Royal Oak · Oakland County
Siding Contractor in Royal Oak, MI
Royal Oak’s bungalows and Cape Cods often hide 1920s wood siding under aluminum or vinyl. Here’s what siding contractors find when they open those walls, and how to plan your project.
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Siding contractors in Royal Oak, MI mostly work on bungalows, Cape Cods and small colonials from the 1920s through the 1950s: removing layers of aluminum or vinyl, repairing or replacing the original wood siding and sheathing, adding house wrap and insulation, replacing rotted trim and sills, and installing new vinyl or fiber cement. Siding repair and replacement are both common here.
Old Houses, Layered Siding and Narrow Lots
Royal Oak boomed in the 1920s, when the Woodward streetcar and later the auto industry brought families north from Detroit. Walk the streets around downtown, near Main Street and Washington, or out toward the Detroit Zoo, and you’ll see the result: blocks of bungalows, Cape Cods and Tudors on narrow lots, many with dormers and front porches. Most were built with wood clapboard. Over the decades, many got a layer of asbestos-cement shingles, aluminum or vinyl on top.
That layering is the defining feature of siding work in Royal Oak. When a contractor takes off the outer layer, they may find painted wood clapboard, tar paper, and sometimes rot at the sills, under windows and around old porches. Walls often have little or no insulation. The job is as much about fixing the wall as about the new siding, and a good estimate includes a plan for what’s found.
The Woodward Dream Cruise rolls through every August and downtown stays busy, but the housing stock is what keeps local siding contractors working: nearly a century of freeze-thaw cycles on wood walls. Many Royal Oak owners also want to keep the character of their homes, choosing lap profiles, trim and colors that suit a 1920s bungalow rather than a 1990s subdivision.
What contractors see
Royal Oak Homes and Their Siding
What’s typically on, and under, Royal Oak houses.
| Home type | Where you’ll find it | Siding issues to expect |
|---|---|---|
| 1920s–30s bungalows and Tudors | Near downtown and Main Street | Wood clapboard under aluminum or vinyl, rot at sills, lead paint |
| 1940s–50s Cape Cods | Across the city’s north and east sides | Aluminum dormers, little insulation, porch trim rot |
| Small colonials | Neighborhoods off Woodward and Crooks | Early vinyl, loose corners, faded color |
| Teardown rebuilds | Scattered lots | New construction with fiber cement or premium vinyl |
| Detached garages | Back lots and alleys | Old wood siding, rot near the ground |
Planning a project
Before You Re-Side
What may be under your siding
Older Royal Oak homes sometimes have asbestos-cement shingles under a newer layer. They’re generally stable if left in place, but removing them requires proper handling. Original painted wood may contain lead. Ask any contractor how they identify and handle both before tear-off begins.
Repair or re-side?
If the outer layer is mostly sound, targeted siding repair may be enough. If there’s rot in several places or the siding is failing all over, full replacement lets the contractor fix the wall.
Keeping the character
Lap profiles with a narrower exposure, wider trim boards and porch details make new siding look right on an old house. Many owners choose fiber cement for a painted-wood look, or premium vinyl with a traditional profile.
Royal Oak’s narrow side yards make access tricky. Talk to neighbors before the crew arrives, and ask the contractor how they’ll protect fences and landscaping.
Local checklist
Royal Oak Siding Checklist
What to watch on an older Royal Oak home.
- Press on siding near sills, porches and the bottom courses for soft spots.
- Look inside closets on exterior walls for stains or musty smells.
- Ask about asbestos-cement shingles and lead paint before tear-off.
- Plan access with neighbors on narrow lots.
- Consider adding insulation while the walls are open.
- Verify the contractor’s Michigan license and lead-safe certification.
Nearby
Nearby Areas We Connect Callers In
We also connect callers in Ferndale, Berkley, Clawson, Pleasant Ridge, Huntington Woods, Madison Heights and Hazel Park, plus Troy, Birmingham and every other Oakland County community we serve.
Local insight
Planning Around Royal Oak Lots and Neighbors
Many Royal Oak houses sit just a few feet from the neighbor’s, with shared driveways and fences along the lot line. Siding crews need room for ladders, staging and a dumpster, so talk with neighbors before the job starts. Ask the contractor how they’ll protect fences, gardens and parked cars from debris.
FAQ
Royal Oak Siding Questions
What’s under the siding on my Royal Oak bungalow?
Often the original wood clapboard, sometimes with asbestos-cement shingles or an older layer of aluminum. A contractor can open a small area to check.
Can new siding go over the old wood siding?
Sometimes, but tearing off lets the contractor repair rot, add house wrap and flash windows properly. Most recommend it on older homes.
Is my old siding a lead or asbestos risk?
Pre-1978 paint may contain lead, and some older shingles contain asbestos. Both are manageable with proper practices; ask the contractor how they handle them.
What siding suits a 1920s bungalow?
Narrow-exposure lap siding, wide trim and traditional colors. Fiber cement and premium vinyl both come in suitable profiles.
Do you serve Ferndale and Berkley too?
Yes. Calls from Ferndale, Berkley, Clawson and nearby communities can be connected with contractors serving those areas.
Can siding be installed on a narrow Royal Oak lot?
Yes. Crews work with ladders and small staging in tight side yards. Coordinate with neighbors and plan where the dumpster will go.
Should I keep the original wood siding on my Royal Oak home?
If it’s sound, repairing and repainting can preserve character. If it’s rotted or covered by layers, tear-off and new siding may be more practical.
Do I need a permit for siding in Royal Oak?
Many projects require a permit. Your contractor should check with the City of Royal Oak and handle it.
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