Multi-Family Siding Replacement and Dry Rot Repair in Portland

Project Overview

This Portland apartment building had reached the point every property owner dreads — the original siding had failed, and water had been getting behind it for years. What started as a siding replacement became a full exterior restoration once we opened the walls.

Zurc Construction handled the complete scope: tear-off, dry rot and sheathing repair, a new weather barrier system, and new lap siding across the entire building. The property stayed occupied throughout, so the work was phased to keep walkways, entries, and parking accessible for residents.

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Alt text: Severe dry rot in exterior sheathing discovered behind old siding on a Portland apartment building

What We Found Behind the Siding

Once the old panels came off, the extent of the damage became clear. Years of Portland rain had penetrated the siding and saturated the sheathing underneath — the board is soft, delaminating, and crumbling by hand. Damage like this is invisible from the outside. The siding looked tired, not catastrophic.

This is the single most common surprise on Portland exterior projects, and it's why we never quote siding without inspecting first. Rot spreads quietly for years before anything shows at the surface, and by the time it does, the repair scope has usually doubled.

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Alt text: Apartment building mid-demolition with old siding removed exposing sheathing, framing, and insulation in Portland

Tear-Off and Structural Repair

We removed the original siding across the full building envelope and assessed every wall section. Damaged sheathing was cut out and replaced, compromised framing was repaired, and insulation was inspected and replaced where moisture had reached it.

This is the stage that determines whether an exterior lasts thirty years or fails again in eight. Covering rot with new siding is faster and cheaper — and it's also the reason so many buildings need the same work done twice.

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Alt text: DuPont Tyvek HomeWrap weather barrier installed before new lap siding on Portland apartment exterior

New Weather Barrier and Siding Installation

With the structure sound, we installed DuPont Tyvek HomeWrap across the entire building, with flashing carefully integrated around every window, door, and penetration. In a climate with more than 150 rainy days a year, this layer does more work than the siding itself — it's the actual barrier between weather and structure.

New lap siding went on over the wrap, with fresh trim, corners, and caulking throughout. The finish is designed to handle Portland's wet-dry cycles without warping, cupping, or trapping moisture behind it.

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Alt text: Completed apartment building exterior with new blue lap siding and white trim in Portland, Oregon

The Finished Building

The completed exterior transformed the property. Deep blue lap siding with crisp white trim gives the building a clean, current look that reads well in Portland's overcast light — and more importantly, the building is now properly protected. New sheathing, a correctly installed weather barrier, and durable siding mean the owner isn't revisiting this in five years.

For property owners, that combination matters: better curb appeal for leasing, and a building envelope that stops generating repair calls.

Project Scope at a Glance

Full siding tear-off and disposal. Dry rot assessment across the entire building envelope. Sheathing replacement and structural repair where needed. Insulation inspection and replacement. DuPont Tyvek HomeWrap installation with integrated flashing. New lap siding, trim, corners, and caulking. Phased scheduling to keep the property occupied and accessible throughout.

Seeing warning signs on your property?

Soft spots, peeling paint that keeps coming back, or moss on north-facing walls usually mean water is already behind the siding. We'll inspect it free and tell you exactly how far it's gone before you commit to anything.

Call (503) 309-5973 or get my free siding inspection

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Multi-Family and Commercial Exterior Work

Zurc Construction handles siding installation and replacement for apartment buildings, multi-family properties, and small commercial buildings across the Portland metro. We understand what property owners need beyond the finish work — realistic phasing, resident access, clear communication, and schedules that hold.

Learn more about our commercial remodeling services in Portland, or read our siding cost guide for current Portland pricing by material. Planning a full exterior upgrade? We also handle roofing and exterior painting.

Where We Work

Zurc Construction serves Portland — including SE Portland (97202, 97206, 97214, 97215), NE Portland (97211, 97212, 97213), SW Portland (97219, 97221), and NW Portland (97210, 97229) — plus Beaverton, Gresham, Lake Oswego, Tigard, Hillsboro, Tualatin, Milwaukie, West Linn, Oregon City, Clackamas, Happy Valley, and Vancouver, WA.

Browse more completed work in our project gallery.

Get My Free Exterior Inspection

Whether it's a single home or a multi-unit property, we'll inspect the building envelope, check for hidden rot, and give you a detailed, line-by-line estimate. Free, with no obligation.

Call (503) 309-5973 or request your free inspection online →