AL13 vs Longboard vs Lux: Comparing Aluminum and Steel Panel Siding

AL13, Longboard, and Lux are three Canadian panel systems that cover the main approaches to metal cladding: AL13 offers aluminum panel systems with a snap-fit frame, Longboard offers extruded aluminum planks with woodgrain and solid powder-coat finishes, and Lux offers prefinished steel panels and planks with concealed fasteners. All three are non-combustible, rot-proof, and well matched to the Lower Mainland's wet climate when installed over a rainscreen. The right one depends on the look you want, the profile format, and the budget tier.

Why Metal Panels Have Earned a Place on BC Homes

Metal cladding used to read as commercial. That has changed, and for practical reasons that suit this region:

• Moisture indifference. Aluminum and coated steel do not absorb water, swell, rot, or host mould. In a climate that keeps walls wet for months, that removes a whole category of failure.
• Fire performance. The base materials are non-combustible, a growing consideration across BC.
• Finish longevity. Factory-applied powder coat and baked-on paint systems hold colour and gloss far longer than site-applied finishes, with washing as the main upkeep.
• Modern aesthetics. Flat panels, crisp reveals, and long clean planks deliver the contemporary look that drives much of the demand, especially on West Coast modern designs and feature walls.

All three systems assume installation over strapping with a drained, ventilated cavity behind, consistent with rainscreen practice in coastal BC.

AL13: Panel Systems With a Frame

AL13 is built around aluminum panels that snap into an extruded frame system. Instead of gluing or riveting panels into place, the frame carries the panels with clean, consistent reveals between them.

Format and look. Large flat panels in a grid or stacked arrangement, with solid colours, metallic tones, and woodgrain-look finishes available. The result reads architectural: flat, precise, and shadow-lined.

Strengths. The frame approach gives crisp panel lines, straightforward replacement of an individual panel if one is ever damaged, and predictable detailing at corners, windows, and transitions. It is a frequent choice for entries, garage surrounds, feature walls, and full modern facades.

Considerations. Large-format panel systems put a premium on flat, well-prepared walls and careful layout. Panel grids are designed, not improvised, so plan the elevation drawings with your installer.

Longboard: Extruded Aluminum Planks

Longboard takes a different route: solid extruded aluminum planks, installed in long runs like traditional siding, with a powder-coated finish that includes convincing woodgrain patterns.

Format and look. Plank profiles in several widths, run horizontally or vertically, in woodgrains from light cedar tones to dark walnut plus solid colours. From the street, the woodgrain finishes read as wood while behaving like metal.

Strengths. This is the system people choose when they want the warmth of wood, especially on soffit areas, entries, and accent walls, without wood's appetite for refinishing in a wet climate. Extruded planks are rigid, straight, and durable, and the powder-coat finishes are proven in exterior service.

Considerations. Extruded aluminum plank is a premium product, and it is often deployed strategically on the elevations and details where its look matters most, paired with other cladding elsewhere.

Lux: Prefinished Steel Panels and Planks

Lux panels bring steel to the comparison: roll-formed panels and plank profiles in prefinished steel with concealed fastening, in both flat-panel and board-style formats, including woodprint finishes.

Format and look. A broad profile range covering flat panels, standing-seam-style verticals, and plank looks, in solid colours and woodgrain prints. The visual range runs from sharp contemporary to barn-inspired.

Strengths. Steel is stiff, impact-resistant, and typically positioned at a more accessible price tier than extruded aluminum, which makes Lux a practical way to get the metal look across larger wall areas. Concealed fasteners keep faces clean.

Considerations. Steel's corrosion protection lives in its coatings, so cut edges, penetrations, and flashing details need disciplined installation practice. Panel gauge and profile choice affect how flat large walls read in raking light.

Upkeep and Longevity in Coastal Conditions

All three systems share a maintenance profile that suits busy homeowners: an occasional rinse to remove coastal grime and pollen, a periodic check of caulked joints and flashings, and not much else. There is no refinishing cycle, no rot to probe for, and no insect damage to monitor. Finishes will weather gradually over decades in UV and rain, with darker colours showing wear more slowly on aluminum powder coats than site-painted alternatives. The practical lifespan conversation for metal cladding is usually about the finish, not the panel, and factory warranties from all three manufacturers reflect that.

Choosing Between Them

A short decision path:

• You want large flat architectural panels with designed reveals: AL13.
• You want a wood look that never needs refinishing: Longboard woodgrain planks.
• You want metal across bigger areas at a more approachable tier, or specific steel profiles: Lux.

Mixing systems and materials is normal. Many of our projects run fibre cement or engineered wood on field walls with metal panels at the entry and feature elevations, tied together with matched trims and reveal systems such as EasyTrim Quick Panel.

Whichever system you choose, the install determines the outcome. Layout, flashing, panel handling, and rainscreen detailing are where metal projects succeed or fail, so review our siding installation approach and ask any bidder how many panel projects they have detailed. And if you are still deciding whether your existing cladding is due for replacement at all, our homeowner's guide to siding repair and replacement in the Lower Mainland covers that groundwork.

Berkana Construction Management installs AL13, Longboard, and Lux systems across Maple Ridge and the Lower Mainland. If you are comparing metal panels for your home, call (672) 771-6868 or contact us to talk through profiles, finishes, and what each system would look like on your elevations.