Siding, Roofing, Windows & Decks in Mountlake Terrace, WA

Mountlake Terrace was largely built in one push. Snohomish County assessor records match 83% of homes to a recorded plat, and 88% of those homes sit in plats recorded between 1950 and 1979, with a median plat year of 1953. That means many houses here share the same age, and the same construction era. Builders Service Company replaces siding, roofing, windows and decks for homeowners across Snohomish County. This page covers what each of those projects usually involves on homes like yours: what is on the house now, which materials suit the local weather, and where to start.

Homes in Mountlake Terrace: what’s on them now

Census data puts the median year built at 1973, and 58% of homes date from 1950 to 1979. Another 24% went up between 1980 and 1999, 16% in 2000 or later and 2% before 1950. Detached houses make up 51% of housing units, apartments 37%, attached homes 10% and mobile homes 2%. The county assessor counts 4,972 detached single-family homes on a median lot of 0.19 acres.

That age mix points to a few likely starting points for exterior work:

• 1950–79 homes, the majority, often have 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.
• 1980–99 homes come from the era of hardboard and composite siding, including LP siding, which has a known history of moisture failure, and first-generation vinyl windows.
• Homes from 2000 or later are reaching the first repaint or replacement of builder-grade siding and windows.

Neighborhood records show the same pattern. The original Mountlake Terrace plat has 439 homes with a median build year of 1952, and Cedar Park Estates has 146 homes with a median of 1963. Seattle Heights Gardens is the outlier: its 142 homes have a median build year of 1911, old enough that original wood lap siding, lead paint and single-pane windows are all possibilities.

Building permits for exterior projects in town are handled by the City of Mountlake Terrace.

Siding in Mountlake Terrace

Most homes in Mountlake Terrace were built between 1950 and 1979, so the siding coming off is often cedar lap, T1-11 panels or asbestos-cement shingles. Asbestos-cement siding may contain asbestos and should be tested before removal. On the 24% of homes built from 1980 to 1999, hardboard or LP siding is common, and LP siding has a known history of moisture failure.

In this part of the Puget Sound region, moss and rot tend to show up first on north-facing walls. These are the three siding types we usually recommend, and none of them is wood:

• Vinyl siding: the most versatile and least expensive option, and a practical choice when you have a large wall area or a firm budget.
• Evergreen Shield Siding System: our insulated composite siding, built for water resistance through long wet seasons, humidity, mold and mildew. Unlike cedar, it won’t rot on a shaded north wall.
• Metal siding: another option we install, and we can show you profiles and colors at the consultation.

Heating cost matters as well. Census data shows 64% of homes here heat with electricity, and where heat is costly, wall insulation pays back more. The Evergreen Shield Siding System includes an insulating graphite membrane rated at R-2.0, compared with R-0.61 for standard vinyl siding.

Stacked stone or stone veneer can be added as an accent at an entry, a wainscot or porch columns, paired with any of the siding types above. The best option for your home is something we work out together during the free in-home consultation.

Learn more about siding replacement in Mountlake Terrace.

Roofing in Mountlake Terrace

Roofs in Mountlake Terrace mostly fight moisture. In the Puget Sound climate, moss takes hold on north-facing roof planes, and moss holds water against the roof surface. That makes a replacement as much about the details as the material: underlayment, flashing at walls and penetrations, and attic ventilation that lets the roof deck dry out.

We install two main roofing types and give them equal weight:

• Asphalt shingle roofing, the familiar choice on most homes.
• EDCO metal roofing, a metal option for homeowners who want a different look. We can walk you through the available EDCO profiles and colors.

If your house still has an old cedar shake roof, moss and rot on the shakes are usually what prompt the call, and either asphalt or EDCO metal is a sound replacement.

Wildfire risk data rates the area as low, at the 47th percentile statewide, so moisture rather than embers drives most roofing decisions. Mobile homes make up 2% of housing, and their low-slope manufactured-home roofs need a different approach than a pitched roof, which we assess on site.

Every replacement starts with an inspection and consultation. On the job, we remove the old roofing, inspect the deck and underlayment, install the new roof, and finish with a final review and clean-up.

See our page on roof replacement in Mountlake Terrace.

Windows in Mountlake Terrace

Much of the housing in Mountlake Terrace dates from the 1950s–60s, and windows from that era are often single-pane glass in aluminum frames or early vinyl. Homes built from 1980 to 1999 usually have first-generation vinyl windows, where failing seals and fogged glass are the common complaint.

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

• Casement, awning or hopper windows in kitchens and bathrooms, where you want ventilation.
• Sliders or casements on upper floors and under tight eaves.
• Picture windows, or a bay or bow, where a room deserves a bigger view.

Heating cost is the main payback question. Census data shows 64% of homes here heat with electricity, and where electric heat is common, replacing single-pane glass with efficient windows pays back more. Electric service comes from Snohomish County PUD, so check with the PUD for current programs before you order.

Census data also shows 57% of homes are owner-occupied. A higher share of long-term owners means more homeowners investing in their exteriors for the years ahead.

Read more about window replacement in Mountlake Terrace.

Decks in Mountlake Terrace

Decks in Mountlake Terrace spend much of the year wet. The Puget Sound climate brings moderate rain, and shaded boards stay damp longest. That points most homeowners toward composite or vinyl decking, which won’t rot and doesn’t need staining. Wood is still a good fit if you want a natural look or a lower starting cost, as long as you plan on regular sealing.

Whatever the material, wet-weather details matter: a slip-resistant surface, board spacing and slope that let water drain, and framing that sheds water instead of trapping it.

Lot size shapes the design. Snohomish County assessor records put the median lot at 0.19 acres, so a deck plan usually balances deck size against the yard you want to keep. We start with your ideas, then draw a plan around your budget, the size of the area and the type of deck you want, before planning and building it.

Get started with deck building in Mountlake Terrace.

Get a free in-home consultation

Every home is different, so we start with a visit: we look at your house, talk through your goals and recommend materials that fit. Schedule a free in-home consultation or call 206-430-1927. We are licensed in Washington (BUILDSC027JN), offer a lifetime warranty and financing, and give discounts to seniors, active military, veterans and first responders.