Lap Siding
Lap siding uses horizontal, overlapping boards to create a familiar Northwest exterior with clean shadow lines. A siding inspection helps identify loose boards, damaged trim, and visible moisture concerns before lap siding installation begins. For lap siding replacement, we help you choose the board exposure and finish, then pay close attention to consistent courses, clearances, and flashing around windows and doors—not just the appearance of the finished wall.
A closer look
Lap Siding inspiration
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The homeowner’s guide
Lap Siding Replacement Guide for Seattle Homeowners
Understanding the lap profile
Lap siding is a horizontal style in which each course visually overlaps the one below it. The repeating edges create shadow lines that suit Craftsman, mid-century, cottage, and many contemporary homes. Lap is a style rather than a material: fiber cement, engineered wood, solid wood, and other products can all use horizontal profiles.
When comparing options, identify the manufacturer, product, texture, thickness, and approved installation method. Those specifications—not the generic word “lap”—govern fastening, joints, clearances, finishing, and care. A Seattle siding contractor can help translate those technical differences into visible design choices.
Exposure changes the whole elevation
Exposure is the visible height of each course. A narrower exposure adds more horizontal lines and often feels traditional; a wider exposure can simplify a facade. The right choice should relate to window proportions, story height, existing trim, and any stone, panel, or vertical accent rather than following a sample photo blindly.
Course alignment is especially noticeable at adjacent windows and connected walls. Before work begins, discuss where courses should meet trim, how they turn corners, and what happens at additions with different floor levels. Texture and color samples should be viewed vertically outdoors because small chips do not show realistic shadow or sheen.
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