LP SmartSide Engineered Wood Siding
The look of cedar without the rot, the warping, or the repaint cycle. LP SmartSide's wood strands are treated with zinc borate through the full board, not coated on the surface.
Engineered Wood Technology
LP SmartSide is oriented strand engineered wood. Treated wood strands and resins are pressed and bonded into siding boards that look like cedar but don't behave like cedar. No warping, no splitting, no rot at the cut edge.
Treated Strand Technology
The wood strands get zinc borate treatment all the way through during manufacturing, not sprayed on the face. That matters because every cut edge on the wall is exposed end-grain, and end-grain is where solid cedar fails first. With SmartSide, the cut edge is already protected.
Dimensional Stability
Engineered construction moves a lot less than solid wood. Boards stay flat through humidity swings, hold their dimension through temperature changes, and don't separate at seams the way old cedar lap does. Once it's on the wall it stays put.
Paint Retention
Surface holds paint well through weather. Material texture provides mechanical bond for paint adhesion. Factory-primed options accept field-applied topcoat, pre-finished options arrive with factory paint. Paint maintenance requirements similar to fiber cement,repainting every 10-15 years depending on exposure and paint quality.
Impact Resistance
Hail above an inch can damage SmartSide. Smaller stones leave surface marks that aren't usually claim-worthy. For homes in the worst hail corridors, fiber cement is the more durable choice. SmartSide is the right pick when you want a wood look and you're willing to trade some impact resistance for cost and aesthetics.
How LP SmartSide Holds Up in Omaha
What we actually see on SmartSide installs ten and fifteen years in, and how it compares to cedar, vinyl, and fiber cement on the same blocks.
Moisture Exposure
SmartSide doesn't soak up water the way cedar or pine does. The zinc borate treatment keeps fungal decay out even where rain and snowmelt sit against the boards. We've inspected 10- and 15-year-old installs in Papillion and Gretna with no rot, including north walls that stay damp longest. Solid cedar on the same blocks tells a different story.
Temperature Cycling
We go from below zero in January to 95°F+ in July. SmartSide moves less through those cycles than solid wood, about on par with fiber cement. Boards stay flat against the wall as long as the install followed LP's fastening and expansion-gap specs. Most movement-related callbacks trace back to fasteners driven tight or gaps that weren't left.
Hail Impact Patterns
The July 2023 hailstorm created visible impact marks on LP SmartSide installations across western Omaha. Material showed surface damage and dents rather than the punctures common in vinyl siding. Impacts deep enough to compromise the paint film allow moisture exposure at damage sites. Homes with pre-finished LP SmartSide showed better resistance to paint failure at impact points compared to field-painted installations.
Wind and Storm Exposure
Properly fastened SmartSide holds up to wind. Lighter than fiber cement, so it's easier to hang, but that same lightness means corner and gable-end fastening has to be right. Spring and summer storms with sustained 50-plus mph winds are where you find out. The failures we've seen are always inadequate fastening at edges, not the material itself.
LP SmartSide Product Options
LP SmartSide offers lap siding, panel siding, and trim products in multiple widths and textures. Product selection affects both appearance and installation requirements.
Lap Siding
Horizontal lap siding available in 6-inch, 8-inch, and 12-inch widths with smooth or cedar texture. Most common installation uses 8-inch exposure to match traditional wood lap siding appearance. Smooth finish provides contemporary look, cedar texture mimics natural wood grain. Length up to 16 feet reduces seams on longer walls.
Installation requires proper flashing at windows and doors and maintaining expansion gaps at corners and trim. Boards overlap minimum 1.25 inches, fasteners placed according to manufacturer specifications. Used most often on properties where homeowners want wood appearance with improved durability over solid cedar or pine.
Panel Siding
4x8 and 4x9 sheets with grooved patterns mimicking board-and-batten or vertical plank appearance. Panel products cover larger areas with fewer seams compared to individual boards. Available in 4-inch, 8-inch, and 12-inch groove spacing depending on desired aesthetic.
Common on gable ends and accent walls where vertical orientation complements horizontal lap siding on main walls. Installation faster than individual boards, requires careful attention to joint treatment and flashing. Observed on newer construction in Elkhorn where builders use panel products for efficiency without sacrificing appearance.
Trim and Soffit
LP SmartTrim provides matching trim boards for corners, windows, doors, and fascia. Material resists rot and decay better than solid wood trim, maintains paint finish longer. Available in various widths from 3.5 inches to 11.25 inches to match architectural detail requirements.
Soffit products provide ventilation options for eave and overhang areas. Coordinating siding and trim from the same manufacturer ensures color match when using pre-finished products. Many installations combine LP SmartSide siding with LP SmartTrim rather than mixing wood species or using PVC trim.
Installation Requirements
LP SmartSide installation requires attention to manufacturer specifications for fastening, flashing, and clearances. Proper installation directly affects long-term performance and warranty coverage.
Substrate Preparation
Material installs over properly prepared wall sheathing with weather-resistant barrier. OSB or plywood sheathing provides adequate substrate. House wrap or building paper creates drainage plane behind siding. Any existing water damage or rot in framing requires remediation before new siding installation.
Fastening Patterns
Manufacturer specifies nail type, size, and placement for each product. Lap siding requires fasteners at each stud location, placed in the nailing zone without overdriving. Panel products require edge and field fastening per specifications. Using pneumatic nailers set to proper depth prevents dimpling or incomplete seating.
Flashing and Water Management
All penetrations require proper flashing,windows, doors, trim, and utilities. Flashing diverts water away from vulnerable joints and seams. Clearance from roofing materials and ground level prevents water wicking. Kickout flashing where walls meet roof slopes protects against water intrusion.
Paint and Finish
Factory-primed material requires topcoat application within 180 days of installation. Pre-finished SmartSide arrives with factory paint, eliminating field painting. Cut edges on all products require primer and paint before exposure to weather. Paint quality and application method affect long-term appearance and protection.
LP SmartSide Cost Positioning
LP SmartSide pricing falls between vinyl and fiber cement siding. Material costs more than vinyl but less than James Hardie, with similar installation labor requirements to fiber cement.
Material Cost Factors
Pre-finished LP SmartSide costs more than primed products but eliminates field painting labor and provides factory-applied paint warranty. Product width and texture affect pricing,wider boards with cedar texture cost more than narrow smooth boards. Trim and accessories add to total material cost. Compared to James Hardie fiber cement, LP SmartSide typically runs 15-25% less for material.
Installation Labor
Installation labor similar to fiber cement,both require cutting with power tools, proper fastening patterns, and attention to flashing details. LP SmartSide weighs less than fiber cement, making handling easier but not significantly affecting labor time. Painters familiar with wood siding adapt easily to LP SmartSide. Two-story homes and complex architectural details drive labor costs more than material choice.
Long-Term Value
Service life lands between vinyl and fiber cement: 30+ years with proper paint maintenance, versus vinyl's 20-30 and fiber cement's 50+. Plan on repainting every 10-15 years and budget for it. Compared to solid cedar, you'll spend a lot less on rot repairs over the life of the siding. The vinyl-to-SmartSide upgrade is common in Millard and older neighborhoods for homeowners who want a real durability bump without paying Hardie pricing.
Common Questions About LP SmartSide
How does LP SmartSide compare to James Hardie fiber cement?
LP SmartSide costs 15-25% less than James Hardie fiber cement and provides wood appearance that some homeowners prefer. James Hardie resists hail impact better and carries a 30-year non-prorated warranty versus LP's 5-year coverage plus prorated coverage to 50 years. Both require painting unless pre-finished. LP SmartSide weighs less making installation easier, fiber cement provides superior fire resistance. Material choice depends on budget, aesthetic preference, and risk tolerance for storm damage.
Does LP SmartSide hold up to Nebraska weather?
LP SmartSide performs well in Omaha's climate when properly installed. Material resists moisture-related rot and decay that damages solid wood siding. Temperature cycling from winter cold to summer heat causes minimal dimensional change. Hail resistance adequate for most storm events though vulnerable to larger hail stones. Homes with LP SmartSide installed 10-15 years ago show good performance with minimal maintenance beyond repainting.
Does LP SmartSide need to be painted?
Factory-primed LP SmartSide requires topcoat application within 180 days of installation. Pre-finished ExpertFinish products arrive with factory-applied paint and 15-year finish warranty, eliminating field painting. All products need repainting every 10-15 years depending on exposure and paint quality. Cut edges during installation must be primed and painted before weather regardless of product finish. Paint maintenance requirements similar to fiber cement and traditional wood siding.
Is LP SmartSide better than vinyl siding?
LP SmartSide costs more than vinyl but provides better impact resistance and wood appearance that vinyl cannot match. Material resists wind damage better when properly installed. Vinyl requires no painting but fades and becomes brittle over time, LP SmartSide needs painting but maintains structural integrity longer. Homeowners upgrading from deteriorating vinyl often choose LP SmartSide for improved durability without the premium cost of fiber cement. Choice depends on budget and long-term maintenance preferences.
What warranty does LP SmartSide carry?
LP SmartSide carries a 5-year 100% replacement warranty plus prorated coverage to 50 years against manufacturing defects. Coverage includes material failure from fungal decay when properly installed and maintained. Pre-finished ExpertFinish products add 15-year finish warranty against peeling, cracking, or flaking. Warranty requires registration within specific timeframe and proper installation according to manufacturer specifications. Hail damage and normal weathering not covered,those fall under homeowners insurance.
Can LP SmartSide be installed over existing siding?
LP recommends removing existing siding and installing over proper substrate with weather-resistant barrier. Installing over old siding traps moisture and hides potential framing damage. Removal allows inspection of sheathing and framing, remediation of any rot or water damage, and installation according to manufacturer specifications. This approach protects the warranty and ensures proper long-term performance. Homes with multiple layers of old siding require complete removal before LP SmartSide installation.
Explore LP SmartSide for Your Property
The cedar look without committing to cedar's maintenance. Cheaper than fiber cement, longer-lasting than vinyl.