Siding Replacement in Seattle, WA

As a siding contractor in Seattle, we see more variety on a single block than some suburbs have in a whole subdivision. A 1910 Foursquare in Queen Anne, a brick-and-stucco Tudor in Magnolia, a 1950s rambler in West Seattle and a three-story townhome in Ballard all sit within a few miles of each other, and each one needs a different plan. That is why a Seattle siding replacement starts with the house, not the product brochure.

Early-1900s Craftsman and Foursquare homes

Much of Wallingford, Capitol Hill, Beacon Hill and Queen Anne was built before 1930. Many of these homes still have original cedar clapboard or shingles, sometimes covered decades ago by a second layer. Wide eaves, tapered porch columns and deep window trim are the character people fall in love with, so we plan profiles, reveal widths and trim so the replacement looks like it belongs. Cedar siding and smooth fiber cement siding with a narrow reveal are the most common choices here.

Older shingles and what may be under them

Some mid-century Seattle homes were re-sided with cement-based shingles that may contain asbestos. We cannot tell by looking, and neither can anyone else. If your home has hard, brittle, gray-backed shingles, we recommend testing before anything is removed. Washington rules generally call for an asbestos survey before renovation work that could disturb suspect materials, and a certified abatement contractor may be needed. We will point this out during the inspection so it is planned for, not discovered mid-project.

Shade, moss and tight lot lines

North walls under big maples and firs can stay damp for months. Moss and mildew grow on horizontal ledges, and water sits behind failing caulk. On many Seattle lots the house next door is only a few feet away, which limits ladder angles and slows staging. We plan access for narrow side yards up front, flash every window and door opening, and recommend a rain-screen gap on shady, wet walls where it makes sense.

Permits and landmark review

Before we start, check whether your project needs a permit from the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI). Like-for-like re-siding is often simpler than work that changes structure or windows, but rules change and every scope is different, so confirm with the city. If your home is in a landmark or historic district, such as Harvard-Belmont on Capitol Hill or the Ballard Avenue area, exterior changes may need design review before work begins. We help you gather the material details reviewers usually ask for.

Want the full picture of what a replacement includes? See our siding replacement process, or, if the damage is limited to one wall, our siding repair service.