FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter X Instagram Tiktok YouTube Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe
Log In
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Restoration
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
Log In

Discussion Forum

Discussion Forum

Reusing clapboard siding

crosscountry | Posted in General Discussion on January 14, 2013 12:39pm

I was thinking about  removing siding off an 1800’s cottage that I’m ‘de-constructing’  and using some of it to re-side a shed on the property and selling the rest. However I’m not sure its wise to do, as the paint undoubtably contains lead.

For the boards I re-use, I would hand scrape (most of the paint falls off with little effort) using lead-containment practices. Then I’d ‘pre-finish’ with a spray coat of new paint to ‘seal’ any old paint. After I cut and nail them onto the shed, I’d give the boards  a final coat of paint. (I’d accomplish these steps just wearing a respirator).

So questions are:

I like the idea of salvaging old material for new use….but is it worth it in this case? Will the siding on the shed still be considered a potential lead hazard unless I remove all the old paint?  Is it practical to ‘sell’ old siding if I don’t clean it up first?I can’t imagine a selling price that would every cover my labor ‘costs’…and don’t even know if I could find someone to buy it anyway. 

Thanks.

Jeff

Northern Illinois

Reply
  • X
  • facebook
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • email
  • add to favorites Log in or Sign up to save your favorite articles

Replies

  1. calvin | Jan 14, 2013 02:14pm | #1

    Jeff

    Thus far, if you are the homowner you only have to worry about your own conscience and health. 

    Not sure on the reselling issue-re. homowner v. contractor.

    My first inclination would be to suggest you  try removing b/4 making any big plans on whether any of it will be reusable.  Alot will depend on the nails used originally and any used since.  Further, if nailed into oak or other local framing used that will not let those nails come out.

    A few yrs ago-maybe 4, I remove the siding from one side of a barn beam type framed house that was c. 1870 or so.   Cut nails originally, all sorts of add ons later.  The beams purlins and knee braces it was nailed to was predominately oak, the siding poplar-not beveled-pretty much 5/8" thick, edge to edge.

    The cut nails would usually stay fastened, the siding pulled off over the 'head'.  Leaves a rather large hole-these were face nailed.   Some of the other nails, not so easy to remove w/o damaging the siding.  Some ring shanks were used, those damn ardox that would NOT come up period.........the heads would only break off when using a prybar, catspaw, claw hammer.........anything.  If you got under it, there was no prying against anything other than siding.........end result-splits breaks and toothpicks.

    But, if you can, I'd use the good stuff on the shed, you won't have enough extra to sell I don't think. 

    The siding I took off had several non lead coats over it-there wasn't much "falling off" that RRP practices wouldn't catch. 

    1. crosscountry | Jan 15, 2013 11:05pm | #4

      Took some boards down....

      Calvin, DanH, and 'Florida'...

      Thanks for the replies. I went out (in 20 deg weather) and took off a some boards. Looks like I can salvage 60-70%, which is plenty for the shed. It is time consuming, but theraputic.  It is also going to facilitate harvesting the double-hung windows (with the old diamond shaped glass) as it exposes the the framing for easy circular saw/recip rescue of the entire window box & trim. Now if I can just figure out what to do with those.....

      Thanks again.

      Jeff

  2. florida | Jan 14, 2013 05:10pm | #2

    What's your 'spare" time

    What's your 'spare" time worth to you? It would have to be some mighty fine siding to be worth the time and effort you're talking about, 

  3. DanH | Jan 14, 2013 07:21pm | #3

    I've seen 50-year-old siding that looked near perfect after being removed.  And I've seen siding half that age that would split and fall apart when you looked at it.

    First thing to find out is whether the stuff can be removed without serious damage.

  4. User avater
    Mongo | Jan 17, 2013 06:57pm | #5

    yes and no

    I say yes to reusing it yourself, but no to trying to clean it up and resell it at retail. To resell, I'd just take it to a salvage place and see if they'll cut a deal. They usually will. You'll get a few bucks compared to maybe getting a few more bucks trying to seel it on your own, but you'll be done with it.

    The last time I reused siding was doing a bumpout on my own house. Cedar claps. Cut through with a circ saw and a shooting board just deep enough to not nick the Tyvek. Removed the claps, the stainless rink shanks remained in the sheathing.

    After I rehung the siding I puttied the old nail holes. Restained (solid-body) and it looks as good as the original. Which makes sense, since it is "original."

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Video Shorts

Categories

  • Business
  • Code Questions
  • Construction Techniques
  • Energy, Heating & Insulation
  • General Discussion
  • Help/Work Wanted
  • Photo Gallery
  • Reader Classified
  • Tools for Home Building

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Drafting the 2027 IRC

Key proposals for the next edition of the International Residential Code tackle room sizes, stair specs, emergency egress, and deck guards, among other requirements.

Featured Video

A Modern California Home Wrapped in Rockwool Insulation for Energy Efficiency and Fire Resistance

The designer and builder of the 2018 Fine Homebuilding House detail why they chose mineral-wool batts and high-density boards for all of their insulation needs.

Related Stories

  • Midcentury Home for a Modern Family
  • The New Old Colonial
  • Modern and Minimal in the Woods
  • Bryce Hollingsworth, Dry-Stone Waller

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 333 - August/September 2025
    • A Practical Perfect Wall
    • Landscape Lighting Essentials
    • Repairing a Modern Window Sash
  • Issue 332 - July 2025
    • Custom Built-ins With Job-Site Tools
    • Fight House Fires Through Design
    • Making the Move to Multifamily
  • Issue 331 - June 2025
    • A More Resilient Roof
    • Tool Test: You Need a Drywall Sander
    • Ducted vs. Ductless Heat Pumps
  • Issue 330 - April/May 2025
    • Deck Details for Durability
    • FAQs on HPWHs
    • 10 Tips for a Long-Lasting Paint Job
  • Issue 329 - Feb/Mar 2025
    • Smart Foundation for a Small Addition
    • A Kominka Comes West
    • Making Small Kitchens Work

Fine Home Building

Newsletter Sign-up

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox.

  • Green Building Advisor

    Building science and energy efficiency advice, plus special offers, in your inbox.

  • Old House Journal

    Repair, renovation, and restoration tips, plus special offers, in your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters

Follow

  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
  • Fine Homebuilding

    Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X
    • LinkedIn
  • GBA Prime

    Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.

    Start Free Trial Now
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
  • Old House Journal

    Learn how to restore, repair, update, and decorate your home.

    Subscribe Now
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • X

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2025 Active Interest Media. All rights reserved.

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

  • Home Group
  • Antique Trader
  • Arts & Crafts Homes
  • Bank Note Reporter
  • Cabin Life
  • Cuisine at Home
  • Fine Gardening
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Green Building Advisor
  • Garden Gate
  • Horticulture
  • Keep Craft Alive
  • Log Home Living
  • Military Trader/Vehicles
  • Numismatic News
  • Numismaster
  • Old Cars Weekly
  • Old House Journal
  • Period Homes
  • Popular Woodworking
  • Script
  • ShopNotes
  • Sports Collectors Digest
  • Threads
  • Timber Home Living
  • Traditional Building
  • Woodsmith
  • World Coin News
  • Writer's Digest
Active Interest Media logo
X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Online Learning

  • Courses
  • Project Guides
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • FHB House
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • X
  • YouTube
  • instagram
  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • Tiktok

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

Enjoy unlimited access to Fine Homebuilding. Join Now

Already a member? Log in

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in

Privacy Policy Update

We use cookies, pixels, script and other tracking technologies to analyze and improve our service, to improve and personalize content, and for advertising to you. We also share information about your use of our site with third-party social media, advertising and analytics partners. You can view our Privacy Policy here and our Terms of Use here.

Cookies

Analytics

These cookies help us track site metrics to improve our sites and provide a better user experience.

Advertising/Social Media

These cookies are used to serve advertisements aligned with your interests.

Essential

These cookies are required to provide basic functions like page navigation and access to secure areas of the website.

Delete My Data

Delete all cookies and associated data