House siding catalog: Hardie, Cedar, Vinyl...

A homes cladding is typically one of the last steps in the construction process, but it is by no means the least important. Many homeowners and builders do not fully appreciate the importance of the rainscreen and siding system and without the help of a professional siding contractor, many important aspects can be missed.
Selecting the right siding and rainscreen products for your home can substantially increase their effectiveness and ultimately save you from costly repairs in the future. For over 10 years, Orbis Group has been professionally involved in planning and completing siding projects from small single family home renovations to large new construction projects and our priority has always been to ensure the satisfaction of every client. By offering free quotations and complementary renderings of your project, you will be sure that each product you select is perfect for your home. Below, you will find a brief description of some of the most commonly installed siding materials for residential projects across the country.

Types of siding by material

In the past, the options for siding materials were limited to materials like natural wood, brick or stone. In recent years, however, many siding product manufacturers have released new materials designed to perform exceedingly well in all climate conditions. Throughout the last 70 years, the introduction of modernized siding materials such as vinyl or fibre cement and the creation of weatherproof membranes has changed the way homes are built.
Today, with countless siding materials, profiles and colours available on the market, there is truly a product to meet anyone’s design and budget needs.

Aluminum siding

There are many different types of metals used in the construction industry, but Aluminum has set itself apart in the siding market specifically. The light weight and corrosion resistant properties of aluminum make it a great option for high performance, long-lasting siding products. Most aluminum siding systems are installed with concealed fasteners but are designed to be extremely convenient to install and dismantle which can save significant funds on installation and potential repairs in the future.
Thanks to high quality powder coating processes and its natural resistance to corrosion, manufacturers such as Longboard are able to offer warranties as long as 50 years on their siding products. This provides priceless peace of mind to any homeowner who choses aluminum siding for their home.

Fiber cement siding or cement board siding

Fibre Cement material was originally used to manufacture siding products in the early 1900’s but due to it containing harmful asbestos, the composition was required to change from the 1980’s onward.
Today, fibre cement siding products are made from cellulose fibers and a special mixture of concrete and sand. This composition can be molded into nearly any profile from panels, planks, shingles to even brick or stone shapes, with paint coatings being applied at the factory. Because fibre cement is resistant to flames, pests, birds and will not rot, siding manufacturers are comfortably able to include 15 to 25 year warranties which provides much needed peace of mind for homeowners throughout the world. While Fibre Cement material is very competitively priced, it is quite heavy compared to common siding systems. This means the installation can be quite demanding and even dangerous if not executed carefully. We highly recommend hiring a professional siding contractor if you are interested in using fibre cement siding for your home.

Western Red Cedar siding

Among the many different types of wood used throughout the siding industry, there is one that stands out. Western Red Cedar siding has been consistently chosen throughout centuries for its natural ability to resist rot while maintaining a stunning natural red hue. The ability to perform through harsh weather conditions without requiring yearly treatments or paint coatings is a truly unique feature of Western Red Cedar siding products. When considering cedar for your siding project, it is important to consider the elevated material cost and occasional sparsity of the product. Make sure to plan ahead as some material orders can take weeks to be fulfilled and prices fluctuate constantly. Though the cedar material can be substantially more expensive than other types of siding, the investment in the beauty and longevity of your home can be a priceless feature.

Composite siding

Composite siding is fabricated using fibrous wood materials and other bonding materials. It offers a very convincing appearance while being more resilient than natural wood siding. This composition can be manufactured into many profiles and sizes and pre-painted at the factory making it a great option for any siding project. Composite wood siding is relatively easy to install and even though we suggest hiring a siding contractor prior to moving forward with the installation, this siding may save you money on both materials and installation when comparing to other siding materials.

Wood siding

Despite the availability of many modern and affordable siding materials on the market, many homeowners and builders continue to choose natural wood for their siding projects. 

Though many artificial products are designed to resemble wood, and some come quite close, none can truly capture the depth and beauty of true wood grain textures and colours. It is important to remember that many wood siding products are prone to deterioration when directly exposed to weather of long periods of time. There are many treatments that can be applied to natural wood siding products to help slow the effects of time and neglecting to treat them can drastically shorten the service life of your siding system. Wood siding has been used for siding installations for centuries and that is not about to change. While products like vinyl and fibre cement siding have redirected much of the construction market towards modern siding solutions, the natural beauty of wood siding systems, specifically cedar, will always retain a portion of the industries business. By selecting the right wood products for your project, you can enjoy the appearance of natural wood grains and colours without the maintenance that can be required from lower quality siding products.

Metal siding

There is a vast selection of different metal siding products for all types of siding, from small residential renovations to large scale industrial projects. We have already mentioned the existence of aluminum siding, which includes a wide array of different products, but there are also many other metals and alloys being used, especially for metal panel siding.
Panels made from metals like copper, zinc and stainless steel are often used for specialty projects and store fronts, but the use of treated and painted steel panels is extremely common across the industry siding. Standard metal siding is quite easy to maintain; a quick cleaning with water and soap should be enough to keep your panels looking great. If you are interested in specialty metals, you should become familiar with any specific instructions to maintain their surface as using the wrong products could potentially damage the panels.

Corrugated metal siding

In addition to smooth panels made from aluminum and other metals, corrugated steel is another hugely popular siding system. By shaping painted flat stock steel into various different profiles, manufacturers are able to greatly increase the strength of the thin metal creating a cost effective and visually pleasing product that can last decades. 
Corrugated metal siding systems, typically seen in its standard “wavy” profile, has been used for commercial and industrial projects for many years. With the addition of new profiles and the modernization of architectural styles, corrugated metal has become very popular among single family home projects as well. Much like other steel and aluminum siding systems, it is quite easy to maintain corrugated metal siding which makes it quite attractive to business owners and homeowners alike.

Shiplap siding or Lap siding

Shiplap is a classic siding profile that has traditionally been manufactured from natural wood such as Cedar or Spruce. Today, there are many different compositions of Shiplap available from a variety of manufacturers, each offering their own unique blend of materials and colours. Shiplap siding features a rabbeted top and bottom edges that are designed to interlock with each other as they are installed. The design of the material allows multiple different exposures and both horizontal and vertical installations, adding to the versatility of the system. As for the texture, this product typically has a wood grain finish, but it can be procured in a smooth finish as well.

Shingle siding

Shingle siding consists of thin and relatively narrow pieces of wood that are installed in courses from bottom to top of an exterior wall. Each course of shingles overlaps the last much like lap siding, however, with each shingle being only 3 to 8 inches wide, there are countless possibilities for shapes, sizes, and patterns.
 Traditionally, shingles used for siding were made exclusively from wood, especially Cedar but in recent years, fibre cement and vinyl siding manufacturers have added a multitude of shingle profiles to their product lines. Cedar shingles remain a very popular choice, but with so many options available on the market, there is truly an option to meet any homeowner’s needs when it comes to shingle siding materials

Shake siding

Shake is extremely similar to shingle and it can definitely be mistaken for shingles at first glance. The method used to manufacture Shake siding is different from that of shingles and it produces a much thicker product with more pronounced wood grain patterns. The deeper grain pattern and thicker siding material creates bold shadow lines that add a subtle but very present character to any home. Shake siding can be a slightly more expensive than shingle material, this is due to the minute increase in raw materials being used and the more time-consuming manufacturing process. Many homeowners would agree that the small difference in overall cost is well worth the distinguished appearance of Shake siding.

Vinyl siding

After being introduced to the market during the 1950s, vinyl siding was slow to pick up popularity due to inconsistent product quality, but once production methods were perfected during the 1970’s, the product truly took off. Vinyl is still a dominant product in todays siding market thanks to its low cost and relatively easy installation process. Over 50 years of mass production, manufacturers have designed and released a huge variety of different systems and colours. Vinyl has proven itself as an efficient siding material that may not last as long as modern products like fibre cement or aluminum siding, but the material cost savings continue to attract both homeowners and builders when it comes to selecting their siding system.

Stucco siding

A siding system can drastically change the exterior appearance of your home. Many siding products are installed in boards, panels, planks or shingle leaving a textured finish to the wall. Stucco, however, is composed of a concrete substrate with an acrylic finish coat that seals the surface and adds colour to the wall system. Stucco leaves a seamless and smooth surface to your homes exterior walls. Starting with a layer of steel mesh, the preparation phase for stucco is similar to brick or stone veneer systems but the final product is entirely different. The application of stucco can be extremely difficult for someone who is inexperienced. It is highly recommended to work with a skilled stucco installer to complete your installation. Feel free to contact our team of experienced siding professionals for more information about stucco siding.

Stone siding

The oldest method of cladding homes is still used in today’s market. The attachment of natural stones adhered using concrete and mortar creates an extremely durable surface that will stand up to the tests of time without issue. The weight of the stone can present some obstacles during the installation process and can not be installed on any home without first considering the structural limitations of the structure. In most cases, modifications can be made to support the siding but a faux stone panel or stone veneer system may be a potential alternative to avoid additional costs. Stone is relatively easy to maintain, performing a yearly inspection and repairing any cracks in the mortar can prolong the service life of your natural stone siding to well beyond your lifetime.

Faux stone paneling and faux rock siding

Faux stone or rock siding panels is a great way to achieve the traditional appearance of the classic cladding system while maintaining a relatively low budget for the siding material and installation. The panels are typically made from fibre cement or vinyl material and are formed and painted to resemble a wide variety of stone and rock. While there are many faux stone products on the market, modern fibre cement products are the only ones that are nearly indiscernible from authentic stone siding. 

Brick siding

Where many projects may require brick for structural purposes, the visual effect of masonry can add character to any home. If you are looking to have brick installed purely for aesthetic purposes, there is the availability of fibre cement paneling designed to mimic the appearance and texture of brick. Thanks to a lighter overall system weight combined with concealed fasteners, this option can save a significant portion of your budget on both material and installation costs.

Types of siding by brand

James Hardie Siding Products

James Hardie specializes in the production of high-quality fibre cement siding materials and their priority is providing reliable siding systems across their entire product collection. Their catalogue features a wide range of siding profiles, sizes and colours, each one designed and guaranteed to last decades before requiring replacement. James Hardie products can also be pre-painted prior to being delivered to you and further extending the coverage of their manufacturer’s warranty to the paint coating. James Hardie has become the most popular siding manufacturer in the country thanks to reliable materials and affordable pricing, this has been proven through countless satisfied customers and their reviews.

Longboard siding

Over the past 10 years, Longboard has offered their clients high performance extruded aluminum tongue and groove style siding systems. Longboard uses superior quality raw materials that can outperform common siding systems and offer over 20 durable Wood Grain patterns with countless solid colours, including the option for custom coating. This type of siding will outlast most other types of siding thanks to corrosion resistant material and the possibility of repainting the surface if ever the colour were to fade. With 15 years of warranty on powder coating finishes and 50 years of coverage on extruded aluminum materials, once you select Longboard materials for your project, you will not need to worry about replacing this siding for at least half a century.

Mitten siding

Mitten is well known for its production of vinyl siding and aluminum soffit materials. They offer one of the widest selections of colours and profiles on the market which is a great advantage for many homeowners. While being very successful in supplying projects with vinyl siding, they also provide panels, soffits, fascia and any other parts required to complete a siding installation. If you are looking into vinyl siding or accessories for your upcoming siding needs, you should definitely consider Mitten to source your materials.

Allura siding

Allura siding produces an entire collection of siding products, from trims and fascia boards to lap siding and panels. Composed of fibre cement, these products are designed to perform even during extended exposure even the harshest climates. Allura siding is available in a either smooth finish or extremely realistic wood grain textures with a selection of 22 colours and 6 stains. If you want to include the beautiful appearance of natural wood products without worrying about maintaining them over the years, Allura can be a great option for you. Their industry leading 50 year warranty can provide a very welcome peace of mind, especially when considering the surprisingly affordable pricing of Alluras siding systems.

Lp smart siding

LP Smart Siding is a manufacturer of high quality composite wood siding. These siding products consist mainly of wood fibres treated with zinc borate to prevent damage from termites and exposure to the elements. LP Smart Side produces a wide variety of different siding profiles and trims in 16 different colours, each featuring a very convincing wood grain pattern. Thanks to its composition, this siding is substantially lighter than fibre cement products which presents opportunity for savings when it comes to the installation process. As with most painted products, LP Smart Siding requires that all cut edges be sealed prior to installation of the products, otherwise, the service life of the products can be severely reduced. The manufacturer offers a warranty that is prorated up to 50 years which can be a significant advantage for any homeowner. To ensure that your system is installed correctly and to maximize the longevity of your siding system, we suggest entrusting your project to a professional siding contractor. 

Shousugi ban siding

Shou Sugi ban is a wood siding created through a traditional Japenese process called Yakisugi. Yaki meaning to heat with fire and Sugi meaning Cypress, this wood treatment is achieved by burning the surface of the siding without compromising or combusting the rest of the material. Thanks to the effects of carbonization, this treatment effectively seals the surface of the siding from moisture, protects it from insects and even acts as a fire retardant. This style of siding has recently gained some interest from homeowners and architects and appears to be growing in popularity.

Ceraclad

Ceraclad’s system consists of lightweight panels that are manufactured from approximately 45% recycled material. The panel’s composition allows it to resist moisture, pests and extreme temperature changes while a special ceramic coating protects the siding from extended exposure to UV rays and harsh weather. Cerclad is committed to energy efficiency and takes great care in reducing waste from their production plants. This siding is not only made from recycled material but is also 100% recyclable at the end of its service life.

Canexel siding

Canexel offers a wide variety of composite wood siding systems. With convincing wood textures and beautiful natural wood style coatings, canexel can accurately mimic natural siding products. It was designed to have a service life many years longer than wood siding using a special composition of wood fiber and bonding agents. There are many homes with Canexel siding products installed on their exterior walls; Our team of specialists would be happy to show you some examples of their siding systems.

Siding installation

As you already know, there is an abundance of different siding materials and profiles on the market. Each system demands its own installation methods and, though there often similarities from one system to another, it is important to fully understand each component before beginning the installation. Because of this, we highly recommend trusting a professional siding contractor to complete your siding project. The siding installation begins with inspecting the condition of the homes sheathing to ensure that there are no damaged or rotted areas as well as any protruding nails, screws or other obstacles that may interfere with the application of weatherproof membranes. Typically, metal flashing will be installed in conjunction with the membrane directly over the exterior sheathing to create the first layer of the building envelope. 
Now that the initial steps are complete, the rainscreen can be installed; rainscreen creates a gap between the sheathing and your new siding material allowing moisture to flow freely and escape the wall cavity through the bottom of the system. At this stage, many municipalities require an inspection before proceeding with the installation of siding products. Once any required inspections are passed, trims can be installed at corners and around windows and doors followed by the siding products of your choice.
The final step is to apply caulking where required, such as at window and door jambs. A professional installation crew can drastically increase the effectiveness of your siding system by correctly installing all components correctly. If you are unsure about your installation, it is definitely worth your time to consult with a siding contractor.

Siding cost

Due to the wide variety of siding products, it is difficult to narrow down a project cost without first discussing the general details of the installation. The total cost is affected by the type of siding material being installed, the size of the project and overall difficulty of the work being performed. However, the average pricing per square foot, based on our previous experience, is as follows:

House siding FAQ:

What is the best type of home siding?

Among all the different types of siding on the market, fibre cement has become the most popular due to its long lasting service life and very little need for maintenance. Fibre Cement has been designed to perform through any climate and thanks to very affordable pricing, it has become known as the best siding material on the market.

How much does it cost to side a 1500 sq ft house?

The total cost to complete a siding project depends on the rainscreen requirements, the siding products chosen and the difficulty of the installation. With that in mind, the average cost to complete a siding installation for a 1,500sqft house starts around $______ and can reach $______

What Siding colour is most popular for residential installations?

Calm shades such as beige, brown, and grey have always been very popular throughout the siding industry. Even though neutral colours remain a common choice, much brighter hues like blue or red have recently gained popularity when it comes to home renovations and modern new builds alike.

Does residing a house add value?

If you are looking to increase the value of your home, replacing the existing siding with new materials can be an extremely effective way to do so. With the help of a siding installation expert and the right mix of products, it is possible to increase the value of your home by a considerable margin, average it is up to 78% of your investment.

How long will house siding last?

Each siding system is subject to its own expected service life and depending on the materials chosen, that period can vary significantly. The average siding system should last approximately 15 years with some products being covered by manufacturer’s warranty for up to 50 years with proper maintenance. Ultimately, how long your siding lasts depends entirely on the materials chosen to complete your project.

Can house siding be painted?

Most siding systems can easily be repainted at any time using an exterior grade of paint. However, with products like natural Cedar or pre-painted fibre cement siding, coatings or treatments should not be required for over a decade after the installation.