The most exposed siding in East County
Corbett sits on the plateau above the Sandy River and the Historic Columbia River Highway, at the west end of the Gorge. That position matters for a house. In fall and winter, cold east wind funnels through the Gorge and hits Corbett hard. Rain falls sideways. Ice storms are a real part of life here, glazing trees, power lines and walls.
Wind-driven rain is the main enemy. It does not just run down a wall; it gets pushed into laps, past trim and up under edges that would stay dry in Gresham. A joint that is fine in a gentle rain leaks here. When it does, the damage shows up as soft boards at windows, corners and the bottom course.
What Corbett houses look like
Corbett is mostly rural: acreage, older farmhouses, 1950s–80s homes on larger lots, and newer custom homes. A lot of older siding is cedar lap or shingle, or T1-11, much of it weathered by years of wind. You also see homes with long, exposed walls facing east, where one side is in far worse shape than the rest.
On many Corbett houses, the best answer is not whole-house replacement. If three walls are sound and the east wall is rotted, siding repair or replacing that wall may be the honest recommendation. Dave will say so.
What we use and how we install it
For this exposure, Dave leans on James Hardie fiber cement because it does not rot, and real cedar when the look calls for it. Either way, the install matters more than the product: flashing at every opening, kick-out flashing at roof-to-wall joints, sealed cut edges, solid nailing, and clearance above grade and roofs. A drainage gap behind the siding lets wind-driven water dry out; see our rainscreen and house wrap guide and the best siding for Oregon rain page.
Windows and sliding glass doors and decks on exposed walls also need to be flashed with the wind in mind.
Permits and the Scenic Area
Corbett is unincorporated Multnomah County. Check with Multnomah County about whether your project needs a permit. Parts of the Corbett area are within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, and Scenic Area rules can cover exterior colors, materials and reflectivity. Past county decisions in the area have called for dark earth-tone colors and non-reflective finishes, but those are individual decisions, not a rule for every parcel. Multnomah County Land Use Planning can tell you whether your property is in the Scenic Area before you pick a color. Our permit guide has the general picture.
Why call Dave
Six-Point Siding is a small family business in Gresham, which makes Corbett a short drive east. Dave Shaffer is a second-generation sider with about 40 years of hands-on experience, and he is on every job from start to finish. We are licensed, bonded and insured, Oregon CCB #153635, since 2002. Hardie products carry the manufacturer’s warranty.
Call or text Dave: 503-260-7647. Free estimates.
Corbett siding questions
Does my Corbett property fall under Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area rules?
Some Corbett properties do and some do not. In the Scenic Area, rules can cover exterior colors, materials and reflectivity, and past county decisions have required dark earth-tone colors and low-reflectivity materials. Check with Multnomah County Land Use Planning, or use the Gorge Commission's lookup tool, before choosing siding or colors.
How does Gorge wind change how siding should be installed?
Wind pushes rain sideways and up behind laps and trim. Careful flashing at windows, doors, corners and roof-to-wall joints matters more here, along with proper nailing and a water-resistive barrier with a drainage gap. Dave builds for the worst wall on the house, not the average one.
Does ice damage siding?
Gorge ice storms coat walls and trim, and freezing water can split caulk joints and open seams. Ice itself seldom breaks good siding, but the thaw finds any weak joint. Good flashing and sealed edges are what hold up.
Who handles building permits in Corbett?
Corbett is unincorporated Multnomah County. Check with Multnomah County to find out whether your project needs a permit and, if you are in the Scenic Area, a scenic review. Dave can describe the work, but the county decides.