Siding, Roofing, Windows & Decks in Centralia, WA

Census data shows 29% of Centralia’s homes were built before 1950, the largest share of any era in town. Many of those houses still carry original wood lap siding and early windows, and they sit alongside homes from every decade since, in a Southwest interior region known for Chehalis River flooding. Builders Service Company is an exterior contractor serving homeowners across Lewis County, and this page covers the four services we install here: siding, roofing, windows and decks. Each section explains what local housing and weather mean for your material choices, so you can come to a free in-home consultation knowing what to ask.

Homes in Centralia: what’s on them now

The median home in Centralia was built in 1977, but that midpoint hides a wide spread. Census data puts 29% of homes before 1950, 27% between 1950 and 1979, 28% between 1980 and 1999, and 16% in 2000 or later. Of the 8,121 housing units, 58% are detached houses, 15% are attached homes, 17% are apartments and 10% are mobile homes.

Each era tends to leave its own set of exterior issues:

• Before 1950: likely original wood lap siding, single-pane or early windows, and possible lead paint under the old coats.
• 1950 to 1979: cedar, T1-11 or asbestos-cement shingle siding, with aluminum or early vinyl windows. Asbestos-cement shingles may contain asbestos and should be tested before removal.
• 1980 to 1999: the era of composite and hardboard siding, including LP siding with its known history of moisture failure, plus first-generation vinyl windows.
• 2000 and later: fiber cement or builder-grade vinyl siding reaching its first repaint or replacement, and builder-grade windows.

Knowing which era your house belongs to tells us what we are likely to find once the old cladding comes off. For homes inside city limits, the permit authority is the City of Centralia.

Siding in Centralia

Siding work here usually starts with whatever is failing on the house now. About 28% of Centralia homes date from 1980 to 1999, the era of hardboard and LP siding, which has a known history of moisture failure. Older houses often still wear original wood lap, cedar or T1-11. None of the siding types we usually recommend is wood, so rot and peeling paint stop being yearly chores.

• Vinyl siding is the most versatile and least expensive option. Census data puts the local median home value at about $320,000, roughly 8% below the Lewis County median, and homes in that range tend to suit durable, cost-effective materials. Vinyl also keeps costs in check on large wall areas.
• The Evergreen Shield Siding System is our exclusive insulated composite siding, designed for the Pacific Northwest climate. Its insulating graphite membrane gives a thermal resistance of R-2.0, compared with R-0.61 for standard vinyl. With 80% of local homes heated by electricity, the payback from insulated siding is larger than it would be where heating is cheap. The composite panels are also built for water resistance against long wet seasons, mold and mildew.
• Metal siding is the third type we usually recommend, and owners planning a premium long-term exterior often compare it with the Evergreen Shield Siding System.
• Stacked stone and stone veneer work as accents on entries, columns, chimneys or a wainscot along the base of the wall.

These are the types we usually recommend, not the only ones that exist. The best option for your house is something we work out together during the free in-home consultation, after we see what is on the walls today.

Read more about siding replacement in Centralia.

Roofing in Centralia

The Southwest interior region brings wet winters, so a roof here spends months shedding water. That puts the details that are easy to skip at the center of the job: underlayment, flashing at walls, valleys and penetrations, and ventilation that keeps the attic dry. Moss management matters too, since moss holds moisture against the roof. Every roof we install gets proper sealing and ventilation, and we don’t take shortcuts on either.

We install two main roof types and give them equal weight:

• Asphalt shingle roofing fits most pitched roofs and replaces worn, curling or moss-covered shingles.
• EDCO metal roofing is our metal option, often chosen by owners who want a different look from shingles.

If your house still has a cedar shake roof with moss and rot, either one is a practical replacement.

State wildfire data rates Centralia’s risk as Low, at the 49th percentile in Washington, so a fire rating is less often the deciding factor here than it is in high-risk parts of the state.

Mobile homes make up 10% of local housing, and many manufactured homes have low-slope roofs that need a roof system suited to the shallow pitch. On any home, we check slope, existing layers and the condition of the roof deck before recommending a material.

Learn more about roof replacement in Centralia.

Windows in Centralia

With a median build year of 1977, much of the town’s housing predates today’s window standards. Homes from before 1950 may still have single-pane or early windows, and houses from 1950 to 1979 often have aluminum or early vinyl frames. Homes from the 1980s and 1990s usually have first-generation vinyl windows with seals that are failing, which often shows up as fog between the panes.

We install Preservation 9000 vinyl replacement windows and are the exclusive provider of Preservation 9000 in Washington. Styles can be matched to each room:

• Double-hung and slider windows for most bedrooms and living rooms
• Casement, awning and hopper windows for ventilation in kitchens and baths
• Picture, bay and bow windows where you want a wider view
• Garden windows and custom shapes for special openings

Heating cost is a big part of the payback picture. Census data shows 80% of local homes heat with electricity, and where heating is electric, the payback from efficient windows is larger. Replacing drafty units also improves indoor temperature control. Electric service comes from Centralia City Light; check with the utility for current rebate programs before you order.

With 60% of homes owner-occupied, many households are long-term owners investing in their exteriors, and windows are often where that work starts.

See more about window replacement in Centralia.

Decks in Centralia

Wet winters are the main thing a deck in this part of Lewis County has to survive. Rain and shade feed moss, make boards slick and rot untreated wood, so drainage, slip resistance and rot-resistant materials come first when we plan a deck.

We build with three materials:

• Composite decking doesn’t rot and doesn’t need staining, which suits wet or shaded yards.
• Vinyl decking also resists rot and needs no staining.
• Wood decking gives a natural look on a tighter budget, with regular sealing to hold up through the rainy months.

Wildfire risk for Centralia is rated Low, at the 49th percentile statewide, so ember-resistant decking is rarely the main driver of material choice here.

About 60% of homes are owner-occupied, and owners who plan to stay usually want a deck built for years of use. We design each deck to fit the house and yard, with safe, sturdy construction for relaxing, entertaining and family use.

Read more about deck building in Centralia.

Get a free in-home consultation

Schedule a free in-home consultation and we will look at your siding, roof, windows and deck together, then talk through the options that fit your home and budget. Ask about our lifetime warranty, our discounts for seniors, active military, veterans and first responders, and financing. Call 253-777-0866 or contact us online.