Exterior Remodeling in Boston, MA

The usual scope of exterior work in Boston

Most houses we work on in Boston were built between the 1880s and the 1960s: wood-framed colonials, triple-deckers, capes and brick rowhouses. Decades of nor’easters, driving rain and freeze-thaw cycles wear down the shell. Siding that warps or lets moisture in, roof shingles that curl and lose their mineral surface, and original windows that no longer seal are the three things we see most often during a first walk-around.

Near the harbor, salt spray speeds up corrosion on flashing and nail heads, while ice dams along unvented eaves can push water under the shingles. The common thread is water getting where it should not be. We look for soft spots in rake boards, failed caulk around window and door trim, and granule buildup in the gutters, all signs the exterior is worn out.

How we plan and run an exterior project in Boston

A project starts with a visit from a project manager who measures the house, checks the roof and siding for wear, and talks through what you want to change. After that visit you receive a written proposal that lists the exact products, colors and scope, so nothing is left vague.

• We measure every wall and opening and review the current condition of the roof and siding.
• You get a written proposal with the specific materials, styles and colors.
• We apply for the building permit with the City of Boston and schedule the required inspections.
• No subcontractors: our in-house crew does the tear-off and the installation.
• The crew clears old material daily, so you are never left with a pile in the driveway.
• We walk the finished work with you before we consider the job done.

What to decide when you choose siding or roofing here

For siding, the main choice is between fiber cement and vinyl. James Hardie lap siding handles Boston’s wet winters and freeze-thaw cycles without warping, and it holds paint longer than wood. CertainTeed vinyl lap and shake panels need no painting and resist salt air in neighborhoods near the harbor. Both profiles let you match the original clapboard look common on older triple-deckers and colonials.

On the roof, the system matters as much as the shingle. We install GAF and CertainTeed asphalt shingle systems with ice and water barrier along the eaves and in the valleys, synthetic underlayment, and continuous ridge venting. That layering stops ice dams from backing water under the shingles during a nor’easter. We bring full-size color samples to the home visit so you can see how a Sterling Gray or Flagstone roof sits against your brick or clapboard in daylight.

Work we have completed in Boston

Our crews have replaced roofing and siding on Boston homes from 2021 through 2024. You can see the photographed projects in the grid below. Most of the siding we installed here is CertainTeed lap and clapboard. The rest of the houses have James Hardie fiber cement.

• CertainTeed vinyl and polymer siding in colors homeowners picked themselves, including sage green, Aged Pewter and Sterling Gray.
• James Hardie lap siding in Natural Clay and Flagstone on two of the houses we worked on.
• GAF asphalt shingle roofing systems with synthetic underlayment and ice and water barrier at the eaves.
• A Therma-Tru fiberglass entry door and a Pella replacement window on recent projects.

The photos below show real houses in Boston, not showroom samples, so you can see how a color or style looks before you decide. We can also bring product boards to the visit.