I have a house that needs a change of appearance. My wife would like vinyl siding so that is the plan this spring. My house currently has clapboard siding with overlaps. Originally, I had been planning to simply use a moisture barrier and put the vinyl siding right on top. I've never done siding myself, but my friend has and said it shouldn't a problem to just put the siding right over the clapboard. (Of course the wrap barrier would be included.) However, I was just reading on a couple of different sites that to do it properly, you should put furring on each board, followed by foam board, and then the moisture barrier. Another website advised to never do it. It seems like a lot of work, so would it be better/easier to rip off the old clapboard and start fresh? I'm also nervous about the windows looking funny if the wall is too thick.

Hello, I'm installing Hardie plank and will be installing an electrical outlet within a mounting block. My question is; how big of a hole do I cut into the sheathing? Do I make a hole; just big enough for the Romex to fit through? big enough for the wire clamp? or big enough for the entire box to be recessed into the wall? I've made a few sketches (side-view cutaway) to help illustrate what I mean. Note: I do understand that I need to add an "in-use" cover, but, for simplicity I did not include the cover in the sketches: [ATTACH]79023[/ATTACH] The option shown in the sketch above only requires a small hole in the sheathing for the Romex. [ATTACH]79024[/ATTACH] The option shown above requires a hole just large enough for the Romex clamp (arounc 1 1/2" diameter). [ATTACH]79025[/ATTACH] This final option requires a hole large enough to recess the entire outlet box. From an insulation/air sealing perspective, I think that the first option (hole just enough for the Romex) is best, but, with the large protrusion of the box, it looks the worst. The second option (hole for the wire clamp) has a nice snug fit of back of the box to the face of the sheathing, but the protrusion is still evident. The third option (box recessed within the wall) will look the best, but from an insulation/air sealing perspective, it's probably the worst. With just 2x4 exterior walls, I can't get much insulation behind a box that is sunk 2" within the wall. So, which of the options is best? Or, should I spring for a prefab'd recessed box like this one: [url=http://www.aifittings.com/catalog/inbox/low-profile-in-box-for-new-construction-stucco-textured-surfaces-and-rigid-siding/DBVM1C]Arlington | DBVM1C Product Information[/url] ? Thanks in advance for your help.