Irvington Roofing, Siding & Windows Company
Upgrade your property in Irvington with expert roofing, siding, and window replacement services from a trusted local team.
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Local Contractor Serving Irvington
Irvington was platted in 1891 as one of Portland's first streetcar neighborhoods, and most of its homes were built between then and the late 1940s. Walk from NE Broadway up to Fremont, or from NE 7th over to the high 20s, and you'll pass Queen Annes, Colonial Revivals, Portland Foursquares, Craftsman bungalows, and Tudors, many still wearing their original cedar siding and wood windows. The neighborhood is also the heart of the Irvington Historic District, the largest historic district in Oregon.
KVN Construction provides roofing, siding, and window replacement in Irvington for homeowners who want their exterior work to protect the house and its character. That means knowing which projects the City of Portland reviews in the historic district, which materials make sense on a contributing home, and how to work on a steep, two-and-a-half-story roof on a narrow lot without disrupting the whole block. Our family-owned company has worked on Portland homes since 2001.
The Home Styles That Define Irvington
Irvington's houses were built over nearly sixty years, and each era brings its own roofline, siding pattern, and window style. Here's what we look for on the styles we see most:
- Queen Anne and Victorian Homes: The oldest houses in the neighborhood have steep, complex roofs with turrets, gables, and decorative shingles in the eaves, which take careful flashing and detail work.
- Portland Foursquares: These boxy two-and-a-half-story homes have tall hipped roofs and wide eaves, so even a simple reroof means working well above the street.
- Craftsman Bungalows: Low-pitched roofs, exposed rafter tails, and cedar shingle or lap siding define these homes, and the trim details are a big part of their charm.
- Colonial Revival and Tudor Homes: Symmetrical facades, multi-pane windows, and steep front gables need materials that keep their proportions intact.
- Apartments and Later Infill: Some 1970s apartment buildings replaced older houses near Broadway, and they often need a different approach than the historic homes around them.
Comprehensive Irvington Project Planning
Irvington's lots are compact, its houses are tall, and its streets are shared by everyone. We plan the logistics before the crew arrives so the project goes smoothly for you and your neighbors.
Siding Replacement Decisions for Historic Irvington Houses
The old-growth cedar on many Irvington homes is denser and more rot-resistant than most wood sold today. When it fails, it's usually in specific places: the bottom courses near the ground, under windowsills, behind downspouts, and on the side of the house that gets the most weather. Often the right answer is to replace only the damaged sections and keep the rest, which preserves the home's original look and typically avoids historic review.
Full siding replacement is a bigger decision in Irvington. On a contributing home, changing the siding material usually goes through Historic Resource Review. Where a new material is appropriate, such as on a non-contributing house, a later addition, or a home that was already re-sided decades ago, we install James Hardie fiber cement siding. It resists rot, insects, and fire, and its smooth lap and shingle profiles can be matched closely to the reveal and texture of historic siding.
Nearly every Irvington home was built long before 1978, so we also explain how older painted siding will be safely handled and removed before work begins.
Irvington Siding Replacement FAQ
Q. Can I put fiber cement siding on my Irvington home?
A. It depends on the house and the project. Portland's historic district rules apply to every building inside the district, so replacing siding with a different material usually requires Historic Resource Review whether the home is contributing or not. Fiber cement is more likely to be approved on a non-contributing home, a later addition, or a house whose original siding is long gone. On a contributing home with original wood siding, repairing the original with matching material is generally exempt from review and is often the better path.
Irvington Roof Replacement for Tall, Steep Irvington Homes
A century-old Irvington roof has usually been replaced several times, and each round leaves something behind. We often find layers of old roofing, patched decking, and flashing around chimneys and dormers that has been sealed over rather than replaced. On a steep roof that sits two and a half stories up, those hidden problems turn into leaks along the walls, around brick chimneys, and where dormers meet the main roof.
We tear off to the decking so we can see what's underneath, replace damaged boards, and rebuild flashing at every chimney, dormer, and wall. Many older Portland homes also have built-in box gutters hidden inside the eaves. When those fail, water ends up in the walls instead of the downspouts, so we check them with every roof inspection.
For replacements, we install Malarkey roofing shingles on Irvington homes. Malarkey has made shingles in Portland since 1956, and its architectural lines come in colors that suit historic homes, from dark weathered tones that echo old cedar to traditional grays. Because standard asphalt reroofing is generally exempt from historic review, a new roof is often the most straightforward exterior project an Irvington owner can take on.
Irvington Roof Replacement Showcase
KVN Portland Roofing completed a roof replacement on NE 23rd Ave in Portland, Oregon after the homeowner dealt with worn roofing, multiple existing layers, and active water intrusion. The project addressed leaks, damaged decking, and ventilation issues while improving protection against Portland's wet weather, boosting curb appeal, and creating a stronger, longer-lasting system for the home.
Irvington Roof Replacement FAQ
Q. Do I need historic review to replace my roof?
A. Usually not. Under Portland's historic district rules, replacing an asphalt shingle roof with new asphalt shingles is generally treated as maintenance, so it doesn't require Historic Resource Review. Reroofing a single-family home doesn't normally need a building permit either. Switching to a very different roofing material, adding street-visible skylights, or changing the roof's shape counts as an exterior alteration in the district and typically does require review.
Window Replacement in Irvington, With the Original Glass in Mind
Original wood windows are one of the features that make Irvington homes what they are, and the neighborhood takes them seriously. The Irvington Community Association even funded a guide to repairing and weatherizing historic windows. On a contributing home, original street-facing windows are often worth restoring, and replacing them with a different style or material typically requires Historic Resource Review.
There are still plenty of places where new windows make sense. Many Irvington homes have aluminum or vinyl units installed decades ago that were never historically accurate, along with basement, rear, and addition windows that have little to do with the home's character. For those, we install Milgard replacement windows. Milgard's fiberglass windows offer slim frames and paintable finishes that sit comfortably on an older house, and their dual-pane glass makes drafty rooms noticeably more comfortable.
We'll walk the house with you, identify which windows are original and which aren't, and recommend where replacement will improve comfort without working against the home's historic value.
Irvington Window Replacement FAQ
Q. Should I restore or replace my original windows?
A. It depends on which windows. In the Irvington Historic District, replacing original street-facing windows with a different style or material usually requires Historic Resource Review, and restoring them is often worth it. Portland's rules exempt replacement of existing basement windows, and non-original windows or those on later additions are also good candidates for new Milgard units. We'll help you tell which windows are original and which path each one needs.
Contractor Promotions
Here are a few more reasons to choose our Irvington contractors for your next project.
Receive a Free Custom 3D Model of Your Home
On your upcoming KVN Construction project, get a free custom 3D model of your home. This includes design options!
Up to $5000 Off Full Siding OR Roof Replacement
Enjoy huge savings on your upcoming siding or roofing project!
$99 per Month Financing Available
Replace the roof or siding on your home and pay as little as $99/month!*
KVN Construction Reviews
At KVN Construction, we combine quality craftsmanship with personalized service to deliver exterior improvements that stand the test of time. We work closely with every customer to understand their goals, recommend the best solutions, and complete projects with attention to detail and professionalism.
Schedule Free Inspection for Your Home in Irvington
Every Irvington house has a story, and the best exterior work starts by understanding it. We'll come out, do a video inspection of the roof, siding, and windows, and talk through what's original, what's been changed, and what the historic district rules mean for your plans. Before work begins, you'll see a 3D model of your home with your product and color choices.
KVN Construction is family owned, has served Portland homeowners since 2001, holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and has zero claims with the Oregon Construction Contractors Board. Tell us about your home, whether it's a Craftsman near Irving Park or a Foursquare off NE Thompson, and we'll find a time to see it.
