Pierce County, WA
Siding, Roofing, Windows & Decks in Graham, WA
Pierce County assessor records show that 61% of single-family homes in Graham were built in 2000 or later. That shapes what exterior work looks like here: many homes still carry the builder-grade siding and windows they were built with, now reaching their first repaint or replacement. Builders Service Company handles exterior remodeling across Pierce County, including siding, roofing, windows and decks. Below is what is on local homes today, how the South Sound weather affects material choices, and how each of the four projects fits a typical home here.
Homes in Graham: what’s on them now
Census data puts the median year built at 1999 across Graham’s 11,541 housing units. The Pierce County assessor, counting 10,911 single-family homes, puts it at 2003, with 61% built in 2000 or later, 32% from 1980 to 1999, 6% from 1950 to 1979 and 2% before 1950. Subdivisions such as Lipoma Firs North (median year built 2011), Winterwood Park (2010), Rosewood Heights (2009) and Michaels Landing (2008) show how recent much of the building has been.
Census figures show 81% of homes are detached houses and 11% are mobile homes, with smaller shares of attached homes and apartments. Rural lots sit alongside the newer subdivisions.
What each era usually means for the exterior:
- 2000 and later: builder-grade vinyl or fiber cement siding and builder-grade windows, reaching their first repaint or replacement.
- 1980 to 1999: the era of composite and hardboard siding. The assessor counts 18% of homes built from 1985 to 1996, the years of LP siding, which has a known history of moisture failure. Windows from this period are often first-generation vinyl.
- Before 1980: homes from the 1950s to 1970s may have cedar, T1-11 or asbestos-cement shingle siding, which may contain asbestos and should be tested before removal. The few pre-1950 homes likely have original wood lap siding.
The assessor rates only 1% of homes in fair or worse condition. Because Graham is an unincorporated community, Pierce County is the permit authority for exterior work.
Siding in Graham
Siding choices here start with what went up during the building boom. Pierce County assessor records list vinyl on only 13% of single-family homes, and 18% were built from 1985 to 1996, when LP and other hardboard siding was common. If your home dates from those years, it is worth checking what is on the walls before you choose a replacement. We replace LP siding, older builder-grade cladding and worn vinyl with the types we usually recommend:
- Vinyl siding: the most versatile and least expensive option. The median home value in Graham is about $515,000, 3% below the Pierce County median, and many owners want a durable, cost-effective exterior. Vinyl also keeps costs in check on large wall areas, and 68% of homes here have two or more stories.
- Evergreen Shield Siding System: our exclusive insulated composite siding, designed for the Pacific Northwest climate. The composite panels are built for water resistance against long wet seasons, humidity, mold and mildew. Census data shows 56% of homes heat with electricity, so insulation matters: the graphite membrane gives R-2.0 thermal resistance, compared with R-0.61 for standard vinyl siding.
- Metal siding: a durable, premium choice for owners planning a long-term upgrade.
- Stacked stone and stone veneer: accents for entries, columns and a durable base course along the bottom of the wall, used with any of the siding above.
None of the three siding types is wood, so none of them rots in a wet climate the way older wood-based cladding can. The best option for your home, along with colors and trim, is something we work through at a free in-home consultation.
Learn more about siding replacement in Graham.
Roofing in Graham
Graham sits in the South Sound, which gets heavier rain than central Puget Sound, and moss on roofs is common. Moss holds water against the roof, so a good replacement here goes beyond the roofing surface: ventilation, underlayment and flashing at valleys, walls and chimneys all matter, along with gutters and roof edges that carry water away from the house.
We install two main roofing systems and give them equal weight:
- Asphalt shingle roofing: a familiar choice that suits most home styles and budgets.
- EDCO metal roofing: a durable metal roof that sheds rain from every panel.
Pierce County assessor records show just 1% of single-family homes have metal roofs and another 1% have wood shake. If yours is one of the remaining shake roofs, moss and rot on old shakes are good reasons to move to metal or asphalt.
Roof age matters as much as weather. The assessor’s median build year for local homes is 2003, so a large share of roofs went on during the same building wave. If your home still has its original roof, an inspection shows whether it is due for replacement and how many layers are on it.
Census data shows 11% of Graham’s housing is mobile homes. Manufactured homes often have low-slope roofs, which need different detailing than a pitched roof, and we check for that during the consultation.
Learn more about roof replacement in Graham.
Windows in Graham
Window needs here split by build era. Pierce County assessor records show 32% of single-family homes were built from 1980 to 1999, when first-generation vinyl windows went in, and those are the units most likely to have failing seals. Homes from 2000 on usually have builder-grade windows that are reaching replacement age. Either way, a replacement is a chance to choose the style that suits each room rather than repeating what the builder put in.
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.
A few local factors shape the choice:
- Heating costs: Census data shows 56% of Graham homes heat with electricity and 5% with propane. Where heating is costly, efficient windows pay back more.
- Two-story homes: 68% of homes have two or more stories. Sliders and casements work well on upper floors and under tight eaves.
- Kitchens and baths: casement, awning or hopper windows open for ventilation where moisture builds up.
- Long-term owners: 82% of homes are owner-occupied, and owners who plan to stay are the ones who see the full benefit of new windows.
For rebates, check with your electric utility, whether that is PSE, Tacoma Power or Ohop Mutual, for current programs.
Learn more about window replacement in Graham.
Decks in Graham
Decks are a common feature in Graham: Pierce County assessor records show 35% of single-family homes have one, with a median deck size of 272 square feet. In a wet South Sound climate, the usual deck problems are rot, moss and slippery boards, especially on shaded sides of the house.
We build with three materials:
- Composite decking: no rot and no staining, a good fit for shaded or damp yards.
- Vinyl decking: also free of rot and staining, with a surface that is simple to keep clean.
- Wood decking: a natural look at a lower cost, with regular sealing to keep water out.
Whatever the material, we plan for drainage and slip resistance on the walking surface. An elevated deck off an upper floor also needs solid framing and railings, and we design for both.
Graham’s wildfire risk is rated low, at the 18th percentile statewide, so deck choices here can focus on rain rather than embers.
Learn more about deck building in Graham.
Get a free in-home consultation
Schedule a free in-home consultation and we will look at your siding, roof, windows or deck, talk through materials, and leave the site clean when the work is done. Call our Tacoma office at 253-777-0866 or contact us online. We offer a lifetime warranty, financing, and discounts for seniors, active military, veterans and first responders.
Graham siding, roofing, window and deck FAQ
Who issues permits for exterior remodeling in Graham?
Pierce County does. Graham is an unincorporated community, so permits for exterior projects go through Pierce County. Whether your siding, roofing, window or deck project needs a permit depends on its scope, and we review that with you during the free in-home consultation so the paperwork is sorted out before work is scheduled.
Is vinyl siding common on Graham homes?
Less common than you might expect. Pierce County assessor records list vinyl siding on 13% of single-family homes here. Vinyl is the most versatile and least expensive option we offer, which makes it a practical choice for larger two-story walls. We also install the Evergreen Shield Siding System and metal siding, and we compare all three with you at a free in-home consultation.
How should I deal with moss on my roof in Graham?
Keep gutters and roof edges clear, and plan a replacement once moss has worked into an aging roof. The South Sound gets heavier rain than central Puget Sound, and moss on roofs is common. A replacement with sound ventilation, underlayment and flashing holds up better. We install asphalt shingle roofing and EDCO metal roofing and check for moss damage during a free in-home consultation.
Are there window rebates for Graham homes?
Check with your electric utility for current programs; depending on your address, that may be PSE, Tacoma Power or Ohop Mutual. Efficient windows pay back more where heating is costly, so it is worth asking. We install Preservation 9000 vinyl replacement windows, and we are the exclusive provider of Preservation 9000 windows in Washington. Financing is also available.
What size deck do most Graham homes have?
The median deck here is 272 square feet, according to Pierce County assessor records, and 35% of single-family homes have one. We build wood, vinyl and composite decks. Composite and vinyl do not rot or need staining, which suits damp, shaded yards, while wood offers a natural look at a lower cost with regular sealing.