A New Jacket: the Insulation/Windows/Siding Project (Part II).
On my second section, the west wall, I realized that strategically removing the sheathing made putting it back on much easier and didn't impede insulating. I made marks on the top and bottom rungs of sheathing to mark the left edge of studs (of course I didn't develop a good system to translate these onto the house wrap so I'm going to have to figure out something when I go to put up the siding because it needs to be attached by nails that anchor in studs).
Interesting, the builders used the foundation forms for sheathing the house. I thought about replacing it all but it would have been a waste of good wood, increased costs significantly, and required way more effort than reusing the old. We decided to decrease the height of the left window opening so that cabinets and countertop in the kitchen could someday wrap under the window.
I Tyvek over the window openings and then cut them out later. Proper shingling for all flashing and house wrap is critical. I start at the bottom and work my way up. I used "sticky icky" or adhesive flashing under the aluminum flashing beneath the fascia at the roofline to make sure that water can't seep in beside the electro-galvanized roofing nails I attach the aluminum with. Using proper nails for the application is important. Plain galvanized nails are good for exterior work but react with aluminum. Common nails are used to attach the sheathing but need to be protected from water (a la housewrap and siding).
