Siding, Roofing, Windows & Decks in Puyallup, WA

More than a third of Puyallup’s housing, 34%, was built between 1980 and 1999, and Census data puts the median year built at 1987. That puts the typical house right in the window where original siding, roofs and windows come due for replacement, if they haven’t been replaced already.

Builders Service Company handles exterior remodeling for homes across Pierce County: siding, roofing, windows and decks. Below is what local housing records say about the homes here, what the climate means for each material, and the options we usually recommend. The right choice for your house is settled at a free in-home consultation, where we look at the exterior in person.

Homes in Puyallup: what’s on them now

Pierce County assessor records count 9,942 single-family homes in the city, with a median build year of 1980. They spread across the decades: 20% were built before 1950, 29% from 1950 to 1979, 29% from 1980 to 1999 and 22% since 2000.

Each era leaves its own exterior behind. The city has older downtown homes, and houses built before 1950 are likely to have original wood lap siding, possible lead paint and single-pane or early windows. Homes from 1950 to 1979 often carry cedar, T1-11 or asbestos-cement shingle siding; asbestos-cement siding may contain asbestos and should be tested before removal. The 1980s and ’90s were the era of composite and hardboard siding, and 20% of single-family homes were built from 1985 to 1996, when LP siding, which has a known history of moisture failure, was in wide use. Houses from 2000 on are reaching the point where builder-grade vinyl or fiber cement needs its first replacement or repaint, and builder-grade windows are aging.

Census data shows 56% of all housing units are detached houses, 15% are attached homes such as townhouses and 29% are apartments. The assessor rates 2% of single-family homes in fair or worse condition.

Permits for exterior work are handled by the City of Puyallup.

Siding in Puyallup

This part of the South Sound gets heavier rain than the central Sound, and on wet walls the things to watch for are rot, mold that keeps coming back, and chips, cracks or gaps that let water behind the cladding. Assessor records list vinyl on only 5% of single-family homes, so most houses still have the material that was standard when they were built. That includes the 20% built from 1985 to 1996, the LP siding years.

The siding types we usually recommend are vinyl, the Evergreen Shield Siding System and metal. None of them is wood, so none of them rots the way old lap boards or hardboard can.

• Vinyl is the most versatile and least expensive option, and a practical pick for big walls: 46% of single-family homes here have two or more stories. Vinyl panels hang on their nailing fins rather than being nailed tight, so they can expand and contract, and the trim details (corner trim, J-channel, soffit) are what make the finished job look right.
• The Evergreen Shield Siding System is our insulated composite siding, built for water resistance through long wet seasons, humidity, mold and mildew. With 57% of households heating with electricity, its insulating graphite membrane is worth a look: it rates R-2.0, compared with R-0.61 for standard vinyl.
• Metal siding is the other durable choice. Home values run 4% above the Pierce County median, and owners planning a long-term upgrade often choose metal or the Evergreen Shield Siding System.
• Stacked stone or stone veneer adds an accent at entries, columns or a wainscot along the base of the wall.

We’ll go over which fits your house during the free in-home consultation. Read more about siding replacement in Puyallup.

Roofing in Puyallup

Moss on roofs is a standing problem in the South Sound, where rain runs heavier than in the central Sound. Moss holds water against the roof surface, so the parts you don’t see matter as much as the roofing itself: the underlayment, the flashing at walls, chimneys and vents, and attic ventilation that lets the roof deck dry out between storms. Gutters and the roof edge need to stay clear so water leaves the roof instead of backing up under it.

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

• Asphalt shingle roofing, installed over new underlayment with the flashing details checked at every wall and penetration.
• EDCO metal roofing, available in a range of colors and finishes, for owners who want to move away from shingles.

Pierce County assessor records show 1% of single-family homes with metal roofs, 1% with wood shake and 4% with tile. If yours is one of the few shake roofs, the moss and rot that old shakes collect in this climate are the usual reason to replace them with asphalt or EDCO metal.

Roof age follows the build year. Houses from before 2000 have often been reroofed at least once, so a tear-off can uncover more than one layer; we check for that during the consultation. Wildfire risk is rated low here, at the 45th percentile statewide, so rain and moss drive most roofing decisions.

Read more about roof replacement in Puyallup.

Windows in Puyallup

Census data shows 34% of the city’s housing was built between 1980 and 1999. Windows from those years are often first-generation vinyl, and the usual failure is a broken seal: moisture gets between the panes, the glass fogs, and the unit loses much of its insulating value. Houses built before 1950 may still have single-pane glass, and homes from 1950 to 1979 often have aluminum or early vinyl frames.

We replace them with Preservation 9000 vinyl replacement windows. Builders Service Company is the exclusive provider of Preservation 9000 windows in Washington, and the styles cover most openings:

• Sliders and casements for upper floors and windows tucked under eaves.
• Casement, awning or hopper windows where a kitchen or bathroom needs ventilation. A garden window projects out from a kitchen wall and adds a shelf for plants.
• Picture windows are fixed, so they give the most glass for a view; bay and bow windows project outward and open up a room. Assessor records show 3% of single-family homes have a view.
• Double-hung windows and custom shapes for traditional facades and unusual openings.

Heating cost shapes the payback. Census data shows 57% of households heat with electricity, and where heating is costly, efficient windows pay back more. PSE supplies electricity here; check with PSE for any current efficiency programs before you order.

Read more about window replacement in Puyallup.

Decks in Puyallup

Pierce County assessor records show 51% of single-family homes here already have a deck, with a median size of 272 square feet. If yours is due for replacement, it’s a chance to choose a decking material that suits the site. Boards that sit damp in the shade for months are the hardest test for any deck.

We build with three decking materials:

• Composite decking doesn’t rot and doesn’t need staining, which makes it a good fit for wet or shaded yards.
• Vinyl decking also skips the rot and the staining, with a smooth surface that rinses clean.
• Wood decking gives a natural look at a lower starting cost, with regular sealing to keep water out.

With 52% of homes owner-occupied, many owners here plan to stay and build a deck to last. We’ll look at your yard, the existing framing and how the deck connects to the house, then go over the options with you.

Read more about deck building in Puyallup.

Get a free in-home consultation

Schedule a free in-home consultation and we’ll walk your exterior, check the siding, roof, windows and deck, and talk through which materials fit your home and budget. Call our Tacoma office at 253-777-0866 or contact us online. We offer financing, a lifetime warranty, and discounts for seniors, active military, veterans and first responders.