Weather patterns play an important role in the selection of the right type of siding for your home. When local climate is taken into consideration, siding can improve the appearance of your home’s exterior and extend its lifespan. Siding acts as a protective barrier between you and the elements (rain, wind, snow). If it’s time for a new siding installation, there are plenty of siding choices; make sure that the cladding you decide on will be compatible with our Lower Mainland climate.
Climate and Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is one of the most popular siding materials in North America. It comes in a variety of styles, grades (quality), and colours. While there will never be the perfect siding material that addresses all climatic conditions, vinyl siding come close for homes in the Lower Mainland. In a temperate climate such as Vancouver’s, a good-quality vinyl is strong and durable, providing adequate protection against wind and rain. It’s not prone to water absorption or to flaking/rotting.
Climate and Cedar Siding
While you do see cedar siding on many homes in the Lower Mainland, technically, wood siding (planks, shingles, or shakes) is not an ideal choice for our climate. Susceptible to insects, rot, and mildew, cedar siding does require more maintenance than other types of siding materials. Particularly if you live near the ocean, the finish of cedar shingles and cedar shakes can be damaged by salt. Because cedar siding and other kinds of wood siding are beautiful to look at, many homeowners think it’s worth the extra upkeep to clean and seal regularly.
Climate and Aluminum Siding
Aluminum siding is a good cladding material for residences in the Lower Mainland. Higher quality grades of aluminum are resistant to high winds and hail. It also is rust-resistant, which is good when your home is near a body of salt water. Aluminum siding doesn’t expand and contract as much as vinyl siding or cedar siding, making it low-maintenance and durable. The same can also be said for steel siding.
Climate and Stucco Siding
Stucco siding is best suited to a warm, dry climate. Stucco is a porous material produced by mixing sand, lime, cement, and concrete together in varying combinations and proportions. When water is allowed to seep into the stucco or the stucco has reached its saturation level it can start to crumble. It’s easy to see why stucco, even in our rainy climate, is popular – textured and/tinted stucco increases curb appeal; long-lasting (up to 50 years) when properly maintained; and is both fire and impact resistant. If you do choose stucco as the siding for your home, ensure that a good moisture barrier is installed between the stucco and the sheathing to which the cladding material will be attached.
Climate and Fibre Cement Siding
Regarding Vancouver climate, fibre cement siding is a truly all-purpose siding material. It resists salt air, humidity, and impact. It is also fire-resistant. And for homes in the Lower Mainland that are subject to colder temperatures, fiber cement reduces heat transfer from inside to the outside of your home.
