LP SmartSide and traditional wood siding both offer charm, durability, and a natural aesthetic that’s hard to beat. But which one is right for your home?
Making the right decision isn’t just about how it looks, though curb appeal definitely plays a role. Who doesn’t want a house that turns heads for the right reasons?
You also need to think about maintenance, longevity, cost, and how each material stands up to your region’s climate. Whether you’re building from scratch or upgrading your exterior, this comparison will help you understand what each material offers and how to choose the best fit for your goals.
Let’s break it down so you can make the smartest call when it comes to your wood or LP SmartSide siding installation.
What Is LP SmartSide?
LP SmartSide is an engineered wood product made by treating wood strands or fibers with resins and zinc borate, then compressing them to form boards. The finished product is then coated with a resin-saturated overlay that improves durability and resistance to moisture and pests. It’s like wood’s tougher, tech-savvy cousin, giving you the natural look of real wood, but with a modern suit of armor.
You’ll often see LP SmartSide recommended in regions with fluctuating temperatures or heavy moisture. Its design is meant to handle a wide range of weather conditions, and the treatment process helps protect against fungal decay and termites, those pesky party crashers who love to nibble on traditional wood siding.
What About Wood Siding?
Real wood siding, such as cedar or redwood, has been used on homes for centuries. It’s admired for its authentic appearance, natural texture, and warmth. Each board boasts its own grain, giving your home a distinctive character you can’t replicate with synthetic materials.
You can finish wood in just about any color or stain, and it’s often used in craftsman-style homes, cabins, or anywhere you want a classic, organic look. But with great beauty comes great responsibility. Wood siding asks for ongoing care to maintain its structure and charm.
If you love the idea of a hands-on relationship with your home and don’t mind rolling up your sleeves for regular upkeep, wood siding might whisper sweet nothings to your aesthetic soul and tradition-loving heart.
Durability and Resistance
One significant factor to consider is how each material holds up over time. LP SmartSide is built to resist damage from hail, termites, and moisture. Thanks to its engineered core and SmartGuard® process, it has a tough exterior that is less likely to rot or swell.
While durable when treated right, wood siding is far more vulnerable to the elements. It can warp or crack in fluctuating temperatures, and it sends an open invitation to rot if you skip on sealing. Watch out for woodpeckers and insects, nature’s decorators who just love a tasty piece of untreated wood.
If you live in a region with high humidity, snowfall, or dramatic weather shifts, LP SmartSide might give you better long-term performance with fewer worries.
Maintenance and Upkeep
Here’s where LP SmartSide pulls ahead as the low-maintenance superstar it is. Its engineered surface requires minimal babysitting. Occasional cleaning and repainting every 10–15 years does the trick to keep it looking sharp. The finish adheres well, so you won’t need to worry about chipping or flaking for quite a while.
Wood siding, by comparison, is more demanding. You’ll need to inspect it regularly for signs of decay, insect visitors, or water damage. Repainting or restaining every three to five years is the name of the game to protect it from the elements. Minor issues can snowball into wallet-busting repairs if you’re inconsistent with upkeep.
So if your time is limited or you prefer a no-chores-on-Saturdays lifestyle, LP SmartSide will slide more smoothly into your routine.
Appearance and Design Flexibility
Both options deliver a warm, welcoming aesthetic. LP SmartSide is manufactured to mimic real wood, and from a distance, most people won’t blink twice. It comes in a variety of styles, including lap siding, shakes, panels, and more, and it can be pre-finished in the color of your choice or painted on-site for a personal choice.
Wood siding offers the real deal. If you prefer the feel of real cedar under your hand or want the rustic charm that only natural grain can deliver, wood is unmatched. Since you’re working with an organic canvas, you also have greater freedom in customizing the finish and color tones. That creative freedom can genuinely make your home one of a kind.
Installation Differences
LP SmartSide is lightweight and comes in longer panels, which makes it faster to install and reduces the number of seams. That’s good news for you because faster installation usually means lower labor costs and less disruption to your daily routine. It’s like giving your home a life-changing makeover without sitting in a waiting room for hours.
Wood siding can be more time-consuming and requires skilled installers to get the look just right. There’s more variability in board sizes and quality, which means more patience and attention to detail are needed to finish the job just right. After your initial search for “home siding installers near me,” vet your options carefully and select a contractor with the patience to install your wood siding correctly.
Longevity and Warranty Coverage
Warranties can provide peace of mind, especially for large home improvement investments. LP SmartSide has a 5/50-year limited warranty—five years of complete coverage followed by 50 years of prorated protection. That’s the manufacturer’s way of saying, “We’ve got your back for the long haul.”
Wood siding doesn’t come with a manufacturer’s warranty. Its lifespan depends almost entirely on how well you maintain it. With excellent care, it can last decades. But that kind of longevity comes with a price tag of time, elbow grease, and consistent attention.
Take Your Pick
Choosing between LP SmartSide and traditional wood siding comes down to what you value most. If you’re drawn to classic aesthetics and don’t mind putting in the effort, wood siding will reward you with timeless beauty and craftsmanship. But if you want something that delivers the same warm look with modern strength, LP SmartSide is a wise, practical choice.
At BigHorn Roofing, we help you navigate your siding options with confidence. Our team offers expert installation of both LP SmartSide and traditional wood products, so you get the look and performance that best suits your home and your lifestyle.
Ready to make the switch or start fresh with new siding? Contact us today for a consultation, and let’s find the perfect fit for your home’s exterior.