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Many people remove aluminum siding to get to the wood underneath, allowing them to paint, stain, or finish the wood to give the home a brand-new aesthetic. With that in mind, you find plywood and related types of wood underneath aluminum siding, but you also run into fiber cement board, strand board, and a diverse array of other building materials. It depends on the original design of the house. 

You cannot install clapboard siding on a bare, unprepared surface. Clapboard siding requires a clean, sturdy base made from plywood or similar materials, sometimes called backerboard. Then, it needs an underlayment or sheathing, a moisture membrane to help protect the exterior wall.

Note that sometimes clapboard siding is caulked as it’s installed for additional protection. We don’t suggest this: Caulking the siding can trap moisture inside the clapboards and lead to moisture damage over time. The siding needs some space to “breathe,” especially in rainy weather.

Siding is one of your home’s first lines of defense against extreme weather. If you fail to repair or replace your damaged siding, your home is exposed to wind, snow, and rain—all of which can cause structural damage. Repairing your home’s structure will be much more costly and be a much bigger headache than simply keeping your siding in tip-top shape, so don’t delay—fix your siding ASAP.

The best type of paint for vinyl siding is a high-quality acrylic latex paint, often labeled as '100% acrylic.' This type of paint is lightweight and adheres well to the vinyl surface, which reduces the likelihood of it peeling or flaking. For best results, apply two coats and avoid using thick paint. The color choice is also important; select a light color to prevent the paint from absorbing excess heat, which helps extend the durability of your paint job.