Snohomish County, WA
Siding, Roofing, Windows & Decks in Snohomish, WA
Of all the homes in town, 23% were built before 1950, and the city’s historic district sits close to newer subdivisions on the river flood plain. That spread of ages shapes every exterior project in town. As an exterior contractor working across Snohomish County, Builders Service Company replaces siding, roofing, windows and decks, and this page walks through what local housing data means for each one: which materials fit older houses and newer ones, what to check before work starts, and where to read more. Every project begins with a free in-home consultation, where we look at your house and talk through the options that suit it.
Homes in Snohomish: what’s on them now
Census data shows a median build year of 1978 across 4,674 housing units, with an unusually even spread: 23% before 1950, 29% from 1950 to 1979, 27% from 1980 to 1999 and 21% since 2000. Detached houses make up 59% of homes, attached homes 18%, apartments 21% and mobile homes 2%.
Each era tends to come with its own exterior:
- Before 1950: likely original wood lap siding, possible lead paint, and single-pane or early windows.
- 1950–1979: cedar, T1-11 or asbestos-cement shingle siding (the shingles may contain asbestos and should be tested before removal), with aluminum or early vinyl windows.
- 1980–1999: composite and hardboard siding, including LP siding with its known history of moisture failure, plus first-generation vinyl windows.
- 2000 and later: fiber cement or builder-grade vinyl reaching its first repaint or replacement, and builder-grade windows.
Snohomish County assessor records count 2,566 detached single-family homes, with a median plat recording year of 1963. Of the homes matched to a recorded plat, 41% sit in plats recorded before 1950.
The oldest neighborhoods show it: the two Ferguson additions to Snohomish have median build years of 1890 and 1889, while Hillcrest View dates to 1969 and Casino Royale to 1999.
The City of Snohomish is the permit authority for exterior projects in town.
Siding in Snohomish
Siding on many local homes is decades old. The largest group, 29%, went up between 1950 and 1979, when cedar, T1-11 and asbestos-cement shingles were common, and another 27% date to 1980–1999, the era of hardboard and LP siding. Homeowners usually call us because the current siding needs too much upkeep, looks dated, insulates poorly or has algae and mold growing along the seams.
Whatever is on your walls now, these are the types we usually recommend, and none of them is wood:
- Vinyl siding: the most versatile and least expensive option, a practical fit for large wall areas or a tighter budget.
- Evergreen Shield Siding System: our exclusive insulated composite siding, designed for the Pacific Northwest. An insulating graphite membrane gives it a thermal resistance of R-2.0, compared with R-0.61 for standard vinyl. Census data shows 63% of local homes heat with electricity, and where heating is costly, insulated siding pays back more. The composite is also built for water resistance through long wet seasons, humidity, mold and mildew.
- Metal siding: a premium option for owners planning a long-term upgrade.
Stacked stone and stone veneer work as accents on entries, columns, chimneys and wainscots, paired with any of the three.
Home values point the same way. The median home value is about $685,000, 5% above the Snohomish County median, and owners at that level more often choose the Evergreen Shield Siding System or metal. The best option for your house is something we settle together during the free in-home consultation.
Read more about siding replacement in Snohomish.
Roofing in Snohomish
Roofs here cover a wide range of ages. With a median build year of 1978, many houses have been reroofed at least once, and some may carry more than one layer of shingles. We check for layers and decking condition before recommending a tear-off and new roof.
We install two main roof types and give them equal weight:
- Asphalt shingle roofing: a familiar look that suits most pitched roofs on older and newer homes alike.
- EDCO metal roofing: a metal roof system for owners who want a different profile and a roof planned for the long term.
The choice usually comes down to appearance, roof pitch and how long you plan to stay. Wildfire exposure rarely drives it: state data rates the city Low for wildfire, in the 1st percentile statewide, so fire rating is rarely the deciding factor.
Mobile homes make up 2% of local housing. Their low-slope manufactured-home roofs need different detailing from a standard pitched roof, and we assess those on site.
Whatever the material, every roof we install gets careful sealing, ventilation, underlayment and flashing details at valleys, walls and roof edges. Those details matter in the North Snohomish/Skagit climate region, which is noted for valley wind.
Read more about roof replacement in Snohomish.
Windows in Snohomish
We install Preservation 9000 vinyl replacement windows, and Builders Service Company is the exclusive provider of Preservation 9000 windows in Washington. What they replace depends on the age of your house. More than half of local homes were built before 1980, which often means single-pane glass or aluminum frames. Houses from 1980 to 1999 tend to have first-generation vinyl windows with failing seals. New windows cut drafts and help keep indoor temperatures steady.
Heating cost is a big part of the payback. Census data shows 63% of homes heat with electricity, so efficient windows return more here than in a town heated mostly by gas. Your electric utility is Snohomish County PUD; check with the PUD for any current programs before you order.
If your home is in the historic district, double-hung windows with profiles that match the originals keep the look right, and we check with the City of Snohomish on any approvals the project needs.
Styles we install:
- Double-hung and slider: sliders also suit upper floors and tight eaves.
- Casement, awning and hopper: good for ventilation in kitchens and baths.
- Picture, garden, bay and bow: for views, light and extra interior space.
- Custom shapes: for arched or unusual openings on older houses.
With 55% of homes owner-occupied, many households here are long-term owners investing in their exteriors, and windows are often the first upgrade.
Read more about window replacement in Snohomish.
Decks in Snohomish
A deck adds usable outdoor space and works as an extension of your home. Snohomish County assessor records put the median residential lot at 0.17 acres, so planning starts with fitting the footprint, stairs and access to the yard you have. Detached houses make up 59% of homes, and most of them have a backyard where a deck makes sense.
We build with three materials:
- Composite decking: no rot and no staining, a low-upkeep choice for damp or shaded yards.
- Vinyl decking: also rot-free and stain-free, with an easy-clean surface.
- Wood decking: a natural look and the budget option, with regular sealing to keep it sound.
Slip resistance and drainage matter on any deck, so we talk through board spacing, surface texture and how water leaves the deck. We also build safe, sturdy framing and railings sized to the space, whether you want a small landing off the kitchen or room for a table and grill.
Read more about deck building in Snohomish.
Get a free in-home consultation
Our team will look at your siding, roof, windows or deck and talk through options that fit your house and budget. Schedule a free in-home consultation or call our Seattle office at 206-430-1927. We offer discounts for seniors, active military, veterans and first responders, and financing is available.
Snohomish siding, roofing, window and deck FAQ
My house is in one of the old Ferguson additions. What should I check before replacing siding?
Start with lead paint and the original wood lap siding. Fergusons 2nd Add To Snohomish has a median build year of 1890, and homes built before 1950 are likely to have original wood lap siding and possible lead paint. During the free in-home consultation we look at the walls, trim and sheathing, then talk through vinyl, Evergreen Shield Siding System or metal replacements and any accent stone.
Should I replace the windows in a Blackman's Lake View home from around 1979?
Often, yes. Blackman's Lake View has a median build year of 1979, and homes from 1950 to 1979 typically came with aluminum or early vinyl windows. Preservation 9000 vinyl replacement windows come in double-hung, slider, casement, awning, hopper, picture, garden, bay and bow styles plus custom shapes, so we can match each opening during the consultation.
Is fire-resistant siding worth it in Snohomish?
Wildfire risk is low here, so fire rating is a bonus rather than the main reason to choose a siding. The Evergreen Shield Siding System still carries a Class A fire rating, the highest fire-resistance rating for construction materials. Owners also like its 20 built-in, fade-resistant colors that resist chipping, peeling and fading, with no repainting needed.
Should I choose asphalt shingles or EDCO metal roofing for my house?
Both work well on most homes, and we give them equal weight. Asphalt shingles suit most pitched roofs and a traditional look; EDCO metal roofing offers a different profile for owners planning to stay long term. We compare roof pitch, current layers and your plans at the free in-home consultation, and our work comes with a lifetime warranty.
Composite, vinyl or wood: which decking fits a Snohomish backyard?
Composite or vinyl fits most yards where you want low upkeep, because neither rots or needs staining. Wood gives a natural look at a lower cost but needs regular sealing. We look at sun, shade, drainage and how you use the yard, then recommend a material. Discounts are available for seniors, active military, veterans and first responders.
Can I spread out the cost of replacing siding, roofing and windows together?
Yes. Financing is available for siding, roofing, window and deck projects, and you can review the options on our financing page before we meet. During the visit we look at each part of the exterior and help you decide what to do first and what can wait. Call our Seattle office at 206-430-1927 to schedule a free in-home consultation and talk through the options.