Mercer Island Siding Contractor — Lakefront to South End, Premium Work
Mercer Island demands more than standard siding work. 360-degree lake exposure, steep lots, mature landscaping, and homes ranging from 1950s mid-century moderns designed by Paul Hayden Kirk to $5M new builds. We handle the access logistics, coordinate with architects when needed, and deliver the kind of documented, warranty-backed installation this market expects.
WA License #GPGENGC830KD 
Hardie Certified Installer 
5-Star Rated 
Island ExperienceWhat Homeowners Say
Real reviews from our Google profile — unedited, from real projects.
“We recently had Paul with GP General repair a damaged corner protector and sidings. His estimate was reasonable, his availability was timely, and his job was excellent. Our home hadn’t been re-painted in a while and the paint had considerably faded, yet he was able to match the color perfectly. Now we know who to turn to when in need of another repair work.”
“GP General replaced LP siding on our garage. Paul was very thorough when he came out to do the estimate; he listened to my concerns and was able to work out solutions on the spot. His crew did a great job and were very courteous. They also were careful about cleaning up (I didn’t find any nails!). Really happy with the job and can recommend GP General.”
“I highly recommend GP General Corp for siding replacement. We recently had our wood siding replaced with James Hardie lap siding, and Paul and his team did an excellent job.”
Why Mercer Island Homeowners Trust Us With Their Siding
You’ve probably gotten a few quotes for Mercer Island siding contractor work already. You’ve heard the pitches. Here’s what makes us different — and why Mercer Island homeowners don’t shop around the next time.
Recent project: Mercer Island cedar-to-Hardie reside with R-5 continuous insulation, Shou Sugi Ban accent, and metal coping →
“Will they catch the damage I can’t see?”
Most siding fails because of what’s behind it — rot, failed flashing, moisture you can’t see from the curb. With 15+ years walking Eastside walls, we don’t guess. We probe, document, and re-engineer the wall assembly with drainable WRB, integrated flashings, and rainscreen ventilation built for Pacific Northwest weather.
Building Science First“I’m tired of high-pressure salespeople.”
No same-day discounts. No “this price is only good if you sign tonight.” We give you a free written assessment, a fixed-price contract, and the time to think it over. Most of our work in Mercer Island comes from neighbor referrals — you don’t earn that doing it any other way.
No-Pressure Quotes“Will the warranty actually mean anything?”
A warranty is only as good as the install behind it. We’re a certified James Hardie installer, which means every panel goes up to manufacturer spec — gap, fastener, primer, every detail. That’s what keeps your 30-year Hardie product warranty enforceable if you ever need to use it.
Manufacturer-Backed“How do I know they won’t disappear after the check clears?”
Owner-run with 15+ years of Eastside siding experience behind it. WA License #GPGENGC830KD backed by a $30,000 contractor bond — both verifiable any time at L&I. You’ll work with Paul start to finish. Same person quoting, walking the job, and answering the phone in year five if a question ever comes up.
Owner AccountableReady to talk about your project?
Free walk-through with Paul. No-pressure quote. Honest assessment of what your home needs.
Siding Materials for Mercer Island Homes
How We Do It
From permit to final walk-through, here’s exactly how a re-side in Mercer Island runs with GP General Corp.
We remove the existing siding completely and inspect every square foot of sheathing before anything new goes up. On Mercer Island homes we look specifically for dry rot behind returns at the soffit-to-wall intersection and at deck-attachment points where ledger flashing was originally omitted. Any compromised sheathing is replaced with new plywood or OSB. This is where we find the hidden problems — failed flashings, missing WRB, saturated sheathing — that caused the old siding to fail in the first place.
We install Benjamin Obdyke HydroGap Drainable as our standard WRB on every job. The integrated drainage gap keeps any moisture that gets behind the siding moving down and out instead of sitting against sheathing. This matters for Mercer Island because of ~36 inches annually with persistent marine humidity from Lake Washington exposure on all four sides. Seams are lapped upper-over-lower (6” horizontal, 12” vertical), taped at joints, and integrated with window and door flanges using peel-and-stick flashing.
Head flashings above windows and doors. Kick-out flashings at every roof-to-wall intersection. Step flashings along rooflines. Proper flashing integration at every penetration — vents, hose bibs, electrical boxes, light fixtures. On Mercer Island jobs we give extra attention to deck ledger flashings and chimney counter-flashings — both common leak sources on 50s-60s Mercer Island homes. Failed or missing flashings are the number one cause of siding failure we see, so we upgrade these details beyond code-minimum wherever the install justifies it.
HardiePlank installed to James Hardie’s Best Practices manual for the HZ10 climate variant — the PNW-required product (HZ5 voids the warranty here). 1¼” corrosion-resistant nails, blind-nailed, ½” gap at trim, matched to your original reveal. We match period millwork on mid-century homes (trim reveals, corner profiles) so the re-side preserves architectural character. ColorPlus pre-finish carries a 15-year color warranty; primed board gets field-painted within 180 days of install.
Every joint, butt-end, and penetration gets sealed with a high-grade elastomeric sealant rated for siding movement. Lake-effect humidity keeps sealant pliable longer than mainland jobs, but UV on south-facing lakeview walls degrades surface coatings faster, so sealant selection and bead size matter — we spec for the widest cycling range each Mercer Island elevation will see, not the average. Joints are tooled, not just applied, for full bond contact on both faces.
We walk the property with you at the end of the job to make sure everything looks great and you’re happy with the final result. It’s a 20-point walk: caulk lines, paint touchups, downspout reattachment, gutter reset, and site cleanup. Permit sign-off from the City of Mercer Island (or Snohomish/Skagit County on unincorporated properties) is documented and handed off to you.
The Siding Issues We Fix Most in Mercer Island
The island still has 1950s–60s homes with original cedar that’s gone half a century with inconsistent upkeep. Some of this cedar is salvageable with targeted repair. Some needs full replacement. We’ll probe, test, and tell you which is which — honestly.
Mercer Island sits entirely within Lake Washington. Every direction faces water. Humidity exceeds 70% for months. West-facing homes take prevailing weather off the lake; east-facing get morning moisture. This constant dampness accelerates paint failure and wood deterioration faster than mainland neighborhoods.
Many island lots have slopes exceeding 40%. Narrow driveways, mature landscaping, and neighborhood parking restrictions make material delivery and scaffolding placement a genuine project consideration. We build these logistics into every bid — no mid-project surprises.
What Mercer Island Homeowners Say
“Our architect specified Hardie Artisan to match the original mid-century design intent. Paul sourced the exact ColorPlus color, coordinated with our design team on trim details, and the execution was flawless. This is not a standard siding crew.”
“40% slope, one-car driveway, fir trees on every side. Paul had a plan for staging and access before we even signed. Two other contractors ghosted us after seeing the lot. Paul showed up.”
“We needed to replace 50-year-old cedar on the lake side. Paul tested the substrate, saved the east wall that was still solid, and replaced west and south. Honest scope, beautiful result.”
Read all reviews on Google — 5.0 star average
Not sure where to start?
We’ll come out, look at your siding, and give you a straight answer — even if the answer is “you don’t need us yet.”
Mercer Island Siding Questions
Do I need a permit on Mercer Island?
Can you work with my architect?
Our lot is very steep. Is that a problem?
What does siding cost on Mercer Island?
Should I save my original cedar or replace it?
What is the best siding for Mercer Island lakefront homes?
Does Mercer Island require a permit or design review for siding replacement?
How long does a siding replacement take on a Mercer Island home?
Mercer Island Neighborhoods We Work In
Closest to I-90. Shortest commutes to Seattle and Bellevue. Mix of multi-family, historic homes, and luxury waterfront estates. Wind channeling from the I-90 bridge corridor affects north-end properties. Some of the island’s most accessible lots for siding crews.
Northeast island. First major post-WWII development. Spacious traditional homes on generous lots near Pioneer Park. Original cedar siding from the 1950s–60s. Some homes have been through 2–3 owners and multiple partial re-siding projects.
Sunset-facing lakefront. Deepwater docks. Direct exposure to prevailing southwest weather off the lake. These homes take the most punishment — wind-driven rain and persistent humidity on the west wall year-round. Hardie or metal are the only materials that hold up long-term.
Waterfront estates with Cascade Mountain views. Calmer exposure than the west side but morning moisture and pollen from the lake. Privacy hedges and mature landscaping trap moisture against siding on shaded elevations.
Most secluded area of the island. Largest lots, heaviest tree cover, steepest terrain. Mount Rainier views. Access is the biggest challenge for siding crews — some properties require significant staging logistics. Worth it for the results.
Serving Mercer Island & Nearby Cities
Done Dealing With Contractors Who Don’t Call Back?
Paul picks up the phone. Shows up when he says he will. Gives you a straight answer — even if that answer saves you thousands by telling you a full replacement isn’t necessary.
GP General Corp · Mercer Island Siding Contractor · WA License #GPGENGC830KD · James Hardie Certified Installer
Neighboring service areas
Bellevue Siding Contractor (5 min east) · Medina (10 min east) · Seattle (10 min west)