Lake Geneva is about an hour from our main office at 11704 Main St in Roscoe, and we make that drive for siding and roofing jobs around the lake. We’re a certified dwelling contractor in Wisconsin (#1436189). Martin Exteriors has been in one family’s hands since 2006, has been named to the Inc. 5000 four times, and was voted Rockford’s best siding contractor five years running in What Rocks (2021 to 2025). Call (815) 624-6278.
Big Houses, Lots of Walls
Lake Geneva homes run from older houses near downtown and the Riviera to large lake homes along the shore path and newer neighborhoods and golf communities like Geneva National. Census estimates say about 13% of homes in the city have gone up since 2010, more than in most towns around here.
A lot of these houses are big and complicated: tall walls, gables, bump-outs and a lot of trim. On a house like that, the siding itself is only part of the job. The flashing around every roof line, deck ledger and door decides whether water stays out, and that’s where we spend our time.
Second Homes and Photo Updates
The Census counts nearly 1 in 5 Lake Geneva homes as not occupied full-time. If you’re only at the lake on weekends or in the summer, you don’t need to be there for your siding job. We send photos and updates as the work goes, so you can see the walls opened up, any repairs to the sheathing, and the finished house. Most homes get new house wrap.
Most siding jobs take 1 to 2 days. Large lake homes with a lot of detail take longer, and we’ll give you a real schedule at the estimate.
Sun and Wind Off the Water
The side of a lake home that faces the water takes the most sun and wind. That’s the wall that fades first, and where loose siding starts. Storms around the lake can be serious. NOAA’s Storm Events Database lists winds estimated at 75 mph in Fontana-on-Geneva-Lake on November 10, 2020, wind-driven hail 2.5 inches across at Williams Bay on May 2, 2018, and an EF-1 tornado on June 22, 2024 that took roofs off homes near Williams Bay before ending over Geneva Lake. For a fix that replaces only the damaged boards, see siding repair.
When weather rolls over Geneva Lake and you’re away, we’ll walk the siding and roof at no charge and send the pictures to your phone. If it’s worth a claim, we help with your insurance claim. We’ve helped thousands of homeowners through roof claims. See storm damage repair.
James Hardie on a Lake Home
James Hardie fiber cement is what most of our Lake Geneva customers choose. It has the look of painted wood, it comes in lap, shingle and board-and-batten styles that suit a lake house, and it’s heavy and non-combustible, so it handles hail and impact better than vinyl. It’s backed by James Hardie’s own product warranty.
Vinyl siding from Mastic and Norandex still makes sense on plenty of homes, especially a cottage or garage where low upkeep matters most. Installed right, it often lasts 20 to 40 years and never needs paint.
Older Homes Downtown
About 14% of Lake Geneva homes were built before 1940, mostly near downtown. Those houses often have old layers under the current siding, sometimes including asbestos cement shingles. Older estate homes sometimes hide asbestos cement shingles, and our own crews are licensed to remove them.
Which Permit Applies
Martin Exteriors pulls and handles all required permits anywhere around Geneva Lake.
Roofing and Nearby Towns
See our Lake Geneva roofing page if the roof is due too. Delavan and Elkhorn are on our list too, along with the towns on our southern Wisconsin page. The siding installation page explains how a job runs.
Free Siding Estimate in Lake Geneva
We’ll walk every wall with you or send you photos if you can’t be there, and bring samples so you can see them in lake light. On a big lake house, financing helps: payments as low as $149/month for qualified buyers.
Schedule your free estimate or call (815) 624-6278.
Lake Geneva Siding FAQ
Can you re-side my Lake Geneva home while I’m not there?
Yes. We send photos and updates as the job goes, and you can see the finished work before you come back.
Who issues siding permits around Geneva Lake?
Martin Exteriors does. We pull and handle all required permits anywhere around Geneva Lake, so you have nothing to file yourself.
Is James Hardie worth it on a lake home?
For most lake homes, yes. It handles sun, wind and hail better than vinyl and comes in styles that suit a lake house. Vinyl is the lower-cost, low-upkeep option.
How long does a siding job take on a big lake house?
Most siding jobs take 1 to 2 days. Large homes with a lot of trim and detail take longer, and we’ll give you a schedule up front.
Are you licensed in Wisconsin?
Yes. We’re a certified dwelling contractor in Wisconsin (#1436189).
