I have just been asked for a bid to vinyl side a group home for handicapped adults by the non-profit that runs it. We have worked for this organization before and have found that they are likely to sacrifice quality construction materials and techniques for the sake of cost; no surprise there.
It has been my experience that putting cedar shakes over clapboard was a common practice for this area and is the case for this house. The organization would like us to put a leveling board over the shakes then cover it in vinyl. The window and door casings would have to be built out with 2X dimentional lumber out then wrapped in aluminum. The location is Upstate New York where winters are severe.
Obviously the best way to side this house would be to strip off both layers of the previous siding, wrap in a celotex type product then the vinyl. My question is this: Does anyone have the experience of having done this in the manner the organization is requesting and having it fail due to moisture retention or any other problem. I think that the cost of the removal of the old siding would only add around $1500.00 to $2000.00 to the cost and would like to have some ammo to argue with when I recommend this.