The exterior finish material that covers broad expanses of a wall is called 'siding' or 'cladding', and may be made of wood, brick, metal, stone, concrete, fibreglass or vinyl.

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Characteristics of exterior cladding / siding

• Must be durable and relatively resistant to wear from rain, cold and sun.
• Many finish materials are installed as a system, including starter strips, adjoining pieces for around openings, corner trim and at transitions. Wood, vinyl, aluminum, fibreglass and some composite wood claddings offer these finish systems.
• Brick and stone can be used as exterior finishes, and they are called 'veneers'. These heavy finishes may require special support on the foundation and ties back to the frame of the building.
• A good building practice is to allow for air flow or venting behind the siding on a building. This is sometimes called 'rain screen' or 'vented cladding'. This space can be achieved with wood strapping or specialized vent strips included in the product system.

Siding / Cladding on Heritage Buildings:

• Common types include: solid wood, cedar shingles / shakes, brick and stone veneer, stucco, asphalt and aluminum.
  
• Safety note: Some older buildings may have many layers of exterior finish, applied over top of one another. In some cases, siding may have been applied straight and level over a crooked building - this may be a sign of structural issues
• Check the lowest courses / pieces for signs of water damage. Watch for signs of moisture damage around openings and where walls meet the roof overhang.
• Brick and stone veneers may require maintenance to ensure weep-holes are clear and mortar is still in tact. Hire qualified brick and stone masons to complete this work.