Installing LP Smart Siding is a great way to improve the curb appeal and durability of your house.

LP uses an advanced process to develop their Smart siding, which features a wide range of impressive properties, while keeping the cost affordable.

But is Smart Siding really that good? And how affordable is it?

How Much Does LP Siding Cost?

One of the best things about LP Smart Siding is that it’s relatively affordable. The most significant expense is the installation, which generally costs around $5-$10 per square foot.

As for the materials, you can expect to pay approximately $2-$5 per square foot. The materials are lightweight and easy to install, and they won’t put too big a dent in your budget.

When ordering LP Smart Side boards, the purveyors typically sell them in boxes of varying dimensions (e.g., 8 x 6 or 6 x 16). Therefore, using the price per square foot may not always be reliable.

Keep in mind that the contractors will need to order between 10% and 15% more than the necessary amount to account for improper cuts.

Other issues can crop up too, such as breakage and loss, and that could stall the installation if there aren’t extra materials.

Most technicians get discounted prices on Smart Side products but charge you the total retail price. This is fair, provided the professional is the one collecting and delivering the materials to the site.

Another thing you should factor in is the price of paint. Depending on the type of color you use, this can dramatically increase the cost of the project. Naturally, stock color is more affordable, while custom solutions can be a sizeable investment.

Finally, the technician uses a lot of additional material, affecting the total cost. Here are some of the materials your contractor may need.

Sheathing – The sheathing is a nailing base for the LP Smart Siding and helps protect the structure from the elements. It costs around $.09 per square foot.

Coated nails – These secure the shingles or panels to your walls. The average price is $0.04 per square foot.

J channels – J channels cover the ends of the soffits where they’ve been cut. They create wiggle room for expanding/contracting while preventing the soffit from swerving in the wind. They generally go for $0.35 per square foot.

F channels – These vertically placed channels support horizontal soffits and panels. The price is approximately $0.35 per square foot.

Corner posts – As the name suggests, these posts are installed on the siding corners and are positioned about an inch below your starter strip. The cost is about $0.35 per square foot.

Stripping the original siding – While this isn’t a material, it’s a crucial process of Smart Siding installation. On average, contractors charge approximately $0.30 per square foot to strip your original siding.

Did you know? Some states, such as Massachusetts, require a special license for installing asbestos siding. Additionally, the contractors must abide by OSHA’s (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) guidelines on worker protection.

LP Smart Siding Features

LP Siding is a type of engineered wood siding manufactured through a multistage process. The raw lumber is first processed using chippers to create strands with nearly identical shapes and sizes.

The next step is to run the strands through a mixing device, coating the surfaces with various products. This includes resins, zinc borate, and waxes. It helps protect the siding from termite infestation and rot.

Once the coating stage is complete, LP engineers weave the strands into durable yet loose units. From there, the surfaces are placed inside a press to provide the engineered siding with a wood-like finish.

It also binds and compresses the material into boards.

Such an in-depth process delivers many impressive features. Primarily, Smart Siding is robust, aesthetically pleasing, and highly resistant to several threats, like weathering and bugs.

As a result, the product is perfect for homeowners looking for a rustic wood appearance without all the risks associated with this material.

Here’s what the siding usually comprises.

Lap siding – The product generally comes in two different kinds of lap siding: smooth finish and cedar texture. You can find both in various sizes and over 15 prefinished colors.

Each item is treated using a proprietary process that features several layers of protection against freezing, termites, impact, fungal decay, and humidity.

Facia and trim – LP’s fascia and trim are normally available in three styles, including primed corners, smooth finish, and cedar textures.

The first type is exceedingly popular because it safeguards against seam separations and water leaks. Like lap siding, these components are offered in more than 15 prefinished colors, and have varying thicknesses.

Shakes – If you need siding that emulates shingles and cedar shakes, LP’s Smart Sides shakes might be your best option. Available in straight or staggered edges, these units create a textured appearance to increase your home’s curb appeal.

Plus, they are shipped with gorgeous shiplap ends that make for seamless connections. The shakes can be cut to size, and you can mount them on your own using a standard nail gun.

Each unit covers approximately three square feet and can be found in many home improvement stores (e.g., Lowe’s, Home Depot, Menards).

Panels – Smart Side Panels are another appealing product from this series. You can choose from two stunning styles: smooth finish and cedar texture.

The panels have shiplap edges to facilitate simple installation and remove excess waste. Each unit allows you to cover about 30 square feet of your structure.

Soffits – You’ll hardly find better soffits than LP’s offerings. Whether you go for the vented, smooth, or cedar finish, these units can take the elegance of your home to a whole new level.

The soffits are pre-cut to the necessary widths and are easy to incorporate into your projects. Vented soffits are a bit on the expensive side, but they’re treated with a proprietary coating to minimize the risk of termites and bugs. This makes them an excellent long-term investment.

Pro Tip: Removing mold is key to maintaining siding soffits. When you notice the first signs of this substance, gently clean the surface with a mold-removal product.

LP Smart Siding Warranty

At a glance, LP offers a good warranty on Smart Siding. It lasts for about half a century, with 100% of defects or damages covered in the first 60 months.

However, the coverage reduces by just over 2% every year after the sixth year until your warranty runs out.

This time limit is the biggest downside of the policy. The steady decline may prevent you from obtaining coverage five years after the installation. For instance, any damage that takes place 10 years into your siding, you’d get less than 90% of coverage.

On top of that, the warranty doesn’t cover certain locations, such as Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. These areas are prone to inclement weather, such as heavy rain and constant humidity.

The lack of warranty is understandable, as damage is practically inevitable.

LP Smart Siding Pros and Cons

Smart Siding is popular for many reasons:

Huge Selection of Styles

Aesthetic improvements are a huge plus when installing LP Smart Siding. Unlike some other manufacturers that offer just one or two styles, LP lets you choose between six amazing options.

There’s also a wide range of colors available, allowing you to find the ideal solution for your house more easily.

Premium Durability

The biggest strength of Smart Siding might be its sturdiness. The materials are perfect for resisting the constant impact your home is exposed to.

This includes hail, heavy snowfall, downpours, and even small branches. That’s why it’s superior to some cement-based solutions, which usually end up with indentations after hailstorms.

It doesn’t stand up to everything, but overall, it’s a wise investment if you want to make your abode more durable.

Quick Installation

Homeowners are excited about home improvements, but they also dread the thought of how long the installation will take.

Fortunately, this shouldn’t be a problem with Smart Siding, since the mounting process is relatively fast. This is because the contractors use locking clips that secure the materials virtually instantly. As a result, the product can be installed 30% quicker than standard items.

Another reason Smart Siding is easy to install is that the manufacturer ships it with longer planks. They’re generally 16 feet long, resulting in fewer seams. Besides accelerating the process, it can also make a huge aesthetic difference.

Lastly, the siding can be cut more easily due to its wood composition. Fiber cement solutions are notorious for their rigidity, but you won’t have this issue with LP Smart Siding.

The contractors can cut the unit to specific measurements in double-quick time with standard saws.

Less Dust When Cutting

Conventional wood siding leaves piles of dust when cut. This creates a massive mess that can take days to clean up. LP Siding eliminates this problem with an advanced design.

The product combines wax, resin, and wood to minimize the mess when cutting the boards to size.

Cons

LP Smart Siding brings a lot to the table, but it also has a few notable disadvantages.

Limited Warranty

The main problem with Smart Siding is that it comes with a somewhat short warranty. As discussed earlier, the policy only covers material and craftsmanship defects for five years.

Afterward, the coverage lowers by about 2% per year, meaning you’ll only get around 60% of coverage if issues develop after two decades. Even though this is better than nothing, some siding manufacturers offer more extensive policies.

The Coating Can Flake off

LP Siding typically comes prefinished. But sometimes, the installer needs to provide the finish, which can cause several problems.

Applied incorrectly, the outer materials can start flaking off, reducing exterior protection and increasing the risk of pest infestation or moisture damage.

Engineered Siding Is Somewhat Flammable

Many homeowners avoid wood siding because it’s highly susceptible to burning. Engineered wood products, such as LP Smartside, reduce this risk, but they don’t eliminate it entirely. They are comprised of wood fibers, making them susceptible to fires.

Pro Tip: Tung and linseed oil can make wood siding more resistant to burning. It also provides an elegant sheen.

LP Smart Siding Reviews

Most customers who have mounted Smart Siding are happy with their product. The durability seems to be great and rivals some more robust solutions, such as fiber cement.

In addition, the clients have seen a drastic improvement in their home’s curb appeal. Some customers have noticed their siding flake off, but the problem seems to be caused by improper installation and not the product itself.

The biggest complaint about Smart Siding is the limited warranty. It provides minimal coverage, making some customers question the quality of the product. Moreover, some clients believe the price should be lower.

James Hardie vs Smart Siding

James Hardie siding is constructed from cellulose fibers, sand, and cement to create a robust mixture that shields and beautifies your home.

It’s most famous for its resistance to the elements, as it can endure fierce hailstorms and winds of up to 130 mph. When it comes to aesthetics, the siding is just as gorgeous as LP Smart Siding.

There are numerous color options, and each product comes with matching soffits and trim.

Another advantage of James Hardie is the low-maintenance design. You need only wash it down every 6-12 months with a soft brush or cloth and water.

Stubborn stains may require mild detergent but avoid pressure washers, since they can lead to discoloration and moisture intrusion.

This siding is also more affordable than LP’s product. The cost ranges from $5 to $11.

James Hardie outdoes LP in terms of the warranty too. The manufacturer is apparently more confident about the quality of their product, as they offer it with a 50-year policy.

However, LP is better if you want quicker installation. Hardie boards are bulky and more difficult to handle, which leads to longer mounting time. Furthermore, attaching the product on your own may nullify your warranty.

Discoloration is also a potential issue. You may need to repaint the surface after just a few years to preserve the great looks.

Pro Tip: Regularly washing siding with vinegar and water can help combat discoloration and oxidation.

Smart Siding vs Allura Siding

Allura Siding is an excellent product made of sand, silica, Portland cement, and cellulose fibers. It’s just as thick, but denser than James Hardie and LP Smart Siding.

Therefore, it may be more weather-resistant due to the heavy-duty composition. This is crucial if you live in the snowy North, humid Gulf Coast, or the arid deserts of the Southwest.

Many people consider Allura superior to LP Siding because it’s less prone to pest infestation. There are fewer organic substances, meaning termites and carpenter ants will struggle to nest in the boards.

Plus, Allura is more affordable ($4-$9 per square foot) and offers a 50-year limited warranty.

That said, Allura siding has the same downsides as James Hardie products.

Fiber cement is heavy, which can increase the cost of your installation. It’s also more challenging to cut since it requires special tools, like blades that cut through cement.

Additionally, the rigid boards can easily crack or break when dropped. Overtightening the product during installation can also lead to cracks.

Nichiha Siding vs Smart Siding

The main highlight of Nichiha siding is that it’s super durable. It’s tougher than LP Smart Siding, James Hardie, and most other solutions.

The manufacturer pours fiber cement into a heavy-duty mold to safeguard against delamination caused by water intrusion. This makes it practically invulnerable to downpours.

Besides being robust, Nichiha siding is also appealing. This fiber cement product resembles wood and is manufactured through an advanced stamping process. It provides unique patterns, pronounced shadows, and deeper grooves.

LP and Nichiha offer similar warranties. Nichiha’s wall panels are covered for 15 years, while their soffits and trim are covered for 25 years.

Moreover, installing their siding costs $8 per square foot on average.

The biggest problem with Nichiha siding is its limited availability. They may provide an array of styles, but you may not be able to install the product in your area.

LP has the same issue, but it only affects two regions, Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. Nichiha might be out of range for more people.

This leads to another problem; some contractors don’t want to install Nichiha. This is a lesser-known company than LP, and technicians rarely install products from such manufacturers.

Hence, you may need to mount the siding by yourself, which can be time-consuming and void your warranty.

Is Smart Siding the Right Choice for You?

Although LP Siding isn’t perfect for everyone, you should be pleased with the product if you need decent durability, great looks, and fast installation.

There are a number of styles and colors you can select, allowing you to customize your siding to your preferences.

The siding is also very strong despite being made of lightweight materials. Lastly, the mounting process is quick and less messy.