Siding, Roofing, Windows & Decks in Kittitas, WA

More than a third of the houses in Kittitas were built before 1950. Census data puts that share at 34% of the city’s 632 housing units, the largest of any era, with the rest spread across every decade since. On houses that old, the siding, windows and roof have often been patched more than once, and sometimes replaced piecemeal.

Builders Service Company is an exterior contractor serving Kittitas County. We replace siding, roofing, windows and decks, and we plan each project around what is on your house today and the conditions it faces on the east side of the Cascades.

Homes in Kittitas: what’s on them now

Census data shows a median year built of 1976 for homes in Kittitas, but that middle number hides a wide spread: 34% were built before 1950, 23% between 1950 and 1979, 27% between 1980 and 1999, and 16% in 2000 or later. Most housing is single-family. Detached houses make up 80% of homes, mobile homes 15% and apartments 6%.

Each era points to different work on the outside of the house:

• 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 and later: fiber cement or builder-grade vinyl siding reaching its first repaint or replacement, and builder-grade windows.

Mobile homes add their own roofing questions, which we cover below, and we look at each one separately during the consultation.

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

Siding in Kittitas

Siding choices here start with wildfire. Wildfire risk data ranks Kittitas in the 99th percentile statewide, so the walls matter as much as the roof. For that level of risk we usually recommend the Evergreen Shield Siding System or metal siding. The Evergreen Shield Siding System is an insulated composite panel with a Class A fire rating, the highest fire-resistance rating for construction materials. Metal siding is the other option we suggest where wildfire risk is this high.

Sun is the second factor. East Cascades summers are hot and dry, and high UV fades exterior finishes. The Evergreen Shield Siding System comes in 20 built-in, fade-resistant colors that resist chipping, peeling and fading, so there is no repainting cycle. Unlike the cedar on some older houses, it will not need scraping and repainting every few years.

Budget matters too. Census data puts the median home value in the city at about $315,000, roughly 30% below the county median. For many owners that makes vinyl siding the practical choice: it is the most versatile and least expensive of the types we install, and it keeps costs down on a large wall area.

Stacked stone or stone veneer can finish an entry, a wainscot or the base of a wall alongside any of these. Because stone is noncombustible, it is also a good fit near grade, where embers tend to collect.

These are the types we usually recommend. The best option for your house is something we work out together during the free in-home consultation. Learn more about siding replacement in Kittitas.

Roofing in Kittitas

Winters in Kittitas are cold and the wind is extreme, and both shape the roof. We install asphalt shingle roofing and EDCO metal roofing, and we give them equal weight when we talk through options. EDCO metal roofing sheds snow, which keeps weight from building up through a cold winter. Asphalt shingles remain a familiar, cost-conscious choice for many houses. With either material, we check the roof structure before work starts, and on an exposed, windy site the fastening and edge details get extra attention.

Wildfire is the other factor. Wildfire risk here ranks in the 99th percentile statewide, so we recommend a Class A roof assembly. EDCO metal roofing and Class A-rated asphalt shingle systems both fit that need.

Mobile homes make up 15% of local housing, and many have low-slope manufactured-home roofs. Those need a different plan for slope, drainage and material than a pitched house roof, and we work that out on site rather than applying a standard approach. If you are unsure which kind of roof your home has, we confirm it during the visit.

We do not take shortcuts. Every roof we install gets careful attention to sealing and ventilation, because those details decide how well it protects the house year round. Read more about roof replacement in Kittitas.

Windows in Kittitas

Heating fuel is the strongest argument for new windows here. Census data shows 54% of homes in Kittitas heat with electricity and 12% with propane, two of the more costly ways to heat a house. Where heat costs more, the payback from efficient windows is larger.

We install Preservation 9000 vinyl replacement windows, and Builders Service Company is the exclusive provider of Preservation 9000 windows in Washington. On older houses, the job often means replacing single-pane glass and aluminum frames. On homes from the 1980s and 1990s, it more often means first-generation vinyl units with failing seals. Either way, the aim is fewer drafts and steadier indoor temperatures.

Styles include double-hung, slider, casement and awning, hopper, picture, garden, bay and bow, and custom shapes. A few pairings work well:

• Sliders and casements for upper floors and under tight eaves.
• Casement, awning or hopper windows where kitchens and baths need ventilation.
• Picture windows and bay or bow units for rooms that face a view.

Your electric utility is Kittitas PUD, and you can check with them for current programs before you order.

We measure and recommend styles during the free in-home consultation. Compare options for window replacement in Kittitas.

Decks in Kittitas

A well-built deck adds usable outdoor space, and where 71% of homes are owner-occupied, many owners are planning for the long term. We build with wood, vinyl and composite decking.

East Cascades summers are hot and dry with high UV, which fades deck surfaces and makes dark boards hot underfoot. Lighter composite or vinyl colors hold up better in that sun and stay more comfortable, and neither needs staining. Wood suits a natural look or a tighter budget, as long as you plan on regular sealing.

Kittitas also carries a high wildfire risk. For a deck, that means choosing ember-resistant decking and keeping the space under the deck clear, so embers have nowhere to settle.

Safe, sturdy framing comes first on every deck we build, whatever the surface. We talk through size, layout and material with you during the free in-home consultation, so the deck fits the way you use your yard. Plan your project with deck building in Kittitas.

Get a free in-home consultation

Every home is different, so we start with a free in-home consultation. We look at your house, talk through the siding, roofing, window and deck options that fit it, and answer your questions. Schedule a free in-home consultation or call toll free at 888-980-8580. Financing is available, along with discounts for seniors, active military, veterans and first responders.