Siding Installation in Portland
Complete siding installation that protects your Portland home from rain, moisture, and the elements — in every major material and style.
Siding Types: A Portland Homeowner's Guide
Your siding is your home’s first line of defense against Portland’s relentless moisture. With 43 inches of annual rainfall spread across 155+ rainy days, siding in the Pacific Northwest works harder than almost anywhere else in the country. The right siding material, installed correctly with proper moisture management, protects your home’s structural framing, insulation, and interior spaces from the water damage that is the leading cause of costly home repairs in our climate.
Next Level Decks & Exteriors installs all major siding types across the Portland metro area: James Hardie fiber cement, Western red cedar, vinyl, engineered wood (LP SmartSide), and composite siding. We handle new construction siding, complete re-siding of existing homes, and partial siding replacement for damaged sections. Every installation includes proper housewrap, flashing, and moisture management — because siding that looks great but lets water behind it is worse than no siding at all.
Portland’s siding market has evolved significantly in recent years. Fiber cement (Hardie plank) has become the dominant choice for its combination of durability, fire resistance, and authentic wood appearance. But cedar remains beloved on craftsman homes, vinyl offers unbeatable value for budget-conscious homeowners, and engineered wood provides a versatile middle ground. We help you choose the right material for your home’s architecture, your maintenance tolerance, and your budget.
40yr
Hardie Warranty
100%
Waterproof
5+
Siding Styles
Siding Types: A Portland Homeowner's Guide
Each siding material has distinct strengths and limitations in Portland’s climate. Here is an objective comparison to help you make an informed decision:
Fiber Cement (James Hardie): The market leader in Portland for good reason. Made from cement, sand, and cellulose fibers, Hardie plank resists rot, insects, fire, and impact damage. It does not absorb water, swell, or warp in Portland’s moisture. Available in lap (horizontal), panel (vertical), and shingle profiles that convincingly mimic wood. Comes factory-painted with Hardie’s ColorPlus technology (15-year paint warranty) or primed and ready for custom paint. Cost: $8-$14 per square foot installed.
Western Red Cedar: The traditional Pacific Northwest siding material. Natural beauty, warm character, and authentic craftsmanship that no manufactured material can truly replicate. Cedar is naturally rot-resistant and dimensionally stable but requires regular maintenance (paint or stain every 5-7 years). Best suited for craftsman, bungalow, and historical Portland homes where authenticity matters. Cost: $10-$18 per square foot installed.
Vinyl: The lowest-cost and lowest-maintenance siding option. Never needs painting and resists moisture, insects, and rot. Modern vinyl siding has improved dramatically in appearance, with deep wood-grain textures and a wide color palette. It does not have the perceived quality of Hardie or cedar, and it can look cheap if thin, low-grade products are used. Cost: $4-$8 per square foot installed.
Engineered Wood (LP SmartSide): Treated wood strands bonded with resin and zinc borate, then coated with a treated overlay. Looks and works like real wood but with superior moisture and pest resistance. Lighter than Hardie, easier to cut and install, and available in lap, panel, and trim profiles. Requires painting but holds paint well. Cost: $6-$10 per square foot installed.
Composite (like Boral TruExterior): A newer category that blends polymers with fly ash or other minerals. Completely waterproof, rot-proof, and workable like wood (cuts, nails, routes with standard tools). Premium product with a premium price. Cost: $10-$16 per square foot installed.
Moisture Management: The Critical Layer Behind Your Siding
In Portland’s wet climate, the siding you see is only half the story. What is behind the siding — the moisture management system — determines whether your home stays dry or develops the hidden rot and mold that costs tens of thousands of dollars to remediate.
Housewrap (Weather-Resistive Barrier): A permeable membrane (like Tyvek HomeWrap or Henry BlueSkin) applied directly over the wall sheathing before the siding goes on. Housewrap blocks liquid water from reaching the sheathing while allowing water vapor from inside the house to escape outward. This breathability is critical in Portland — a non-breathable barrier traps moisture inside the wall cavity and creates condensation problems.
Rain Screen Gap: A rain screen is a 3/8-inch to 3/4-inch air gap between the housewrap and the back of the siding, created by installing vertical furring strips over the housewrap. This air gap allows any water that gets behind the siding (and some always will, through joints, nail holes, and gaps) to drain down and out rather than being trapped against the sheathing. Rain screen installation is increasingly required by code in high-moisture climates and is strongly recommended for all Portland siding projects.
Flashing: Metal or self-adhering membrane flashing is installed at every horizontal transition — above windows and doors, at the junction of siding with rooflines, at deck ledger boards, and where different siding materials or wall planes meet. Flashing directs water outward, preventing it from running behind the siding at these vulnerable intersections.
Why This Matters: We have seen Portland homes where beautiful new siding was installed directly over sheathing with no housewrap, no rain screen, and inadequate flashing. Within 5-7 years, the wall framing behind the siding was rotting. Proper moisture management adds $1-$2 per square foot to the project cost but prevents $20,000-$50,000 in future structural damage. We never skip this step.
The Siding Installation Process
A professional siding installation follows a specific sequence designed to create a watertight, durable, and attractive finished product:
1. Removal of Old Siding: For re-siding projects, we carefully remove the existing siding and inspect the underlying sheathing for rot, mold, and insect damage. Any compromised sheathing is replaced before the new siding goes on. This inspection step is one of the most valuable aspects of a re-siding project — it reveals hidden damage that would otherwise continue to worsen behind new siding.
2. Sheathing Repair: Damaged OSB or plywood sheathing is cut out and replaced with matching material. We inspect for and address any framing damage (studs, headers, sill plates) discovered during sheathing removal.
3. Housewrap Installation: Weather-resistive barrier is applied over the sheathing, overlapping seams from bottom to top so water sheets over (not under) the joints. All seams are taped with manufacturer-specified tape. Window and door openings receive special attention with self-adhering membrane and proper head, jamb, and sill flashing.
4. Furring Strips (Rain Screen): Vertical furring strips (typically 3/4-inch) are fastened over the housewrap to create the drainage gap behind the siding. Insect screen is installed at the bottom of the rain screen gap to prevent pest entry while allowing drainage and airflow.
5. Siding Installation: Siding is installed from the bottom up, each course overlapping the one below. Proper nailing patterns, joint spacing, and flashing at transitions follow manufacturer specifications. All cut edges are primed or sealed to prevent moisture wicking.
6. Trim and Caulking: Window and door trim, corner boards, and transition trim are installed. Joints are caulked with high-quality exterior sealant (we use polyurethane caulk, not cheap latex) to prevent water entry at penetrations.
Siding for Portland's Architectural Styles
Portland’s diverse architecture calls for different siding approaches. Here is what works best for the city’s most common home styles:
Craftsman Bungalow: Portland’s signature architectural style. Traditional siding includes cedar shingles on the upper story with lap siding below, wide window and door casings, and exposed rafter tails. For authentic restorations, real cedar is the ideal choice. Hardie shingle and lap profiles provide an excellent alternative with less maintenance.
Mid-Century Modern: Clean lines, flat or low-slope roofs, and large windows characterize Portland’s mid-century homes (common in SW Portland, Lake Oswego, and inner SE). Vertical panel siding, board-and-batten, and horizontal lap in muted earth tones complement this style. Hardie panel and LP SmartSide panel work well.
Victorian/Queen Anne: Ornate detailing, fish-scale shingles, decorative trim, and multiple siding profiles in a single facade. Cedar or Hardie shingle products can replicate the intricate patterns. These are the most complex siding projects and benefit from crews experienced with historical restoration.
Contemporary/Modern: Portland’s new construction often features mixed materials — metal panels, fiber cement in contrasting colors, and natural wood accents. Hardie’s large format smooth panels and metal siding combine for a striking modern aesthetic.
Ranch: Simple, horizontal lines with one-story layouts common in outer Portland neighborhoods. Lap siding in any material suits ranch homes well. This is where vinyl siding can be a practical, cost-effective choice — the simple geometry keeps installation costs low and the straightforward design hides vinyl’s limitations.
Siding Costs in Portland
Siding costs depend on the material, the complexity of your home’s architecture, and whether the project involves new construction or re-siding with old siding removal. Here are realistic Portland-area costs per square foot of wall area, including materials and labor:
Vinyl Siding: $4-$8/sq ft — Best value for budget-conscious homeowners. Includes standard profiles and colors.
LP SmartSide (Engineered Wood): $6-$10/sq ft — Good middle ground between vinyl and fiber cement. Includes priming; painting is additional.
Hardie Fiber Cement (ColorPlus): $8-$14/sq ft — The premium mainstream choice. Includes factory-painted finish with 15-year color warranty.
Western Red Cedar (Lap or Shingle): $10-$18/sq ft — Premium natural material. Includes installation; staining/painting is additional.
Composite (Boral TruExterior): $10-$16/sq ft — Top-tier performance. Completely waterproof and workable like wood.
Total Project Estimates: For a typical 1,500 sq ft Portland home (approximately 2,000-2,500 sq ft of wall area), expect total re-siding costs of $15,000-$25,000 for vinyl, $20,000-$35,000 for Hardie or engineered wood, and $30,000-$50,000 for cedar. These ranges include old siding removal, housewrap, rain screen, siding installation, and trim.
Your outdoor space should be an extension of your home — not an afterthought.
Why Choose Next Level Decks & Exteriors
Complete Moisture Management: Every siding installation includes housewrap, rain screen gap, and proper flashing at all transitions. We never cut corners on the layers you cannot see — they are what actually protect your home in Portland’s wet climate.
All Major Materials: We install Hardie, cedar, vinyl, LP SmartSide, and composite siding. We help you choose the right material for your home’s architecture, your maintenance willingness, and your budget.
Sheathing Inspection and Repair: On re-siding projects, we inspect the underlying sheathing for hidden rot and damage. Discovering and fixing structural problems during a re-siding project prevents far more expensive repairs later.
Manufacturer-Certified Installers: We are James Hardie Preferred Contractors, meaning our installation meets Hardie’s highest standards and your product warranty is fully supported.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fiber cement (James Hardie) is the best-performing siding material in Portland’s wet climate. It does not absorb water, swell, rot, or support mold growth. Combined with proper housewrap, rain screen, and flashing, Hardie siding provides decades of waterproof performance. Vinyl is also excellent for moisture resistance but is less durable against impacts. Cedar is naturally rot-resistant but requires ongoing maintenance to perform its best in our climate.
A complete re-siding project for a typical Portland home takes 2-4 weeks, including old siding removal, sheathing inspection/repair, housewrap, rain screen, new siding installation, and trim. New construction siding on a home without existing siding takes 1-2 weeks. The timeline depends on the home’s size, architectural complexity, and weather conditions — we work through light rain but pause during heavy storms.
Not necessarily. If damage is limited to one wall or section, we can replace just that area. However, matching existing siding can be challenging — colors fade over time, and manufacturers discontinue profiles. If your siding is 20+ years old with widespread issues, full replacement ensures consistent appearance and allows us to inspect and upgrade the moisture management behind the siding across the entire house.
A rain screen is a small air gap (3/4 inch) between the housewrap and the back of the siding, created by installing vertical furring strips. It allows any water that gets behind the siding to drain out rather than being trapped against the sheathing. In Portland’s wet climate, a rain screen is one of the most important details in a siding installation. We include rain screen construction in every siding project because the cost is minimal ($1-$2/sq ft) and the protection against moisture damage is enormous.
For a typical 1,500 sq ft Portland home, complete re-siding costs range from $15,000-$25,000 for vinyl, $20,000-$35,000 for Hardie fiber cement or engineered wood, and $30,000-$50,000 for cedar. These costs include old siding removal, disposal, housewrap, rain screen, new siding, trim, and caulking. The exact cost depends on the material, your home’s architectural complexity, and the condition of the underlying sheathing.
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