Everything You Need To Know About LP SmartSide Siding

You have two options when it comes to enhancing the look of your house: painting the exterior or installing siding. And you may wonder how long they will last. By and large, siding is an ideal choice for the exterior.

This article covers what LP SmartSide is made of, what colors it comes in, what the warranty actually says, and where it sits against fiber cement and vinyl.

Before we dive in deeper, let’s quickly review some siding options you may have seen or heard of.

• Vinyl Siding
• Fiber cement, including James Hardie
• Woodtone Siding, a wood-look finish applied over fiber cement
• Metal Siding
• Engineered wood, which is what LP SmartSide is

When it comes to selecting the ideal siding for your home,  LP SmartSide Siding is one of the best siding options for your home.

What is LP SmartSide Siding?

LP SmartSide is engineered wood siding, and it carries LP’s 5/50 limited warranty: five years at 100% labour and material, then fifty years prorated. Prorated means the coverage reduces annually after the first five years, so it is worth reading the terms rather than the headline number. The warranty also covers hail damage up to 1.75 inches in diameter, which is unusual for a cladding warranty and genuinely useful in Colorado.

Its high-end finish makes it one of the aesthetic siding options. Plus, you can find a variety of LP SmartSide siding colors in the market to choose from.

All LP SmartSides are engineered using the SmartGuard manufacturing process. This process gives the following four elements of protection to LP Smart Side to withstand harsh temperatures, moisture, and insects:

1. Zinc Borate: This is a naturally sourced additive that helps give protection against fungal and termite problems.
2. Adhesive Resins: The LP SmartSide siding has great strength against heavy impacts and temperature; all credit goes to the adhesive resins applied to the boards.
3. Waxes: Waxes are pressed into the strands to resist moisture absorption, which is what keeps the board dimensionally stable through freeze-thaw cycling.
4. Overlay: The overlay is the last layer on the board that gives it protection from moisture and provides a polished look.

What Is LP SmartSide Siding Made Of?

LP SmartSide siding panels are made of wood, and fibers and are  treated with zinc borate, adhesive resins, waxes, and overlay. All these elements combine together to form a highly resilient LP SmartSide.

Color Options of LP SmartSide Siding

One of the most common questions that people ask is, ” Does LP SmartSide come in colors? Being an engineered hardwood, this siding actually offers a range of color options, not just brown.

LP SmartSide comes prefinished in two systems. ExpertFinish offers a factory-applied color range with a 15-year finish warranty. Diamond Kote offers a wider palette with a 30-year no-fade warranty, which matters at Colorado’s elevation, where UV breaks down finishes faster.

Both are cured under factory conditions rather than brushed on site, which is why either outlasts field-applied paint.

The best thing about LP SmartSide is that it can be painted, unlike vinyl siding. This means that if you ever get bored with the color, you can easily change it with a paint coat. So, as far as color is concerned, the sky’s the limit for LP SmartSide siding.

Advantages of LP SmartSide Siding

Durability

LP SmartSide is treated to the core rather than surface-coated, so the protection does not stop at the first cut or scratch. It resists fungal decay and termites, and handles impact better than vinyl, which is why the warranty extends to hail.

Curb Appeal

The board carries a deep wood grain that reads convincingly as cedar from the street, without the re-staining cycle real cedar needs. With its authentic  wood look and texture, it adds aesthetics to the overall look. It also contrasts really well with claddings, creating a welcoming appeal.

Workability

LP SmartSide is a silica-free product that can be easily cut with regular wood-cutting tools. It’s lightweight, durable, and resistant to breakage.

Sustainability

LP SmartSide is a wood-based product, so the raw material is renewable in a way that cement, PVC, and metal are not. LP publishes environmental documentation for the line, which we can forward if that matters to your decision.

Quick Installation

LP SmartSide is lighter than fiber cement and cuts with standard woodworking tools, so it installs faster and with less specialist equipment. That shows up in labor cost.

Worth knowing that the details still matter. Cut edges have to be sealed before installation, since untreated edges are where moisture gets into engineered wood. Fastener placement and depth are warranty conditions, and flashing at openings is what keeps water out of the wall, regardless of the cladding.

LP SmartSide costs more than vinyl and less than fiber cement, so it tends to suit homeowners who want wood character without cedar’s upkeep or Hardie’s price. The trade-off worth knowing is that it is a wood-based product and therefore combustible, which matters if your property sits in a designated wildfire area. See our fire-resilient Colorado home guide.

Make your smart move now with GS Exterior Experts!