Metal Siding in Red Deer: Pricing, Advantages, and Installation

What is Metal Siding?

In general, metal siding refers to any kind of metal that’s used to wrap a home’s exterior. The most common type of metal cladding siding in Alberta is steel, but there are options for aluminum siding and even copper.

Steel is the gold standard of metal siding in Canada and provides all the protection a home in Red Deer needs. Unlike tin siding for houses, which is thin and prone to damage, steel siding effortlessly resists impacts from debris and hail, doesn’t budge in the wind, and lasts decade after decade.

Red Deer homeowners choose to install metal siding for its refined properties. This isn’t just raw sheet metal. Instead, it’s galvanized to prevent corrosion and has baked-on finishes in a variety of colours. The result? A siding that looks as good as the day it was installed, even years down the road.

Why is Steel Siding Ideal for Red Deer Homes?

The advantages when you install metal siding are almost too numerous to mention. Almost. Here’s why we recommend metal to Red Deer locals year after year:

• Unbeatable longevity – Few materials will work as hard and last as long as metal cladding siding. It’s not unheard of for it to be 100% functional 50+ years after installation.
• Resists impacts like a pro – With Red Deer’s prominent position in Alberta’s “Hailstorm Alley,” impact resistance is extremely valuable. Steel siding resists damage from hail and flying storm debris better than other materials like vinyl.
• 100% non-combustible – Steel siding installation also adds peace of mind in the event of a fire. This metal won’t fuel a fire and isn’t an ignition source.
• Pest-proof – Metal isn’t a welcome environment for rodents or insects. It’s not a food source or suitable nesting area, unlike some types of wood siding. Instead of settling in this uninviting area, pests will naturally move on to somewhere else.
• No moisture worries – Moisture isn’t just rain, it’s melting snow, sleet, and hail, too, which are all quite common in Red Deer, depending on the season. Installing steel siding means creating armour-like protection for your home against water incursion. Who wouldn’t want that?
• Two-fold eco-friendliness – Many new steel siding options already contain recycled materials, and when it comes time to remove it, it’s fully recyclable – a win-win.
• Improved appearance and value – Steel siding for houses offers a premium look to any home. This, in turn, boosts the property’s curb appeal and value – another win-win.
• Minimal maintenance – This material doesn’t require refinishing every few years like wood, so you won’t be spending your weekends maintaining it.

How to Install Metal Siding: Step-by-Step Guide

Metal siding residential installation isn’t really a DIY weekend project, unless you have experience already. The best bet is an experienced metal siding installation expert like Family Siding. Here’s the tried-and-tested process we use for every single steel siding customer in Red Deer:

1. Inspection and Design Planning

   It’s crucial that we see your home for ourselves before any quotes or recommendations are given. Every project is unique and needs an individualized plan. We:

   • Evaluate the existing structure to ensure siding can be properly installed.
   • Measure to determine material demands.
   • Develop a tailored plan for moisture, insulation, and ventilation.

2. Prepare for the Metal Siding Installation

   Only after directly assessing your home will we know if the new steel siding can be installed over the existing siding. Sometimes it’s possible, sometimes it has to be removed. We:

   • Remove and dispose of the existing siding as needed.
   • Inspect the underlying structure.
   • Repair any damage to ensure a smooth and sturdy installation surface for the metal home siding.

3. Moisture Barrier Installation

   Metal siding for houses can’t do all the work on its own. It needs a complementary weather barrier underneath that helps regulate air flow and deals with moisture.

4. Add an Insulation Layer (Optional but Recommended)

   In Red Deer, everything you can do to improve the energy efficiency of your home is a good idea. We’ll integrate the insulation right into the metal home siding insulation so that it all gets done in one go.

5. Install the Metal Siding

   The steel siding installation process is involved and detailed. Our experienced contractors will:

   • Install the furring strips for drainage and ventilation
   • Add corner posts and starter strips, which keep the metal building siding straight and true.
   • Install the individual metal sheathing planks or panels.
   • Complete the trim installations around doors and architectural features.

6. Final Finishing Touches

   This is what will seal every joint and seem to guarantee the weathertight finish. When we’re done, nothing gets through. We’ll also review the drainage paths to make sure they’re effective and install the soffits and vents.

7. Inspection and Cleanup

   The last step is a final inspection to confirm everything looks and performs just right. We’ll clean up any leftover materials or debris and leave the site better than when we found it.

Steel Siding Cost in Red Deer

In Red Deer, metal sheet siding is considered a mid-range material, and when you weigh the cost against how long it lasts, the value is excellent. In general, expect the cost for metal siding in Red Deer to start at $15 per sq ft. It can also go up to $18 per sq ft on the higher end.

Let’s assume you want to install metal siding on a 2,000 sq ft home. Your real cost for metal siding would be between $30,000 to $36,000 on average.

If your budget is more modest than this, there are additional, more affordable metal siding options, such as:

• AL13 metal panels – $13.50 per sq ft and up.
• EasyTrim aluminum panels – $13.50 per sq ft and up.

Metal siding prices can also be higher than steel siding:

• Aluminum siding – $25 to $40 per sq ft.
• LUX metal panels – $15.50 to $20 per sq ft.
• Longboard systems – $18 to $24 per sq ft.

How to Design Your Dream Home with Exterior Metal Siding

Metal is a surprisingly flexible design material. You can customize the look of your home easily through colour choices, siding orientation, or by choosing between corrugated metal siding installation, standing seam styles, and board and batten options. Here’s a snapshot of what’s possible:

• Modern or traditional – While you might assume that metal home siding only works on modern homes, that’s not true anymore. Vary the installation technique, style, or colour, and metal can be a beautiful traditional choice, too.
• Siding orientation – Simply adjusting the siding’s installation direction can really differentiate your home. For example, vertical metal siding looks fabulous on modern homes or farmhouses. On the other hand, horizontal installation is how you can use this more modern material traditionally. Why not consider combining both vertical and horizontal areas for added interest?
• Colour palette – Metal may not have the colour range of vinyl, but it still has plenty of colours and finishes to choose from. Go high contrast with black and white or more neutral with tans and grays. A bright colour can also be a fun way to express your style.
• Metal mixes well – Metal doesn’t have to be the only siding you use. It mixes well with everything from stone to fiber cement. Use engineered wood as an accent to create visual interest and warm up your home’s exterior.

How Long Does Metal Siding Installation Last in Red Deer?

Although the Red Deer weather conditions can be demanding, your steel siding can last anywhere between 40 and 70 years. This is potentially twice as long as cheaper materials like vinyl siding.

So, even though metal cladding siding in Canada might seem a little pricey at first, when you consider the initial cost for metal siding alongside the lifespan, it has excellent overall value.

The Typical Timeframes for Installing Metal Siding in Red Deer

In general, the total time needed to install metal siding will be anywhere from about 1 week to a month or more. Where your project lands on this scale is dependent on the scope. Here’s the average:

• Smaller projects (easy installation on a small home): 1 week or less
• Average projects (1,500 to 2,000 sq ft homes): 1-2 weeks
• Large or complex custom jobs: 3-4 weeks+

Is Steel the Right Siding for You?

When you want something long-lasting, durable, and low maintenance, steel siding is the obvious answer. It stands up enviably to the Red Deer conditions, and its premium look does wonders for your curb appeal and resale value.

The right choice comes down to understanding your options. Get in touch to review pricing, styles, and design considerations so you can make a confident steel siding decision.

The Disadvantages of Choosing Steel Siding in Red Deer

To get the full story, it’s important to also review the albeit limited downsides of steel siding installation, which are:

• The choice to install metal siding isn’t the cheapest option for your home. It requires a bigger investment than vinyl siding, for example.
• Unlike natural insulators like cedar siding, steel requires extra insulation during installation if you want to really up the energy efficiency.
• Without proper insulation or sound-dampening layers, you may hear noise inside in rare cases when hail or rain hits the siding.