We have a 50's colonial. Wanting to replace siding with Hardieplank and the stuff under the current cedar siding is homasote.

One contractor wants to leave it all in place and put ply sheathing then wrap the house, put up siding and "box" the windows in aluminum... Not happy with this.

The "approved" Hardie guy came, hated him, über sales pitch was a real turn off as I worry that when you need to use fear to sell your services there is something amiss. He suggested removing the siding, then ply then Wrap then Hardie. I do like this approach better, but again, not this guy.

The homasote is what seems to be causing the problem as once it is wrapped, you lose the location of the studs and don't know where to nail on the siding.

SO- does anyone have any thoughts about installation strategies or experience with this?

(ps keeping the cedar isn't in the books sadly due to extensive damage both age and storm related from Sandy)