Exterior trim — the boards around windows, doors, corners, fascia, and decorative elements — takes a beating in Ottawa's climate. Traditional wood trim rots, cracks, and needs constant maintenance. PVC (cellular PVC) and fibre cement are the two modern alternatives that eliminate these problems. Both materials significantly outperform wood in Ottawa's conditions, but they offer different advantages in appearance, workability, and cost.
Ottawa pricing: $3–$8 per linear foot for materials. Installation adds $2–$5/linear foot. Advantages: Completely waterproof — won't rot, even in constant contact with moisture. Doesn't absorb water — immune to freeze-thaw damage. Won't split, crack, or delaminate. Easy to work with — cuts, routs, and shapes like wood. Paintable with any exterior paint. Doesn't attract insects. Disadvantages: Expands and contracts with temperature (critical in Ottawa's -30°C to +35°C range — use PVC-compatible ...
Ottawa pricing: $2–$5 per linear foot for materials. Installation adds $2–$5/linear foot. Advantages: More affordable than PVC. Excellent fire resistance. Doesn't expand and contract as much as PVC. Paintable — holds paint well (HardieTrim comes pre-primed or pre-finished). Stable in Ottawa's temperature extremes. Looks and feels more like wood than PVC. Disadvantages: Can absorb moisture at cut edges — must be sealed/painted immediately. Heavier and more difficult to work with. Requires carbi...
Moisture resistance: PVC wins (completely waterproof vs fibre cement's potential edge absorption). Thermal stability: Fibre cement wins (minimal expansion/contraction vs PVC's significant thermal movement). Durability: Both excellent — 25–50+ year lifespan for both materials. Appearance: Fibre cement wins for a more natural wood-like appearance. PVC can look synthetic in certain profiles. Installation: PVC wins for ease of working (lighter, cuts like wood, no dust hazard). Fibre cement requi...
Window and door trim: Fibre cement is often preferred for its stability and natural appearance. Fascia boards: PVC is excellent because fascia is exposed to moisture from gutters and roofing. Corner boards: Either works well. PVC is easier to install; fibre cement looks more natural. Soffit: PVC or aluminum are most common. Fibre cement is less common for soffit due to weight. Skirt boards and trim near ground: PVC wins — its complete waterproofing prevents rot from ground moisture, snow, an...
Both perform well. PVC is better for high-moisture areas (fascia, sills, near ground). Fibre cement is better for window/door trim where thermal stability and natural appearance matter. Many projects use both.
PVC trim: $5–$13/linear foot installed. Fibre cement: $4–$10/linear foot installed. A typical Ottawa home has 200–400 linear feet of exterior trim, totaling $1,000–$5,000 in materials plus installation.
PVC comes in white and can be left unpainted. For other colours, it must be painted with exterior paint. Use light colours only — dark colours absorb heat and can cause excessive expansion in Ottawa's summer sun.
James Hardie fibre cement trim carries a 15-year finish warranty and a 30-year substrate warranty. With proper installation and maintenance, it lasts 50+ years. The factory-applied ColorPlus finish lasts 15–20 years before repainting.
PVC is DIY-friendly — it cuts and installs like wood. Fibre cement is more challenging — it requires carbide-tipped tools, creates hazardous dust, and is heavier. Professional installation is recommended for fibre cement.