A cracked board on a Lake Geneva house can go unnoticed for weeks if you are only up on weekends. Martin Exteriors Roofing & Siding repairs siding around the lake by replacing damaged boards and sections, leading with James Hardie fiber cement, with vinyl as the other main option. We do not patch siding with sealant or filler. We send photos if you cannot be there, the inspection is free, and (815) 624-6278 is answered 24/7.
A Lake Town With Part Time Owners
Lake Geneva is not a typical small city. Census estimates for 2020 to 2024 count about 18% of its homes as vacant, and about 11% of all homes are held for seasonal or recreational use. Nearly 31% of homes are in buildings with five or more units, so condos and shared buildings are a big part of the picture. The housing spans every era too, from about 14% built before 1940 near downtown and the Riviera to about 13% built since 2010.
For siding repair, that mix means two things. Damage often sits longer before anyone sees it, and many repairs involve an association, a property manager or an owner who lives somewhere else.
Repairs When You Are Not at the Lake
If a neighbor or your property manager tells you a panel is loose or a board is broken, you do not need to drive up. We walk the outside, photograph every damaged board and the wall around it, and send the pictures and a written scope to your phone. Once you approve, we schedule the repair and send photos of the finished wall. Nobody needs to be inside the house.
The Side Facing the Water
On a lake home, the wall facing Geneva Lake takes the most sun, wind and wind driven rain. That is the side that fades first, where panels work loose, and where painted surfaces break down soonest. When we repair it, we look closely at the house wrap and flashing behind the damaged boards, because water reaches deeper on that side. On a lake facing wall that keeps needing attention, James Hardie fiber cement is our first recommendation. It handles sun, wind and impact far better than vinyl.
Cedar and Wood on Older Lake Homes
Older cottages and estate homes near the shore path and in the older blocks near downtown often carry wood lap or cedar shingles. Those are the walls woodpeckers find, and the walls where rot starts at the bottom courses. We replace holed or rotted boards and shingles instead of plugging them. Where a homeowner wants the wood look without the upkeep, James Hardie makes lap and shingle profiles, and engineered wood such as LP SmartSide is available on request. See woodpecker siding damage repair.
Condos and Association Buildings
With nearly a third of Lake Geneva homes in larger buildings, many repairs start with a board or manager. We can inspect a single unit or a whole building, match the existing siding across every wall, and provide a written scope the association can approve. If an older color or profile is no longer made, we say so up front and show the options before anyone orders material.
Newer Homes and Golf Communities
On newer houses in town and in golf communities just outside it, like Geneva National, repairs are mostly impact damage and the occasional loose panel. Painted fiber cement can be repaired board by board, with new boards finished to match the existing color.
Why Lake Geneva Owners Call Martin
- Certified James Hardie Installer and CertainTeed 5-Star Contractor.
- Voted What Rocks Rockford Best Siding, 2021 to 2025.
- Inc. 5000 Company, helping thousands of homeowners since 2006.
- Photo updates for owners who are away.
- Free inspections, year round installs and phones answered 24/7.
For bigger projects, financing is available as low as $149/month for qualified buyers. See financing options.
More Lake Geneva Pages
See Lake Geneva siding for full projects, our Lake Geneva roofing page and roof repair in Lake Geneva. A full exterior is shown in our Lake Geneva James Hardie lake home makeover. Our siding repair page explains the process. Schedule a free inspection or call (815) 624-6278.
Lake Geneva Siding Repair FAQ
Do I need to be at the lake for you to repair my siding?
No. We inspect from outside, send photos and a written scope to your phone, and send photos of the finished repair. No one needs to be inside the house.
Why does the lake side of my house wear out first?
It takes the most sun, wind and wind driven rain. We check the wrap and flashing behind damaged boards on that side, and James Hardie fiber cement is our first recommendation for it.
Can you repair cedar shingles on an older lake home?
Yes. We replace damaged or holed shingles. If you want the look with less upkeep, James Hardie shingle profiles are a good fit, and engineered wood is available on request.
Can you work with our condo association?
Yes. We can inspect one unit or the whole building and provide a written scope for the association to approve before any material is ordered.
How far is Lake Geneva from your office?
About an hour from our main office at 11704 Main St in Roscoe. Call (815) 624-6278, 24/7.
