Siding, Roofing, Windows & Decks in Fife, WA

Most single-family houses in Fife are recent builds: Pierce County assessor records put their median build year at 2005. The city counts 4,315 housing units in all, from detached houses and townhouses to apartments. The city sits on the valley floor in the South Sound region. Builders Service Company is an exterior contractor working across Pierce County, and we replace siding, install new roofs, put in replacement windows and build decks for homeowners here. Below you’ll find what is on local houses today, which materials suit the conditions, and how to start with a free in-home consultation.

Homes in Fife: what’s on them now

Census data puts the median year built for all Fife housing at 2000. About 51% of homes date from 2000 or later, 26% from 1980 to 1999, 17% from 1950 to 1979 and 5% from before 1950. The building mix is broad: 41% are detached houses, 20% are attached homes such as townhouses, 35% are apartments and 3% are mobile homes.

Pierce County assessor records cover 1,895 single-family homes. Of those, 63% were built in 2000 or later and 16% before 1950, and just 3% are rated in fair or worse condition. The Saddle Creek neighborhood, with 197 homes, has a median build year of 2007.

What that means for your exterior depends on the age of the house. Homes from 2000 onward often have builder-grade vinyl or fiber cement siding and builder-grade windows that are now reaching their first repaint or replacement. Houses from 1950 to 1979 may have cedar, T1-11 or asbestos-cement shingle siding; asbestos-cement may contain asbestos and should be tested before removal. Homes built before 1950 likely still have original wood lap siding, and older paint layers may contain lead.

Exterior permits for homes in the city are handled by the City of Fife.

Siding in Fife

Assessor records list vinyl as the siding on only 4% of single-family homes here, brick or masonry on 3% and stucco on 1%. On houses built since 2000, what covers the walls is often the builder-grade product that went on during construction, and it is now reaching its first repaint or replacement. About 3% of homes were built from 1985 to 1996, the years of LP and other hardboard siding, which has a known history of moisture failure; on those houses, check for swelling boards and soft edges.

We usually recommend three siding types, and we settle on the best one for your home during the free in-home consultation:

• Vinyl siding is the most versatile and least expensive option. It suits large wall areas, and wall area adds up fast here: 67% of homes have two or more stories, with a median of 1,934 square feet.
• Evergreen Shield Siding System is our insulated composite siding, built for water resistance through long wet seasons, humidity, mold and mildew. An insulating graphite membrane gives it R-2.0 thermal resistance, compared with R-0.61 for standard vinyl. That matters where 71% of homes heat with electricity.
• Metal siding is a durable choice for owners who want a different look.

With a median home value near $545,000, about 2% above the Pierce County median, many owners weigh the Evergreen Shield Siding System or metal as a long-term upgrade over vinyl. None of the three is wood, so none of them will rot in a wet climate. Stacked stone or stone veneer can be added as an accent on entries, columns or a wainscot along the base of the wall.

Learn more about siding replacement in Fife.

Roofing in Fife

Fife is in the South Sound region, which gets heavier rain than the central Sound, and moss on roofs is common. That puts as much weight on the details as on the roofing itself: attic ventilation, underlayment, flashing at walls and valleys, and sealing at every penetration. If your roof leaks, shows wear or has taken storm damage, those are the areas we check first, whether the job is a repair or a full replacement of an aging system.

Pierce County assessor records show 0% of single-family homes here with a metal roof, 0% with wood shake and 1% with tile. Switching to metal would therefore set your house apart from most of its neighbors.

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

• Asphalt shingle roofing, a familiar choice that we install with the moss-season details above: good ventilation, full underlayment and tight flashing.
• EDCO metal roofing, for owners who want the look of metal.

The choice usually comes down to appearance, budget and how long you plan to stay. Wildfire risk is rated low, at the 35th percentile in Washington, so you can choose between the two on rain, moss and style.

Mobile homes make up 3% of local housing. Manufactured homes often have low-slope roofs that need different detailing from a standard pitched roof, and we look at those case by case.

Read more about roof replacement in Fife.

Windows in Fife

About 26% of homes here were built from 1980 to 1999, the era of first-generation vinyl windows. Those units often have failing seals by now, which shows up as fog between the panes, drafts and sashes that no longer close tight. Another 17% date from 1950 to 1979, when aluminum or early vinyl frames were standard. Other signs a window needs attention include rotting sills, broken glazing, water damage and peeling or chipped paint around the frame.

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 and garden
• Bay and bow, plus custom shapes

With 67% of single-family homes at two or more stories, sliders and casements are practical for upper floors and tight eaves. Casement, awning or hopper windows suit kitchens and baths that need ventilation, and a picture window or a bay works where you want an open view.

Heating fuel shapes the value of an upgrade. The payback from efficient windows is larger where most homes heat with electricity, as 71% do here. Electric service in Fife comes from Tacoma Power, so check with Tacoma Power for current programs before you order.

Read more about window replacement in Fife.

Decks in Fife

Assessor records show that 25% of single-family homes here have a deck, and the median deck covers 280 square feet.

The South Sound’s heavier rain and moss are what wear a deck down. We build with three materials:

• Composite decking does not rot and needs no staining, a good fit for decks that sit in shade or stay wet for long stretches.
• Vinyl decking also resists rot and moss and skips the staining.
• Wood decking gives a natural look and suits a tighter budget, with regular sealing to keep water out.

Whatever the material, we plan for slip resistance and drainage so water runs off the boards and away from the house. If your current deck has soft boards, loose railings or green growth that keeps coming back, a replacement is worth discussing during the consultation. It is also a chance to rethink the size, stairs and railing layout around how you actually use the yard.

Read more about deck building in Fife.

Get a free in-home consultation

Schedule a free in-home consultation to talk through siding, roofing, windows or a deck. We look at the house, explain the options that fit, and answer questions about financing. Our work carries a lifetime warranty, and we offer discounts for seniors, active military, veterans and first responders. Call our Tacoma office at 253-777-0866 or contact us online.