Siding materials:

CertainTeed Weatherboards "Cedar Lap Siding". "The products are manufactured using a multi-step high-pressure process combining Portland cement, fly ash, wood fiber and specialty additives. [It is a "green product"] ...made from recycled materials and sustainably harvested wood pulp. These products are impervious to wood boring insects, resistant to UV radiation, have a Class 1 (A) Flame Spread Rating (considered non-combustible), will not rot, and have superior impact resistance. 50 year warranty." Cool.

Greg (siding installer) talked us out of getting the pre-painted product. He feels that the finished product looks better if it is painted on site (no paint spots where the siding was nailed). Not to mention we came out budget neutral vs stucco or vinyl siding -- if I do the painting.

On top of:

Pactiv GreenGuard Raindrop House wrap. "Provides advanced moisture management. Drainage channels move water away from the wall. Protects against air and water infiltration." Of course DuPont (maker of Tyvek) thinks their product is better. Some builders think 30# felt is the only way to go based on long term track record. Long story short, I think the critical function in our house is keeping water out, which I think this product will do very well. I don't think we'll have vapor issues due to the Icynene insulation on the inside, and exterior foam insulation on top of the sheathing.

On top of:

Owens Corning Foamular 250 Rigid Foam Insulation. As previously blogged: extruded polystyrene foam sheathing (R value of 5). "...for exterior walls contains hundreds of millions of densely packed air cells to provide exceptional thermal performance. It’s also virtually impervious to moisture, preventing loss of R-value due to moisture penetration."