An old town, with the siding to match
Oregon City was the end of the Oregon Trail and the first incorporated city west of the Rockies, and it still has the housing to show for it. The oldest houses are in the McLoughlin neighborhood on the bluff and in Canemah, the river settlement south of downtown. These are 19th- and early 20th-century homes: Victorian and Queen Anne, Italianate, Craftsman bungalows, with narrow cedar lap, shingle details and detailed trim.
Beyond the old districts, Oregon City has 1950s–70s ranches and newer subdivisions on the hills toward Beavercreek and Redland. So one town has both a 1890s house with its original wood and a 2005 two-story with fiber cement or hardboard.
Historic review, plainly
The City has a Historic Review Board and published policies for designated historic structures. That includes homes in the McLoughlin Conservation District, the Canemah National Register District, and individually designated landmarks. The siding policy says replacement siding on designated and contributing structures should match the original in material and style. Work that fits the policies is handled at staff level, and work that does not goes to the board. Routine repair and maintenance is generally outside the policies.
We are not planning staff, and we will not guess. Before you choose materials on an older Oregon City house, call the City’s planning staff and ask whether your address is designated or contributing. If it is, Dave can price a matching cedar replacement and give you samples and profile details for the application. If you are not sure whether your house is in a district, ask. It is a short call and it saves a lot of trouble.
Common problems here
- Rot at the bottom courses and sills on old wood houses, often from a century of paint layers sealing in moisture.
- Lead paint in the old coats on pre-1978 houses. Ask before anyone scrapes or sands.
- Hillside exposure on newer homes, where wind-driven rain gets behind siding with poor flashing.
- Moss and shade on houses under big trees, especially north walls.
Services
For historic and character homes, real cedar siding and careful siding repair are usually the starting point. On newer homes, James Hardie fiber cement is the common choice. We also handle trim, soffit and fascia, which carries a lot of the character on older houses. See the Hardie versus cedar guide and the permits guide for more background.
Planning the job
On an older Oregon City house, the first visit is mostly looking. Dave checks the bottom courses, window sills, porch roof joints and the north walls, then tells you what he sees and what it would take to fix it. If the house is in a historic area, you will know that before you spend money on materials. See the best time of year to replace siding for scheduling around Oregon’s wet months.
Why call Dave
Six-Point Siding is a small family business in Gresham. Dave Shaffer is second-generation, with about 40 years of siding experience, and he does the work himself on every job. He is licensed, bonded and insured under Oregon CCB #153635, and has been licensed since 2002. Hardie products carry the manufacturer’s warranty. You can check the license yourself.
Call or text Dave: 503-260-7647. Free estimates.
Oregon City siding questions
Do I need historic review to re-side my Oregon City house?
If the house is in the McLoughlin Conservation District, the Canemah National Register District, or is individually designated, the City's Historic Review Board policies apply. Under those policies, replacement siding on designated and contributing structures should match the original in material and style. Routine maintenance and repair is generally outside the policies, but call the City's planning staff to confirm before you start.
What if my historic house has siding that is too far gone to repair?
Replacement is allowed, but it has to follow the review process. If the original is cedar lap or shingle, matching it with real cedar is the safest route. Dave can cut and install matching profiles, and document the condition for your application.
Who issues the building permit in Oregon City?
The City of Oregon City has its own building department. Check with it on whether your scope needs a permit. If you are in a historic area, the planning review is a separate step from the building permit.
Are the hillside neighborhoods harder on siding?
Exposed slopes take more wind-driven rain on the windward side. Steep lots also tend to have decks, tall walls and roof-to-wall joints that need careful flashing. These details matter more than the choice of siding.