Replies

1. 
   mikemahan3 | May 12, 2021 12:18am | #1

   Please do change it.

2. 
   davisk6615 | May 12, 2021 10:51am | #2

   I'm switching out my vinyl for LP Smartside right now in Kansas City, MO. Gives me the opportunity to air seal my exterior using the foam they installed when putting up the vinyl, put a rainscreen on to ventilate my siding, and also have the chance to fix any flashing issues with the windows that were poorly replaced. Overall, I think it's worth it for the energy savings/ resiliency, and aesthetic improvement. My only issue so far is that on my older home the soffits were framed with 1x material so I had to add blocking to support the heavier lp soffit. Also, you'll have to be careful about how far trim will come out at the roof eaves. I reinstalled a larger drip edge to accommodate the added thickness. The last issue is just all the waste created by ripping down vinyl. It can't be reused/recycled so I'm adding to the Landfill...

   How old of a house are you buying? You might find some issues with rot that created the need for them to install vinyl.

1. 
   royturning | May 12, 2021 04:23pm | #4

   davisk6615,
   Thanks for the detailed reply. The particular house we think we want to buy was built in 1999. I'll need to find a local contractor that understands what to look for as you have suggested above.
   Thanks again,
   Roy

1. 
   davisk6615 | May 18, 2021 03:58pm | #7

   No problem Roy, I have ended up pulling each window and reinstalling them per the following article. https://www.finehomebuilding.com/project-guides/windows-doors/flangeless-windows-done-right

1. 
   suburbanguy | May 18, 2021 06:06pm | #8

   Thanks for the link. I've used windows like those while on vacation and they're very nice. Flange or flangeless, still have to have access to the house wrap or Zip system for the flashing tape. ...so need to consider replacing windows before the siding.

3. 
   florida | May 12, 2021 01:02pm | #3

   Do it! Use the removal as an opportunity to air seal, spray framing with Timbor, seal penetrations, etc.

4. 
   firedudec56 | May 13, 2021 07:40am | #5

   check about recycling the vinyl - I had a conversation with either azek or trex the other day and they're starting to look for pvc scraps to recycle - only one local yard is doing it around here but the conversation I had seemed to indicate they're going to try to get more people/supplier involvement to recycle the pvc
   not sure if siding would work but might be work checking

5. 
   suburbanguy | May 14, 2021 04:53am | #6

   Although there are other valid reasons as mentioned, am I the only person who considers ROI?
   There is an order in which a home is "assembled", and while this order was alluded to, it wasn't specifically mentioned. There is no use installing Hardiboard siding this year, only to decide to replace your windows next year. While one could remove the exterior Hardiplank framing around each replacement window and properly seal it with flashing tape, it is more expensive and highly unlikely to be done that way.
   While builders can be pretty careless in properly flashing windows, I fear that this craze to replace windows (that won't be flashed at all), when simply re-glazing with new ICUs might be satisfactory, is going to lead to a lot of homes with hidden mould/structural rot in the future.

1. 
   florida | May 19, 2021 12:22pm | #9

   I'm in the process of doing it on my house but the Hardi is going up last. I've trimmed the windows with 5/4" PVC with the vinyl butting into a rabbet in the PVC. When I finally get to window replacement and Hardi it's just a matter of unscrewing the trim, putting the new window in, and putting the trim back on. I know it's backwards but it works for me.