Queen Anne Siding Replacement

Project Overview

This Queen Anne Hill home has evolved through multiple remodels and additions over the years, resulting in a patchwork of exterior materials and detailing. Prior to this project, the home featured a mix of fiber cement siding, composition shingles, cedar shingles, and a stone veneer with a volcanic appearance.

Synapse Construction was brought in to unify the exterior, improve long-term performance, and address waterproofing challenges common in older Queen Anne homes—while working within the constraints of existing systems and previous upgrades.

Scope of Work

Queen Anne Seattle home undergoing siding replacement with removal of cedar and composition shingles and installation of new fiber cement siding and cedar trim. — Queen Anne siding replacement project addressing decades of exterior upgrades by removing mixed materials and installing new fiber cement siding with cedar trim details.

Siding Removal & Replacement

Removal of all existing composition and cedar shingle siding
Installation of new fiber cement siding to match existing areas
Integration of cedar trim elements for warmth and architectural continuity

Window Waterproofing Solutions

Many of the home’s windows had been retrofitted during past remodels and lacked nailing flanges, making conventional waterproofing impossible.

To address this, Synapse fabricated and installed custom break-shape metal profiles to effectively create flanges around the windows. This allowed for proper flashing and waterproofing details without the need to remove and replace the windows.

Existing Conditions & Envelope Findings

Cedar Shingles Without Building Paper

At the front of the home, cedar shingles were removed and revealed no building paper behind the siding. Despite this, the wall sheathing was found to be in remarkably good condition.

This western-facing wall on Queen Anne Hill had been exposed to weather for over 20 years, demonstrating how well cedar shingle siding can shed water when properly installed—even without a modern weather-resistive barrier.

Typical Challenges of Older Homes

As is common with Queen Anne siding replacement projects, the exterior walls included decades’ worth of surface-mounted utilities:

Gas piping
Cable and communication lines
Electrical penetrations

Rather than removing and resetting these systems—which would be cost-prohibitive—the crew implemented creative waterproofing solutions to manage penetrations while maintaining performance and budget.

Structural Conditions

No major structural surprises were uncovered during demolition. Only minor areas of rot, consistent with the home’s age, were identified and addressed as part of the project.

Final Outcome

This Queen Anne siding replacement project transformed a mismatched exterior into a cohesive, durable envelope designed to perform for decades to come. By combining fiber cement siding, cedar trim accents, and carefully engineered waterproofing details, Synapse delivered a solution that respected the home’s history while meeting modern performance standards.

The project highlights the value of experience and adaptability when working on older homes—where no two walls are ever quite the same. Contact Synapse Construction today!

— Synapse Construction | Building Envelope Specialists