Berkeley Siding & Windows Replacement

Full siding replacement for Berkeley homes, from the flats to the hills. Bay Area Siding Company is a Marin-based siding and window contractor working throughout the East Bay. We handle the complete job: tear-off, substrate inspection, weather barrier, flashing, and installation to spec.

Ready to start? Request an estimate or call (415) 619-5167.

Signs it's time to replace, not repair

Berkeley has a lot of older homes, including the brown-shingle and Craftsman houses the city is known for. When exterior walls reach the end of their life, patching stops paying off. Look for:

• Cracking, splitting, warping, or panels that move when pressed
• Paint that keeps failing soon after it's applied
• Soft, spongy, or crumbling material and trim
• Interior moisture stains, mold, or musty odors along exterior walls
• Aging T1-11, hardboard, wood shingle, or aluminum that's worn out

Why replace instead of siding over the top

Adding new siding on top of failing material buries the problems you most need to see. On older Berkeley homes, a full tear-off is the only way to inspect the sheathing and framing, confirm there's a working weather-resistive barrier, and add flashing that older assemblies often lack. Cover-ups can also trap moisture and add weight. Tear-off costs more, but you end up with a wall that's sound underneath.

Choosing a material

We install several siding systems and will walk you through the options in person:

• James Hardie fiber cement — noncombustible fiber cement (see the sibling Berkeley James Hardie page)
• Fiber cement — the broader category across manufacturers
• LP SmartSide — engineered wood
• Vinyl siding — a lower-maintenance option where it fits

We also work with CertainTeed, wood, and aluminum. In Berkeley's fire zones, material choice carries code implications, covered below.

What to expect

1. Consultation — we assess your existing walls and talk goals and budget.
2. Measure and spec — precise measurements and a written scope.
3. Permit (and design review if applicable) — Berkeley requires a permit for siding work; homes in the hill fire zones have added exterior-wall requirements.
4. Tear-off and substrate inspection — old siding off, sheathing and framing inspected before new work begins.
5. Weather barrier and flashing — water-resistive barrier and flashing to keep the wall dry.
6. Install to spec — installed per the manufacturer's instructions.
7. Finish and walkthrough — trim, finish, cleanup, and a final review with you.

Berkeley-specific: the fire zones shape your wall

If your home is in the Berkeley hills, this affects your siding directly. Berkeley designates fire zones covering its Combined Hillside District and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone areas, and Cal Fire's state fire-hazard maps were revised in 2025. In those zones, the city's rules require exterior siding to be an ignition-resistant material, a noncombustible material, a tested SFM 12-7A-1 assembly, a heavy-timber assembly, or a wall with one layer of 5/8-inch Type X gypsum sheathing behind the covering (among the recognized options).

There's also a scope nuance: lighter requirements can apply where less than 50% of a wall surface is being replaced or repaired. Because compliance depends on your parcel's zone, the product, and how much of the wall you're touching, we confirm the requirements with the City rather than assume. Tell us up front if you're in the hills; it drives the material conversation.

Working with us

We're based in Larkspur (Marin) and serve the East Bay. Browse our project gallery to see finished work, or see our East Bay siding page for the wider service area. Replacing windows too? See Berkeley window replacement.

FAQ

Do I need a permit to replace siding in Berkeley? Yes, siding work requires a permit. Homes in Berkeley's fire zones are also subject to added exterior-wall material requirements, so it's worth confirming your parcel's designation early.

I have a brown-shingle or Craftsman home. Can I keep the look? Often, yes. We'll discuss materials and profiles that suit the home's character while meeting current code for your zone. Design review may apply depending on the scope.

My home is in the Berkeley hills. What are my siding options? In the fire zones, siding generally needs to be ignition-resistant, noncombustible, a tested assembly, or installed over 5/8-inch Type X gypsum sheathing (among recognized options). We confirm the specifics for your parcel before speccing.

Should I replace or just re-side over the old material? For older Berkeley homes we usually recommend full tear-off so the sheathing, framing, weather barrier, and flashing can be inspected and corrected.

Get your Berkeley siding project moving

Call (415) 619-5167 or request an estimate. We'll look at your walls, talk materials, and lay out the process.