When’s the Right Time to Remodel After Buying a House?
The right time to remodel after buying a house depends on your goals, budget, and the condition of the property. Others rush into renovation projects…
Quality residential siding is not only important for the curb appeal of a home, but siding is also important for protecting it from the elements and, when skillfully installed, essential in improving your home’s energy efficiency. When residential siding begins to discolor, warp, crack, or show signs of mold or mildew growth, it is time to consider its replacement and get in touch with siding contractors.
When it comes to siding materials, we depend on James Hardie siding. James Hardie is known for the reliability and beautiful design of its products and offers several styles that can suit any home. Whether you are looking for a classic lap or shingle siding, or you want to explore their Artisan Collection, as your siding contractor, we can help you find the right James Hardie product for you.
James Hardie residential siding is made of fiber cement, an extremely durable material that holds up well in the rainy Bay Area climate. Not only does James Hardie test its siding under various damaging conditions, including:
They have also specifically engineered different classes of their products to withstand the elements in particular climates – what they call their Hardiezone system. San Francisco homeowners can look to their HZ10 products, which are formulated with the highest quality raw materials to help resist cracking, splitting, rotting, and swelling.
When you work with us as your siding installation contractors, you can expect a unique finished product that will bring you a lifetime of value. With James Hardie siding, your home will benefit from their diverse color palette and their Baked-on ColorPlus Technology, which has greater resistance to fading, chipping, and cracking. From Arctic White to Mountain Sage to Evening Blue, you are sure to find a color you love that will last. In addition, James Hardie siding comes with a 30-year, non-prorated warranty. Working with home remodeling contractors to update your home is an investment, but installing new residential siding is a project that you can be sure will give you a good return.
For over 40 years, Mares & Dow Construction has been the Bay Area’s go-to home remodeling and retaining wall contractors, including providing residential siding installation services. When you work with us, you can expect a wealth of trade experience and a commitment to doing the best job possible. Customer satisfaction is our highest priority, and we will bring these values to your next remodeling project as your siding installation contractors.
At Mares & Dow, we believe that quality residential siding transforms your home, so we only use the highest quality brands in our work. We have a strong commitment to superior materials and their benefits for your home’s look and overall value.
Read our FAQs for more info.
Contact Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights today and let our 40 years of Bay Area expertise turn your dream project into reality.

Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights is certified and accredited by the best manufacturers in the industry. From Grip-Tite Foundation Systems, to James Hardie Siding, to VELUX Skylights, you can be sure to get the highest quality products for whatever your project.

Serving the San Francisco Bay Area for over 40 years with quality general contracting, home remodeling, and skylight installation means you'll get the benefits of our expertise for every project.

Maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction, we are proud to have provided our customers throughout the San Francisco Bay Area with quality construction and home improvement services for 40 years. With half of our new clients coming to us from referrals, it’s no secret that our customers/friends are truly pleased with the work we do.
Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights, Inc. is a longstanding partnership of 40 years between Archie Mares, Dennis Dow and hundreds of great customers throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. We are a general contractor, building custom homes, additions, home remodeling, skylights, retaining wall construction and commercial remodeling.
Maintaining a high level of customer satisfaction, we are proud to have provided our customers throughout the San Francisco Bay Area with quality construction and home improvement services for 40 years. With half of our new clients coming to us from referrals, it’s no secret that our customers/friends are truly pleased with the work we do.
Quality and service come first. We approach every job, big or small, with the same care and attention to detail we’d give our own homes. Our team combines time-tested building practices with modern innovation to deliver results that stand the test of time.
Ready to start your next project? Whether you’re planning a home remodel, skylight installation, or foundation repair, our team is here to help.
Reach out to us for a free consultation. We’ll listen, offer expert guidance, and provide a detailed estimate tailored to your goals.
To enhance the lives of Bay Area homeowners through expert construction, thoughtful design, and dependable service. For over 40 years, our mission has remained simple: build with integrity, serve with pride, and create spaces our clients love to live in.
We believe in integrity, craftsmanship, and lasting relationships. Every project is built on honesty, transparency, and respect - for our clients, our partners, and the homes we’re entrusted to improve.
Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights installed a large Velux skylight for me in August 2017. The entire experience was wonderful and the skylight is beautiful, both functionally and aesthetically. Janet made sure the work was scheduled to be completed before a trip I had planned. Jimmy measured carefully when he quoted the work and even accommodated a last minute change on the location when he arrived to do the work. They protected my new floors and were careful to keep dust to a minimum. Archie came by to ensure that all was going smoothly. Freddy helped matched the stain on my nearly 70 year old tongue and grove ceiling that really took some effort and he even matched some a few small spots that a previous contractor had sanded and removed the original stain. EVERYONE was cheerful and knowledgeable. Now, my little mid century house has emerged into the light!
Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights replaced two aging skylights in our bedroom and installed automatic blinds on four skylights. This was not an easy job, since our bedroom has very very high cathedral ceilings. In fact, one other skylight installer refused to do the job altogether, and a second made a bid that was almost twice as expensive as Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights. Janet Mares, who was our main contact for the job, was a pleasure to work with. Her son, Jimmy, who led the installation, was fearless climbing the ceiling, and he eally knew his stuff. We’re thrilled with our new and improved skylights, and we appreciate Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights’ solid, reasonably priced, work. Thanks guys!
I’ve had Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights install 3 sun tunnels in my home and most recently, 2 skylights in my garage/art studio. I couldn’t be more satisfied with the quality of their work and professionalism! All my communications with their office and installers have been extremely pleasant. I would use them again (and again) and highly recommend them to anyone looking to install Velux skylights/sun tunnels in their home!
Being a new homeowner, i really did my research before having someone come out and give me a quote on a skylight. You never know what to believe when you read yelp reviews. So, i went ahead and had Jimmy from mares and dow come out and give me an estimate. He was right on time, came out and measured and was very professional while he was here. Janet called me a few days later and sent me over an estimate. I went them them and couldn’t be happier. It arrived in the time frame she had told me, and they were out that week. The workers came out on time, and were very friendly and professional. Dennis ( one of the owners) came out as well and checked on the job. The went above and beyond with their work. The skylight looks beautiful! Night and day from the old one. If you are wanting a skylight, i strongly reccomend going with mare and dow
We had Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights install a Velux skylight in our new master bathroom. The space was small and dark, so Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights suggested a big skylight to add in lots of natural light. They built in a double crown molding to beautifully frame the skylight, and now the space is open and airy with wonderful natural light. We can open the skylight during warm months to let in fresh air. It was a superb addition to our bathroom renovation and a great suggestion from Mares & Dow Construction & Skylights. They did a fantastic job and were great to work with! Thanks guys!
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Choosing the right siding for your home is an important investment that affects curb appeal, energy efficiency, and long-term protection. For homeowners in Walnut Creek, CA, understanding your siding options, maintenance needs, and local considerations can make the decision process much easier. Below are answers to some of the most common questions about siding services to help you plan your project with confidence.
We specialize in installing James Hardie fiber cement siding, known for its long-lasting durability, fire resistance, and beautiful design options. We offer lap siding, shingle siding, and the premium Artisan® Collection, all tailored to match the style of your Walnut Creek home.
James Hardie siding is engineered for specific climate zones. In Walnut Creek, we use the HZ10® product line, which is designed to resist damage from moisture, salt air, wind, and temperature fluctuations. It’s ideal for East Bay weather and coastal conditions.
Yes. Whether your siding is cracked, warped, or requires a section repair, we offer professional siding repair services. We can also match new siding to your existing material if a full replacement isn’t necessary.
Signs your siding may need replacement include discoloration, warping, cracking, mold or mildew, or noticeable increases in heating and cooling costs. We’re happy to inspect your siding and recommend the best solution.
Yes. Quality siding improves curb appeal, energy efficiency, and weather resistance—making it a high-return investment for homeowners. James Hardie siding also comes with a 30-year, non-prorated warranty for added peace of mind.
We bring over 40 years of construction experience and a reputation for craftsmanship, integrity, and customer satisfaction. We’re certified James Hardie installers and use only top-tier materials for every job.
Yes. Walnut Creek, like many East Bay communities, enforces strict fire safety standards. James Hardie siding is non-combustible and fire-resistant, meeting Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) code requirements where applicable.
Absolutely. James Hardie siding offers dozens of pre-finished ColorPlus® Technology options that resist fading and wear. We’ll walk you through style and color choices to complement your home’s design.
Yes. We provide free, no-obligation estimates for all siding replacement and repair projects. Contact us to schedule a consultation at your convenience.
In addition to siding, we provide garage remodeling, bathroom remodeling, historical restoration, sun tunnel skylights, and foundation repair. View our full list of services or contact us to learn more.