Lap siding for the Water Tower ?

[California]

Any advice for lap siding on an enclosed Water Tower? (It has become a 3-story workshop/storage/kids playhouse, no tank).

I had to rebuild the first part of the structure above the concrete foundation - the plates and the first few inches of the columns. There were various types of lap siding removed for access, reflecting several prior repairs all done differently over the past 100 years. The back side of the tower was cedar shingles over rough redwood planks and that will all be removed. I'll use plywood sheeting as the first layer there.

My question is what will last longest over that plywood at least cost - HardiBoard (concrete/fiberglass), lap siding of Cedar or Redwood, or something else. Appearance isn't critical on that back side, its not in a line of sight from anywhere. And I don't need weathertight construction, I think it will last longer if it continues to breath a little like an old barn. Since it tapers upward and doesn't have any studs aside from the structural columns 6 ft apart, I think returning to horizontal lap siding over plywood installed horizontal, will be best.

Any advice on lap siding, or something else?

 

[s219]

That's a cool and unique building! Hardi would be the best if you don't mind having to paint it. But properly cared for, cedar or redwood will last a long time too.

 

[zzvyb6]

I was under the impression that so called "tank-Houses" were protected by some historical regulation in California.

Pictures of ones I have (because they had a water pumping windmill attached to them) have vertical siding that looks like it was T-111 cedar type siding and some sort of 6 or 12 inch shiplap. On one of my windmills, I'm putting home-made horizontal shiplap siding I make from 6" dog-eared cedar fence boards.

 

[California]

I was under the impression that so called "tank-Houses" were protected by some historical regulation in California.

Hmmm. Sounds likely, but I never thought of that. Any more info?

Windmills? You have more than one?

Thanks for the mention of that book! I went and read the author's website. He has many photos posted.

 

[California]

Middle of the night inspiration: I'll salvage the lowest good piece of 1 x 6 lap siding off the right side of the tower and use that to replace the bad piece on the front where it is visible. Then use 12" cement board for the lowest lap siding on the right side and back (which aren't visible from anywhere), to protect against ground contact and against mouse (or gopher) holes like I encountered on those sides. Then probably simple wood lap siding (no pattern) to re-panel the back.