Replacing sidings on historic farmhouse

Hi Chris,

Welcome to the forum! I have an historic (meaning really old) farmhouse in the middle of the woods which has asbestos shingle siding. I am considering replacing the siding and want to use something that will add insulation value (since there is little insulation in the walls now!). I have access to lots of upper midwestern tree varieties, so wondered if making bark shingles or lap siding would be a good solution. Suggestions or thoughts on what wood type might be best, or if another solution would be better, wood (puny, eh?) be most welcome.

Thank you.

By itself, the wood siding won't give you large insulation gains.

This chart, for example, give wood lap siding an r-value of .8. They don't specify a thickness, but that'll be in the ballpark.
http://www.coloradoenergy.org/procorner/stuff/r-values.htm



Stripping the siding off would give you the opportunity to build Larsen trusses, though, like here for example:
http://www.builditsolar.com/Projects/SolarHomes/LarsenTruss/History.htm
That's just a wall system that gives you lots and lots of room for the insulation material of your choice. Then you put on the outside of it whatever type of siding you prefer.


Good luck!
Mike

Thanks, great help!