Siding recommendations

[sleepy hollow]

I am planning to remove the aluminum siding on the three non-brick sides of my 1985 brick front colonial and replace it. I do not like the fiber cement siding products mainly due to their brittleness and "fake" look. Instead I am considering the LP Smartside Precision line of engineered wood clapboards.

I would like a beaded look but discovered tat the LP Architectural line cannot be blind nailed. It must be faced nailed. Go figure?

So, now I am considering the smooth 8" (7" reveal) OSB backed Precision version which is actually cheaper.

Here are my questions about Smartside:

1. Does anyone have any opinions about this product? What other suggestions might you have?

2. I have been quoted $12.04 per 16' 1/2 inch board. Is this reasonable?

3. I plan to use stainless steel 2 3/8" 0.113" diameter round head plastic collated fasteners in my PC framing nailer. Ok? LP specifies 8d box nails for fastening. As far as I can tell these are the same basic specs as box nails.


Here are my questions about prep work:

1. When I remove the existing siding, I expect to find the soft brown/black "paperboard" sheathing that was so commonly installed 25 years ago. Should I replace with OSB or plywood? If so, what grade and thickness should be used?

2. I would plan to wrap the house with Tyvek or equivalent. Good idea? If so, how are the windows handled since they are already installed and I cannot extend the tyvek into the openings?

3. What is the recommended way to work up high? Scaffolding? If so, what should that cost approx? Buy and then resell or rent? Thoughts?

Thanks for any advice you all can provide.