The exterior of your home does two jobs at once. It protects everything inside from weather and time. It also gives neighbors, guests, and buyers an immediate impression of how well the home has been cared for. When siding is tired, paint is failing, decks are soft, or details are dated, it pulls the whole property down.
Cornell's Quality Construction handles high quality exterior updates for homeowners across Greater Seattle and the Eastside. For more than 30 years, we have repaired, replaced, and rebuilt exteriors so they look better, perform better, and last longer. We combine high-quality construction with a clear, organized process that respects your home and your schedule.
Whether you live in a classic Seattle Craftsman, a mid century North King rambler, or a newer Eastside home in Bellevue, Kirkland, or Sammamish, our job is the same. Improve curb appeal, improve protection, and make the exterior of your home feel like it matches the level of care you expect inside.
Who We Work With
Exterior clients typically fall into a few groups:
- Seattle and Eastside homeowners who are ready to move beyond patch repairs and complete a proper siding replacement or full exterior refresh.
- Families who want decks, porches, and outdoor living spaces that are safe, comfortable, and actually used.
- Owners preparing for a future sale who want to improve curb appeal and address obvious exterior issues before listing.
- Long term owners who plan to stay and want to get ahead of moisture problems, rot, and maintenance headaches.
- Homeowners in North and South King County who need a reliable exterior contractor for siding, windows, and decks on homes that have never had a comprehensive update.
They care about durability, clean detailing, and not having to revisit the same exterior problems again in five years.
What a Cornell's Exterior Update Includes
Every project is different, but most exterior remodeling jobs in Greater Seattle and the Eastside involve some combination of the following:
Siding Replacement and Repairs
- Full siding replacement with fiber cement, high quality wood, or other appropriate materials.
- Targeted repairs where the bulk of the siding is sound but specific elevations or details have failed.
- Proper flashing, weather barriers, and trim details to prevent future moisture intrusion.
Windows and Doors
- Replacement of failed or inefficient windows with modern, properly flashed units.
- Upgraded exterior doors that fit correctly, seal well, and match the architecture of the home.
- Attention to trim, head flashings, and sill details so the installation looks intentional and performs well.
Decks, Porches, and Outdoor Living
- New deck construction in wood or composite materials, sized and framed correctly for real use.
- Rebuilding or reinforcing existing decks that no longer feel solid.
- Covered porches, entry roofs, and patios that extend the usable space of the home.
- Railings and stairs that meet code and look like they belong to a high quality house.
Roofs, Trim, and Details
- Coordination with roofing work where needed to tie in new porch roofs, additions, or changed eaves.
- Replacement of rotten trim, fascia, and soffits, with correct ventilation and protection.
- Upgrades to exterior details such as columns, brackets, and entry elements that lift the overall look.
Paint and Finishing
- Proper surface preparation, priming, and painting or staining of new and existing surfaces.
- Sensible color and sheen choices that work with the architecture and the neighborhood.
You are not buying a quick "curb appeal package." You are buying a comprehensive exterior update that considers weather, structure, and appearance together.
Types of Exterior Projects We Handle
We work on a wide range of exterior remodeling projects across the Seattle area:
Seattle Exterior Remodels
Older homes in Capitol Hill, Queen Anne, Ballard, Fremont, Wallingford, Green Lake, Madison Park, Madrona, West Seattle, and Magnolia often have original or patched together exteriors. We replace siding, rebuild porches, and upgrade windows while respecting historic character.
Eastside Exterior Upgrades
Homes in Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Sammamish, Issaquah, Mercer Island, Medina, Clyde Hill, Hunts Point, Yarrow Point, Newcastle, Woodinville, and Bothell frequently need higher end exterior updates: cleaner siding profiles, new decks for entertaining, and more refined entryways that fit the neighborhood.
North and South King County Exteriors
In Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, Renton, Kent, Auburn, and Federal Way, many homes were built with simpler exterior details and now need siding replacement, better windows, and decks that actually feel safe. We focus on solid, value oriented upgrades that still look sharp.
Integrated Exterior and Interior Work
Many projects blend exterior updates with interior remodeling. For example, replacing windows as part of a kitchen remodel, or rebuilding a deck while opening up the back of the house with larger doors. Because Cornell's handles both interior and exterior work, we coordinate these scopes instead of treating them as separate jobs.
High-Quality Construction on the Outside
Cornell's reputation for high-quality construction applies to exteriors as much as interiors. That shows up in:
- Siding lines that are straight, clean, and properly gapped and fastened.
- Corners, trim, and joints that align and are well detailed, instead of relying on caulk to hide sloppy work.
- Thoughtful integration of windows, doors, flashings, and weather barriers in a way that respects how water and air actually move.
- Deck framing that is square, solid, and properly connected to the house, not just nailed together until it passes a glance test.
We build exteriors for a wet, demanding climate. That means focusing on what sits behind the paint as much as on the color itself.
Our Exterior Remodeling Process
Exterior projects affect how your home is protected day to day. Our process is set up to keep that under control:
- Inspection and conversation
- We walk the exterior with you, identify visible issues, and look for signs of hidden damage.
- We discuss your goals: purely functional repairs, full siding replacement, deck rebuilds, new outdoor living areas, or a combination.
- Scope and proposal
- We define a clear scope of work so you know whether we are repairing, replacing, or reconfiguring each element.
- We provide a detailed proposal, including material options for siding, decking, windows, and trim that fit your budget and the level of the home.
- Planning and permits
- For projects that require permits or engineering, we handle submittals to Seattle, Bellevue, or your local jurisdiction.
- We plan sequence and access so the home remains protected as old materials come off and new work goes on.
- Construction
- We remove existing siding, decks, and other elements in a controlled way, protecting sheathing and interior finishes.
- We repair framing or sheathing where moisture has already caused damage before covering anything up.
- We install new siding, windows, decks, and trim with correct weather barriers, flashings, and fasteners.
- We keep the site organized, manage debris, and maintain clear access for you and your family.
- Finishing and walkthrough
- We complete painting or staining, clean up, and walk the exterior with you.
- Any punch list items are identified and addressed before we consider the job complete.
- You receive information on maintenance and care for new materials so they continue to perform.
Budget, Timeline, and Expectations
Exterior remodeling has its own cost drivers and unknowns. We address them directly:
- Hidden damage is common behind failing siding or decks. We plan for inspection and repair rather than pretending every wall is perfect.
- Material choices matter. Fiber cement, cedar, composites, and aluminum or wood clad windows all have different costs and maintenance profiles. We will walk you through tradeoffs instead of pushing one product.
- Weather affects scheduling. We set realistic expectations for when certain phases can happen and how we will protect your home if conditions shift.
Our clients are not shopping for the absolute lowest exterior bid. They want work that will protect their home and look good for years, not just until the first storm.
Why Homeowners Choose Cornell's for Exterior Updates
Homeowners across Seattle and the Eastside choose Cornell's for exterior updates because we:
- Understand how to build exteriors that handle Pacific Northwest weather.
- Coordinate siding, windows, decks, and trim as one system instead of a set of disconnected tasks.
- Bring the same level of craftsmanship to the outside of the home that we bring to kitchens, baths, and interiors.
- Communicate clearly about findings, options, and changes as layers come off and real conditions appear.
- Respect the architecture and neighborhood so finished exteriors feel appropriate, not out of place.
Start Planning Your Exterior Remodel
If your siding is tired, your deck feels questionable, or your home's exterior simply does not match the quality of the life you live inside it, it is time to plan a proper exterior remodel.
Contact Cornell's Quality Construction to talk through your exterior update. We will walk the property with you, identify what truly needs to be done, and give you a clear, honest view of what it will take to protect and upgrade the outside of your home.