I would go back in there with cedar beveled siding or redwood if I could afford it. If you do that you will never have to touch it again in your lifetime. Vinyl would not look right imho....nor hardiboard.

barn siding would change the appearance unless it is actually beveled wood instead of straight rectangular boards like they all are in the midwest.

You could also probably just change the boards that are bad.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.