Siding Replacement in Olympia, WA

Census data puts the median year built for Olympia homes at 1982, which means half the housing is older than that and half is newer. For siding, that split matters more than any single statistic. No one era defines the city’s houses, so the cladding on your walls could be original wood lap, T1-11, hardboard panels or builder-grade vinyl, and each fails in its own way. As siding contractors in Olympia, we start every project by working out which of those you have, then match the replacement to your house.

What’s on Olympia homes now

Olympia has 26,795 housing units, and Census data spreads them across four building eras almost evenly:

• Before 1950 (18%): most likely still carrying original wood lap siding. Older paint layers on these walls may contain lead.
• 1950–1979 (29%): the largest group. Cedar, T1-11 plywood panels and asbestos-cement shingles were common on houses of this period. Shingles of that kind may contain asbestos and should be tested before removal.
• 1980–1999 (28%): the era of composite and hardboard siding, including LP siding, which has a known history of moisture failure.
• 2000 and later (25%): usually fiber cement or builder-grade vinyl that is now reaching its first repaint or replacement.

The South Sound housing around the city is a mix of mid-century and rural homes. Detached houses make up 52% of Olympia’s housing units and attached homes such as townhouses another 14%. Apartments account for 31%, and mobile homes for 2%. On a detached house, the era of the original cladding and the amount of wall to cover are the first two things we look at, because together they shape both the removal work and the material that makes sense.

Choosing siding for Olympia’s conditions

For most Olympia houses our shortlist is vinyl, the Evergreen Shield Siding System and metal, plus stone accents where the design calls for them. Because none of the three is wood, none will rot, and unlike cedar they don’t need repainting after a wet winter. Which one fits your house depends on a few local facts:

• Electric heat points to insulated siding. Electricity heats 61% of Olympia homes, according to Census data, and gas heats 37%. Where heating is costly, an insulated wall pays back more. For owners of electrically heated homes, the first option we raise is the Evergreen Shield Siding System, the exclusive insulated composite siding we offer for Pacific Northwest weather.
• Home values favor premium materials. The median home value in Olympia is about $485,000, roughly 6% above the Thurston County median. At that price point, buyers lean toward the premium end: the Evergreen Shield Siding System, or metal siding.
• Large walls and tighter budgets favor vinyl. Of the three, vinyl costs the least and adapts to the widest range of house styles. On a larger detached house, or when the budget has to stretch to cover trim and other repairs, it is often the practical choice.
• Stone veneer works as an accent. Stacked stone or stone veneer can dress up an entry, wrap porch columns or a chimney, or run as a wainscot along the base of the wall, where it gives a durable course near grade. It goes alongside any of the three siding types rather than replacing them.

Many Olympia homes end up with a combination, such as vinyl on the main walls and stone at the entry. We talk through the best option for your home, and the colors, during the free in-home consultation.

Evergreen Shield Siding System in Olympia

Two features of the Evergreen Shield Siding System line up closely with Olympia homes.

The first is moisture. The panels are a composite material built for water resistance through long wet seasons, and they resist humidity, mold and mildew.

The second is heat. An insulating graphite membrane behind each panel rates R-2.0 for thermal resistance; standard vinyl siding rates R-0.61. In a city where electricity is the main heating fuel, that added resistance in the exterior wall is the main reason owners pick it over vinyl. We can show you samples and walk through how it would look on your house during the consultation.

Signs your siding needs replacing

The warning signs depend on your home’s age and exposure. The South Sound gets heavier rain than central Puget Sound, and the same damp conditions that grow moss on roofs here bring moss and rot to shaded walls. Look for:

• Swollen or flaking panel edges on 1980s and 1990s homes, where hardboard or LP siding soaks up water at the bottom edges.
• Delaminating T1-11 or split, soft cedar on houses from 1950 to 1979, the city’s largest building era, especially low on north walls.
• Paint that peels again soon after a repaint, which can point to moisture trapped behind the siding.
• Cracked, broken or missing pieces that let water reach the wall behind.
• A color scheme you have outgrown. On our 2026 Olympia siding replacement, the owners replaced original siding with a dated yellow and brown color scheme.

Get a free siding consultation in Olympia

Schedule a free in-home consultation through our contact page or call our Tacoma office at 253-777-0866. We’ll check your current siding, measure the walls and go over the options with you. Financing is available, along with discounts for seniors, active military, veterans and first responders. You can also browse our Olympia home exterior services.