Costs, Price Factors and 2026 Rules
Siding replacement cost in Canada: vinyl, fibre cement, wood, metal and stucco
What new siding costs in Canada per square foot by cladding type, what removal, sheathing, insulation and trim add, and how to measure wall area for a quote.
Siding in Canada is priced by wall area to be clad, usually per square foot or per square of 100 sq ft, multiplied by an installed price for the cladding type, plus separate lines for removing the old siding, repairing sheathing, adding a weather barrier or rigid insulation, and trim around windows, doors, corners, soffits and fascia. Vinyl is usually the lowest-cost common option, engineered wood and steel sit in the middle, fibre cement and cedar are higher, and stone veneer is at the top. As an illustrative example, 1,600 sq ft of vinyl at $6–$10 per sq ft plus $2,500 of removal and trim is $12,100–$18,500 before tax.
This guide is part of the roof replacement cost overview, which covers the whole building envelope from the ridge down. All prices are illustrative.
Cladding types compared
| Cladding | Illustrative installed price per sq ft | Combustibility | Maintenance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $6–$10 | Combustible | Low; wash occasionally | Thickness and profile vary; can distort near barbecues or reflective windows |
| Insulated vinyl | $8–$13 | Combustible | Low | Foam backing adds a little insulation and rigidity |
| Engineered wood | $9–$15 | Combustible | Repaint over time | Cut ends and clearances must follow manufacturer rules |
| Steel or aluminium | $9–$16 | Non-combustible | Low; can dent | Aluminium is common on older homes; steel lap and board-and-batten are common now |
| Fibre cement | $10–$17 | Non-combustible | Repaint every several years if site-painted | Heavy; cutting releases silica dust that must be controlled |
| Cedar | $11–$20 | Combustible | Stain or paint regularly | Traditional on the West Coast and cottages |
| Stucco | $9–$16 | Non-combustible finish | Patch cracks | Moisture management behind stucco is critical |
| Manufactured stone veneer | $25–$45 | Non-combustible | Low | May need support, footing or ledger; often a permit |
Because siding is usually only part of a home's walls (brick lower storeys are common), measure the actual area to be clad, not the whole house.
How to measure your walls
- Measure each wall's length and height to the soffit, and multiply.
- For gable ends, add ½ × width × height of the triangle.
- Subtract large openings such as garage doors and patio doors. Many contractors do not subtract ordinary windows because the extra cutting and trim offsets the saved material.
- Add 10–15% for waste, more for complex walls.
Example: a two-storey house with walls of 40 ft and 28 ft, 18 ft high, and two gables 28 ft wide by 8 ft high.
- Long walls: 2 × 40 × 18 = 1,440 sq ft
- Short walls: 2 × 28 × 18 = 1,008 sq ft
- Gables: 2 × ½ × 28 × 8 = 224 sq ft
- Total = 2,672 sq ft; minus a 16 × 7 ft garage door (112 sq ft) = 2,560 sq ft
- With 10% waste: 2,816 sq ft, or about 28 squares
The siding estimate worked example carries this through to a priced quote with tax.
The lines that make siding expensive
Removal. Taking off aluminium, vinyl or wood siding is quicker than removing stucco or masonry. Old siding over old siding is common on Canadian houses, and each layer adds labour and disposal.
Sheathing and moisture. Once the old siding is off, rotten or missing sheathing has to be repaired. A good quote gives a unit price per sheet.
Weather-resistive barrier. The National Building Code of Canada, and the provincial codes based on it, require cladding assemblies to manage rain penetration, which in practice means a sheathing membrane behind the cladding and, in wetter climates such as coastal British Columbia, often a drained and vented cavity (rainscreen). Check the code adopted in your province with your contractor.
Exterior insulation. Adding rigid insulation under new siding improves the wall's thermal performance. It also changes window and door trim depths and adds cost. Some energy programs have historically paid for exterior wall insulation; see rebates and tax credits in 2026.
Trim, soffit and fascia. Window and door surrounds, corners, starter strips, J-channel, soffit and fascia wrapping and eavestroughs can add thousands of dollars. They are often priced by linear foot.
Access. Two- and three-storey walls, steep lots and narrow side yards in cities need scaffolding or lifts.
Permits and fire rules for siding
Many municipalities do not require a permit to replace siding like for like, but the rules are not uniform. Toronto's permit guidance, for example, lists re-cladding of a house of three storeys or less with non-combustible material other than brick or stone veneer among work not requiring a permit, which suggests combustible cladding such as vinyl, and masonry veneer, should be checked with the city. Spacing to property lines (limiting distance) can restrict combustible cladding on walls close to the neighbour's house. See roofing permits by municipality.
In wildfire-prone areas, FireSmart guidance encourages non-combustible siding such as fibre cement, stucco, brick or metal, at least on the lowest part of the walls.
Worked example: vinyl versus fibre cement
For the 2,816 sq ft gross area above, with $3,500 of removal, trim and soffit work (illustrative):
| Vinyl | Fibre cement | |
|---|---|---|
| Low | 2,816 × $6 + $3,500 = $20,396 | 2,816 × $10 + $3,500 = $31,660 |
| High | 2,816 × $10 + $3,500 = $31,660 | 2,816 × $17 + $3,500 = $51,372 |
The ranges overlap only at one point, so a mid-range fibre cement quote is likely to be well above a mid-range vinyl quote for the same wall. Whether the extra cost is worthwhile depends on fire exposure, durability goals and appearance.
When siding and roofing meet
Roof-to-wall junctions are where many leaks start: step flashing and kick-out flashing at the bottom of a roof-wall intersection must be integrated with the siding and the barrier behind it. If the roof and siding are done by different contractors at different times, ask who is responsible for those details. See ice dams, ventilation and flashing failures.
FAQ
Can new siding go over old siding?
Sometimes, over flat and sound old siding with strapping, but it hides moisture damage and changes trim depths. Many contractors prefer removal so the sheathing and barrier can be inspected.
Is siding work subject to GST/HST?
Yes, like other renovation work. See GST/HST and PST on roofing and siding.
Does vinyl siding melt?
Vinyl can distort from high heat, such as a barbecue placed too close or sunlight concentrated by some low-emissivity windows nearby. Keep heat sources away and ask the manufacturer about its warranty conditions.
Sources
- National Research Council Canada — National Building Code of Canada requirements for cladding
- City of Toronto — "When do I need a building permit" guidance, including re-cladding
- FireSmart Canada — siding choices in wildfire areas
- Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation — homeowner information on exterior walls and moisture
