Order of Importance & Siding Question

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

I bought a fixer upper several years ago and so far have done everything with cash. Including new roof, some new windows, new insulation, drywall, plumbing, electric, furnace, water heater, floors, etc.

We are getting a master suite addition put on our house while simultaneously trying to finish some of the bigger ticket items that are left on the existing house. This will be financed, and we are sticking to a budget that will not allow us to finish every single thing all at once. We will go along and finish the rest with cash.

Biggest things left to do on the current house is new siding, and replacing the last 9 windows. (House has 30 custom sized windows, yikes!) The plan was to build and finish the addition then replace the existing house's siding at a later date. (It's ugly but not not leaking)

Now I am having second thoughts about the addition having new siding, and the old house having siding that is a different material, size, etc. It's going to look funky. Also, I am worried about leaking going on where the old siding will meet the new siding.

If we are to go ahead and reside the entire house, we will basically have to put all the interior bathroom finishes on hold including flooring, shower and tub, fixtures, etc. This is seeming like the better choice since it will be easier to pay for multiple smaller jobs one at a time then to save up the huge amount for the siding.

I am unsure what the order of importance is at this point. The choices basically are:

1. Build dream master suite addition and completely finish inside and out

2. Rough in dream master suite addition and completely finish exterior of home

The contractor didn't act like it was a big deal to have different kinds of siding, but I'm not sure I agree. What do you guys think?

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Comments (9)

User
7 years ago
A photo would help
bossyvossy
7 years ago
W/o pic, hard to give best advice but with some logic and common sense I would consider the following:

if house is closely surrounded by neighbors, ivwould side house uniformely and work on MB addition later.

if no neighbors or none close, I'd do MB first. But uniform siding would be a short term goal for me,
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ladygibbs
Original Author
7 years ago
Oh course! I apologize I didn't include pictures. Don't mind my very poor and quick paint drawings.
The front.

The side.

The white and blue is the would be addition. Contractor was only going to do siding on the addition. New siding will be while vinyl. Current siding is wide white aluminum.

I'm thinking if I at least replace the siding on each side until I get to a corner I can prevent the leaks and avoid too much ugly. Which I've drawn in red.

I live out in the country and there are no houses even within sight of me.

Windows are all getting replaced/removed. The top windows on the side will be replaced with smaller windows to make room for the new roof line. It's hard to tell by a photo but the current windows are 6' tall.

I guess my main worry is them not being able to install house wrap properly on the corners where the old and new meet. Is this possible to do correctly without removing all the siding?
PRO
Attics to Basements Building & Renovations, Inc.
7 years ago
they should be able to use corner boards to lap the Tyvek on to the existing house. But the devil is in the details so depending on the exact location of the addition to the existing house will depend on how to tie it all together. When you go to side the rest of the house the siders can pull off some of the siding to lap the Tyvek if it is needed at that time. It is hard to give you the answer you want without showing you this. Your contractor should be able to explain how he can resolve your worry with this.
ladygibbs
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks for answering. All I wanted to know is if it is possible. Which is sounds like it is. So that makes me feel better.
weedyacres
7 years ago
If it were me, I'd probably rough in the master addition, install the new windows, and re-side the house, then use cash to finish up the inside as you are able. I'd rather have the whole envelope done at once, and it's easiest to flash the windows when the siding's off.

BTW, custom size windows don't have to be super expensive. What part of the country are you in? Near us there's a window manufacturer that basically charges by the square inch, so no upcharge for non-standard sizes.
ladygibbs
Original Author
7 years ago
We have decided to go ahead and get the windows and siding completed, and finish the inside as we can.
energy_rater_la
7 years ago
just seeing your thread!

in your second pic you outline the addition.

the roof impacts all three windows of the second

floor. have you considered a different type roof for

the addition?

changing the roof may be less costly than dealing

with second floor windows in this area?

best of luck
User
7 years ago
I would try to avoid making the wall of the addition flush with the existing wall. Try moving the new wall back enough for the corner board to continue to the foundation. Then the siding doesn't have to continue onto the old house.

There should not be an issue with leaking but if you are concerned with weather resistance, I recommend not using a difficult to detail weather barrier like a loose housewrap but using Huber's zip system sheathing or use a self-adhering weather barrier like Henry's Blueskin VP 100.

Of course well detailed flashing should be used where the roof meets the house wall. The base flashing should be self-adhering and flexible (Grace Vycor Plus) and the counter flashing over it should be metal step flashing not continuous. A watertight building requires just a little extra cost which is well worth it.

I would not use white siding on this house but if you do, it will look fine with the old siding from a distance. Up close the imitation wood grain of the new PVC siding might look odd next to the more realistic looking smooth aluminum siding.

Order of Importance & Siding Question

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