CompuServe Messages

I have a question about siding and insulation. My wife and I just bought an older home in south central Wisconsin (on the edge between Zone 4 and 5.) The original structure was built in 1848, they tell us, but it's been revamped several times. As far as we can tell, the wall construction is the balloon frame of the larger-than-4×4 timbers, a layer of tar paper, 3 inch clapboards, more tar paper, then 10 inch (cedar) clapboards. No insulation in the air space, it looks into the plaster-over-lathe walls. We don't want to re-paint (and re-paint and re-paint) so we're planning on vinyl siding. My question: Is there any advantage to removing both layers of old siding before we re-side? Yes, it would cost more to have it all removed. 🙂 Next, with the siding ripped off, it might be easier to re-wire all that old two-conductor cloth-wrapped electrical wiring. It might be easier to insulate, too, and easy access to the frame might make that job easier or offer more alternatives than blow-in insulation. We could wrap the house in Tyvek moisture barrier, then add foam insulation and the new siding. Read action !