Originally posted by Roger Nair:
On the modern siding issue habit, ignorance or a cost vs quality problem. I am also concerned that since the housewrap is a better moisture barrier the siding will suffer from direct contact whereas felt (the previous material of choice) will absorb water and moderate the water problems with siding.
One large problem in the construction business is that homes are more of an investment than they are a shelter to live in for generations to come (like it is in Europe). So the builder has a hard time to sell quality ( which will cost a bit more) to the home owner if they are only looking for cosmetics and are going to sell the house within a few years anyway.
But seriously, how much more time and material does it take to run furring on the walls before the siding goes up? My guess is, a lot less then having to come back and "fix" the paint peeling and rot every year. So it is up to the builder to explain to the home owner initial cost of building and long term cost of maintaining.
