On Tue, 4 Jan 2000, Met History wrote:

> "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?

Probably others will comment before I finish writing this, but:

(1) Installation of vinyl siding almost invariably involves damage to or
removal of exterior architectural features such as window trim, cornices,
brackets, etc.

(2) An impermeable barrier on the *cold* side of a wall blocks the natural
movement of water vapor from inside to outside.  In the absence of an
inside vapor barrier (typical in new construction but unknown in old
houses), humidity from moisture-generating activities indoors (showering,
cooking, breathing) seeks its own level with outside dry air.  The
moisture condenses on the inside of the new siding, drips back onto the
old siding and promotes rot and insect infestation.

I don't have any direct experience with removal of vinyl or aluminum
siding, but those who have say that (1) the paint on the old siding has
typically failed, even if it was in good shape when the new siding went
up, despite the protection from direct weathering, and (2) the old siding
is often *wet* and has to be allowed to dry before further treatment.

Vinyl siding is a death sentence for an old house.  It means that short
run desires like "low maintenance" take precedence over any concern for
the future of the structure.

---
Lawrence Kestenbaum, [log in to unmask]
The Political Graveyard, http://politicalgraveyard.com