A Metal Siding vs. Wood Siding Cost Comparison

Two of the most common materials for siding are natural wood and metal and each offer their own unique advantages and disadvantages for construction projects. In today’s blog we will be providing a useful comparison of the costs between the two materials and why you may want to choose each.

Metal Siding

Pros

1. Metal Siding has a well-deserved reputation for strength and durability. It is pretty much impervious to pests and mold, is moisture and fire resistant and is able to stand up to nearly any climate conditions.
2. Metal Siding is also known for its longevity as it lasts considerably longer than either wood or vinyl siding and requires very little maintenance during its lifespan.
3. Metal Siding is an extremely cost-effective material as it requires little by way of maintenance and repairs saving you money in the long term regardless of any short term costs.

Cons

1. Due to the nature of its construction, some metal siding can be prone to denting, with aluminum being more at risk than steel but this is also dependent on the gauge.
2. Metal Siding has a very specific aesthetic and if that doesn’t fit your vision for your construction project you may want to choose differently.
3. Rain and Hail can be noisier when they come into contact with metal siding.

Wood Siding

Pros

1. When it comes to appearance it can be hard to beat the natural, earthy aesthetic of natural wood for many people.
2. Wood Siding is very customizable, even after it is installed, as it can be painted or stained in pretty much any desired color.
3. Wood is very environmentally friendly as it is a renewable resource and can be easily recycled when its job is done.

Cons

1. Wood Siding requires repainting and resealing roughly every 5 years to maintain its durability.
2. Improper maintenance can lead to moisture leaking into the building envelope and causing structural damage to the building.
3. Wood is more vulnerable to pests and mold.

As you can see there are pros and cons to both siding materials but at the end of the day the low maintenance requirements, durability and longevity of metal siding make it the more cost effective choice in the long run.

Since 2004, Klassen Building Supplies has been a leader in sheet metal fabrication, supply, and installation in the Vancouver area. Klassen also does considerable custom metal work.

If you have any questions about this article or any of our sheet metal supplies, please call us at (604) 543-7331 or use the convenient form on our Contact page. Klassen is based in Surrey, BC.