Siding, Roofing, Windows & Decks in Kent, WA

Census data shows 40% of the homes in Kent were built between 1980 and 1999, and King County assessor records count 24,177 single-family houses across the city. Many of those homes are reaching the age when original siding, roofs and windows start to fail around the same time. Builders Service Company handles siding replacement, roofing, window replacement and deck building for homeowners here and throughout King County. This page covers what is typically on houses from the valley floor up to the East Hill plateau, which materials suit those conditions, and how our free in-home consultation works.

Homes in Kent: what’s on them now

The median home here was built in 1985, according to Census data, and assessor records put the single-family median at 1984. Beyond the 1980–99 homes, 35% date from 1950–79, 22% from 2000 or later and just 3% from before 1950. Detached houses make up 52% of housing units, attached homes 11%, apartments 34% and mobile homes 3%.

Each era points to a different exterior. Houses from the 1950s through the 1970s often carry cedar, T1-11 or asbestos-cement shingle siding with aluminum or early vinyl windows; asbestos-cement may contain asbestos and should be tested before removal. The 1980s and 1990s were the era of composite and hardboard siding, including LP siding, which has a known history of moisture failure, along with first-generation vinyl windows. Homes built in 2000 or later are reaching the first repaint or replacement of fiber cement or builder-grade vinyl.

Build years shift by neighborhood. Park Orchard has a median build year of 1966, Glencarin 1974, Meridian Valley Country Club 1977 and South Ridge Estates 2003. Citywide, the typical single-family home has 1,950 square feet, 40% are rated in good or very good condition, and assessor records show only 2% have been renovated.

The City of Kent is the permit authority for homes inside city limits.

Siding in Kent

About 21% of single-family homes here were built between 1985 and 1996, the years when LP and other hardboard siding went on many houses, King County assessor records show. That siding has a known history of moisture failure, and valley-floor humidity gives wet panels little chance to dry out. Swelling, soft bottom edges and flaking paint are the signs to watch for. Only 3% of homes have any brick or stone on the exterior, so on most houses the siding covers nearly every wall.

These are the siding types we usually recommend, and none of them is wood:

• Vinyl siding is the most versatile and least expensive option. The median home value of about $590,000 sits 36% below the King County median, which makes vinyl the practical match for many budgets in Kent.
• Evergreen Shield Siding System is our exclusive insulated composite siding, built for water resistance against long wet seasons, humidity, mold and mildew. Its insulating graphite membrane gives a thermal resistance of R-2.0, compared with R-0.61 for standard vinyl siding. That matters because 56% of homes heat with electricity, where insulation pays back more.
• Metal siding suits owners who want a clean, modern profile.

Stacked stone or stone veneer can add a durable base course, an entry or column accents alongside any of the three.

The best option for your house is something we settle during the free in-home consultation, where we measure, bring samples and check what sits under the current panels. Learn more about siding replacement in Kent.

Roofing in Kent

Roofs across the city sit either on the valley floor or in the plateau subdivisions of East Hill, and the same checks apply in both. The usual signs that replacement is due are moss and algae on the surface, cracked or missing shingles, and water stains on ceilings. A roof lasts only as well as the details beneath it: underlayment, flashing at walls and penetrations, and attic ventilation that keeps moisture from building up.

We install two main roof types and treat them as equal options:

• Asphalt shingle roofing comes in a wide range of colors and styles and fits most budgets.
• EDCO metal roofing gives a standing metal profile for owners who prefer the look and want a metal roof over the house.

We compare both side by side at the consultation, on the same underlayment, flashing and ventilation standards.

King County assessor records show 46% of single-family homes have two or more stories, so access, staging and safety planning are part of every roof we price. Mobile homes make up 3% of housing units, and their low-slope manufactured-home roofs need a different approach than a pitched house roof, so we look at those case by case.

On older houses, especially the 35% built between 1950 and 1979, we check during tear-off how many roof layers are already in place and repair any damaged decking before the new roof goes on.

Read more about roof replacement in Kent.

Windows in Kent

With so much of the city’s housing built in the 1980s and 1990s, many windows here are first-generation vinyl units whose seals are now failing. The giveaway is fog or condensation between the panes that won’t wipe off, often along with drafts and sashes that stick. Houses from the 1950s through the 1970s may still have aluminum frames or single-pane glass.

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. We measure every opening for a snug fit, which keeps drafts and leaks out around the new frame.

• On the 46% of single-family homes with two or more stories, sliders and casements work well on upper floors and under tight eaves.
• Casement, awning or hopper windows handle ventilation in kitchens and baths.
• A garden window over the kitchen sink adds light and a shelf for herbs.

Heating cost shapes the payback. Census data shows 56% of homes here heat with electricity, and efficient windows return more where heating is costly. Electric service comes from PSE; check with PSE for current programs before you order.

See our guide to window replacement in Kent.

Decks in Kent

King County assessor records show 45% of single-family homes here already have a deck, with a median size of 200 square feet. If yours has soft boards, loose railings or rot at the posts, the choice is between rebuilding it in kind or replacing it with a different material. For a new deck, we design around how you plan to use the space so it works as a practical extension of the house.

We build with three decking materials:

• Composite decking and vinyl decking don’t rot or need staining, which helps on shaded or damp sides of a house.
• Wood decking gives a natural look and suits a tighter budget, with regular sealing to keep it sound.

Two-story homes often need an elevated deck off a main-floor door, which means taller posts, stairs and careful attachment to the house frame. Owner-occupied homes make up 57% of the city’s housing, and owners who plan to stay tend to invest in outdoor space they will use for years. We follow applicable building codes and talk through layout, railings and materials at the free consultation.

Learn more about deck building in Kent.

Also serving nearby

We also serve homeowners in East Hill-Meridian.

Get a free in-home consultation

Schedule a free in-home consultation and we will look at your siding, roof, windows or deck, take measurements and walk through options for your house. Our work carries a lifetime warranty, and financing is available. Call our Seattle office at 206-430-1927 or request a visit online. Washington contractor license BUILDSC027JN.