Colour, texture, character — insulated siding kept dominating exterior design trends in the Ottawa area, and 2021 looked like the year many homeowners would take curb appeal to a new level with their siding.
What's driving the shift toward more elevated exterior siding? As Ottawa's renovation and siding specialists, here's what we were seeing.
One unexpected upside of the pandemic era was people rediscovering how much they liked their own homes — whether because the real estate market offered so few other options, or simply because more time at home reminded people why they loved it in the first place.
Whatever the reason, more homeowners were choosing to stay put and invest in their homes rather than doing quick fixes for a quick sale. One popular investment: swapping older "hollow" vinyl siding for insulated siding.
Insulated siding comes in an almost endless mix of colours, textures, and styles. It's hard to find an easier way to dramatically change a home's exterior — short of a major renovation or addition, nothing gives a home a more complete facelift.
Insulated vinyl siding now comes in a much wider range of dark, rich colours that used to fade too quickly in our climate. Dramatic shades like navy blue, barn red, and charcoal are some of our favourites.
Insulated vinyl panels can be made wider with a flatter profile that looks closer to real wood — no more rounded edges or puffy bulge, just sharp, crisp lines.
Properly installed, insulated vinyl siding can look virtually seamless, unlike the overlapping seams that are hard to miss on older vinyl-sided homes. Few upgrades elevate a home's look and feel this effectively.
Homes with durable, efficient, sustainable features are increasingly desirable to homeowners, sellers, and buyers alike, and insulated vinyl siding is one of the most efficient and durable exterior products on the market.
Homeowners planning to stay in their current home are more often investing in upgrades with a strong return on investment, and insulated siding checks that box through:
a higher R-value for real savings on heating and cooling costs
increased resale value
lower maintenance and replacement costs compared to less durable products
Homebuyers are also more aware of the value insulated siding adds, and are often willing to pay a bit more for a home with an upgraded, well-maintained exterior.
If you're planning a renovation project, it's worth starting the conversation early. Supply chains were still affected by the pandemic at the time, and giving enough lead time for ordering the right materials makes the whole process smoother. Reach out to our team and let's start exploring options for your renovation.