The price of a roasted wood exterior finish
- $12 to $15 per sq. ft. (installation included)
- Lifespan: 25 to 55 years
The charm of a warm wood exterior finish is still very popular in Quebec. Less popular in large cities, wood siding retains its great appeal to homeowners because of new acrylic paints and treatments against rot, both for new construction and renovation.
Wood is said to be difficult to maintain. While it is true that an annual or bi-annual touch-up is required when a stain is applied to change the color, exterior wood siding that is treated with linseed oil every 5 years will maintain a beautiful appearance.
The price of acrylic coating exterior finish
- $10 to $12 per sq. ft. (installation included)
- Lifespan: 25+ years
In addition to being versatile, blending well with other materials, and enhancing the architectural appearance of your property, acrylic exterior cladding offers good performance against mold and pests.
In terms of disadvantages, this material is difficult to install and maintain. It is not very resistant to fire and extreme weather conditions.
The price of fiber cement exterior finish
- $8 to $12 per sq. ft. (installation included)
- Lifespan: ± 40 years (depending on the quality of the material)
With its modern style, fiber cement offers excellent resistance to bad weather, mold, and pests. It is easy enough to install & maintain and defends well against fire.
Although manufacturers claim to have corrected the defects of this material and improved the quality of their products, discoloration, cracking, flaking soon after installation were reasons for the Ordre des architectes du Quebec to express reservations about this type of exterior cladding.
You should ask for more information regarding fiber cement exterior finish from contractors to know if this is suitable for your home.
Price of “CanExel” (wood fiber) siding
- $7 to $12 per square foot (installation included)
- Lifespan: 25 years +
Wood fiber siding is popular because of its ease of installation, low maintenance, good appearance, reliability and affordability (good imitation of wood, but less expensive than wood).
Available in various colors and textures, wood fiber is more resistant to UV rays and humidity than wood.
However, wood fiber offers little resistance to fire and is an easy target for mold and pests.
Price of Aluminum exterior siding
- $7 to $10 per sq. ft. (installation included)
- Lifespan: 40+ years
Among all the flexible exterior sidings, aluminum offers the widest array of colors. Aluminum siding is highly-resistant to extreme weather (temperature changes, wind…), pests, mildew and scratches.
Moreover, it is easy to install and maintain, versatile, durable and recyclable.
Because of its low resistance to impact, aluminum siding is usually installed in upper areas: 2nd floor, carport ceiling or gable, soffit, balcony, etc.
Salty air in coastal regions can cause corrosion in aluminum. It is also not fire-resistant.
Price of vinyl siding
- $5 to $7 per sq. ft. (installation included)
- Lifespan: 40+ years
Of all the flexible exterior sidings, vinyl is one of the most popular materials, representing 80% of the market share. The wide variety of patterns and colors, the stability of the colors, and its resistance to scratches and impact puts it at the top of the list.
Easy to install and maintain, its resistance to bad weather and its anti-mould and anti-insect qualities make it a product recommended by “Écohabitation”.
The only drawback is its low resistance to fire, a disadvantage corrected by the addition of other materials during manufacturing.
Vinyl shingle siding
Vinyl shingles are thicker than traditional vinyl clapboards. Made from stone dust and polymer (the color is fused into the agglomerate), its potential for fading is considered almost nil.
Vinyl shingles are easy to install and the joints are virtually invisible.
The price of darker colored vinyl shingles is a little more expensive, almost equivalent to the price of “CanExcel” exterior siding. However, the market now offers a vinyl shingle that mimics the look of cedar shakes.
The price of Clapboard exterior siding (Smartside)
- Starting at $3.50 per sq. ft.(installation included)
- 30-year warranty
Made of panel or board, this exterior siding offers an unlimited choice of colors. Sturdy, reliable, and highly resistant to moisture, oriented strand board can be up to 16 feet long, limiting joints and waste.
The fluted panels give the impression of vertically installed boards.