Wood siding or wood cladding system is an attractive, natural construction material that you can use to cover and protect your home’s exteriors. Manufacturers produce various wood siding options for you that you can choose for your building. Each style and type has its unique features and characteristics.
Some wood siding options are designed for the vertical installation process in board-and-batten style. Others, including clapboards, shingles, and shakes, have horizontal installation. In Canada, redwood and cedar are the most preferred woods for building cladding systems.
We recommend you know the building cladding essential questions before choosing or buying one of the best wood cladding options we provide for you in this article. You can select the best contractor and their material for your next project with the right questions and answers.
Now let’s get to the best wood siding options in Canada that you can use for your cladding system.
Why Wood Siding?
Wood is a beautiful, natural, and relatively durable material that makes it a sought-after siding option in classic architectural projects such as bungalows and cottages.
While the chosen style and type of the material from the wood siding options will make a difference in your project’s cost, it will be an economical choice to install on a home’s exterior as it will last for a long if you maintain it properly.
Additionally, since the wood will offer a rich look to your home, it can increase the value of your facility. Moreover, you can order each style with either rough cut or smooth cut texturing.
Best Wood Siding Options and Their Styles
Some styles in the best wood siding options overlap, others are flush, some are installed vertically, and others are horizontal. Despite their details, here are the seven styles of wood cladding systems that you should know:
- Lap Siding
- Drop Channel Siding
- Tongue-and-Groove Siding
- Split Logs
- Board-and-Batten
- Shake Siding
- Shingle Wood Siding
Wood Siding Materials
Builders and architects use six kinds of natural wood in Canada and engineered wood, a mixture of softwoods and hardwoods, with some variations in their density. These best wood siding options in terms of materials are:
- Cypress
- Redwood
- Cedar
- Fir
- Spruce
- Pine
- Engineered Wood
Pros and Cons of Wood Siding Systems
All of the wood siding options that you know now have pros and cons.
Wood Siding Options are Impact Resistant (Pro)
While most traditional cladding materials such as brick will chip under impact and some of the old metal claddings will dent, wood sidings will gradually ease out of dents.
Wood fibers continuously respond to moisture content and temperature, making the cladding system more impact-resistant.
Wood Cladding Materials are Beautiful (Pro)
Due to the natural beauty of wood siding options, designers, architects, and homeowners in Canada highly value these materials.
It is Easy to Install Wood Sidings (Pro)
One of the best advantages of wood siding panels is that they do not require professional work if you are reasonably skilled.
Wood Cladding Panels are Easily Manipulated (Pro)
You can order your wood cladding system in any shape and design you want. Manufacturers will easily shape and cut them to fit challenging plans and fulfill your demand.
Eco-Friendly (Pro)
Although metal cladding systems are recyclable, all wood cladding options are considered eco-friendly solutions for your building cladding.
Wood degrades quickly in nature and landfills. Additionally, you can reuse it with planks and beams from old buildings.
Maintenance of Wood Siding Options (Con)
Although wood sidings are durable materials, they require more maintenance compared to aluminum composite panels, vinyl, or even brick siding.
This con of wood siding options will add to the total cost of your cladding system in the long run.
Wood Cladding Panels are Expensive (Con)
Wood panels are more expensive than ACM panels and vinyl claddings. Additionally, high-grade cuts will be costly.
Damage (Con)
It is crucial to remember that low-grade finishes on your wood siding may cup or warp. So, you should purchase the highest-quality wood cladding options and install them properly.
Wood Sidings are Vulnerable to Insects (Con)
Many wood species are vulnerable to insects, and some can get damaged from water exposure. However, you can avoid some problems by using proper sealing methods and treats.
Alternative Materials to Wood Siding Options
Although wood sidings are prevalent cladding materials, there are alternate building materials to these natural building systems that are practical and modern. Which are:
- Aluminum Composite Panel
- Aluminum Siding Panels
- Longboard Systems
- Stainless Steel Siding
- Brick Siding
- Galvanized Steel Cladding
- Stucco Siding
- Concrete Siding
- Vinyl Siding
- Fiber-Cement Cladding
- Copper Panels
You can read more about metal cladding systems and alternate building materials to wood which can help you decide which is the best for you.
