What is the cost difference between vinyl and brick exterior on an Ottawa addition?

Choosing between vinyl siding and brick veneer for an addition affects both your budget and how the addition looks next to the house. Brick usually costs considerably more than vinyl, but each material has advantages in a climate with cold winters and hot summers.

Vinyl siding is the lower-cost option. A typical installation includes the siding, a weather-resistive barrier, trim pieces, corner posts and labour. Insulated vinyl with a foam backing costs more but adds a little insulation and looks more solid from the street. Cost is driven mainly by wall area, the number of corners and openings, and the profile chosen.

Brick veneer costs more because of the material, the mortar, wall ties, flashing, weep holes and skilled masonry labour. Brick also needs a foundation ledge to sit on, which has to be designed into the foundation from the start, so decide early. If the existing house is brick and you want a seamless match, finding matching brick can add cost and delay, because older colours and textures may no longer be made. Ask a mason to source samples before you commit.

Durability and upkeep. Properly flashed brick veneer is very long-lasting and needs occasional repointing. Vinyl can fade, crack in cold weather if struck, or warp near heat sources over time, and it is more easily damaged by impact. Ask each supplier for the warranty terms in writing.

A middle ground. Some homeowners use brick on the street-facing wall and vinyl on the sides and rear. This keeps the front consistent with the house and the street while reducing cost. Whether a vinyl addition would stand out depends on your house and neighbours.

Moisture management matters more than the cladding. Whatever you choose, the wall needs a proper drainage gap behind the cladding, a vapour-permeable weather barrier and correct flashing at windows, doors and the roof line. Freeze-thaw cycles punish walls that trap water, and poor detailing causes more damage than the choice of material.

The addition's walls must also meet SB-12 for energy efficiency. The verified addition table value for above-grade walls is R-19 plus R-5 continuous insulation, and your designer confirms how the cladding fits over that assembly. Cladding is part of the work inspected under your building permit.

To compare itemized quotes for both options, browse addition contractors who handle masonry and siding in the Ottawa Construction Network directory at justynrookcontracting.com.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The Ottawa Construction Network connects homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Luxe Painting and Renovations
• RenoMotion Inc.
• Transitions Renovations
• Demontigny Carpentry
• Dreamwood Construction & Renovations