Two aluminum siding quotes can look almost identical on paper and still describe very different jobs. One contractor may inspect the wall and replace damaged material before the first panel goes up. Another may install new siding directly over whatever is already there.
The difference usually shows up years later.
At Century Aluminum, we install aluminum siding in Toronto with our own crew, and we regularly meet homeowners who are comparing several quotes. The best way to compare them is to ask every contractor the same questions and pay attention to how specific the answers are.
Here are the questions we think every Toronto homeowner should ask before hiring aluminum siding contractors, and what a good answer sounds like.
Is Aluminum Siding the Right Material for Your Home?
A good contractor should be able to explain why aluminum fits your home, and when another material may fit better.
Aluminum siding does not absorb moisture, rot, or crack from freeze-thaw cycles. It naturally forms an oxide layer that protects the metal from further corrosion, and it offers better resistance to hail and debris than lighter materials. It can still dent under heavy impact.
We install aluminum, vinyl siding, and specialty siding, so we can recommend the material that suits the house rather than the one we happen to sell.
Ask the contractor:
- Why is aluminum the right choice for this wall?
- Where would a different material make more sense?
- How does aluminum handle impact in high-traffic areas?
If every answer points to the same product regardless of the house, keep asking questions.
Will Your Own Crew Do the Work, or Will It Be Subcontracted?
You should know exactly who will be on your property. Some companies sell the job and hand the installation to a subcontractor.
That is not always a problem, but it changes who is accountable for the workmanship.
At Century Aluminum, all of our aluminum siding work is handled by our own in-house crew. We do not subcontract installations. That lets us keep the same standards from the first panel to the last.
Ask:
- Who will actually install the siding?
- Will the same crew be on site for the full project?
- Who do I call if something needs attention after the job is finished?
Are You Fully Insured and WSIB Covered?
Yes should be the answer, and the contractor should be able to show it.
The Government of Ontario recommends that homeowners check a contractor’s workplace safety and insurance coverage before hiring. Siding work involves ladders, scaffolding, and work at height, so coverage matters.
Century Aluminum is fully insured and WSIB covered, and our crew is certified to work at heights.
Ask for proof of liability insurance and WSIB coverage before the project starts.
What Will You Check Before Installing New Panels?
A good contractor inspects the wall before covering it. New siding should not hide water damage, rot, or a failed moisture barrier.
Before any aluminum panel goes on, we check the wall sheathing and moisture barrier. If there is damage, it needs to be addressed first. Covering it with new siding does not fix it.
Ask:
- Will you remove the old siding or install over it?
- What happens if you find damaged sheathing or rot?
- How is that extra work priced?
A contractor who cannot answer the last question before the job starts may leave you with a surprise invoice later.
What Goes Behind the Siding?
The layers behind the panels matter as much as the panels themselves.
Our siding installations include substrate preparation with housewrap and, where it makes sense, rigid foam insulation before the panels go on. Ask each contractor to list exactly what will be installed behind the siding and whether it is included in the quote.
If two quotes use different wall preparation, they are not the same job, even if the siding colour and profile match.
Which Profile and Layout Do You Recommend?
Aluminum siding can be installed in horizontal lap or vertical board configurations.
Horizontal is standard on most GTA homes. Vertical works well on accent sections, garages, and contemporary designs. A good contractor should explain how the profile will look with your windows, rooflines, and existing trim.
Ask to see photos of completed projects with the profile you are considering. Our projects page shows work we have completed across the GTA.
How Will Trim, Window Capping, and the Roofline Be Handled?
Trim is where many siding jobs either look finished or look rushed. It also helps keep water out around openings.
We install aluminum window capping and trim as part of every aluminum siding job for a clean, watertight finish. Because we also work on soffit and fascia, we can coordinate the siding with the rest of the roofline instead of leaving mismatched edges.
Ask:
- Is window and door trim included in the quote?
- Who handles soffit, fascia, and eavestrough connections?
- Will colours match across the siding, trim, and roofline?
What Warranty Comes With the Work?
There are usually two warranties to understand: the contractor’s workmanship warranty and the manufacturer’s material warranty.
Century Aluminum provides a 3-year service warranty on siding work, along with the manufacturer’s warranty on materials.
Ask each contractor to put both in writing and explain what each one covers. A material warranty does not usually cover installation mistakes.
Will I Get a Detailed Written Quote and Contract?
You should. In Ontario, any home renovation contract worth more than $50 must be in writing.
The Government of Ontario also recommends that homeowners:
- Get at least three written estimates
- Keep deposits to a minimum, with no more than 10% recommended
- Never pay the full amount before the work is complete
Under Ontario’s rules, the final price cannot be more than 10% over the original estimate unless you agree to additional work. If you sign a contract worth more than $50 in your home, you also have a 10-day cooling-off period.
A good contract should include the project description, materials, warranty details, total cost, payment schedule, start and completion dates, cleanup responsibility, and any sub-trades involved.
What Happens to the Old Siding?
Removal and disposal should be part of the plan, not an afterthought.
Aluminum is 100% recyclable, and all aluminum we remove is fully recycled. Ask whether disposal is included in the price and whether the site will be cleaned up at the end of each day.
Can You Show Reviews and References?
A contractor with a track record should be able to point you to verified reviews and similar projects.
The Government of Ontario recommends asking for references from similar projects and checking the Consumer Beware List before hiring.
Century Aluminum has more than 630 homeowner reviews on Google and HomeStars and has received more than 15 HomeStars awards. You can read them on our reviews page.
A Quick Comparison Checklist
Use this list to compare quotes side by side.
| Question | What a good answer sounds like |
|---|---|
| Who does the installation? | A named in-house crew or clearly identified sub-trades |
| Insurance and WSIB | Proof provided before work starts |
| Wall inspection | Sheathing and moisture barrier checked before panels go on |
| Behind the siding | Housewrap and insulation spelled out in the quote |
| Profile | Recommendation based on your home, with examples |
| Trim and roofline | Window capping and trim included and colour-matched |
| Warranty | Workmanship and material warranties in writing |
| Quote and contract | Detailed, written, with a clear payment schedule |
| Disposal | Removal, recycling, and cleanup included |
Talk to Century Aluminum About Aluminum Siding in Toronto
At Century Aluminum, we have been installing siding, soffit, fascia, and eavestroughs across Toronto and the GTA since 2011. Our own crew does every installation, we are fully insured and WSIB covered, and we are a Vinyl Siding Institute certified and Alu-Rex certified installer.
If you are comparing aluminum siding contractors in Toronto, we are happy to answer every question on this list. We will inspect the walls, explain what needs to happen before the siding goes on, and give you a detailed written estimate.
Call us at (416) 893-5001 for a free, no-obligation estimate. If you are in Mississauga, our siding contractor checklist covers what to look for there.
