The exterior siding of a home is somewhat like the clothing we wear. Clothing serves three main purposes: it covers our bodies, protects us from the elements, and is a statement about our style. The siding of a house (sometimes called “exterior cladding”) performs those same roles, but on Vancouver Island, protection from the elements becomes the most important factor. With consistent rainfall, coastal moisture, and varying microclimates, choosing the right siding here is less about trends and more about long-term performance.
Five things to consider include:
- Cost
- Maintenance
- Durability
- Resale value
- And possible restrictions within a housing development (e.g. some developments limit colour choices or restrict which siding materials can be used).
At Made to Last, we are eager to build your dream home. We make sure you get the exterior siding and detailing you desire. However, we are also here to advise on what options stand up the best for our Vancouver Island weather, are the most cost-effective, or are the most popular.
Planning a custom home? We can help you narrow down siding options early in the process → Consult with us today!
Choosing Exterior Siding on Vancouver Island
Building on Vancouver Island comes with a unique set of environmental conditions that should always be considered when selecting exterior siding.
Moisture is the biggest factor. With extended rainy seasons and high humidity levels, siding systems need to be able to properly shed water and allow walls to dry. This is why proper installation methods, including rainscreen assemblies are just as important as the siding material itself.
Coastal areas introduce another consideration: salt air. Homes closer to the ocean require materials that resist corrosion and premature wear.
Even within the Island, microclimates matter. What works well in Cowichan Valley may differ slightly from what performs best in more exposed or wetter regions.
Because of this, we always guide clients toward siding choices that balance aesthetics with long-term durability in our specific climate, not just what looks good today.
As you make decisions regarding your dream home, here’s a breakdown of the common exterior siding options, along with their advantages and disadvantages:
Wood Siding
Natural wood is a classic siding option that looks beautiful, will never go out of style, and sometimes can become more appealing as it ages. However, maintenance requirements for natural wood exterior siding are also among the highest (every 1-5 years generally). This can include washing, staining, and sealing the wood.
Choosing the right wood and a quality stain is extremely important, as it can reduce your maintenance. A quality product can leave the wood looking new for many years and require little work to freshen it up, whereas a cheaper stain will require you to strip the wood and apply a new stain again.
The most popular wood siding in the Cowichan Valley is cedar. This siding choice is featured prominently on our Thetis Island Oceanfront Home.
Fibre Cement
If you’ve ever heard the name ‘HardieBoard/Plank’ then you know fibre cement siding. James Hardie is the world leader in fibre cement products. This product is very common on Vancouver Island. It is a synthetic product that consists of a mix of cement, sand, and wood fibres.
The result is strong, extremely easy to maintain, and aesthetically pleasing. It also has the benefit of being highly fire-resistant. Because of its popularity on Vancouver Island, it is fairly economical. The variety of fiber cement allows homeowners to mimic wood, natural stone, and even brick-and-mortar. Drawbacks include the need for periodic painting (every 5-15 years generally) and consistency in product that may result in diminished appreciation for those who love natural products.
Most of our custom homes utilize fibre cement products, so you can see many examples in our Custom Home Building Portfolio.
Stucco
Stucco was very popular in the mid-to-late 20th century in BC, and there is a good reason. It can look good, is easy to maintain, and has great longevity. It also provides insulating and sound-dampening value to the home. One challenge of stucco is that it is labour-intensive to install, so costlier than fibre cement or vinyl. However, it is still fairly economical. The material itself, a combination of cement, Silica, and lime, is applied in multiple layers over a frame of metal or wood. It can be challenging in areas with extreme temperatures or excessive precipitation, but Vancouver Island seems to handle stucco reasonably well.
Brick
Brick is a timeless choice for exterior siding because it provides a classic look and lasts a long time. The maintenance requirements for brick siding are low, requiring infrequent washing (unless painted). There’s a good reason why so many homes throughout history have featured brick exteriors. However, even though brick masonry has its functional advantages, the look is simply not for everyone, and it is costly.
Stone Veneer
A natural or fabricated stone product can be applied to the outside of your home as a siding choice. Natural stone often costs more. Visiting a local stone provider is always worth the time if you desire stone products for your home. True stone has a natural beauty and elegance but is less controllable than fabricated stone, so you should expect more variation.
Fabricated stone products are made with cement, pigments, and lightweight fragments of rock and minerals. This can give you the look and feel of a natural stone exterior, but compared to natural stone, the cost is usually lower. It also weighs less than natural stone, making it easier to transport and install. Another benefit is that the colours and sizes are completely controlled if the variation is not desirable for you.
Our Goldstream Heights Custom Home features some lovely darker stone detailing. Our Ocean Bank Home utilized a natural stone from a Vancouver Island quarry, which made it very close in price to a manufactured stone product while minimizing the environmental costs of cement production and shipping.
Metal Siding
Aluminum, standing seam, and other metal siding options can be great products to consider for their long-lasting durability and modern styling. It also protects the home well from Vancouver Island elements. Each month, new products are coming available for metal siding. Maintenance is generally done with easy cleaning with a sponge.
One great option is aluminum siding that has been coated to look like wood siding. This allows you to gain the maintenance ease and longevity of metal siding while having the look of wood. The Quamichan Net Zero Home utilized the Longboard product that looks amazing and is incredibly durable. Our clients chose to feature it at the front door and on the lakeside of their home. Wood-printed metal siding is generally one of the most expensive products for exterior siding.
Vinyl Siding
Vinyl is among the cheapest options for residential exterior siding. It has received a poor reputation on Vancouver Island for its overuse in the 1990s. However, vinyl siding has made considerable strides in recent years while remaining low in cost. Homeowners are now able to achieve a wide range of designs and appearances using this versatile siding. It also stands up to the elements very well and has almost no maintenance requirements. Severe weather can, however, damage vinyl siding. For this reason, it can be valuable to maintain a personal stock of replacement material. Also, vinyl siding should never be painted a dark colour, which will cause it to warp and buckle with sun exposure.
What We Typically Recommend
While every home and client is different, there are a few siding approaches that consistently perform well on Vancouver Island. Fibre cement siding is one of the most common choices for a reason, it offers a strong balance of durability, low maintenance, and cost-effectiveness in our climate.
Engineered wood products can also be a great option for homeowners who want the look of natural wood with improved stability and reduced maintenance requirements. For more modern designs, metal siding or composite products can provide excellent longevity, particularly in coastal environments. In many cases, we also recommend combining materials, for example, fibre cement siding with wood or stone accents to achieve both durability and a custom aesthetic, which can be seen in many of our custom home builds.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your priorities, your location, and how much maintenance you’re willing to take on over time.
Planning a Custom Home on Vancouver Island?
Siding choices play a bigger role than most people expect, especially with the amount of rain, moisture, and coastal exposure we see here. We help our clients choose materials that balance durability, maintenance, and design, so your home looks great now and performs well long-term.
If you’re starting to think about your build, we’d be happy to share what we typically recommend based on your location and goals.
Book a consultation → Contact Us
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