Kelso, Washington
Siding Contractor in Kelso, WA
Siding contractor working Kelso. Kelso sits low against two rivers and climbs into hills, and both of those show up in the walls. What is behind the old siding matters more here than almost anywhere in the county.
Call (360) 431-9382 or book online for a free estimate.
The whole siding job on this house is behind the siding, which is where the Karpinski place below started. Old cedar shake came off and the wall underneath told us what the last thirty years had actually done to it. That is the only chance anybody gets to look, and it is why the tear-off matters more than the material going back on.
Kelso housing sits low and damp along the rivers, and moisture works on a wall from more directions than people expect. A wall that stays wet fails from the inside while looking fine from the street. Rot at the base of a wall, around a window that was never flashed, or under a gutter that has been running behind the siding for years is common enough here that I expect to find some of it.
What keeps water out of your house is not the siding. Siding is the first line and water gets past it eventually on every wall ever built. The weather barrier underneath is what protects the structure, and on older Kelso houses that is often torn felt or nothing.
We use WeatherSmart house wrap and install it the way the manufacturer requires, because their representative trained us on it directly. He also comes out and checks the wrap on each job before any siding goes on. Once the siding is up nobody can inspect what is behind it, so that visit is the only chance anyone gets to confirm the wall was built right. Properly installed wrap carries its own warranty separate from the siding warranty over it.
Over the wrap we install James Hardie fiber cement lap. It does not rot, insects leave it alone, and it holds paint far longer than wood does, which matters on a river-bottom house that stays damp half the year.
The other thing worth knowing is that an open wall is a one-time opportunity. On the Karpinski job the owners wanted a back door off the bedroom, and cutting in a slider while the siding was already off cost a fraction of what it would have as a standalone project. If there is a window you want moved or an opening you want added, bring it up at the estimate rather than after.
When you hire me you get me. Thirty years, on the job every day, and I am the one accountable to you when the wall opens up and something has to be decided standing right there.
Save yourself the wait
Send me photos of each elevation and a rough size on the house, and I will come back with a real read on what the job takes. If you know of any soft spots or staining, say so up front.
Siding We Have Built
Cedar shake siding before tear-off in Kelso, WA
Old siding stripped to bare sheathing in Kelso, WA
New house wrap installed over the sheathing in Kelso, WA
Fiber cement lap siding installed and caulked in Kelso, WA
Siding and trim complete on the side elevation in Kelso, WA
Finished siding after paint in Kelso, WA
Painted elevation from the side yard in Kelso, WA
Entry trim detail after paint in Kelso, WA
Lap siding and corner detail up close in Kelso, WA
Completed siding replacement, front elevation in Kelso, WA
Recent work in Kelso
Full siding replacement in Kelso, shake to fiber cement
Every course of old shake came off down to bare sheathing. The whole house was wrapped, re-sided in fiber cement lap with full trim detail, and painted. While the walls were open we cut in a slider to give the bedroom a back door it never had.
Siding questions in Kelso
How much does it cost to re-side a house in Kelso, WA?
Wall square footage, trim and openings, and what is behind the old siding. On a damp Kelso house I expect to find some rot, and the bid says what gets checked and the range. Send photos of each elevation and a rough size for a written number.
Do you install James Hardie siding in Kelso?
Yes. Hardie lap over WeatherSmart house wrap, with the wrap rep inspecting before the siding goes on.
Can you replace old cedar shake with Hardie?
Yes. The Kelso job on this page was exactly that. Shake off to bare sheathing, wall repaired and wrapped, fiber cement lap with full trim, painted.
Can you add a door or window while the siding is off?
Yes, and it is the cheapest time to do it. On that Kelso job we cut in a slider for a bedroom while the wall was already open. Bring it up at the estimate.
Do you repair rot behind siding?
Yes. Rot at the base of a wall, around an unflashed window, or under a gutter that has run behind the siding for years gets cut out and replaced while the wall is open. Covering it is paying for the job twice.
Siding in Kelso and Cowlitz County
James Hurula Construction is a licensed Washington general contractor (JAMESHC764LM) based in Kalama, serving Kelso and Cowlitz County on every kind of job on this page. I also work in Longview, Castle Rock, Kalama, Woodland, Cathlamet, Vancouver, Battle Ground, Ridgefield. Thirty years of field experience, owner on site.
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Ready to start your Kelso project?
Call for a free same-day estimate. No pressure, no obligation. (360) 431-9382.