Siding, Roofing, Windows & Decks in Cle Elum, WA

More than a third of the homes in Cle Elum, 37%, were built before 1950, so many houses here are carrying exteriors that have seen decades of mountain winters. Builders Service Company replaces siding, roofing, windows and decks for homeowners across Kittitas County, and this page covers what each of those projects looks like on homes like yours. You will find what is likely on your house now, which materials fit the way your house is built and heated, and what to ask about at your consultation. Every project starts with a look at your actual walls, roof and windows before we recommend anything.

Homes in Cle Elum: what’s on them now

Census data puts the median year built at 1976, but that middle figure hides a wide spread. Homes built before 1950 make up 37% of the housing stock, 18% date from 1950 to 1979, 21% from 1980 to 1999, and 24% from 2000 or later. Of the 1,134 housing units, 76% are detached houses, 9% are attached homes, 12% are apartments and 2% are mobile homes. The median home value, about $450,000, sits right at the Kittitas County median.

Each era tends to leave its own exterior behind:

• Before 1950: likely original wood lap siding, possible lead paint under old coats, 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, plus first-generation vinyl windows.
• 2000 or later: fiber cement or builder-grade vinyl siding reaching its first repaint or replacement, and builder-grade windows.

Knowing which group your house falls into tells us what we will likely find when the old siding or roofing comes off.

Building permits for exterior work here are handled by the City of Cle Elum.

Siding in Cle Elum

State wildfire ratings place Cle Elum in the 98th percentile for wildfire risk in Washington, which makes fire resistance the first thing to weigh when you replace siding. Below are the types we usually recommend; the best option for your home is something we work out together during the free in-home consultation.

• Evergreen Shield Siding System: our exclusive insulated composite siding carries a Class A fire rating, the highest fire-resistance rating for construction materials.
• Metal siding: the other type we point homeowners to in high wildfire areas, and a good match for a clean, durable exterior.
• Vinyl siding: the most versatile and least expensive option, practical for large wall areas or a tighter budget.
• Stacked stone and stone veneer: accent cladding for wainscots, entries, columns and chimneys. Stone is noncombustible, so it also makes a sturdy base course near the ground.

Heating cost is the second factor. Census data shows 53% of homes in town heat with electricity, and where heating is costly, insulated siding pays back more. The Evergreen Shield Siding System has an insulating graphite membrane with a thermal resistance of R-2.0, compared with R-0.61 for standard vinyl siding. That combination of fire rating and insulation is why it comes up in most of our conversations with homeowners in wildfire country.

Whatever you choose, we remove the old siding first so we can see the sheathing and repair any damage before new panels go up. Read more about siding replacement in Cle Elum.

Roofing in Cle Elum

Cle Elum’s East Cascades mountain climate brings heavy snow loads and freeze-thaw cycles, and both shape how a roof should be built here. The same regional climate notes call for Class A roofing because of wildfire risk. We install two main roof types and give them equal weight when we talk through your options:

• EDCO metal roofing: sheds snow instead of holding it on the roof, which takes weight off the structure, and forms a Class A roof assembly.
• Asphalt shingle roofing: installed as a Class A-rated shingle system, with a traditional look that suits older homes and newer ones alike.

Before a new roof goes on, we check the structure underneath. Heavy snow means the rafters and sheathing have to carry real weight, and repeated freezing and thawing opens small gaps around flashing where meltwater gets in. On older houses we also check how many layers of old roofing are already up there, since that changes the tear-off and the condition of the deck below.

Wood stoves are common in this area: Census data shows 12% of homes heat with wood. If your house has a chimney, we inspect the flashing and the cricket behind it, because chimneys and other roof penetrations are where snowmelt most often finds its way inside. Every roof we install gets careful sealing and ventilation, so moisture from inside the house can escape instead of condensing under the deck.

Read more about roof replacement in Cle Elum.

Windows in Cle Elum

With a median build year of 1976, many homes in Cle Elum still have windows from the era of single-pane glass and aluminum frames, or the early vinyl units that followed. Those windows let in drafts and make rooms near the glass hard to keep warm through a mountain winter. We replace them with Preservation 9000 vinyl replacement windows, and we are the exclusive provider of Preservation 9000 windows in Washington.

Heating fuel is the bigger reason to act. Census data shows 53% of local homes heat with electricity, 9% with propane and 8% with oil, all costlier than gas. Where heating costs more, efficient windows pay back faster. You can check with PSE for current programs before you order.

New windows bring reduced drafts and better control of indoor temperature. Preservation 9000 comes in a range of styles, and we match them to the room:

• Double-hung and slider: everyday choices for bedrooms and living areas; sliders also suit upper floors and tight eaves.
• Casement, awning and hopper: good ventilation for kitchens and bathrooms.
• Picture, bay and bow: for walls facing a view you want to frame.
• Garden windows and custom shapes: for kitchens, gables and openings that don’t fit a standard size.

With 63% of homes owner-occupied, most windows here are chosen by people who plan to live with them for years, so we measure each opening and install every unit to fit it properly.

Read more about window replacement in Cle Elum.

Decks in Cle Elum

A deck on the east side of the Cascades has to handle heavy snow, freeze-thaw cycles and strong summer sun. We build decks in wood, vinyl and composite, and each one handles those conditions differently:

• Composite and vinyl: no rot and no staining. Sun can fade boards and heat the surface, so lighter colors are the better pick for a deck in full sun.
• Wood: the most natural look and often the budget choice, but it needs regular sealing to stand up to snowmelt and sun.

Snow load drives the framing. Joists, beams and posts need to carry a winter of snow, and we plan the structure for that before we pick boards. The region’s climate notes also list wildfire risk, so we talk through ember-resistant decking and keeping the space under the deck clear of anything that could burn.

With 63% of homes owner-occupied, many decks in Cle Elum are built for owners who will use them for years. We design each deck so your outdoor space works as an extension of your home.

Read more about deck building in Cle Elum.

Also serving nearby

We also serve homeowners in nearby Easton.

Get a free in-home consultation

Schedule a free in-home consultation and we will look at your property and talk through the options that fit it. Call toll free at 888-980-8580 or contact us online. We offer discounts for seniors, active military, veterans and first responders, and financing is available. Washington contractor license BUILDSC027JN.