Siding, Roofing, Windows & Decks in Gig Harbor, WA

More than half of Gig Harbor’s single-family homes were built in 2000 or later, and Pierce County assessor records put the median one at 2003. Many of those houses are now coming due for their first round of exterior work: original builder-grade siding, roofs and windows. Home values run about 44% above the Pierce County median, which shapes the materials owners tend to choose. As an exterior contractor serving the area, Builders Service Company replaces siding, installs roofing and replacement windows, and builds decks. The sections below cover what we see on local houses, which materials fit them, and how to start a project with a free in-home consultation.

Homes in Gig Harbor: what’s on them now

Census data puts the median year built for all housing in Gig Harbor at 1998. Of its 5,660 housing units, 46% date to 2000 or later, 30% to 1980–1999, 21% to 1950–1979 and 3% to before 1950. Assessor records for the city’s 3,382 single-family homes skew newer still, with 53% built since 2000.

Most housing is detached: 60% of units are single-family houses, 16% are attached homes such as townhouses, 22% are apartments and 3% are mobile homes. Among single-family homes, 62% have two or more stories and the median size is 2,249 square feet. Only 1% are rated in fair or worse condition.

What each era usually means for the exterior:

• 2000 or later: fiber cement or builder-grade vinyl siding reaching its first repaint or replacement, plus builder-grade windows.
• 1980–1999: composite and hardboard siding and first-generation vinyl windows. The assessor counts 18% of single-family homes from 1985 to 1996, the LP siding era; that product has a known history of moisture failure.
• 1950–1979: cedar, T1-11 or asbestos-cement shingle siding, with aluminum or early vinyl windows. Asbestos-cement siding may contain asbestos and should be tested before removal.

Permits for exterior work here are issued by the City of Gig Harbor.

Siding in Gig Harbor

Assessor records show vinyl on only 3% of single-family homes, so most houses here have a different material on them today, often the fiber cement or hardboard of their build era. When it is time to replace it, we usually recommend three siding types and settle on the best one for your house during the free in-home consultation:

• Vinyl siding is the most versatile and least expensive option. It holds up well to salt air and keeps a large wall area within budget.
• Evergreen Shield Siding System is our exclusive insulated composite siding, designed for the Pacific Northwest climate. Its insulating graphite membrane gives it a thermal resistance of R-2.0, compared with R-0.61 for standard vinyl siding. With 53% of local households heating with electricity, that added insulation is worth weighing. It is also a good match for salt air.
• Metal siding is the other premium option. With home values about 44% above the county median, owners here more often choose the Evergreen Shield Siding System or metal.
• Stacked stone and stone veneer add accents at entries, columns, chimneys or a wainscot along the base of the wall, paired with any of the siding types above.

For the 18% of homes from the 1985–1996 LP siding era, any of the three options can replace hardboard that has taken on water, and none of them is wood. Near the water, we use corrosion-resistant fasteners and flashing and finishes rated for marine exposure so the new siding stands up to salt air.

Read more about siding replacement in Gig Harbor.

Roofing in Gig Harbor

Roofs on the peninsula contend with heavy tree cover, moss and marine wind. We install two main roof types and give them equal weight: asphalt shingles and EDCO metal roofing. Assessor records list metal roofs on 4% of single-family homes, tile on 3% and wood shake on 1%.

Under a tree canopy, moss and needles hold moisture against the roof. A replacement here focuses on the details that keep water out:

• Underlayment and flashing at valleys, walls and roof penetrations, where debris collects.
• Ventilation that lets the attic dry out.
• Roof edges and gutters set up for easy cleaning.

On the few remaining shake roofs, moss and rot are what to watch for; an asphalt or EDCO metal roof replaces that ongoing upkeep. Wind off the water tests edges and fasteners, so we secure them carefully, and on homes close to the shoreline we use corrosion-resistant metal finishes and fasteners. Every roof is installed with attention to proper sealing and ventilation, and we check the number of existing layers and the condition of the roof deck before tear-off.

Wildfire risk here is rated low, at the 26th percentile statewide, so the choice between asphalt and metal usually comes down to moisture, wind, look and budget rather than fire rating.

Learn about roof replacement in Gig Harbor.

Windows in Gig Harbor

We install Preservation 9000 vinyl replacement windows, and we are the exclusive provider of Preservation 9000 windows in Washington. What a house needs depends mostly on when it was built:

• 1980–1999 (30% of local housing): first-generation vinyl windows, often with failing seals.
• 2000 or later: builder-grade windows that are reaching the point where an upgrade makes sense.

About 53% of households here heat with electricity, so the payback from efficient windows is larger in many homes. For current rebate programs, check with Peninsula Light or Tacoma Power, depending on which utility serves your address.

Style choices follow the house:

• Upper floors: with 62% of single-family homes at two or more stories, sliders and casements are practical where eaves are tight and windows are hard to reach.
• View homes: 16% of single-family homes have a view; picture windows and bay or bow windows make the most of it.
• Kitchens and baths: casement, awning or hopper windows for ventilation.
• Other styles: double-hung, garden and custom shapes.

Waterfront design review is a local factor. If your home falls under it, we match existing window profiles and check what approvals apply before ordering.

See our page on window replacement in Gig Harbor.

Decks in Gig Harbor

Decks are common here: assessor records show 58% of single-family homes have one, and the median deck is 336 square feet. With 62% of homes owner-occupied, many owners plan a deck as a long-term addition to the house.

We build with wood, vinyl and composite decking. Heavy tree cover means shade, moss and damp boards much of the year, so composite or vinyl is often the better fit: neither rots or needs staining. Wood suits a natural look or a tighter budget, as long as you plan on regular sealing. In shady yards we pay attention to slip resistance and drainage so water does not sit on the surface or around posts.

With 16% of single-family homes having a view and 5% on the waterfront, railing choice matters as much as the boards; we help you pick railings that keep sightlines open. Elevated decks off an upper floor need sound framing and footings, and we cover those details in the design.

Find out more about deck building in Gig Harbor.

Get a free in-home consultation

Schedule a free in-home consultation and we will look at your siding, roof, windows and deck, walk through the materials that suit your house, and plan the work as one project if that makes sense. Call our Tacoma office at 253-777-0866. Our work comes with a lifetime warranty.