Hardiboard on older home

[Melanie Hancock]

I really want to replace my rotting cardboard siding with hardiboard but have some concerns. We have a 28x40 1988 champion on piers- no foundation- will the house support the weight of the siding? Also the windows are fastened to the house over the top of the existing siding and I am worried about taking them all off and reinstalling (would love new windows but cannot deal w/the cost) My husband wants to put the new siding over the old(removing damaged sections first) which also worries me!
We are planning on selling the home in the next 5 years and have been keeping it well maintained for that purpose. I think that the hardiboard is a good investment but not if it is going to pull the house down!