Looking for a siding option that enhances curb appeal? Whether you love a natural Craftsman look, farmhouse- or ranch-style vibes, or Victorian and Greek Revival design, lap siding is a popular choice for homeowners who want their exterior to look great. But with so many brands and options — like LP SmartSide lap siding — on the market, finding the right one can be tricky.
In this guide, we’ll break down the key LP Smart Siding pros and cons, compare it to other popular options, and answer common questions to help you make an informed choice for your next project. Whether you’re focused on long-term performance, low maintenance, or finding the right fit for your region’s climate, you’ll get the information you need to pick the right siding.
What Is LP SmartSide Lap Siding?
LP SmartSide lap siding is made from engineered wood. That means the core material is wood, but it has undergone an extensive treatment process to enhance strength and resistance to some fungal elements and moisture.
Essentially, LP SmartSide lap siding is produced by bonding an assortment of wood fibers and wood strands with a heavy-duty resin. The manufacturing process includes a zinc borate treatment that helps the wood siding become more resistant to termite damage and fungal growth.
Homeowners choose LP SmartSide lap siding when they’re searching for a material with a similar aesthetic to wood but with greater resistance to damage. Its high-tech treatment makes it much longer lasting than raw, untreated wood lap siding. The increased longevity and strength is the major selling point that attracts most homeowners.
Lap siding offers a very classic look that is iconic for residential buildings, and there are several types to choose from, including Dutch lap, vertical lap, and double lap siding. What these styles have in common is the linear layout and slight overlap that creates the beveled edge of lap siding.
LP SmartSide lap siding is a good example of this timeless style that expresses subtle texture and a clean, organized look throughout the exterior. However, it’s important to note that it’s not the only choice out there. Many other lap siding materials are available, so it’s worth really considering the pros and cons before making a choice.
What Are the Pros and Cons of LP SmartSide?
Take a look at some of the pros and cons of LP SmartSide before deciding if it’s the right choice for your project. While it offers benefits like affordability and design flexibility, drawbacks like susceptibility to moisture and maintenance requirements may make it a less ideal choice for some homeowners.
| Pros | Cons |
| Engineered to withstand harsh weather, impacts, and pests | Requires ongoing maintenance |
| Wide range of styles, textures, and color options | Needs to be painted after installation if not prefinished, and requires regular repainting |
| Attractive woodgrain appearance | Naturally flammable; less fire-resistant than fiber cement or steel siding |
| Resistant to termites and fungal decay due to zinc borate treatment | Installation can be time-consuming for large projects |
| Backed by a 5/50-year limited warranty | Not as long-lasting or durable as alternatives, like steel siding, in some climates |
Pros
There’s no question that engineered wood siding can last longer and maintain its beauty better than untreated wood or vinyl siding. LP SmartSide is able to do that because of its unique engineering and composition. Here are some of the clear advantages of LP SmartSide siding.
Versatile Design
LP SmartSide is produced using real wood scraps and fibers, so the finished product has the ability to showcase that natural warmth and texture of wood. It boasts a beautiful woodgrain patterning that looks like real wood but is more durable. This real wood design can improve the look of a variety of home exteriors while offering flexibility when it comes to design.
The ExpertFinish line features lap siding in 16 different colors, while the SmartSide Cedar Texture lines come primed so you can paint them yourself in a range of colors to reflect coastal vibes or a rustic mountain feel. The product is available in both a textured or smooth finish.
More Durable Than Some Alternatives
The resin bonding process results in a product that has better impact resistance. It’s less likely to dent, crack, or warp when hit by things like hail or debris in windstorms than other alternatives like vinyl. When it comes to heavy downpours or wet environments, engineered wood siding performs well, resisting rot and protecting the home from water damage.
Resistant to Termites and Fungal Decay
Engineered wood siding like LP SmartSide has a zinc borate treatment that makes it less susceptible to termite damage and fungal decay than traditional wood siding. That means it will last longer, reducing replacement costs over the years.
Backed by a Warranty
LP SmartSide Expert Finish products offer a 5/15/50-year warranty, while LP SmartSide lap and panel siding boasts a 5/50-year warranty. That means the siding is fully covered for labor and material replacement costs for the first five years, and a limited warranty is in place for the remaining 50 years. There’s an additional 15-year warranty on the factory finish for Expert Finish products.
Cons
Like most building materials, this product does have some drawbacks. LP siding requires ongoing maintenance, including painting, and it doesn’t offer the best performance when it comes to some weather and regional concerns.
May Need to Be Painted After Installation
Some LP SmartSide products are available with prefinished colors, and some dealers recommend painting LP SmartSide lap panels during installation. This can prolong project duration and increase the costs of installing this type of siding.
Ongoing Aesthetic Maintenance and Upkeep
Whether you have a prefinished LP SmartSide product or not, painting is a necessary part of ongoing maintenance for all engineered wood products. Stains are not recommended, and the LP SmartSide manufacturer strongly suggests repainting with acrylic latex paint specifically designed for wood composites, which can be more expensive than other paint types.
Siding Installation Can Take Time
LP SmartSide lap siding comes in either 12- or 16-foot board lengths and widths ranging from around six inches to 12 inches. Since each board needs to be installed individually, the installation process can take some time. Installation and labor costs can increase quickly on large homes.
Flammability
LP SmartSide is made from real wood fibers and scraps, which means that it is naturally flammable. When a home features flammable siding, fire safety and overall property risk can be impacted. LP SmartSide is not as fire resistant as other types of siding like steel or fiber cement.
How Does LP SmartSide Compare to Steel Siding?
Both engineered wood and steel are durable siding options and are available in natural woodgrain looks, making them ideal for a range of different aesthetics.
But there are many benefits to steel siding over engineered siding like LP SmartSide. First, steel siding comes in different styles, including board and batten siding, lap siding, and log siding.
Steel siding also offers unmatched strength and durability, with some products — like those from TruLog — featuring a Class 4 impact rating. It’s resistant to dents, chipping, rot, insects, and moisture. Steel siding is also Class A fire-rated, making it a better choice than LP SmartSide for homes in areas with wildfire risk.
Steel siding also requires less maintenance than engineered wood siding. It doesn’t need to be repainted, refinished, or sealed. Instead, homeowners just need to give it an annual wash with the garden hose to keep it looking its best.
FAQs About Engineered Wood Siding Like LP Smart Siding
Want to know more about LP SmartSide to decide if it’s the right fit for your home? Here, we’ve answered a couple common questions about engineered wood products.
Is Engineered Wood Siding Durable?
Engineered wood siding is more durable than alternatives like vinyl siding, but less durable than steel siding options. It is moisture, dent, and pest-resistant, but since it contains wood, it’s more likely to burn in a fire, and it requires ongoing maintenance to protect the finish and maintain durability.
Does LP SmartSide Need to be Painted?
Unless you choose the Expert Finish line of products, LP SmartSide needs to be painted upon installation. All LP SmartSide siding needs regular maintenance including repainting every few years to maintain the integrity and design aesthetic of the product.
TruLog Provides a Strong Alternative
If you’re looking for a classic lap siding product that requires significantly less maintenance than LP SmartSide, TruLog offers one of the best siding alternatives.
TruLog’s maintenance-free siding is built from high-quality steel, yet it’s intentionally designed to recreate the charming appeal of natural wood. This means all the natural colors and woodgrain patterns are there — along with the advantage of a heavy-duty steel core.
Trulog’s steel siding has a Class A fire rating, so it provides peace of mind when it comes to fire safety in the home. In addition, long-lasting color consistency, natural wood-look patterning, enhanced strength, and excellent weather-resistance make TruLog lap siding a great alternative to consider.
Download our Lap Siding Buyer’s Guide today to explore the full range of lap siding available.
