Siding for Troutdale homes, from a contractor who knows the Gorge wind
Troutdale is the gateway to the Columbia River Gorge, and its weather shows it. Dave Shaffer of Six-Point Siding, Inc. is based in nearby Gresham, so Troutdale is practically next door. He is a second-generation sider with about 40 years of hands-on experience, licensed in Oregon since 2002 (CCB #153635), and he is personally on every job.
What the east wind does to siding
In fall and winter, cold air can pour out of the Gorge toward Troutdale as east wind. When that wind arrives with rain, water does not fall straight down. It goes sideways into places siding normally keeps dry.
That is where we see trouble:
- Window and door corners. Wind-driven rain finds any gap in the flashing.
- Butt joints and trim edges. Caulk fails faster on exposed walls.
- The east and north faces. These get the most weather and the least sun to dry out.
- Eaves, soffit and fascia. Wind can push moisture up and into eave details.
Fixing this is a matter of installation details: house wrap lapped correctly, flashing at every opening, kick-out flashing where a roof meets a wall, and a drainage gap or rainscreen behind the siding where it fits. Our rainscreen and house wrap guide explains it in plain language.
Ice and freeze events
The Gorge corridor gets real winter weather. Public news reports describe ice storms there in January 2017 and January 2024, with I-84 closed east of Troutdale. Ice does not usually wreck good siding by itself, but freezing temperatures stress caulk lines and cracked boards. Water that has gotten in can freeze and open the gap further. Spring is a good time to inspect for damage.
Housing in Troutdale
Troutdale is an old river town. It dates back to a post office in 1880, and the older part of town has homes that go back many decades, including Craftsman and farmhouse styles with cedar lap. Newer subdivisions have grown around it. We do not guess your siding type from the neighborhood, but you can generally expect:
- Older homes with cedar lap or shingles that are often repainted several times and may have rot at the bottom courses or around windows.
- Mid-century homes with T1-11, hardboard or cedar lap that have reached the end of their life.
- Newer homes where the issues are mostly flashing, caulk and exposure rather than age.
If you have an older home, siding choice matters. Our Hardie versus cedar guide compares the two for Oregon conditions.
Siding services in Troutdale
- James Hardie fiber cement siding, including HardiePlank cedarmill, HardieShingle and Artisan products with the manufacturer’s warranty.
- Cedar siding for historic and Craftsman homes.
- Siding repair and dry rot repair.
- Trim, soffit and fascia.
- Windows and sliding glass doors.
We do not do vinyl siding, LP SmartSide, gutters, roofing or standalone painting.
Permits in Troutdale
Inside Troutdale city limits, start by checking with the City of Troutdale about permit requirements. If your home is outside the city, the county may handle it instead. Small repairs often do not need a permit, while a full re-side may. Our permits guide covers the questions to ask.
Why Troutdale homeowners call Dave
Dave looks at the house himself, shows you what he finds, and does the work himself. The estimate is free, and we explain what drives the price. See our siding cost guide for general ranges. You can also check our license with the CCB.
Next door, we also serve Gresham, Fairview and Corbett.
Call or text Dave: 503-260-7647. Free estimates for Troutdale homeowners.
Troutdale siding questions
Does Troutdale's east wind really affect siding?
Yes. When east wind blows during a wet storm, rain is pushed sideways into joints, trim edges and window corners. Siding that handles a calm rain can leak when it is wind-driven. Good flashing, sealed penetrations and a drainage gap behind the siding matter more here.
Who handles siding permits in Troutdale?
Inside Troutdale city limits, check with the City of Troutdale's building or planning staff. Outside the city, the county may handle it. Scope matters: repairs often do not need a permit, a full re-side might. Ask before work starts.
Can you repair just the rotted sections of my siding?
Often, yes. If the damage is limited to a few boards, trim pieces or one wall, we can cut out the rot, check the sheathing behind it, and replace only what failed. If rot is widespread, Dave will say so.
Hardie or cedar for an older Troutdale home?
It depends on the house and your budget for upkeep. Hardie is the lower-maintenance choice and does not rot. Cedar fits historic and Craftsman character better. Dave installs both and will tell you honestly which fits yours.