When it comes to repainting an old house, specifically one older than 100 years, there are several approaches:

Grind all the old paint off – Time consuming, damages the old clapboards and raises the “lead paint dust” issue.
Not to mention a mess.

Chemical Strippers – Costly and again, time consuming.  After the paint has been stripped, the clapboards must
be treated with a chemical wash to remove all old strippers, and power washed several times.  Disposal of the
chemical waste and old paint is a problem.  Power washing an old house can cause moisture to leak inside, causing
interior problems (i.e. damaged plaster, woodwork, etc.)

New Clapboards & Tyvek – This approach, while deemed “extreme” by some contractors and painters, is the 
proven method Renaissance Restorations has been using on all restorations.  The analogy for removing old
clapboards and replacing with new is:

 “If your skin was 100+ years old, it would need replacing”

The problem with old clapboarding is moisture from the interior of the house causes warping and decay
of the old clapboards.  The rosin paper often used underneath old clapboards also holds this moisture and causes rot and 
insect problems.  And can lead to peeling of paint.  Most old clapboarding has no primer on the back side, allowing moisture
to pass through the wood, causing paint to peel. 

The western cedar clapboarding that Renaissance Restorations installs is pre-primed on both sides to prevent
 warping from moisture and provide a good base for painting.  

Below are photos of old clapboarding and new clapboarding.  New clapboarding is on top, old on bottom of each photo.  
The difference is clearly shown:

                                                         Front Side                                                             Reverse Side

The Clapboarding replacement process used by Renaissance Restorations includes:

- Removal of all old clapboards, tarpaper / rosin paper

- Repair of any damaged sheathing

- Layer of Dupont Tyvek®

- Sealing of all seams and joints with Tyvek® Tape, including window frames

- Installation of new Western Red Cedar clapboards, pre-primed on both sides.  All joints are cut with "scarf" type
 joints to hide edges, nail holes filled with wood putty and sanded / primed.  All clapboards are installed with a
 4" exposure or reveal.  Stainless steel ring shank siding nails are used to fasten the clapboards.

- Coat of Kilz® primer, followed by 2 coats of final paint

This detailed and professional approach to workmanship is the philosophy that Renaissance Restorations uses
 in work done by the firm.

Example of a Clapboarding Project:
The Nahum Harwood Residence, Leominster, MA

Replacement of Original Clapboards
The original clapboards after the effects of 120 years of exposure to the elements, and numerous paintings,
were in need of replacement.  Rather than scrape, sand and repaint the old clapboards, 
all old clapboarding and tarpaper were removed.

Any damaged sheathing was replaced.  Blown in insulation was also done to improve the 
energy efficiency of the residence.  Damaged trim and molding  were replaced using available 
materials and custom made work. Window frames were caulked, and Tyvek house wrap was applied, 
prior to new clapboards being installed to insure a good weatherproof seal.  
Cedar clapboards,  primed on both sides were installed.  

A final paint of BEHR® Hi Gloss paint in the "Othello" color scheme was applied.

Original Siding

  TYVEK House Wrap Installed                                                       New Primed Cedar Siding Installed
           

Completed Section of Siding Work