Bay Area Siding Company installs replacement and new-construction windows for Kentfield homes — the postwar cottages down on the flats near College of Marin and the older custom houses climbing into Kent Woodlands alike. We are a Larkspur-based siding and window contractor a few minutes up the road, and we run the whole job: measuring, glazing and energy selection, Marin County permitting, removal, flashing and air-sealing, and a final walkthrough. In a valley this wet and this shaded, the right windows make a real difference in comfort — and in how dry the wall around them stays.

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

Signs your Kentfield windows are due

Older Kentfield homes hold a lot of original single-pane wood windows, and in a damp canyon climate they tend to fail in ways you can feel and see:

• Fog or moisture trapped between the panes — a blown seal on a dual-pane unit, which can only be replaced, not repaired
• Drafts and cold glass through the wet, gray Ross Valley winters, even with the window latched
• Sashes that swell shut, stick, or won't stay up — a common story where wood frames absorb years of canyon moisture
• Condensation pooling on interior sills, and the staining, peeling, or soft wood that follows it
• Rot or water damage at the sill, jamb, or surround where rain has been getting past old flashing

When several of these show up together, replacement usually beats one more round of repairs — especially because it's a chance to renew the flashing that keeps the surrounding wall dry.

Choosing the right replacement window

Three decisions carry most of the weight:

• Energy and glass. Dual-pane insulated glass with a Low-E coating is the baseline for comfort and for cutting the winter heating load. California's Title 24 energy code sets the performance targets replacement windows have to meet, and those numbers depend on the climate zone and the code cycle in effect — so we confirm the current requirements at permit time rather than quoting fixed figures.
• Frame material. Vinyl, fiberglass, aluminum-clad wood, and aluminum each balance cost, thermal performance, and looks differently. Many older Kentfield homes with wood detailing look best with clad-wood or a profile that respects the original opening; in this damp climate, frame durability matters as much as appearance.
• Retrofit vs. new-construction install. A retrofit (insert) keeps the existing frame and is less invasive; a new-construction install strips the opening to the framing so the flashing can be fully renewed — often the right call in a wet valley where there's already rot or water intrusion. We do both.

Comparing brands? Start at our window hub, /bay-area-window-replacement/, then read the specifics for Anlin, Milgard, Andersen, Marvin, and Pella. We install aluminum windows as well.

What to expect: our process

1. Consultation — we look at the existing windows, the openings, and what you want to fix.
2. Measure — precise field measurements for each opening.
3. Product & energy selection — glass package, frame, and finish chosen to meet Title 24.
4. Permit — window replacement in unincorporated Kentfield is permitted through Marin County.
5. Removal & prep — old units out, openings inspected for the rot and water damage that damp walls hide.
6. Install, flashing & air-seal — set level and plumb, then flashed and sealed against water and air for a high-rainfall climate.
7. Finish & walkthrough — trim, caulk, an operation check, and cleanup with you.

Kentfield-specific things to know

Your permit runs through the County. Kentfield is unincorporated, so window replacement is permitted through the Marin County Community Development Agency, Building and Safety Division at the San Rafael Civic Center — not a city office. A Title 24 energy compliance form is a standard part of a window-replacement submittal, since the work is treated as an alteration under the Energy Code. We confirm the current requirements for your parcel and handle the paperwork.

The wet climate is the comfort story. Kentfield sees some of the heaviest rainfall in the Bay Area, and its shaded, creek-valley setting means long, damp winters. That's what makes failing single-pane windows so noticeable here — and why the upgrade to a modern dual-pane, Low-E unit, properly flashed into a dry opening, is felt right away in both warmth and reduced condensation.

Fire-zone glazing on the wooded slopes. The Kent Woodlands lots climbing Mount Tamalpais sit in wooded, fire-exposed terrain, and Cal Fire's updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps are being reviewed and adopted locally across Marin. Where a fire-hazard designation applies, California Building Code Chapter 7A can govern exterior glazing — often calling for multi-pane windows with a tempered pane when an opening is altered. Whether that applies to your home depends on your parcel and whether the work is a repair or an alteration, so we confirm it with Marin County before ordering.

Already looking at the exterior envelope? We also handle James Hardie siding and siding replacement in Kentfield, and serve the wider Marin area. See finished work in our project gallery.

What affects the cost

We don't quote prices online because no two Kentfield homes are alike. The drivers are the number and size of openings, frame material and brand, retrofit vs. new-construction, whether fire-zone tempered or multi-pane glazing is required on a hillside lot, the condition of the existing framing (rot repair adds scope, and damp walls hide more of it here), and access — upper-story and steep, wooded lots take more setup.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to replace windows in Kentfield? Yes, and because Kentfield is unincorporated it goes through the Marin County Community Development Agency's Building and Safety Division, with a Title 24 energy form as part of the submittal. We handle the permitting.

Why do my windows fog up and stick more than a friend's place a few miles away? Kentfield's high rainfall and shaded, creek-valley air keep humidity high and walls damp longer, which is hard on old wood frames and blown dual-pane seals. Modern units, correctly flashed, are far better suited to the climate.

I'm up in Kent Woodlands — do my windows need to be tempered? Possibly, if the work is an alteration in a fire-hazard area. Chapter 7A can require multi-pane glazing with at least one tempered pane in those zones. The exact requirement depends on your parcel and scope, which we confirm with Marin County before ordering.

Retrofit or new-construction — which install do I need? Retrofit keeps the existing frame and is less invasive; new-construction is better where there's rot or water damage and you want the flashing fully renewed — which is common on older, frequently-wet Kentfield homes. We assess and recommend.

Get started

Get replacement windows sized, specced, and installed right the first time for a home that stays warmer and drier through the Ross Valley winter. Request an estimate or call Bay Area Siding Company at (415) 619-5167.