u/Nauticalknots

I have a manufactured home (1100 sf ranch 2x4 stud framed on a full foundation, delivered in two parts kind of house) from the 80s, northern New England, and the vinyl siding needs to be replaced. I’m looking for some advice on what combination of wall system upgrades & new siding option would work best together, and with consideration to my personal circumstances.

the wall system is:
- 1/2” drywall (just repaired all drywall inside, painted)
- 2x4 studs 16OC with yellow fiberglass insulation batts
- 3/8” plywood sheathing
- 1” blue board insulation
-vinyl siding
That’s it. No house wrap or vapor barriers..

Replacement siding options:
- Shiplap. Probably what I’m leaning toward most. Would need strapping regardless of wall system as far as I know. I’d prefer the look where the seams run vertical. Seems the best combo of quick to put up, price, and aesthetic.
- cedar shingles. I just did my small cabin with the shingles over a mesh rain screen on zip system.. so I’m familiar and won’t have the learning curve of other sidings. I love the look, the price and time to install, including staining, are cons..
I’d rather not do shingles if I need strapping.. ie over foam board.
- clapboard. Don’t have experience with this but this would work aesthetically too. I assume this can be nailed to the studs or over vertical strapping. I’m not sure vertical strapping over 3/8” sheathing is ideal?

Wall system options:
- only remove siding.. and add strapping to outside of the blue board.
- remove the aging blue board, add new foam board insulation, add strapping.
- strip everything back to the studs/drywall from the outside, put rock wool insulation, and zip-r for sheathing.

-I guess ideally, I’d take all the blue board off, and put Zip-R over the 3/8” plywood and go right on into siding.. But I assume that will have some kind of moisture issues? That seems the quickest way to keep the R value of the walls, improve the siding and moisture/air barrier, and move into siding, with the option to do cedar shingles over a mesh rain screen. I’m not sure I’d like the job of ripping out all the 3/8” play wood..

The house:
- The attic space was insulated very well by an efficient program, and I think the blue board really helps with the walls.
- Winters are rough here and it does quite well.
- there could be sheathing that needs to be replaced anyway, I’ve already done some rot repairs and rebuilt a whole section of wall.

My preferences/situation:
- I will basically be doing this myself with some help from my wife and with a friend to lend a hand as needed.
- I’d like to avoid house wrap, the Zip is just less of a hassle and more familiar to me as I’ve used it a few times. I would use housewrap, though, if I continue use of the 3/8” plywood and it’s recommended to add tyvek…
- I’m not too experienced but I built a smaller stick frame cabin all on my own with some professional advice.. so I know the basics.
- I’m budget conscious but willing to spend what it takes to get it done quickly on my own and improve the quality of the wall system while I have this chance to go at it. I’ve given the house a second life on the interior so I also want to do the exterior some justice too.