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Roofing, siding, windows & gutters in Arlington
Arlington is where the contrast with DC is sharpest. The same re-roof that needs a filed permit across the river needs none here — not because the county is lax, but because Virginia’s state code says so and localities cannot be stricter on those exemptions.
- Reviewed by Arlington County Inspection Services Division
- Free inspection with photos and a written report
- Fixed written price before work starts
Free inspection in Arlington
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What Arlington stock means for your exterior
Much of Arlington’s single-family stock is mid-century, which produces a predictable set of conditions: original or first-replacement windows, gutters sized for a gentler roof than the one above them, and decades of imperfect flashing behind the siding.
Who reviews your address
Virginia USBC exempts roof-covering, siding, and in-kind window replacement. Arlington has local historic districts and individually designated properties where the building official can still require a permit.
Local knowledge
What we watch for in Arlington
Expect rot at the bottom course and window heads
On housing of this age it is common rather than exceptional. We price sheathing replacement per sheet before opening the wall, so a bad find is a known number instead of a mid-job argument.
Undersized gutters on steep roofs
A 5-inch gutter with a single downspout is the standard failure we find here. It is clean and it still overflows, because the problem is capacity. Adding downspouts is usually cheaper and more effective than upsizing.
Bedroom egress on window replacement
An insert unit adds frame thickness inside the old frame and shrinks the clear opening. In a bedroom that can drop below the emergency escape minimum — a real code problem that no one will inspect because no permit is required. We measure clear opening on every bedroom unit.
Permits by trade
What needs a permit in Arlington
Arlington follows Arlington rules. Local historic or municipal review can add a step on top — see the note above for your address.
| Trade | Status | What that means |
|---|---|---|
| Roofing | Usually exempt | Virginia USBC §108.2 exempts replacement of an unlimited amount of roof covering on a single-family home (Groups R-3, R-4, R-5) where the nominal design wind speed is 100 mph or less — which covers Northern Virginia. Structural deck work beyond the exemption, or any historic district, changes the answer. |
| Siding | Usually exempt | The same USBC exemption covers replacement of an unlimited amount of siding on a single-family home. Fairfax County states it plainly as "re-siding of building/home with similar material." Switching to a materially different cladding, or structural sheathing repair, can pull it back in. |
| Windows | Usually exempt | USBC §108.2 exempts replacement windows and doors "of similar operation and opening dimensions that do not require changes to the existing framed opening." Enlarging the opening, or a full-frame replacement that alters the rough opening, needs a permit. |
| Gutters | Usually exempt | Gutter and downspout replacement is routine maintenance. Fairfax County lists "gutters" outright as not requiring a permit. Where a downspout discharges can still be a stormwater or zoning question. |
Services
What we do in Arlington
Roof Replacement & Repair
Architectural shingle, standing-seam metal, and flat/low-slope systems. Leak diagnosis, storm damage documentation, and full tear-off replacement.
Costs & details →
Siding Replacement
James Hardie fiber cement, insulated vinyl, and cedar. We correct the wrap and flashing behind the siding, not just the panel you can see.
Costs & details →
Window Replacement
Full-frame and insert replacement in vinyl, fiberglass, and clad wood. Correct sizing, correct flashing, no drafts at the sill.
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Gutters & Downspouts
Seamless 5" and 6" aluminum, half-round copper, and guard systems — sized and pitched to actually move DMV storm volume away from the foundation.
Costs & details →We also work nearby
- Clarendon
- Ballston
- Lyon Village
- Cherrydale
DIY guides
DIY exterior tips for Arlington homeowners
Seasonal · Moderate
Ice Dams in the DMV: Why They Form and What Actually Prevents Them
Why ice dams form on DC, Maryland, and Virginia roofs, how to spot one from the ground, and the attic fixes that prevent them for good.
Gutters · Moderate
Gutter Guards Compared: What Works Under Oaks, Maples, and Pines in the DMV
Gutter guards compared for DMV homes: screens, micro-mesh, reverse-curve, and foam, and which type holds up under oak, maple, and pine debris.
Windows · Easy
How to Recaulk Exterior Window Trim (and the Temperature Rule Most People Miss)
How to recaulk exterior window trim on a DMV home: pick the right caulk, prep the joint, and beat the 40°F temperature rule before winter.
Get a real number for your Arlington home
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