In a message dated 01/04/2000 9:41:57 AM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

> "Vinyl siding damages the underlying house."
>
>  Is this one of those things we just "know" (like "man cannot fly") or is
>  there real testing or sustained observational data which supports it?

There is observational data which supports it, mainly dealing with moisture
control, replacement costs, and durability issues. In regard to real physical
damage, moisture control is the most significant. Putting vinyl siding on a
historic wood frame building is equivalent to a human wearing a scuba suit on
a 24 hour basis. Water can't penetrate the covering, so it gets trapped
inside, and tends to build up inside the house. This build-up can cause
cracking, promotes decay, and attracts bugs.  All of which are really bad,
generally expensive to fix, and usually go untreated because the 'new' siding
covers up all the damage.

The National Park Service Preservation Brief #8 gives a good quick
description of the pros and cons of vinyl siding replacement for historic
wood frame buildings. It's got a better discussion and bibliography than I
could ever produce. All available at John Leeke's website. (and no, I'm not
paid by John to endorse him)

 <A HREF="http://www.historichomeworks.com/HHW/pbriefs/pb08.htm">Brief 08:
Aluminum and Vinyl Siding</A>

-ONEcat, on a cedar shake roof