In some severe moisture cases, we have applied just the primer on the stripped areas, and let it set for a full heating season. Contrary to popular belief about leaving a primer on bare wood for this length of time, we have never encountered any adverse effects. In fact, it gives the surface a more porous finish to facilitate the drying-out process. You may also question whether these breathing areas will be susceptible to heat loss, vapor barriers, or insects. We have never found any significant heat loss due to this system.
Vapor barriers control the moisture from entering or exiting an interior wall.
The moisture we're dealing with is a sweating process that takes place right behind the clapboards or shingles. We have never encountered insect infestation. The only small difficulty we have encountered after wedging occurs on a sunny day when the sun reaches a certain height. This sometimes casts a wavy shadow from the clapboard or shingle that has been wedged onto the one below it. This lasts about an hour a day, and is cosmetic only.