The Best Siding For Cold Climates

If you live in Winnipeg, you know all too well the harsh reality of blizzards, high winds, and relentlessly frigid temperatures that don’t let up for months on end. Your home is your refuge from the chill and bluster, and with the right siding, you can trust that it will remain snug, cozy, and warm all winter long.

At Nisby Home Renovations, we’re often asked about the relative merits of different types of siding materials in the extreme cold temperatures that characterize Winnipeg’s climate. While all of our siding products have been carefully selected for their durability, aesthetic appeal, and ability to stand up to the harsh realities of winter weather on the prairies, each also has its own unique characteristics and benefits. In this post, we’ve outlined these in detail so that you can make a truly informed decision when selecting the siding material that best aligns with your taste, budget, and goals for your Winnipeg area home.

Seeking personalized recommendations, in-depth information about specific products, or a siding quote? The team at Nisby Home Renovations is always available to help. Contact us today to learn more!

Key Takeaways

  • In Winnipeg, selecting siding for your home that will stand up to extreme winter temperatures is vital.
  • Inadequate siding can be prone to peeling, warping, water infiltration, rot, and cracking.
  • The best siding options for cold climates include fibre cement siding, wood/engineered wood siding, vinyl siding, aluminum siding, and brick/stone siding. Each material has its own unique characteristics and benefits in cold weather.
  • With more than 30 years in business, the team at Nisby Home Renovations is ready to help you select and install stunning, functional siding that will enhance your Winnipeg area home in every season.

Siding Issues Caused By Cold Weather

Not all materials are created equally when it comes to cold weather, and selecting the wrong siding for your Winnipeg area home could lead to a host of potential headaches over time, including:

  • Peeling – Temperature fluctuations can lead to peeling paint, which is not only unsightly but also exposes the underlying siding material directly to the elements.
  • Warping – The thaw/melt cycle can wreak havoc on less robust siding materials, causing them to warp due to expansion and contraction.
  • Water Infiltration – Water that infiltrates siding panels through poor seals, gaps, or cracks, can lead to ice/water damage and allow rot/mould to gain a foothold.
  • Cracking – Plummeting temperature may cause siding materials to contract and crack, particularly around seams and connectors.

At Nisby Home Renovations, we’re committed to offering Winnipeg homeowners a variety of high-quality siding options that have been carefully chosen for their attractiveness as well as their durability, longevity, and resilience in the face of severe climate conditions. Let’s take a closer look below:

The Best Siding Options For Cold Climates

1. Fibre Cement Siding

Fibre cement siding is a highly durable composite material made from a combination of sand, cement, and cellulose. Available in a wide array of colours and textures that convincingly mimic wood, stucco, and a variety of other sidings, it is prized for its durability, versatility, and affordability.

At Nisby Home Renovations, we’ve placed fibre cement siding at the top of our list in terms of its winter performance for the following reasons:

  • Fibre cement siding is 100% waterproof. It doesn’t swell or expand with the freeze/thaw cycle and won’t warp if exposed to water.
  • It won’t break or split in subzero temperatures.
  • It requires little to no maintenance and can last for decades.
  • Paired with proper insulation, it can drastically increase your home’s energy efficiency.

2. Wood Siding

Beautiful and eco-friendly, wood siding offers a timeless charm that can distinguish your Winnipeg home in any season. In winter, its natural insulative properties will help keep your household warm and comfortable, but proper maintenance (sealing/painting/staining) is a must to prevent moisture damage, warping, and/or cracking. For a low-maintenance alternative to natural wood, consider high-quality engineered wood siding that offers an almost indistinguishable aesthetic but stands up effectively to cold weather over time with much less upkeep required.

3. Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding looks similar to wood siding but is available at a lower price point and requires less maintenance. For these reasons, and more, it’s one of our most in-demand siding materials. At Nisby, our insulated vinyl siding comes in a spectrum of colours and styles to suit every taste and has been designed to effectively resist winter’s hail, wind, snow, and ice while keeping your home dry and comfortable and lowering your energy bills. In many cases, vinyl siding can even be installed directly over existing siding, reducing cost and time estimates. Contact the Nisby team directly for further information!

4. Aluminum Siding

Aluminum siding is an economical option that holds up well against cold temperatures, effectively resists moisture, and isn’t prone to rust or corrosion. When paired with proper insulation, it can greatly enhance your home’s energy efficiency. Some homeowners find that aluminum siding dents easily, makes “pinging” noises in windy conditions, and/or loses its aesthetic appeal with exposure to the elements over time. For these reasons, it’s not at the top of our list but could still be a reasonable option for your Winnipeg area home depending on your budget, goals, and preferences.

5. Brick/Stone Siding

Brick or stone siding is gorgeous, timeless, long-enduring, and has wonderful insulation properties. It requires very little maintenance and offers an excellent investment over time, but does come at a higher price point than most other siding options. Also worth noting is that stone and brick are permeable to moisture, which means that an impermeable barrier must be installed to prevent damage to the structural integrity of your home. Contact us directly to learn more!

Looking To Upgrade Your Siding For The Winter?

To conclude, Winnipeg homeowners have many options when it comes to siding materials that will withstand the extremes of harsh prairie winters, and at Nisby Home Renovations, we offer a carefully curated selection of siding products with something for every taste and budget. If you’re seeking exceptional siding contractors in Winnipeg, look no further than our highly skilled and experienced team. Contact us today to get a quote for your project. We look forward to working with you!