King County, WA
Siding, Roofing, Windows & Decks in Burien, WA
King County assessor records put the median build year of a single-family home in Burien at 1954, and 51% of those homes went up between 1950 and 1979. Mid-century houses are the core of the work our crews do here. As exterior contractors serving the city and the rest of King County, Builders Service Company replaces siding, roofing, windows and decks. This page covers what each of those projects usually involves on a house of this age, how the local rain shapes material choices, and how to start with a free in-home consultation.
Homes in Burien: what’s on them now
King County assessor records cover 11,889 single-family homes in the city: 34% built before 1950, 51% from 1950 to 1979, 6% from 1980 to 1999 and 9% in 2000 or later. The median home has 1,660 square feet, and only 8% show a recorded renovation. Census data, which counts all 21,271 housing units, gives a median year built of 1966. Of those units, 57% are detached houses, 8% are attached and 34% are in apartment buildings.
The larger subdivisions follow the same timeline: Seahurst Park Add (median year built 1946), Cedarhurst (1950), Hillmans Garden Tracts (1953) and Churchills Sub-Villa 1-Acre Trs (1960).
That age profile tells us what is likely on the walls today. Houses from before 1950 often still have original wood lap siding, possible lead paint and single-pane or early windows. Homes from the following three decades typically carry cedar or T1-11 siding with aluminum or early vinyl windows. Assessors rate 32% of homes in good or very good condition. The median home value of about $640,000 sits 31% below the King County median, so durable, cost-effective materials are where many projects begin.
Permits for exterior work are issued by the City of Burien.
Siding in Burien
Most of the siding we replace here is wood on mid-century houses: cedar, T1-11 or original lap siding. Some homes have asbestos-cement shingles, which may contain asbestos and should be tested before removal. In our experience wood siding does not hold up well in Washington’s wet climate, so none of the options we usually recommend is wood.
Vinyl siding is the most versatile and least expensive of them. With the median Burien home value 31% below the King County median, vinyl is a common starting point, especially on houses with a lot of wall area.
The Evergreen Shield Siding System is our insulated composite siding, designed for the Pacific Northwest climate. The composite is built for water resistance through long wet seasons, humidity, mold and mildew. An insulating graphite membrane gives it R-2.0 thermal resistance, compared with R-0.61 for standard vinyl siding. That counts here, where Census data shows 55% of households heat with electricity and 9% with oil. For houses near the water, vinyl and the Evergreen Shield Siding System are the two we suggest for salt exposure.
Metal siding is also available. Stacked stone and stone veneer work as accents on entries, wainscots and chimneys; assessor records show 10% of homes already have some brick or stone on the exterior. A 2026 stone veneer and siding replacement in Burien combined new siding with stone veneer for added texture. The best option for your home is discussed during the free in-home consultation.
Read more about siding replacement in Burien.
Roofing in Burien
Rain, not snow or fire, shapes most roofing decisions here. Moss and rot show up first on north-facing roof planes, where shingles stay damp longest, and older cedar shake roofs covered in moss are a common replacement. Wildfire risk is rated low, at the 58th percentile statewide.
We install two main roof types and give them equal weight:
- Asphalt shingle roofing, a familiar choice for a full replacement on most homes.
- EDCO metal roofing, which sheds rain quickly and gives moss less to grip. On homes near the water, choose corrosion-resistant metal finishes and fasteners for salt exposure.
With either, the details carry the job in this climate: underlayment, flashing at walls and roof penetrations, and ventilation that lets the attic dry out. Every roof is installed with proper sealing and ventilation, and we also handle repairs for leaks, wear and storm damage.
Census data puts the median year built for Burien housing at 1966, so many roofs may carry more than one layer of old roofing; we check before planning a tear-off. Assessor records show 16% of homes have two or more stories, which affects staging and safety setup. Mobile homes make up 1% of housing units, and their low-slope manufactured-home roofs need a different approach.
Read more about roof replacement in Burien.
Windows in Burien
With 34% of single-family homes built before 1950 and most of the rest from the decades right after, many houses here still have single-pane glass, aluminum frames or early vinyl units. We install Preservation 9000 vinyl replacement windows, and the company is the exclusive provider of Preservation 9000 windows in Washington. Replacing old units reduces drafts and keeps indoor temperatures steadier.
Heating cost raises the stakes: 55% of households heat with electricity and 9% with oil, so the payback from efficient windows is larger. Electric service comes from Seattle City Light; check with Seattle City Light for current rebate programs.
Noise is the other local reason to upgrade. King County assessor records place 26% of single-family homes in an airport noise zone and 17% near traffic noise. New windows can reduce the noise that reaches your rooms, though results depend on the house.
Styles to match the home:
- Sliders or casements for upper floors and tight eaves; 16% of homes have two or more stories.
- Picture windows and bay or bow units for the 13% of homes with a view.
- Casement, awning or hopper windows for kitchen and bath ventilation.
- Double-hung, garden and custom shapes where the original layout calls for them.
Read more about window replacement in Burien.
Decks in Burien
Decks are common here: King County assessor records show 45% of single-family homes have one, and the median deck is 230 square feet. With 57% of housing units owner-occupied, many owners are planning for the long term.
Rain is the main design factor. Boards on shaded, north-facing sides stay wet, grow moss and turn slippery, so drainage, slip resistance and rot-resistant materials come first. We gap boards so water drains through and flash the ledger where the deck meets the house, so the framing behind it stays dry.
- Composite and vinyl decking do not rot and never need staining, which suits shade and moss.
- Wood decking gives a natural look and a lower starting cost, with regular sealing to keep water out.
For the 13% of homes with a view, railing choices that keep sightlines open are worth planning early. We build backyard and front-yard decks, new additions and remodels of existing decks.
Read more about deck building in Burien.
Also serving nearby
We also bring the same siding, roofing, window and deck services to homeowners in SeaTac.
Get a free in-home consultation
Schedule a free in-home consultation and we will look at your siding, roof, windows or deck and explain the options that fit your home. Call our Seattle office at 206-430-1927 or contact us online. Our work carries a lifetime warranty, financing is available, and we offer discounts for seniors, active military, veterans and first responders. Washington contractor license BUILDSC027JN.
Burien siding, roofing, window and deck FAQ
Should I test my mid-century siding for asbestos before replacing it?
Yes, if it is asbestos-cement shingle siding. Census data shows 47% of Burien housing units were built between 1950 and 1979, the era when cedar, T1-11 and asbestos-cement shingles were common. Shingle siding from that period may contain asbestos and should be tested before removal. During the free in-home consultation we identify what is on your walls and plan the replacement with vinyl, metal or the Evergreen Shield Siding System.
Can new windows help with airport noise?
They can reduce it. King County assessor records place 26% of Burien single-family homes in an airport noise zone, and replacing old single-pane or aluminum windows with Preservation 9000 vinyl windows can cut the noise that reaches your rooms. We do not promise a specific decibel reduction, because results depend on the house, the walls and the window openings.
Is wildfire a concern when choosing a roof here?
It is a smaller factor than rain. Wildfire risk in Burien is rated low, at the 58th percentile statewide, so keeping water out drives most roofing decisions. Both asphalt shingle roofing and EDCO metal roofing work well; metal sheds water quickly, while asphalt shingles are a familiar choice for a full replacement. Good flashing, underlayment and ventilation matter for either one.
How big is a typical deck on a Burien home?
The median deck is 230 square feet, according to King County assessor records, and 45% of single-family homes in Burien have one. We build in wood, vinyl and composite. Composite and vinyl boards do not rot or need staining, while wood gives a natural look and needs regular sealing. We can resize, rebuild or replace an existing deck.
Will new siding need repainting in this wet climate?
The Evergreen Shield Siding System does not. Its panels come in 20 built-in, fade-resistant colors that resist chipping, peeling and fading, so there is no repainting cycle to plan around. Unlike the painted cedar on many older Burien houses, the color is part of the panel rather than a coat on top. We bring samples to the free in-home consultation.
Are there rebates or discounts for window replacement?
Check with Seattle City Light, the electric utility serving Burien, for current rebate programs before you order. We do not quote rebate amounts because programs change. On our side, financing is available, and we offer discounts for seniors, active military, veterans and first responders. We can go over both during the free in-home consultation.