flat surface or furring strips can be used.

Venting will depending on the attic interior and whether sofit vents
are practical or not. I think the current trend is toward sofit vent/
ridge vent combination. This depends on the construction details of
your house.

wrote in message
...
I own a brick rancher with wood trim, and am planning to install
siding for the fascia and soffit. I also want to put siding on
gables. House is 40+ years old; the wood soffit and fascia are in
pretty good shape. My questions concern whether -- in a case like
this -- the "one-by" soffit are generally *removed*, or whether the
siding is "simply" installed over the wood. So, queries a


(1) Should soffit be removed and completely *replaced* by a quality
siding? *Or* should (most) everything be left in place, and the
siding overlaid?


(2) If the best answer is to leave the wood in place, should the wood
be refinished [like primed and painted], or at least some Waterseal or
Spar Urethane be put on the wood before "siding it in"?


If the new everything is properly installed and flashed no water will ever
get to the wood underneath.

In old construction most people leave the existing and simply cover it.

It is highly advised to cover any existing clapboard or other wood siding
with the 1/4" foam backer board before installing the new siding. This
provides a smooth flat surface for the siding and is well worth the cost. I
have done it with and without and will never do it again without.. If you
take the time to tape the joints is also provides a windbreak and has some
limited R-value.

Colbyt

Colbyt wrote:
wrote in message
...
I own a brick rancher with wood trim, and am planning to install
siding for the fascia and soffit. I also want to put siding on
gables. House is 40+ years old; the wood soffit and fascia are in
pretty good shape. My questions concern whether -- in a case like
this -- the "one-by" soffit are generally *removed*, or whether the
siding is "simply" installed over the wood. So, queries a


(1) Should soffit be removed and completely *replaced* by a quality
siding? *Or* should (most) everything be left in place, and the
siding overlaid?


(2) If the best answer is to leave the wood in place, should the wood
be refinished [like primed and painted], or at least some Waterseal or
Spar Urethane be put on the wood before "siding it in"?


If the new everything is properly installed and flashed no water will ever
get to the wood underneath.

"Properly" being the critical word here. Previous owner did that to this
place, with Aluminum and not Vinyl, and F'd it up. Water got behind the
cladding on the fascia, rotted it, ran across the soffit and into the
wall by the kitchen window, and rotted the wall and window. I'm not a
fan of covering wood with anything that can keep it sitting in water. If
you simply MUST cover it up, be sure to have plenty of weep holes at the
low points. I've seen good wood windows destroyed in a similar fashion
by idiot siding contractors who skin the brickmold with coil stock
formed on site, and actually route water down against the window frame.
'Maintenance Free', my pale gray ass.

--
aem sends...