Vinyl Siding in Calgary: Design Choices, Cost, Process & Performance

What Exactly is Metal Siding?

Technically, any metal used to wrap a home is metal siding, but for our purposes, we’re referring to steel siding.
Unlike aluminum siding, which is a lighter material, and tin siding for houses, which isn’t recommended because it’s very thin,
steel offers Calgary homeowners serious resistance to impact and weather and long-lasting durability.

When you choose to install metal siding, you’re not just getting the raw metal.
Made from rolled steel panels, it’s typically galvanized. This fancy name means the metal gets treated with zinc or aluminum-zinc alloys.
Why? To prevent rust and corrosion. Primers and baked-on finishes complete the protection profile,
so metal siding is literally like armour for your home.

What are the Advantages of Metal Siding?

While there are almost too many to name, here are the highlights:

• Unparalleled durability – Even after years on your house, it never breaks down.
• High impact resistance – Performs better at preventing impact damage than aluminum or vinyl siding. Hail, flying debris, and accidents are no match for steel.
• Climate-appropriate for Calgary – Installed well, the elements won’t get through.
• Excellent fire resistance – As a non-combustible material, when you install metal siding, you increase your home’s protection even further.
• Pest-proof – Insects and rodents can’t won’t find a home in your metal siding.
• Moisture and decay aren’t a problem – Unlike some wood siding, it won’t absorb water, swell, or rot.
• Environmentally responsible – Fully recyclable when removed. Plus, for double the green impact, it’s often made from recycled materials in the first place.
• Increased curb appeal – Who doesn’t want better curb appeal or better resale value? Installing steel siding is seen as a definite upgrade on all fronts.

What are the Disadvantages of Steel Siding?

Metal siding installation does come with a few potential drawbacks.
Check out these disadvantages of metal cladding:

• It has a higher upfront cost than vinyl
• Requires proper insulation for energy efficiency
• May produce more noticeable noise during heavy rain or hail
• Repairs can be expensive and will likely involve full panel replacement

How to Install Metal Siding

If you’re wondering about the process for residential steel siding installation, here’s how it goes:

1. Prepare the wall surface – Remove old siding if needed. The work surface must be flat.
2. Install a weather-resistant barrier – This will protect the structure behind the siding from moisture buildup.
3. Add furring strips or a support system – This step creates a level surface and allows airflow behind the panels.
4. Install flashing and trim around windows and doors.
5. Measure and cut panels.
6. Install siding panels using screws or concealed fasteners – Remeber to allow for expansion and contraction.
7. Seal and secure joints to prevent water intrusion and improve durability.
8. Install finishing trim – The final look won’t be complete without it.

How to install corrugated metal siding

While many of the same principles apply, corrugated metal siding installation does require a few extra considerations:

1. Corrugated siding has ridges and grooves (waves), so panels must be carefully aligned to maintain a consistent pattern.
2. Corrugated siding requires overlapping panels to prevent water intrusion.
3. Corrugated panels are typically face-fastened. That means that the screws go right through the surface into the structure, rather than the sometimes more common concealed fasteners with other metal cladding siding.

The verdict? Corrugated metal siding is generally simpler and more forgiving to install,
but it relies heavily on proper overlaps and exposed fasteners.

How to cut metal siding

Exterior metal siding is quite easy to cut, whereas materials like fiber cement siding demand high-end tools and outdoor conditions.
With metal, you do still need the right tools to get a clean finish and avoid damage to the finish,
but chances are good you already have these at your disposal.

The best tool depends on the type of cut:

• Tin snips – Use when the task demands small cuts, corner cuts, or trimming.
• Circular saw – You need a metal-cutting blade. Use it for long, straight cuts.
• Angle grinder – When you need a quick cut and precision isn’t crucial.
• Electric shears or nibblers – Great for clean, precise cuts with minimal distortion.

Next, you need to measure and mark carefully. Then, secure the panel to minimize movement and cut slowly along your defined line.
Don’t force it – have confidence that the tool can do the work for you.
Lastly, after cutting, brush away any metal filings and smooth sharp edges.

A few expert tips:

• Power tools can create excess heat and sparks. Work slowly to avoid damage to the protective coating.
• Wear gloves and eye protection.
• Be mindful if you leave any sharp edges.
• Well-ventilated areas are the ideal cutting space.

How to Cut a Round Hole in Metal Siding

This one is trickier, as the tools required are a little more specialized.
You can often get by with tin snips for adjustments, but the actual cut should be done with a hole saw (ideally).
Alternatives include a jigsaw with a metal blade, or the combo of a drill and step bit,
which is shaped like a cone with multiple “steps,” where each step increases in size.

How Many Screws Per Sheet of Metal Siding?

Unfortunately, there’s no single number that works universally.
It will depend on factors like panel size, thickness, and the average wind exposure.
That said, to install metal siding properly, here’s what’s recommended:

• Standard steel siding panels (flat or ribbed): Around 16-24 screws per sheet.
• Corrugated panels (3 ft wide): About 20-30 screws per sheet.

Is Steel Siding Expensive? What’s the Average Cost for Metal Siding?

Metal siding in Canada, and Calgary specifically, is probably more affordable than you think.
Is steel siding cheaper than vinyl? Well, no.
And it’s more expensive than some alternative metal products like AL13 panels and EasyTrim;
your budget doesn’t have to stretch too much further to accommodate the metal price point of $15 per sq ft.

To further the comparison, other metal siding for houses, like Lux Panels and Longboard,
start at $15.50 and $18.50 per sq ft.
For engineered wood, the starting point is $20.50 per sq ft – considerably more than standard steel siding for houses.

Let’s get some real numbers going.
The price to install metal siding in Calgary actually ranges from $15 to $18 per sq ft.
Let’s say you have a 1,500 sq ft home,
with these metal siding prices, your total cost for metal siding will be between $22,500 and $27,000.

How Long Does Metal Siding Installation Last?

Luckily, the steel siding cost should be manageable in most budgets because when you find out how long it lasts,
you’ll really see the value. Take the plunge to install metal siding, and you’ll have it for between 40 and 70+ years.
Compared to vinyl, which averages 20 to 40 years, you get about twice the longevity for usually less than twice the price.
That’s why the higher cost for metal siding for residential buildings can be misleading.