Siding, Roofing, Windows & Decks in Chehalis, WA

Half of the homes in Chehalis were built in 1965 or earlier, according to Census data, and plenty of them still carry the siding, roofs and windows of a much older house. Builders Service Company works on those exteriors across Lewis County, replacing siding, roofing and windows and building new decks. On an older home, the first job is finding out what is really there: original boards under layers of paint, panels added in a later remodel, or windows that have never been changed. From there, we match materials to how and when your house was built.

Homes in Chehalis: what’s on them now

Census data puts the median year built for Chehalis homes at 1965. The oldest two eras dominate: 35% of homes went up before 1950 and another 35% between 1950 and 1979. Only 18% date from 1980 to 1999, and 12% from 2000 or later.

Of the 3,030 housing units in town, 62% are detached houses, 9% are attached homes and 29% are in apartment buildings.

Each building era tends to leave its own materials on the outside of a house:

• Before 1950: likely original wood lap siding, possible lead paint, and single-pane or early windows.
• 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: composite and hardboard siding, including LP siding, which has a known history of moisture failure, along with first-generation vinyl windows.
• 2000 or later: fiber cement or builder-grade vinyl siding reaching its first repaint or replacement, and builder-grade windows.

Permits for exterior work on homes inside city limits are handled by the City of Chehalis.

Siding in Chehalis

The dominant building era in Chehalis, 1950 to 1979, left many houses with cedar, T1-11 or asbestos-cement shingle siding. Shingles from that era may contain asbestos and should be tested before removal. Another 18% of homes were built from 1980 to 1999, when hardboard and LP siding were common, and LP siding has a known history of moisture failure.

We usually recommend three replacement sidings, and none of them is wood:

• Vinyl siding is the most versatile and least expensive option, a practical choice when budget or a large wall area drives the decision.
• Evergreen Shield Siding System is our exclusive insulated composite siding, designed for the Pacific Northwest climate. Its composite material is built for water resistance against long wet seasons, humidity, mold and mildew. An insulating graphite membrane gives it a thermal resistance of R-2.0, compared with R-0.61 for standard vinyl siding.
• Metal siding is the other premium choice, alongside the Evergreen Shield Siding System.

Heating cost points toward insulation here. Census data shows 70% of local homes heat with electricity, and where heating is costly, insulated siding pays back more over time. Home values point the same way: the median home value of about $375,000 runs 8% above the Lewis County median, and owners of homes in that range more often choose premium siding such as the Evergreen Shield Siding System or metal.

Stacked stone and stone veneer accents can finish a wainscot, entry, column or chimney alongside any of the three. The best option for your home is something we work through together during the free in-home consultation.

Read more about siding replacement in Chehalis.

Roofing in Chehalis

Chehalis sits in Washington’s southwest interior, where wet winters and river flooding shape how a roof has to perform. Steady moisture lets moss take hold on shaded slopes, packs gutters and roof edges with debris, and tests every seam where water can get in. On a replacement, we focus on the details that handle water: underlayment, flashing at walls, chimneys and other penetrations, and ventilation that lets the attic dry out.

We install two roofing types and give them equal weight:

• Asphalt shingle roofing, installed with the underlayment, flashing and ventilation details a wet climate calls for.
• EDCO metal roofing, for homeowners who would rather move off shingles altogether.

Where an older house still has cedar shakes, moss and rot on the shakes are usually what prompt the switch to metal or asphalt shingles.

Wildfire risk ranks low here, at the 25th percentile statewide, so rain and moss, not embers, drive most roofing decisions in town. That lets you choose between asphalt shingles and EDCO metal on looks, roof shape and budget.

Every project starts with an honest assessment of the roof you have now: its condition, how many layers are on it, whether a full tear-off is needed, and how the decking underneath has held up. We then walk you through the materials and installation details that fit your house.

Learn more about roof replacement in Chehalis.

Windows in Chehalis

A large share of Chehalis houses still have the windows of an older era. Census data shows 35% of homes were built before 1950, when single-pane and early windows were standard, and another 35% between 1950 and 1979, the years of aluminum frames and early vinyl. Replacing single-pane glass and aluminum frames is where a window project usually starts on these houses, cutting drafts and evening out indoor temperatures.

We are the exclusive provider of Preservation 9000 vinyl replacement windows in Washington. Styles include double-hung, slider, casement, awning, hopper, picture, garden, bay and bow, and custom shapes, so we can match the window to the room:

• Kitchens and baths: casement, awning or hopper windows for ventilation.
• Upper floors and tight eaves: sliders or casements.
• Living rooms with a view: picture windows or a bay or bow.
• Older homes where the look matters: double-hung profiles that keep the original lines.

Heating fuel adds to the case. Census data shows 70% of homes in town heat with electricity, and where heating is costly, efficient windows pay back more. Electric service in the city comes from Lewis County PUD; you can check with Lewis County PUD for current programs before you start.

During the consultation we measure each opening, talk through styles and explain how the installation will go.

See our page on window replacement in Chehalis.

Decks in Chehalis

Wet winters are the main thing a deck in Chehalis has to stand up to. Rain, shade and moss shorten the life of untreated boards and make surfaces slick, so drainage, board spacing and slip resistance matter as much as the look.

We build with three materials:

• Composite decking does not rot and needs no staining, which suits shaded yards and long wet seasons.
• Vinyl decking shares those traits and keeps maintenance simple.
• Wood decking gives a natural look and often fits a tighter budget, with regular sealing to keep moisture out.

Census data shows 53% of homes in town are owner-occupied, and a higher owner-occupied share means more long-term owners investing in their exteriors. If you plan to stay, it is worth choosing the material by how much upkeep you want over the years, not just by the first season.

We help you pick the design and material that fit your yard, your budget and how you plan to use the space, take care of the build from start to finish, and clean up the job site when the deck is done.

Find out more about deck building in Chehalis.

Get a free in-home consultation

Schedule a free in-home consultation and we will look at your siding, roof, windows or deck in person and talk through the options that fit your home. We offer discounts for seniors, active military, veterans and first responders, and financing is available. Contact us online or call our Tacoma office at 253-777-0866.