Re Christopher "Vinyl" Gray's posting citing the VSIA.

>Specifically... "If moisture is presently being trapped
in the walls of the structure...vinyl siding... will not make it worse."

I don't mean to get off on a rant here, but...
BUNK!

>and... "a couple of coats of oil paint
make an excellent vapor barrier"

OK, knowing the vapor barrier belongs on the interior WARM, not
exterior side.  On the exterior side it's a water intrusion barrier.

Buildings need to breathe, not trap water.  But initially they need
to shed water.  First things first.

My 1880's house has survived the test of time dry and whole except
for some siding turning crisp and cracking, primarily, in my opinion
by not being insulated, allowing air currents to move within the wall
cavity.  My primary concern is to keep the water out of the walls,
but like any roof or any boat, water gets in and needs some degree of
weeping and ventilation to return the wall to dry condition.
Unfortunately every insulating technique (short of removing the
interior plaster and lath and installing batt from the inside) has
some critical, and possibly fatal flaws...trapping moisture (foam),
settlment (pearlite, vermiculaite, celulose etc), corrosion of the
electric lines (celulose).

Every time I'm tempted to insulate...75% insulated is still better
than 0% insulated...I restrain myself.  Maybe in my old(er) age I
won't put up with 60 to 65 degree living spaces in the winter and be
even more tempted to insulate the hell out of the place (and pass the
problem on to the next generation?!).  But for now I burn my
distinctly environmentally incorrect coal stove in the living room.
At least I have one place to go and warm up, and stoking a coal stove
is oh so Victorian.

Rev. "but that's just my opinion, I could be wrong" Rhodes





>From http://www.vinylsiding.org/literature/historic.html, the "historic
>section" of the Vinyl Siding Institute of America (copied and pasted by
>):
>
>"9. Allegation: Vinyl siding causes moisture and rot.
>
>Response: Vinyl siding does not cause moisture damage. Moisture from the
>inside is caused by inadequate ventilation and should be addressed by a
>qualified engineer [more work for Ralph! - CSG]. Insofar as moisture from the
>outside is concerned, vinyl siding systems are designed to allow for
>ventilation behind the siding and experience has shown that the design is
>effective. Weepholes are punched at intervals along the bottom butt edge of
>the siding to allow any condensation to drain out. The locks and lap joints
>in conjunction with the open ends of the siding, although hidden from view in
>J-channel or corner posts, still allow for the dissipation of water vapor
>from behind the siding to the outside., obviously the installation of
>will not cure the problem. However, it Painting the
>old wood siding is not an answer. In fact,. That is why blistering
>is so often observed
>on painted clap board - the moisture is trapped behind the paint. "