Hi All, A few years ago, we replaced the siding on our ranch style home (from T1-11 to fiber cement) and the contractor recommended that we only sheath the "tall" exterior walls. 4 years have passed with no issues, but I'm now worried about the shear strength of the two walls with no sheathing. We live in earthquake country so that adds to my concern. Any thoughts? Any way way to correct this without ripping off all the siding? Thanks!

Hello all, I'm in the process of gathering materials to side my house- 1976 split foyer, Masonite cladding with black fiberboard behind it attached to the structure. After reading many many articles and hundreds of websites, I've found out: Masonite sucks. Masonite wicks water like a sponge. Fiberboard was used around the time my house was built as a structural element. This house was built by Jimbob and his cousin Cletus. Aforementioned "builders" must've felt insulation was not a required element or that fuel oil was super cheap back then. Masonite sucks. I seriously doubt this house was inspected. Work ethic back then varied wildly, especially on this house. I've never seen a master bath roughed in as a 1/2 bath. Masonite sucks. Over the past 30 years in construction, I've picked up several different aspects of trades different from my own (HVAC) and have gotten pretty good at applying them to fixing up this house. The last major step to being "done" is to switch out the crappy Masonite siding with vinyl. As I am on somewhat of a budget, I am doing the work myself. Some questions that I had, which I could not really find answers to: Fiberboard doesn't appear to hold a nail. My intent is to strip it off and replace it with 7/16" OSB. Since I am unsure whether the fiberboard is structural, I'm assuming I need to strip the two opposing corners of a side and put the OSB up there first before I start stripping the side I want to start on first. Yes? Would I need to install bracing in the corners first, before the OSB? The first "story" of the house is brick, the second story is furred out on the entry side around 18"-22". I intend to cover the underside of this overhang the same as the soffit above, J or F channel and non vented soffit panels. The issue I'm having trouble picturing is how to finish the siding down to the bottom of the overhang. Currently, the Masonite hangs below roughly a 1-1/2" or so and the overhang is painted plywood. ( There's no insulation in there either but that's another story..) How is this part finished? I know I couldn't use an outside vinyl corner as that would trap water running down the face. Would I use a fascia cover with the lip nailed to the OSB, run the starter strip over that, siding and then underneath on the overhang, use a J channel? Or would I use an F channel here first then the starter strip and go from there? I've looked everywhere I could for a picture or something showing this area but have not had success. I'm half tempted to find a split foyer house with vinyl siding on a nearby street and just walk up and look, but the homeowner may not appreciate it. (Picture attached) My grand layout plan is- 7/16" OSB House wrap Foamboard Siding Waterproof membrane and flashing at every corner and at each window and door. I'm using spray foam and/or caulking at the corners and sills after I strip the old but before I install the new. The thought process is trying to limit the access of creepy crawlers, something we've had issues with in the past. Thoughts, comments or criticisms? Thanks