Replacing vinyl siding with board and batten - some questions

Hello there, everyone!

I’m looking to replace vinyl siding installed over wrapped osb sheathing and am trying to find a relatively inexpensive solution while not crippling the lifespan of the new siding.

The house is already got sheathing so I was wondering if I could save money by using thin plywood with battens installed over top. Is this doable? I thought I would use some construction adhesive and fasten with screws every 12 inches under where the battens would get installed.

Is this a viable method of attaining this look and if so, do I need to take any certain precautions to keep issues after install at bay? If this isn’t doable, what material would get me a longer life without breaking the bank? Is there an inexpensive solution out there other than just buying some wood/cement board and going to town?

Thanks for your time!

 

Why would you want to take an almost maintenance free siding and replace it with something that will always need work.
No, plywood will not work.
They make board and batten looking vinyl siding if it's just the look your going after.

 

Could you tell me why you think plywood would not work when T-111 does?

 

T1-11 is rated for exterior siding. Similarly various styles of 303 plywood siding are rated for exterior siding. MDO plywood is usually rated for exterior use. Plain old exposure 1 plywood is NOT rated for exposed exterior use. Can you use it? Sure. But you will be painting it constantly because it not rated for exterior use. And the thinner you go, yes, it costs less but being thinner it will want to warp more.

There are many types of plywood... and multiple grades. Type X plywood is rated for exterior use. But even then, it will require a lot of maintenance.

You can get cheap double 5 vinyl siding for around $1 sq ft. Plywood alone would likely cost more than that, plus your battens, plus your z-flashing, caulk, your paint, plus the annual maintenance. I don't think it's a good plan.

 

Hi there @XSleeper and thanks for taking the time to help. Thanks for the various types of ply, it's helped a bunch with my Googling. It will take me a bit but I'm going to come up with a price diff per SF between ext. grade plys, board lumber and masonry boards and see what I would even be saving in cost of application. I may be just as well off price wise and end up with a longer lasting solution if I go with one of the myriad of solutions that are out there for sheathing.

 

You could also use Hardie siding. 4 x 8 sheets or vertical B&B . The 4 x 8 sheets are about the same price as T-111. If you use trim boards, I would not recommend finger joined boards.