Siding in Kirkland, WA
Re-siding a typical Kirkland house costs $30,000 to $68,000 in fiber cement and $45,000 to $95,000 in cedar. Kirkland walls fail in two ways: shaded walls under firs that never dry, and lake-facing walls that take wind-driven rain all winter. A rainscreen behind the new siding is the detail that helps both.
Kirkland siding costs
| Project | Typical Kirkland range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rambler or daylight basement, fiber cement | $30,000 – $55,000 | Lakeside neighborhoods |
| Two-story subdivision home, fiber cement | $38,000 – $68,000 | Rose Hill, Kingsgate, Totem Lake |
| Shaded split-level, fiber cement | $35,000 – $62,000 | Finn Hill, Juanita |
| Cedar, any house | $45,000 – $95,000 | Northwest-style and period homes |
| Rainscreen, add | $3,000 – $8,000 | Often included by careful contractors |
Kirkland walls by setting
Wooded lots on Finn Hill and in Juanita keep walls in shade and damp for months. Cedar there greys and grows mildew quickly; fiber cement or engineered wood with a rainscreen holds up better. Keep siding well clear of soil and mulch.
Lake-facing walls in Houghton and Lakeview take rain sideways from storms crossing the lake. Window and door flashing on these walls is where most rot starts.
1980s and 1990s subdivisions were often sided in hardboard or OSB-based lap siding that swells and rots at the bottom edges and nail holes. Replacing it is one of the most common siding projects in Kirkland's eastern neighborhoods.
Older cottages in Market and Norkirk may have original cedar worth repairing, and pre-1978 paint requires lead-safe practices.
Kirkland siding rules
Re-siding without structural change often needs no building permit, but sheathing replacement, window changes or shoreline locations may. HOAs in many subdivisions regulate siding material and color. Older siding and paint may require an asbestos survey and lead-safe work.
Kirkland siding questions
Why is my 1990s siding swelling at the bottom?
Many products from that era absorb water at cut edges and nail holes. Once swelling spreads, replacement beats repair.
What siding lasts best under trees?
Fiber cement with a rainscreen and a factory finish, kept clear of soil.
Do I need HOA approval?
In most Rose Hill, Kingsgate and Totem Lake subdivisions, yes.
Should I add a rainscreen on a lake-facing wall?
Yes. It lets water that gets behind the siding drain and dry.