Cladding can completely transform the look of your home, allowing you to create a look that best suits your style and tastes. When selecting your cladding, however, it’s completely normal for you to be mindful of the costs. Updating the exterior of your home can be pricey, so naturally, you want to choose a material that will last.

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular cladding materials and break down how each one can work for you.

4 Types of Cladding For Your Home

Vinyl

Vinyl is one of the most popular materials used for cladding. This is understandable, given that it is one of the more affordable options while still boasting a lifespan of 50 years, if not more. In addition, vinyl siding is relatively durable, requires little maintenance, and comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, allowing you to customize your home’s exterior. It is also fairly simple to install.

Wood

Another relatively inexpensive cladding option is wood. This may be an attractive choice for homeowners who prefer to have a more nature-based aesthetic. Not only is it easy to work with and replace, but it is recyclable and eco-friendly.

Closeup top part of contemporary new house with copy space

The main downside to wood siding is that it requires a fairly significant amount of upkeep. By its nature, wood is more prone to rot and bug infestation, and requires additional protection against moisture.

Metal 

Metal is one of the most durable cladding options there are. Easily able to last 100 years, metal is fire-resistant, insect and pest resistant, waterproof, and low maintenance. On top of that, it is easily reusable and recyclable and can be customized to fit your aesthetic. 

All these benefits do come with a heftier price tag; metal is one of the most expensive choices to go with. It also offers little to no sound or thermal insulation, so you will need to rely on additional materials to accomplish those tasks for you.

Fibre Cement

Fibre cement is made of sand, cement, and cellulose fibres, thus creating an incredibly strong and durable product. This low-maintenance, highly customizable cladding is also fire-resistant and will not rot. 

The downside to this option is the cost and the degree of difficulty when it comes to installation, as it is relatively heavy and fragile prior to installation.

There are so many cladding options available that can be customized to fit your style. When looking for siding in Calgary, take your time to explore all the choices.


At City Roofing and Exteriors, we take pride in our work and by serving Calgarians. We work hard to assist our customers in providing proper roofing systems to meet your budget and needs. We guarantee that you will be satisfied with our work. Give us a call at (403) 608-9933 or email us at [email protected].

When you begin to notice unexplained cases of mould, water stains, condensation, or even leaks, you know it’s time to replace your flat roof. While the varying types of flat roofs may be similar in appearance, they each have their own pros and cons.

Let’s take a look at some of the types of flat roofs available to you and how they can work to protect your property.

3 Types of Flat Roofs

  1. Built-up Roof (BUR)

This is the traditional hot tar and gravel roof that is comprised of three (sometimes more) plies of waterproof material, which alternate with hot tar. While they once used tar paper, it’s more common to find roofing companies using more advanced materials, such as fibreglass membranes.

The most attractive fact about this particular flat roof is that it is generally the least expensive option. Gravel is also fire-resistant, which is an added bonus.

On the other hand, this is a rather heavy material that is smelly and messy to install. Therefore, it’s recommended a professional is hired to install the roof and that the building not be occupied during the installation.

  1. Modified Bitumen Roof

This is a single-ply roof that has a mineral-based surface. During installation, modified bitumen roofing is rolled out and then heated with a torch to ensure proper adhesion. However, there are peel-and-stick options coming out as well, which can be safer to work with.

Worker preparing part of bitumen roofing felt roll for melting by gas heater torch flame. On the back of the sheath there is the stamp "Made in Italy" product

This type of roof is moderately priced, but more expensive than BUR. However, the mineral surface creates a lighter colour, thus reflecting the sun and reducing energy bills. Therefore, you may find yourself making back some of that initial investment through savings.

  1. Rubber Membrane Roof 

This is another single-ply material that tends to resemble the feel of an inner tube. Rubber membrane roofing can be anchored with either fasteners, glue, or stone.

This type of roofing is easy enough to install that property owners could do it themselves if they so wished. The material is highly resistant to scuffs and tears, and any leaks that may appear in this roofing are easy to patch. 

It is, however, the most expensive option and more susceptible to punctures.

If you’re considering flat roofing in Calgary but are unsure of where to start, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional roofing company. With their years of experience, they’ll be able to advise you on which flat roof makes the most sense for your property.


At City Roofing and Exteriors, we take pride in our work and by serving Calgarians. We work hard to assist our customers in providing proper roofing systems to meet your budget and needs. We guarantee that you will be satisfied with our work. Give us a call at (403) 608-9933 or email us at [email protected].