As we built our new home in cottage country, my husband, Robin, a healthy 30-something, often joked with visitors to our construction site that he planned to “die in this house.” In addition to planning features for our golden years—wheelchair-accessible doors and showers—we chose building materials that we hoped would “see us out.”
This was only somewhat ambitious. “The average lifespan of a house ranges from 50 to 100 years,” says Russell Richman, a professor of building science at Toronto Metropolitan University. Much like our own longevity, a building’s life can be extended by making good choices: thoughtful design, quality workmanship, regular maintenance, and durable building materials.
Building for the long run can not only save you money and time on replacement and repairs, but it also has lasting environmental benefits. In Canada, we generate 4 million tonnes of construction, renovation, and demolition waste annually, which makes up roughly 12 per cent of the country’s solid waste stream.
When building for sustainability, it’s important to think “about which products are going to last the longest.” says Michael Holmes Jr., a licensed contractor and the host of TV shows Holmes + Holmes, Holmes Family Rescue, and the upcoming series, Holmes on Homes: Building a Legacy. Many materials not only stand up over time, but can also resist wildfire, storms, and other severe weather brought on by climate change. So, what materials can you expect to last the longest, if not a lifetime?
1) Roofing
For roofing, soffits, and roof vents, “metal is going to be the most durable,” says Richman. It’s also listed by FireSmart Canada as a Class A roofing material, meaning it is highly resistant to fire, a crucial factor if you live in a wildfire-prone area—and, sadly, more and more of us could in the coming years.
The asphalt shingles you might have on your roof are also a fire-resistant material, but they can degrade over time due to severe weather conditions. “In Canada, we have extreme cold, extreme heat, and lots of wind. Eventually, it’s going to break down the aggregate on our shingles,” says Holmes Jr. If you’re on a tight budget, he recommends starting with a quality asphalt roof and upgrading to steel when it’s time for replacement.
The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) says that the average lifespan of a metal roof is 40 to 80 years, which is double to quadruple that of asphalt shingles (20 years). As you might expect, those additional decades can come at a hefty premium: a steel roof might cost $8 to $22 per square foot compared to asphalt’s $1 to $5 per square foot.
Cottage Q&A: Should we consider a metal roof?
While there are many types of metal roofing, Robin and I chose standing-seam-style steel roofing with concealed fasteners that minimize maintenance and the potential for leaks. While more expensive and slightly more complex to install than standard metal roofs, we liked the idea of not worrying about pulled screws or degrading screw gaskets. We also splurged on a premium resin coating called polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), which promised superior resistance to fading and chalking.
2) Siding
“All things considered, metal siding is going to be the most durable,” says Richman. Fibre cement is another long-lasting option, however, it requires care-ful sealing of cut edges (to protect the boards from water and pests) during installation and service.
In addition to metal siding, Holmes Jr. likes brick, cultured stone, and natural stone for their durability. If cost is a concern, he suggests combining materials and placing more durable products in high-wear areas. For example, he installed a “stone skirt” on the lower portion of a build for better weathering resistance to snow.
Certain woods, such as cedar, have natural rot resistance and increased durability. With other wood types, it’s important to paint, stain, or seal them. “As long as you’re doing that, it’s the paint that’s deteriorating and acting as a sacrificial layer, not the wood,” says Richman. He also stresses the importance of proper installation. “Proper joint detailing is required so water does not bypass the paint layer and reach the wood fibres, particularly on cut ends.”
Everything you need to know about siding
Holmes Jr. cautions against vinyl siding. “If hail’s pounding the side of the cottage, it’s probably going to badly damage it.” Also, while inexpensive ($5 to $11 per square foot), vinyl isn’t very environmentally friendly; it’s a form of plastic. All that to say, there are plenty of siding options that can last a building’s lifetime. Metal (40 to 80 years, $7 to $12 per square foot), fibre cement (100+ years, $7 to $14 per square foot), and stone (100+ years, $30 to $62 per square foot) are generally considered more wildfire resistant and long-lasting than wood (20 years, $7 to $21 per square foot).
Robin and I are unabashed enthusiasts of metal siding and chose metal panels with concealed fasteners for most of our walls. To soften the overall look, we used pine boards on the gable ends, though in retrospect, we wish we hadn’t. Despite copious amounts of clear sealant, the pine has discolored after just two summers and the wood is vulnerable to wildfires. Meanwhile, the metal still looks brand new. We’ll eventually change the wood siding out for a metal or a fibre-cement wood look-alike.
3) Insulation
In theory, insulation should last a lifetime, provided it’s protected from, for example, water damage and pests. However, this can be a challenge, especially when you’re adding insulation to the exterior of your building, a popular option for both new builds and energy retrofits. And especially at a cottage, where wildlife always seems to find a way in, despite our best efforts.
Both Holmes Jr. and Richman suggest a mineral wool product, such as Rockwool (100+ years). “I like to wrap the entire outside with it,” says Holmes Jr. This eliminates any thermal bridging through the framing. (Framing can create an easy pathway for heat and cold to flow through your walls and ceilings.)
No more cold feet with these DIY insulation methods
Rockwool is made by heating rocks to an almost lava-like liquid, which is then spun into fibres and compressed into a mat. The result is a moisture-resistant, fire-resistant, breathable insulation. Rockwool also retains its thermal efficiency, unlike Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) foam board whose R-value degrades over time. R6 rigid mineral wool (~$2 per square foot) costs slightly less than XPS rigid foam board, but it’s roughly twice the price of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam board, which has a lifespan of about 100 years.
We opted to wrap our house in six inches of Rockwool. Although it was a little tricky to install—it isn’t as rigid as foam board—we felt it was more than worth the extra effort.
4) Patios and decking
For a durable patio, Richman suggests local, natural stone. Though long-lasting (typically up to 50 years), flagstone is pricey, averaging $15 to $41 per square foot.
If you have your heart set on a wood deck, be sure to choose something that will stand up to the elements. Holmes Jr. likes using pressure-treated lumber ($7 to $11 per square foot), which is resistant to rot and insects. He also loves cedar ($5 to $11 per square foot). “With any wood product, you’re going to have to sand it down and refinish it over the years,” he says. Once it starts to grey and absorb water, that’s
a sign it’s time to sand, restain, or reseal it.
Composite decking—which is a mix of wood by-products and recycled plastics—is, on average, more durable than a traditional wood deck, says Richman, though it’s pricey at $14 to $21per square foot. According to InterNACHI, it lasts (8 to 25 years) longer on average than traditional wood planks (15 years). But keep in mind that even wood-composite decks may not be wildfire resilient. “The most fire-resilient deck is one that doesn’t exist,” says Richman.
Cottage Q&A: Should I get a composite deck
Given our wildfire risk and the potential for a wood deck to trap embers, we opted to pour a concrete patio ($5 to $10 per square foot). I also liked the idea of not having to replace any rotten boards over my lifetime. According to InterNACHI, concrete patios last 15 to 25 years, with other estimates suggesting 30 years or more.
I wasn’t thrilled with the prospective aesthetics—the 1980s concrete patios of my childhood left a lot to be desired. However, I found inspiration in contemporary concrete patio designs, and we poured modern asymmetrical raised patios and walkways. Concrete is incredibly versatile, with plenty of stamps and finishes to choose from. When we costed the materials for a 6-inch slab, we found it was roughly the same as a similarly sized wood deck.
5) Windows
When it comes to windows, Holmes Jr. favours a vinyl casing, or a metal combination, over wood. No surprise: “Wood, if not properly maintained, can break down; vinyl is more resistant to rotting, decay, and moisture,” he says. Vinyl frames are
also typically the cheapest option, costing $500 to $1,000 for a basic casement window. Expect to pay more for aluminum ($600 to $1,500), wood ($800 to $1,800), and a hefty premium for fibreglass ($1,000 to $2,200), which is a relatively new option.
Why you need to upgrade to modern windows
We ultimately chose fibreglass frames for their low-maintenance requirements and energy efficiency. They’re also more dimensionally stable than vinyl, meaning they’re less likely to deflect over time and can better handle high wind loads and extreme temperatures. According to Cascadia Windows & Doors, fibreglass windows are estimated to have a lifespan of 50 to 80 years, more than twice that of aluminum windows, and two to three times the expected lifespan of vinyl/PVC windows. However, fibreglass frames aren’t as readily available as more traditional options, such as wood and aluminum—we had to special order ours from a supplier in Manitoba.
The bottom line
Building for longevity often involves a higher initial cost, but for those who see the cottage as a generational project, this may be less of a concern. “When you’re thinking of passing down to your kids and your grandkids, I think inherently people don’t mind spending the extra money and will be more inclined to spend time and money on annual maintenance,” says Richman.
Although we don’t have children, ensuring our home would endure was still a priority for us. We liked the idea of avoiding major projects, such as a roof replacement, in our later years. We also took comfort in knowing our home was better equipped to withstand storms and wildfires—events that are becoming more frequent in our rapidly changing climate. Ultimately, we built a home that we feel good about and, with any luck, will enjoy for decades to come.
This article was originally published in the September/October 2024 issue of Cottage Life.
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