Thurston County, WA
Siding, Roofing, Windows & Decks in Rainier, WA
Census data shows 37% of homes in Rainier were built in 2000 or later, so many houses here have builder-grade siding and windows now reaching their first repaint or replacement. Builders Service Company is an exterior contractor working across Thurston County on four kinds of projects: siding, roofing, windows and decks. Below you will find what is typical on local homes today, how South Sound weather affects each material choice and what we usually recommend for each part of the house. Every project starts with a free in-home consultation, where we look at your home in person and talk through the options that fit it.
Homes in Rainier: what’s on them now
The median home in Rainier was built in 1994. Census figures break the housing stock down by era:
- 14% built before 1950
- 19% built from 1950 to 1979
- 30% built from 1980 to 1999
- 37% built in 2000 or later
Each era tends to come with its own exterior. Houses from before 1950 likely have original wood lap siding, possible lead paint and single-pane or early windows. Homes from 1950 to 1979 often have 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. Houses from 1980 to 1999 come from the era of hardboard and composite siding, including LP siding, which has a known history of moisture failure, and most got first-generation vinyl windows. The newest homes usually have fiber cement or builder-grade vinyl siding and builder-grade windows.
The housing here is mostly detached and rural in character: 78% of homes are single-family houses, 14% are mobile homes, 6% are apartments and 2% are attached homes. That means projects in town include manufactured homes as well as site-built houses, and each needs details suited to how it was built.
Building permits for homes inside city limits are handled by the City of Rainier.
Siding in Rainier
Siding on a Rainier home has to handle heavier rain than central Puget Sound sees, so material choice starts with moisture. Vinyl, the Evergreen Shield Siding System and metal siding are the three types we usually recommend, and none of them is wood, so none of them rots. Many of the 30% of local homes built from 1980 to 1999 still have hardboard or LP siding, which has a known history of moisture failure. Replacing it with one of these three takes that weak point off the walls.
Vinyl is the most versatile and least expensive option. With the median home value about 7% below the Thurston County median, it is often the practical choice for a durable, cost-effective exterior, especially on a house with a lot of wall area.
The Evergreen Shield Siding System is our insulated composite siding, designed for the Pacific Northwest climate. Its composite panels are built for water resistance through long wet seasons, humidity, mold and mildew. Because 62% of homes here heat with electricity, its insulating graphite membrane is worth a look too: it has a thermal resistance of R-2.0, compared with R-0.61 for standard vinyl siding.
Metal siding is the third option. Stacked stone and stone veneer work as accents with any of them, on entries, columns or a wainscot along the base of the wall, for added curb appeal.
The best choice for your house is something we work out together during the free in-home consultation. Read more about siding replacement in Rainier.
Roofing in Rainier
Moss on roofs is a common South Sound problem, and it shapes how we plan a reroof here. Moss holds water against the roof surface, so a replacement focuses on the details that keep water moving and let the roof dry: underlayment, flashing at valleys and walls, and proper ventilation. Keeping gutters and roof edges clear afterward helps the new roof stay ahead of it. If your house still has an old cedar shake roof, moss and rot on the shakes are often what prompts the call.
We install two main roof types and give them equal weight. Asphalt shingle roofing suits a wide range of houses and budgets. EDCO metal roofing is the other option, and we walk you through how each one fits your roof and plans.
The median home in town was built in 1994, so many roofs here have seen decades of wet weather. Before recommending anything, we check the age of the current roof and how many layers are on it.
About 14% of local homes are mobile homes. Manufactured homes often have low-slope roofs, which need materials and details suited to that pitch, so we assess them separately from site-built houses.
Wood heat is used in 12% of homes here, which makes the chimney a priority. Chimney flashing and the cricket behind the chimney get a close inspection, since roof penetrations are where many leaks start.
Read more about roof replacement in Rainier.
Windows in Rainier
Electricity heats 62% of homes in Rainier, and where heating is costly, 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.
What your house has now depends on when it was built. Older homes may still have single-pane glass or aluminum frames. Houses from the 1980s and 1990s often have first-generation vinyl windows with failing seals, which show up as fogging between the panes. Newer homes usually have builder-grade units.
Preservation 9000 windows come in these styles:
- Double-hung and slider
- Casement, awning and hopper, good for ventilation in kitchens and baths
- Picture, garden, and bay or bow windows
- Custom shapes
Sliders and casements work well on upper floors and under tight eaves. Picture windows and bay or bow units suit a wall where you want more light and a wider view of the yard.
With 86% of homes owner-occupied, most people replacing windows here plan to live with them for years, and long-term owners tend to invest in their exteriors. PSE is the local electric utility, so check with PSE for current programs before you order.
Read more about window replacement in Rainier.
Decks in Rainier
Heavier South Sound rain makes moisture the main concern for a deck here. We build with wood, vinyl and composite decking. Composite and vinyl suit wet or shaded spots best because they do not rot and do not need staining. Wood gives a natural look and fits a tighter budget, but it needs regular sealing to hold up in this climate.
Wet boards also call for slip-resistant surfaces and decking laid to drain, so water does not sit on the deck or against the house.
Wildfire risk in the area is rated moderate, at the 69th percentile statewide. That is below the high-risk range where ember-resistant decking and clearance under the deck become the priority, so for most decks in town the material choice comes down to rain and upkeep.
During the consultation we look at where the deck will sit, how much sun and shade it gets and how you plan to use it. Read more about deck building in Rainier.
Get a free in-home consultation
Schedule a free in-home consultation and we will look at your siding, roof, windows or deck in person and explain the options that fit your house. Our work comes with a lifetime warranty, and we offer discounts for seniors, active military, veterans and first responders, plus financing. Contact us online or call 253-777-0866.
Rainier siding, roofing, window and deck FAQ
Is vinyl siding a good choice for a home in Rainier?
Yes, for many houses here it is the practical choice. Vinyl is the most versatile and least expensive of the siding types we usually recommend, and with the median home value about 7% below the Thurston County median, many owners want a durable, cost-effective exterior. It does not rot the way wood does. If heating cost matters more to you, we can compare it with the insulated Evergreen Shield Siding System at your free in-home consultation.
We heat with a wood stove. What should we check when we replace the roof?
Have the chimney flashing and the cricket behind the chimney inspected, because roof penetrations are a common leak point. About 12% of homes in Rainier use wood heat, so we look at these details on every roof here. If the flashing or cricket is worn, we address it as part of the new asphalt shingle or EDCO metal roof rather than leaving old flashing in place.
Our roof has moss on it. Does that mean it needs to be replaced?
Not always; it depends on how much damage the moss has done. Moss on roofs is common in the South Sound, and it holds water against the roof surface. At a free in-home consultation we check the roofing, underlayment and flashing, then explain whether repair or replacement makes sense. If you replace, we offer asphalt shingle and EDCO metal roofing, with ventilation and flashing details planned for wet weather.
Does PSE offer rebates on new windows in Rainier?
Check with PSE, the local electric utility, for current programs before you order, since we cannot speak for its offerings. What we can offer is Preservation 9000 vinyl replacement windows, which we provide exclusively in Washington, along with discounts for seniors, active military, veterans and first responders. We can go over styles and pricing for your house at a free in-home consultation.
Should wildfire risk affect the decking we choose in Rainier?
For most decks here, it is not the deciding factor. Wildfire risk is rated moderate, at the 69th percentile statewide, which is below the range where we make ember-resistant decking and clearance under the deck the priority. That leaves upkeep as the main question: composite and vinyl decking do not rot or need staining, while wood gives a natural look but needs regular sealing.
