James Hardie vs. LP SmartSide: Which Is The Best Siding For Your House?
— by William Johnson Expert in Siding Installation
William Johnson
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Siding Expert over 9 years in Business
Have Questions?
Many homes choose to use siding from James Hardie and LP SmartSide, but why these two manufacturers specifically? Most people can sum up the response in two words: dependability and durability.
Contractors and consumers who discover that James Hardie siding can withstand mold, rain, freezing temperatures, and pests have become devoted customers. It’s one of the most popular substitutes for vinyl or wood siding. It won’t rot, split, warp, or curl because it is made to withstand harsh UV rays.
For similar reasons, LP SmartSide has developed an equally devoted following; also, it is lighter and simpler to install than James Hardie. SmartSide lap siding and trim have fewer seams and are incredibly impact resistant.
At VIS Exterior, we get a lot of questions from customers about which type of siding they should have installed on their homes. The answer from us is always James Hardie or LP SmartSide siding. Why, you might ask?
We know our customers want something that looks amazing, lasts a long time, and protects their property since as a professional siding contractor, we’ve gathered a lot of expertise working with many types of materials from many companies over the years. James Hardie and LP SmartSide are a great fit for those specifications.
What makes James Hardie and LP SmartSide so popular in the siding market?
For contractors, business owners and homeowners who want the look of wood without the maintenance or cost, LP SmartSide siding is a good fit. The company builds siding products that have the beauty and warmth of wood, but with added durability. It has become so popular with builders that LP Building Products began planning manufacturing expansion years ago to meet demand.
About James Hardie fiber cement siding
Just because James Hardie is keeping it simple doesn’t mean they’re cutting corners. The fiber cement siding contains but four materials: water, wood pulp, Portland cement and fly ash.
The company’s “recipe” is engineered to be fireproof and rot-proof. It’s also resistant to the cold and wind, and it’s impervious to termites, carpenter ants and other pests. James Hardie’s approach to manufacturing fiber cement siding has made the company an industry leader in that space.
Do you need siding that can survive winds of up to 130 mph? James Hardie meets that requirement for all of its fiber cement siding products.
Both homeowners and contractors value material appearance in addition to durability. The siding is available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and 23 colors. James Hardie offers about every combination you can imagine: smooth, beaded smooth, vertical panels, staggered edge, straight edge, half rounds, individual shingles, etc.
About LP SmartSide wood siding
It can be challenging to decide which of these products is the greatest fit for your siding job because there are so many positive reviews about each of them. The conflict between LP SmartSide and James Hardie is comparable to the rivalries between titans in other industries, such as Mac versus PC, Pepsi or Coke, Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks, McDonald’s and Burger King, in that it ultimately boils down to personal preference.
Because of their exceptional durability and attractive appearance, lap, panel, trim, and soffit materials are in high demand from builders, remodelers, and do-it-yourself enthusiasts alike.
Professional contractors are quoted in case studies on the company’s website as saying they install the device in their own homes since they like it so much. The 50-year transferable limited guarantee that LP SmartSide siding products offer, however, might have some of the appeal.
They make a proprietary siding made of fibers and strands of wood. Premium exterior-grade resins are used to glue these components together. The material is made particularly durable by the resins, which enable it to resist high humidity, heavy rain, heat, and cold. In addition, a zinc borate compound is used throughout the production process to protect the material from mildew and fungus.
Builders will choose this siding over fiber cement siding if weight is a concern because the wood and resin are lighter and simpler to work with and install. Additionally, because LP SmartSide siding can be cut with the same saws used to cut standard wood, builders don’t need to arm themselves with specialized equipment.
Comparison of pros and cons James Hardie & LP SmartSide
James Hardie fiber cement advantages
- • Many styles from which to choose
- • Resists hail damage
- • Withstands winds up to 130 mph
- • Matching trim and soffit available with all siding products
- • 30-year warranty
- • Better curb appeal than vinyl siding
- • Noticeably different look and texture than other brands
- • Easy to wash
- • Durable
- • No shrinking
- • Warp resistant
- • Low maintenance
- • Good fit for weather typical of the Midwest
- • Authentic wood look without the hassles of real wood
- • Excellent seal
- • Up to five times thicker than vinyl
- • ASTM-rated for fire protection due to the fiber cement material
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