2026-03-15 · MTC Renovations
Exterior Renovation Costs in Hamilton: Siding, Windows, and Masonry (2026)
Your home’s exterior does two jobs at once: it’s the first thing people notice, and it’s the only thing standing between your walls and Ontario weather. Ice, freeze-thaw cycles, wind-driven rain — Hamilton gets it all. When siding cracks, windows leak, or mortar joints crumble, the damage moves inward fast.
We handle exterior renovations across Hamilton, Burlington, Stoney Creek, and the surrounding area — siding, windows, masonry repairs, and full envelope upgrades. Here’s what these projects actually cost in 2026.
Siding Costs
Siding is the single biggest surface area on your home’s exterior. Material choice drives most of the cost difference.
| Material | Installed Cost (per sq ft) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl siding | $6 – $10 | Most affordable, low maintenance, 20-30 year lifespan |
| Fiber cement (Hardie board) | $10 – $16 | Excellent durability, fire-resistant, holds paint well |
| Engineered wood | $8 – $14 | Natural look, good insulation value, needs re-staining every 5-10 years |
For a typical Hamilton home with roughly 1,500 sq ft of exterior wall space, budget $9,000 – $24,000 depending on material.
A few things that push costs higher:
- Removal of old siding — Many 1960s and 1970s homes in Hamilton still have original aluminum siding, sometimes layered over older wood clapboard. Stripping multiple layers adds $1,500 – $3,000.
- Housewrap and insulation board — If you’re already stripping to sheathing, adding a proper weather barrier and rigid foam is worth the extra $2,000 – $4,000. You’ll notice it on your heating bill.
- Trim, soffits, and fascia — Often overlooked in estimates. Budget an additional $1,500 – $3,500 for full trim replacement.
Hardie board has become the go-to choice for homeowners who want something that lasts. It handles Hamilton’s freeze-thaw cycles better than vinyl and doesn’t dent like aluminum. The upfront cost is higher, but you won’t be replacing it in 15 years.
Window Replacement Costs
Old windows are the biggest energy leak in most Hamilton homes. If your windows are original to a 1970s or 1980s build, you’re probably heating the outdoors for a few months each year.
| Window Type | Installed Cost (per window) |
|---|---|
| Standard vinyl (double-hung) | $500 – $900 |
| Casement | $700 – $1,200 |
| Bay or bow | $2,000 – $4,000 |
A typical 10-window house runs $6,000 – $12,000 for full replacement with standard vinyl double-hung windows.
Costs increase when:
- Custom sizing is needed — older Hamilton homes rarely have standard-sized openings
- Frame rot is discovered during removal — common in homes with original wood frames
- You upgrade to triple-pane glass — adds roughly 20-30% per window but makes a real difference in a Hamilton winter
Energy rebates: Ontario’s Greener Homes Grant program has offered up to $5,000 for qualifying window upgrades. Check the current status before you start — these programs change frequently, but when they’re active, they can offset a significant chunk of the cost. Your installer should be able to confirm eligibility.
Pair window replacement with siding work if possible. When the siding is already off, window installation is faster, and you avoid paying to remove and reinstall trim twice.
Masonry and Brick Repair
Hamilton has some of the best brick housing stock in Ontario — rows of solid post-war brick homes from the 1940s through the 1960s that were built to last. But “built to last” doesn’t mean “lasts forever.” Mortar joints wear out, bricks spall, and foundation walls shift over decades.
| Masonry Work | Cost (per sq ft) |
|---|---|
| Tuckpointing (repointing) | $15 – $30 |
| Brick replacement | $25 – $50 |
| Foundation parging | $8 – $15 |
Tuckpointing is the most common masonry repair we do. It involves grinding out deteriorated mortar joints and filling them with fresh mortar. On older Hamilton brick homes — anything pre-1960 — the mortar is typically softer lime-based material. Using the wrong modern mortar mix on these homes can actually crack the bricks. Make sure your contractor understands the difference.
Most brick homes need repointing every 25 – 30 years. If your home was built in the 1950s or 1960s and the joints have never been touched, they’re overdue.
We recently completed an exterior and masonry repair project in Burlington where the scope included repointing deteriorated joints, replacing damaged bricks, and restoring the foundation parging. That kind of comprehensive masonry work protects the structure for another generation. Water getting behind brick is how basements leak — so masonry repair and basement waterproofing often go hand in hand.
Foundation parging — the thin mortar coating on exposed foundation walls — is another common repair. It’s cosmetic, but it also keeps water from seeping into hairline cracks in the concrete. Budget $1,500 – $3,000 for a typical Hamilton home’s exposed foundation.
Roofing Costs
We don’t install roofing ourselves — we subcontract specialized roofing crews. But we coordinate roofing as part of full exterior renovation projects so you’re dealing with one point of contact.
| Roofing Material | Cost (typical Hamilton home) |
|---|---|
| Asphalt shingles | $8,000 – $15,000 |
| Metal roofing | $15,000 – $25,000 |
Asphalt shingles remain the standard for Hamilton residential roofing. They’re rated for 25-30 years (architectural shingles) or 15-20 years (three-tab). Metal roofing costs more upfront but can last 50+ years and handles ice and snow loads well.
If you’re replacing siding and windows at the same time, coordinating roofing into the same project timeline saves on scaffolding costs and reduces the total time your home is torn apart.
When to Do Exterior Work
Best season: May through October. Siding adhesives, mortar, and caulking all need temperatures above 5-10 degrees Celsius to cure properly. Masonry work especially suffers in cold weather — fresh mortar joints can crack if they freeze before setting.
Permits: Most cosmetic exterior work — siding replacement, window swaps in the same opening size, repointing — does not require a Hamilton building permit. However, you will need a permit if you’re:
- Changing window or door opening sizes (structural modification)
- Adding new openings in load-bearing walls
- Doing structural masonry work on foundations
- Working on a heritage-designated property
The best time to renovate in Ontario isn’t just about weather — it’s also about contractor availability. Book exterior work by February or March to lock in a spring start date. By April, most crews are booked through summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a full exterior renovation take? For a typical Hamilton home getting new siding, windows, and some masonry repair — plan for 2 to 4 weeks. Weather delays are the biggest variable. Siding alone usually takes 3-5 days. Window replacement runs 1-2 days for a full house. Masonry work depends heavily on the scope.
Can I do exterior renovations in stages? Yes, and many homeowners do. A common sequence: address masonry and foundation issues first (structural), then windows (energy savings), then siding (cosmetic and protective). Spreading it over 2-3 years is reasonable. Just keep in mind that doing siding and windows together saves money on labour and trim work.
Is exterior renovation worth it for resale? New siding and windows consistently rank among the highest-ROI renovations in Canadian real estate — typically recouping 70-80% of costs at resale. Beyond the numbers, a house with crumbling mortar and foggy windows sits on the market longer. First impressions happen at the curb.
Get a Free Exterior Renovation Estimate
Every home is different. The numbers above are ranges — your actual cost depends on your home’s size, current condition, material choices, and what we find once we start opening things up.
We’ll come out, look at the full exterior, and give you an honest scope and price. No pressure, no obligations.