Exterior Cladding Guide: Common Types, Tips, and Costs

Does your worn out or discoloured exterior cladding make you cringe every time you come home? Are your neighbours giving you the side-eye? Many homeowners would shut the doors and focus on improving the kitchen or bathroom, but you’re ahead of the game. You know that upgrading your home’s façade can make a world of difference.

There are endless exterior siding options to choose from. And beyond the aesthetic, each material protects your home from the elements to varying degrees. So, choosing the right one for your needs and budget is crucial.

We’re here to help you make an informed decision and properly plan your renovation work. We’ve even included a section on insulation in case you’ve decided to replace it along with the siding. So, ready to sift through everything on siding?

When is the best time to change your exterior cladding?

In theory, you can start an exterior siding project at any time during the year. Overall, the best time of year to replace your exterior siding is before it rots and complications arise.

Ideal temperature for your renovation project

Spring and autumn are the best times of year to install new exterior cladding, as temperatures are mild and generally won’t affect the materials used. You’ll want to avoid extreme temperatures, especially if you’ve opted for vinyl. It can melt and deform in high heat and contract and crack in intense cold. And even if your contractors manage to install it, the shrinking or expanding that comes in the months that follow may cause some serious damage.

Thankfully, not all siding options are like this. Fibrocement in particular isn’t affected at all by extreme temperatures. That said, if you’re planning a winter installation, make sure your material is painted beforehand at the factory since paint won’t stick in cold weather. Also, keep in mind that fibrocement cladding has to stay dry during the installation process.

When to contact your contractor?

As soon as possible because exterior siding contractors’ calendars fill up fast! Set up an appointment several months in advance if you’re considering upgrading your cladding during the summer months.

Types of exterior cladding

Whether you’re looking to match the other homes in your neighbourhood or create a new avant-garde look, you’re bound to find an exterior cladding option that fits your needs. That said, before committing to a siding option, think about how much time you want to spend on upkeep like cleaning and painting. Other important factors include budget and material durability. To help you make an informed choice, let’s go over the most common exterior cladding options and their pros and cons.

Acrylic exterior siding

Acrylic siding or EIFS looks a lot like stucco. It’s made of expanded polystyrene insulation reinforced with mesh and adhesive and coated with a synthetic plaster finish. It got some bad press back in the day: it wasn’t installed correctly on wood frames, resulting in water infiltration. Fortunately, its manufacturing method and installation process have been improved since then.

This exterior cladding option is great for concrete walls; it’s notably used on the sides of triplexes in Montreal. It comes in a variety of colours and textures, making it a versatile and aesthetic choice. On the other hand, it’s complex to install and is vulnerable to temperature variations.

CanExel exterior siding (wood fibre)

Often known by its manufacturers’ names, CanExel or Maibec, wood fibre siding gives you the gorgeous look of wood without the high price tag. It’s also easy to install (for a professional), durable, and weather resistant. Choose from a wide array of colours and textures.

Torrefied exterior siding

This type of exterior cladding is mostly found on cottages as not all municipalities permit its use. To make it, planks are heated in an oven to draw out moisture and increase the wood’s resistance to mould. That’s what gives it its name: torrefied (roasted) wood! Its lovely brown colour adds a warm and elegant look to any home.

Torrefied wood is a renewable resource and is relatively easy to repair. It can last up to 55 years but will require rigorous maintenance it’ll need to be stained every 15 years (for a rough surface) or painted or stained every five years (for a smooth surface). It’s also less resistant to weather, mould, and parasites than other siding options.

Aluminum exterior siding

Durable, eco-friendly, aesthetic… there’s a lot to love about aluminum. This easy-to-maintain exterior cladding option is resistant to temperature variations and weathering, making it great for Canadian seasons. It comes in a wide range of colours as well – it can even be repainted if necessary. And if that’s not enough, it’s recyclable.

It does have some drawbacks though, its light weight being one of them. It’s vulnerable to impact and can dent, and it’s typically used more on the second floor than on the main floor. Also, it can also get quite noisy on rainy or windy days, but many enjoy the sound!

Steel exterior cladding

Also known as MAC (for MAC Metal Architectural, the company that markets it), galvanized steel siding looks a lot like wood. It’s a tough, solid material that requires little maintenance. However, homeowners often lean toward the much cheaper CanExel.

Vinyl exterior siding

Vinyl is the most popular siding option in Quebec, mostly due to its reasonable price. It’s available in many colours and any scratches are practically invisible because colour is an integral part of the material. This pro could nevertheless turn into a con as vinyl can’t be repainted, so you’ll have to say goodbye to any dreams of updating the look with a few brush strokes. Also worth noting is that dark-coloured planks tend to fade over time with exposure to direct sunlight.

Fibrocement exterior siding

Versatility is one of fibrocement’s stronger points. Available in panels, planks, or decorative shingles, it can imitate practically any material (wood, stucco, etc.) and brings a contemporary or traditional look to a home. It’s resistant to fire, rot, impact, and pests.

Be sure to source this exterior cladding material from a reputable supplier as poor-quality fibrocement is more likely to crack and discolour. If possible, choose a manufacturer that bakes the colour into the material instead of spraying it on top. Also know that this type of siding is hard to install, so hiring a qualified professional is a must.

Masonry exterior siding

Masonry is the most durable siding option: it’s been known to last 75 years, even longer. The term masonry includes both brick (clay, calcite, concrete, or self-supporting) and stone (natural stone, reconstituted stone, or concrete stone). Neither mould nor pests affects this type of siding. It’s also fire resistant and has excellent noise dampening qualities. Masonry is easy to maintain – only its mortar joints need to be updated.

However, this siding option is expensive and requires a structure that can support its weight. You’ll need to set money aside for brick repointing every 20 to 25 years. Consult our article on the cost of masonry work to get an idea of the amount you’re looking at.

Prices for different exterior cladding options*

Prices vary widely from one exterior cladding option to the next. Some homeowners decide to go with a combination of materials to stay within their budget, such as brick on the front and vinyl at the back and on the sides. Let’s take a look at the average cost of different types of exterior siding.

Prices listed above apply to a bungalow and don’t include demolition, insulation, waste disposal, scaffolding, or other costs that may be required for the project.

Related expenses

Budget for other expenses in addition to the siding itself. After all, the old stuff has to be taken down and disposed of before the new exterior cladding can be installed (except when you’re building a new house).

You may also want to take this opportunity to replace your insulation, doors, and/or windows, which would of course add costs. Some folks end up improving their home’s exterior in other ways, such as by adding or modifying the soffits, fascias, or shutters.

Lastly, if you’re thinking of switching from vinyl exterior cladding to masonry, you may need to reinforce your foundation to support the extra weight and material thickness.

Lifespan of different exterior siding options

Whether you’ve got freshly installed vinyl or century-old brick, eventually your exterior cladding will need to be replaced. That said, the time frame will depend on the material you choose, the maintenance it receives, and inclement weather. Here are the lifespans of the most common siding options.

Common issues with exterior cladding

Exterior siding protects your home from the elements. And while your siding material will do its best to stand up to everything from rain and snow to pests, no cladding option is perfect. And some might come with water leaks if not maintained properly. 

Wood is susceptible to moisture and insects, and the finish will fade over time. If you live in a high-traffic area, you might notice that vinyl doesn’t do much to dampen noise. Even brick has its share of problems. So, let’s go over the most common siding concerns.

Cracks and breakage

Whether a branch falls and hits the side of your home, or a lawnmower spits out a rock at your façade, all siding materials can crack or break with enough force. In more serious cases, strong winds or a hailstorm could rip off an entire section of exterior cladding. Even durable options like vinyl can’t hold their own against some types of weather.

Fortunately, small cracks can easily be patched up with a repair kit. Be sure to repair them quickly to prevent water infiltration and/or mould from developing.

Fading

The sun is the main culprit behind fading issues, even though manufacturers do their best to produce UV-resistant materials for siding options. Besides not being very nice to look at, discoloured and dried-up walls can also crack.

It’s time to repaint if the colour has faded or if you start noticing paint chipping at the base of walls. Pick a product according to the type of siding on your home. Not only will a fresh coat of paint give your abode a much-needed facelift, but it’ll also seal your siding to make it even more waterproof.

Humidity

Humidity is the number one enemy of homes. If it enters the siding, it could eventually spread, wrecking both the walls and structure of your house. What’s more, it can breed mould and cause health issues. So, if your siding looks deformed or has started to warp, then it’s time to call a contractor. You have a humidity issue: don’t put off dealing with it!

Noise

This issue mainly affects vinyl. If the material isn’t installed correctly – meaning it’s left to expand and contract depending on the temperature – you could hear a symphony of sound: squeaks, pops, or metallic clangs. For example, if your siding was nailed on too tight, you may hear cracking when the material tries to expand unsuccessfully. On the flip side, if your siding was nailed on too loose, you may hear metallic sounds every time a strong wind blows.

Hiring a contractor who specializes in vinyl will minimize the risk of this type of problem.

Insects or pest infestations

Wood siding often doubles as a refuge for bugs of every kind, especially termites, bees, and carpenter ants. The little buggers are hard to detect as they sneak behind planks. A woodpecker poking holes in wood panels around your home would be a good indication you’ve got hidden bugs.

The best way to get rid of them is to use insecticide. You could also pick up an eco-friendly product to treat surrounding trees that are the source of this invasion. It’s best to call a professional if you notice damage from mice or chipmunks, though. They’ll be able to find and seal off any points of entry.

Maintenance

Just like with the rest of your home, you’ll need to properly maintain your exterior cladding. Not only will this prolong its lifespan and avoid a host of problems, but it’ll also keep your place looking nice!

Try to identify any potential hazards before going on a huge painting or cleaning blitz, such as electrical wires attached to your roof that could clothesline you while climbing a ladder. Also think about protecting your plants and bushes if you’re going to wash your exterior walls with a toxic product.

Acrylic exterior cladding

Although acrylic coatings require little maintenance, they do need to be cleaned from time to time. You could use a gentle cleaner like TSP to remove dust or dirt. You simply apply it with a brush or spray it on and then rinse it off with a garden hose. To avoid causing irreparable harm, you could first test the product on a small, less visible section to make sure it doesn’t damage the finish.

Avoid using solvents like acetone, ether, or turpentine, as well as using hot water (above 49°C) to wash your siding. Also, don’t use high-pressure cleaning or sandblasting, as it’ll damage your cladding.

CanExel exterior siding (wood fibre)

Wood fibre or CanExcel’s maintenance revolves around painting. Because it flakes off over time and with wear, you’ll need to thoroughly wash your exterior cladding with a residue-free surface preparation cleaner to remove it and traces of sand. Take this opportunity to repair any cracks with an exterior wood filler.

Next, you’ll need to find out if your exterior paint is water or oil based. To do this, soak a cloth in nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol and wipe the siding. Water-based paint will thin and come off on the cloth while oil-based paint won’t. Now you know which kind of paint to buy for your CanExcel exterior cladding!

One refresher coat may be all that’s needed if the surface is in good condition. If it’s worn out and/or has been patched up, apply a primer and then follow that with two coats of paint. After a 24-hour period without rain, it’ll be time to wax on, wax off!

Torrefied wood exterior siding

Torrefied wood doesn’t necessarily require more maintenance than other types of siding. That said, if your home has wood cladding, keep a close eye on it to catch issues as early as possible.

Black stains on this siding option probably means you’ve got mould. To get rid of it, apply a 4:1 solution of water and bleach and let it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing. If no mould is visible, you can probably get away with rinsing the siding with a garden hose. Avoid pressure washing.

Aluminum exterior cladding

Before you get to cleaning your aluminum siding, check if there’s mould (green, grey, or black spots). If there is, you’ll need to use a special cleaning product to get rid of it. Also, conduct a visual inspection and look for any breakage or cracks that would be a good idea to fix.

If you find nothing to report, simply wash the siding by hand using gentle soap and water. Dust surfaces with a broom first to get rid of most of the dirt and cobwebs, and use an extendable handle as needed. Rinse with a garden hose to remove any dirt or soap streaks.

Steel exterior siding

Maintaining steel is similar to aluminum: look for traces of mould, clean them with a suitable solution, then gently wash your exterior cladding.

If you notice oil, tar, or wax stains on your siding, try removing them with mineral spirits. Just like when you use soap, don’t forget to give your cladding a good rinse afterwards.

Vinyl exterior cladding

This siding option can easily be cleaned with any all-purpose cleaner. You could also make your own concoction by mixing water and dish soap or water and vinegar (70/30 ratio). The latter has the added bonus of getting rid of any mould.

As with other types of exterior cladding, forget about pressure washing. It can deform, break, or even get underneath the vinyl, and who wants to deal with that nasty business?

Fibrocement exterior cladding

This siding option’s maintenance routine is a bit of a process, but thankfully it’s not too labour intensive. Much like other materials, you’ll want to wash it every 6 to 12 months to remove dirt and debris using a garden hose. For tougher stains, a mild detergent and a soft brush will do the trick. Just be sure to avoid pressure washers and abrasive products.

Of course, you’ll also want to clean your gutters regularly and ensure that shrubs or vines don’t start scaling your exterior cladding. If you notice spots where the sealant has worn off, simply reapply it to prevent moisture from seeping in.

If you find cracks or chips in the fibrocement, repair them using a product suitable for this type of siding and always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Masonry exterior siding

Masonry does differ greatly from other types of exterior cladding, but it also needs to be washed regularly, usually with a pressure washer. That said, don’t aim the water directly at mortar joints. 

If a stain is still sticking around after a wash, apply a little liquid lye and let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing. Finally, you could eliminate traces of mould by applying diluted bleach (2 tbsp bleach in 1 L of water) and scrubbing with a soft bristle brush.

For more information, see our complete article on the most common masonry issues.

Sustainable development and exterior cladding

Not all siding options are created equal in terms of environmental impact. Here’s what you need to know if you want to buy eco-friendly products and support the planet’s future.

Most eco-friendly exterior cladding options

Brick masonry

Brick has several checks in the sustainability column. It’s generally made of clay, a natural resource whose extraction method doesn’t pollute the air, water, or soil. The manufacturing process doesn’t use any chemicals either: bricks are fired in an oven. While this does use non-renewable energy, the greenhouse gas emissions are offset by this material’s long lifespan.

Canada has many clay quarries with brick factories nearby. Not only does this greatly reduce the CO2 emissions from transportation, but it’ll also let you shop and support local businesses.

Bricks can also be recycled once they reach the end of their useful life. Visit your city’s website to find local waste transfer stations and community environmental centres that will accept them.

Stone masonry

Stone is similar to brick in that it’s also extremely durable and made of natural materials. If sourced locally, this is one of the most eco-friendly exterior cladding options out there. Some stone masonry is imported, which means it can have a large carbon footprint from transportation. It evens out though since the material lasts a lifetime.

Aluminum exterior cladding

Unlike masonry, aluminum extraction and manufacturing require a lot of energy. However, the environmental impact will be less if bauxite ore is processed into aluminum using hydroelectricity (like in Quebec) rather than non-renewable and polluting energy sources. Another advantage of aluminum is that it can be recycled endlessly.

Wood exterior siding

Wood is the renewable material par excellence. What’s more, it generates very little pollution when harvested and produced. It can prove to be an even more eco-friendly choice if it meets certain criteria, including being from a local forest and being certified from a reputable organization (e.g., Forest Stewardship Council).

Wood fibre exterior siding

This type of siding consists of 95% wood fibre — sawdust and cellulose — mixed with resin and wax. It’s a completely recyclable material. To reduce your environmental impact, choose manufacturers who use paint that has a low concentration of volatile organic compounds.

Less eco-friendly siding options

EIFS acrylic siding

Acrylic siding pollutes the environment and has a significant amount of grey energy, which is the amount of energy consumed during a material’s life cycle (extraction, transformation, transportation, maintenance, recycling, etc.). This siding option also has the lowest durability.

Fibrocement exterior cladding

This exterior cladding material is particularly bad for one’s health. It’s not only made of cellulose fibre, Portland cement, and sand, but also more dangerous elements such as crystalline silica. The latter, when cut, creates a dust that can cause cancer or, at lower levels of exposure, respiratory problems.

Vinyl exterior siding

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a synthetic material made from two raw materials: 57% sodium chloride and 43% petroleum. Since very little of it is recycled, PVC ranks among the worst from an environmental standpoint, despite what some manufacturers claim.

Types of insulation for your home

According to the Quebec government’s Energy Transition website, up to 17% of heat loss comes from aboveground walls. These energy losses not only impact your comfort level, but they also increase your heating bill in the winter. If you’re looking for ways to heat your home for less, these tips are a good place to start.

Changing your siding gives you the chance to rethink or improve the exterior insulation of your home. Why not kill two birds with one stone?

Exterior wall insulation

Although it’s quite expensive, insulating your exterior walls does have some advantages. It improves your home’s thermal comfort while maintaining your living area and also allows you to get rid of the thermal bridging blues (see our section on that below).

Interior wall insulation

Insulating your house from the inside is easier and costs less than doing it from the outside. However, you will lose a bit of square footage if the insulation is attached to your basement’s concrete walls. Another con is that you will no doubt have to leave your home while work is being done. 

Types of insulation

There are many types of insulation available on the market. We’ll go over five of them here. Read our article on ways to insulate your home to find out even more information on this subject.

Blown-in insulation

Also known as blown-in wool, this type of insulation is usually made from fibreglass or recycled paper (cellulose). As the “wool” is blown in using a hose, it is perfect for accessing those hard-to-reach areas, such as attics and between floors. It creates a seamless, uniform covering. Blown-in insulation when applied to walls can also soundproof a room. Its other pros include fast installation with a smaller work crew.

Blanket insulation

Who hasn’t seen pink mineral wool? This insulating material is made from fibreglass or rock wool and is popular because it’s so malleable and versatile. It can be installed under floors as well as in walls and ceilings. 

Roll insulation

Similar to blanket insulation, roll insulation has the distinction of being sold in 20- to 40-foot rolls. It’s ideal for large areas like attics and floors.

Foam board insulation

This type of insulation comes in the form of rigid polystyrene- and polyurethane-based panels. Easy to install and water resistant, it has great insulating properties. It can be used to insulate the exterior, under siding for example.

Type 3 or 4 rigid polystyrene-based panels can also be used to insulate from the interior. The downside? It’s combustible so you’ll have to cover it with a firewall to meet Building Code requirements.

Spray foam insulation

This is a latex or polyurethane foam. Use a spray bottle to apply it and seal doors and windows or use specialized equipment to cover large areas such as basement walls and crawl spaces.

Thermal bridges and how to fix them

Thermal bridges appear when there’s an interruption in a building’s insulation. They’re mainly found at the connection points of structural walls (façade/floor or façade/roof) and in openings of the building envelope. Breaks in the insulating barrier result in heat loss. And worse yet, if thermal bridges combine with a ventilation problem or excessive moisture, condensation can develop inside the walls.

Simply run your hand along a wall to identify this phenomenon. If you feel an obvious temperature difference, that probably means a thermal bridge is hiding on the other side of the wall. Book the services of a professional who will conduct a more detailed assessment using infrared thermography. The process takes pictures that detect the heat in your home or lack thereof (the colder the walls, the bluer the colour in the photos).

As exterior wall insulation is the best way to correct thermal bridges, it would be worth your while to have this test done before changing your home’s siding.

Questions to ask your contractor

When it comes to a project of this size, it’s best to do your research before settling on a contractor. Make sure to go with a professional who specializes in exterior cladding and who has experience working with the type of material you want. This way you can sleep easy as the contractor will know how to properly install it and thus minimize the risk of future problems, such as water infiltration. 

Here’s a list of questions you should ask potential contractors:

• Do you have a 7.0 licence (Quebec) or a Certificate of Qualification (Ontario)?

• Do you have contractor liability insurance?

• How long have you been in business?

• Do you work with any manufacturers?

• If yes, do you use their products?

• What is the warranty on the siding?

• How long will the work take?

• Could the cost of the work increase over the course of the job?

• Who will be the point of contact for my project?

• What are the payment terms?

• What precautions will be taken during the work and who will be responsible for collecting all waste when the work is done?

You can leave RenoAssistance in charge of all this if you don’t have the time or energy to devote to this extensive checklist. We have the most thorough verification process in the entire industry to ensure that all of our clients are dealing with the best contractors around!

Process of replacing your exterior cladding

Since exterior siding has such a long lifespan, few homeowners will need to replace it in their lifetime. Therefore, the steps to complete this type of project may not be as generally well known. Here’s what you can expect if you’re starting renovation work for the first time.

Preparing the work area

Work done outside the house does have the advantage of causing fewer interruptions to your family bubble: no worksite dust indoors, no storing your stuff in the garage during ongoing renos, and no workers barging into the kitchen and interrupting your morning coffee at 7:00 a.m. 

Replacing your exterior cladding will nonetheless impact your daily life to some extent. We’re talking about noise and vibrations here. Sort out the small details below before your renovation starts to ensure the work goes smoothly.

• If possible, find places close by where workers can park.

• Protect plants and shrubs that could get damaged during the work.

• Cut your grass first if the project is happening in the summer; it will be easier to pick up construction waste.

• Inside, remove picture frames and other wall decorations that could fall down.

• Explain to your children why they should stay away from the worksite and not play with debris.

Removing old siding

Old siding must be removed before installing new siding, unless it’s a new build, of course.

Installing main components

Once the house is stripped bare, a contractor can verify the structure, insulation, and membranes and take corrective action if necessary. Then, depending on the siding option chosen for your house, a railing or fastener system can be installed for the exterior cladding.

Installing exterior cladding

How long it takes to install will depend on the exterior cladding you choose. Brick installation will take more work hours than vinyl, for example.

Inspection and cleanup

The final step involves inspecting the quality of the finished work and requesting modifications if necessary. The contractor will then have to make sure that all worksite debris is picked up and your property is left pristine. You may also have to redo a bit of your landscaping if it was damaged during the work.

Average time to change exterior cladding

Many factors dictate how long the work will take. Before starting anything, you need to get a permit and that process could take several weeks or months. And, as with any renovation project, unexpected setbacks can always crop up: delays in material deliveries, structural or insulation issues to fix before installing new siding, bad weather, etc. However, there are some things that you can control, including signing a contract with your contractor. Book them as soon as possible!

Exterior siding warranty

Warranties offered by siding manufacturers vary widely, from 5 to 10 years for acrylic to up to 40 years for steel. Sometimes the paint applied to siding in a factory will be guaranteed for less time than the product itself (we’re talking about paint on vinyl siding that fades prematurely).

The work carried out is also guaranteed. It must have been done in accordance with what was outlined in the contract. Contractors therefore have an obligation of result, even if the expected result is implicit (for example, you expect your new siding not to start falling off after a few weeks). In addition, a renovator is obliged to honour their promise if they’ve declared their work is guaranteed for five years. The best way to protect yourself is to insist on everything explained in writing.

You have to hold on to all invoices in order to enforce a warranty in the event of a problem. This is a prime example of how hiring someone under the table to save a few bucks could come back to royally bite you in the you-know-what. For more information about warranties, visit Tarion’s website for new home builds or view the warranty document (in French only) prepared by the Association des consommateurs pour la qualité dans la construction.

No-cost Renovation Guarantee

If you hired a contractor for your home renovation project using our platform and live in Quebec, you’re eligible for our no-cost Renovation Guarantee. It covers various aspects, such as deposit reimbursement, completion of renovation work, and apparent defect repairs. What a great way to eliminate part of the stress that goes hand in hand with all renovation projects.

Exterior cladding: More than just a pretty face!

You now know that many elements will influence your choice of siding or exterior cladding – it’s not just about the colour or style! You also have to take into account the price and durability of siding options, as well as their pros and cons. You’ll want to consider the maintenance needs of the siding option you’ve got your eye on and maybe its environmental impact as well.

You’ve also learned it’s best to install new siding during moderate temperatures, which means you best contact a contractor well in advance. Even though the work is being done on your home’s exterior, you can take some precautions to prevent minor accidents and ensure the worksite runs smoothly. You may want to take advantage of replacing your siding to update your home’s insulation and, in turn, your well-being (not to mention reduce your heating bill!).

When you’ve made your decision and are ready to change your exterior siding, call us at 1-877- 736-6360 to speak to one of our Renovation Advisors or fill out our form to learn more about the type of renovation you need!