Siding, Roofing, Windows & Decks in Ellensburg, WA

More than a third of Ellensburg’s homes, 36%, were built in 2000 or later, so many exteriors here are coming up on their first round of replacement rather than their third. Builders Service Company is an exterior contractor serving Kittitas County, and we replace siding, install roofing, upgrade windows and build decks for homeowners across the city. The East Cascades valley climate shapes each of those choices. This page covers what is typical on local homes, which materials fit the conditions, and what happens at a free in-home consultation, where we look at your property and talk through the options that suit it.

Homes in Ellensburg: what’s on them now

Census data shows a median year built of 1991 for Ellensburg’s 9,508 housing units, and the mix spans every era: 14% were built before 1950, 27% between 1950 and 1979, 24% between 1980 and 1999, and 36% in 2000 or later.

Each era tends to come with its own exterior:

• 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, 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.

The housing is mixed in form as well. Detached houses make up 44% of units, attached homes 21%, apartments 32% and mobile homes 3%.

Permits for exterior work inside the city are handled by the City of Ellensburg.

Siding in Ellensburg

Wildfire risk in Ellensburg ranks in the 97th percentile statewide, so fire resistance belongs near the top of any siding decision. Below are the siding types we usually recommend for these conditions; the best option for your home is settled during the free in-home consultation.

The Evergreen Shield Siding System is our exclusive insulated composite siding, designed for the Pacific Northwest. It carries a Class A fire rating, the highest fire-resistance rating for construction materials. Its insulating graphite membrane gives it a thermal resistance of R-2.0, compared with R-0.61 for standard vinyl siding. That insulation counts for more where heating is costly, and 74% of homes in the city heat with electricity.

Metal siding is the other type we match to high wildfire risk. We often weigh it alongside the Evergreen Shield Siding System when fire exposure is the main concern.

Vinyl siding is the most versatile and least expensive option. The median home value in Ellensburg is about $405,000, 10% below the Kittitas County median, and on homes like these vinyl is often the cost-effective pick, especially across a large wall area.

Stacked stone and stone veneer work as accents on wainscots, entries, columns and chimneys. Because they are noncombustible, they also fit near grade in wildfire areas.

If your house dates from the 1980s or 1990s, the hardboard or LP siding on it now may be showing moisture damage. On older homes, asbestos-cement shingles should be tested before they come off.

Read more about siding replacement in Ellensburg.

Roofing in Ellensburg

Roofs in Ellensburg face cold winters, extreme wind and a wildfire risk in the 97th percentile statewide. We install two main roof types, asphalt shingle and metal, and either one can be the right fit depending on your home and budget. At the consultation we compare how each one handles snow, wind and fire exposure on your house.

Our metal roofing is EDCO. On the east side of the Cascades, a metal roof sheds snow, which helps through freeze-thaw cycles. Before installing, we check the roof structure to confirm it is ready for the new system. Metal also forms part of a Class A roof assembly, the rating to look for where wildfire risk runs this high.

Asphalt shingle roofing is the other main option, and Class A-rated shingle systems are available for homes in fire-prone areas. With wind moving through the valley, sealing and edge details matter as much as the shingle itself.

Whichever material you choose, we install it with proper sealing and ventilation, and we replace aging or damaged roofs as well as roofing new additions. Older homes may have more than one layer of shingles, so we check the layers and the roof deck before planning a tear-off.

Read more about roof replacement in Ellensburg.

Windows in Ellensburg

Electricity heats 74% of Ellensburg homes, so efficient windows have a larger payback here, where winters are cold and heating bills add up. New windows also cut drafts and help keep indoor temperatures steady through the year.

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

What you are replacing depends on when the house was built. The 24% of homes built from 1980 to 1999 often still have first-generation vinyl windows, and failing seals are common at that age. Older homes may have aluminum frames or single-pane glass, while houses built since 2000 usually have builder-grade windows that are reaching replacement. A new install is also the time to pick styles that fit how you use each room.

Style choices follow the room and the house:

• Upper floors and tight eaves: sliders or casements.
• Kitchens and baths: casement, awning or hopper windows for ventilation.
• Living rooms: picture windows, or a bay or bow window to add light and space.

Your electric service comes from the City of Ellensburg utility, so check with that utility for current rebate programs before you order.

Read more about window replacement in Ellensburg.

Decks in Ellensburg

Hot, dry summers and high UV are the main tests for a deck in Ellensburg. Deck surfaces fade and heat up in direct sun, so lighter composite or vinyl colors are usually the better fit for a sunny exposure.

We build with wood, vinyl and composite decking:

• Composite and vinyl: no rot and no staining; choose lighter colors to limit fade and surface heat.
• Wood: a natural look and a fit for tighter budgets, with regular sealing to keep it in shape under strong sun.

We help you weigh upkeep, look and cost before you choose.

Wildfire risk here is rated high, so we plan for ember-resistant decking and keep the area under the deck clear of anything that could catch.

A well-built deck adds usable space for relaxing, entertaining and family time. We design each one around your home and yard, with safe, sturdy construction from the footings up.

Read more about deck building in Ellensburg.

Get a free in-home consultation

Schedule a free in-home consultation and we will look at your home, talk through the materials that fit it, and give you a clear recommendation. 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.