The term “engineered wood” is one that most contractors and homeowners are familiar with — and for good reason. The processes and chemicals used to manufacture different products in the engineered wood category perform exceptionally well, last longer than natural products and have proven to be economical to own.
This is true of engineered wood siding as well. In recent years, dramatic improvements have been made that give engineered wood siding options more natural looks while simultaneously reducing the risk of rot and making it almost impervious to insect damage. LP® SmartSide® Trim & Siding is a leader in this category, giving your business a proven product that your customers will love.
No Longer Depend On Traditional Wood
Historically, natural wood has been used for exterior siding because it is beautiful and could be resourced from abundant forest lands throughout North America. Over time, environmental concerns have diminished the availability of the more popular wood sidings, and maintenance requirements have made many homeowners shy away from wanting real wood siding on their homes.
However, the charm and appeal of wood siding continue to entice homeowners. Thankfully, engineered wood siding types like LP® SmartSide® are filling the void. Homebuilders are using it to provide the look of natural cedar without the high maintenance cost and the negative impact on today’s forests.
How Is Engineered Wood Siding Made?
LP SmartSide is a combination of real wood, resins, glues and waxes that are combined through a process of heat and pressure to produce a board that:
- Resists moisture
- Looks like real wood
- Requires very little maintenance
- Can be painted
- Is available in multiple patterns and sizes
All LP SmartSide Trim & Siding is treated with their proprietary SmartGuard® zinc-borate process that inhibits fungal growth and termite damage, adding to the overall durability of the siding. This also means fewer callbacks for you.
Is Engineered Wood Siding Competitively Priced?
True cost must take into account material, labor and maintenance. When it comes to engineered wood siding cost, LP SmartSide is:
- Less expensive than cedar siding from a material standpoint
- Easier to install because it is easier to locate than cedar
- Comes in standard 16’ lengths
- Is already primed
- Is lighter than wood
LP SmartSide is available prefinished with 16 different color options, called ExpertFinish Trim & Siding. Once everything is tallied up, your professional builders and weekend warriors will appreciate the long-term savings of LP SmartSide.
ExpertFinish® Benefits
LP SmartSide’s ExpertFinish is not just painted on the trim and siding panels. The acrylic latex paint goes through a patented process that makes it extremely durable and long-lasting. Both the primer and finish coat are sourced from the same trusted supplier, who applies uniform color in a controlled environment. No matter the texture variation of your LP SmartSide siding, you get a consistent paint coating. And ExpertFinish Lap features a proprietary joint that helps you avoid the need for seam caulking, joint molds or pan flashing.
What Are the Pros and Cons?
Rest assured, this is not the same product today, even though you will hear builders say it is. The issues were addressed with multiple upgrades, including improved resins, edge treatment and zinc-borate, to mention a few. You can sell and use LP SmartSide with confidence.
Why should you choose LP SmartSide over traditional wood?
- A 50-year warranty (first 5 years-full labor and material)
- Water-resistant
- Sold in 16’ lengths, making installation easy
- Pre-primed
- Looks like wood
- Eco-friendly: 95% of every tree harvested is used in production
- Cuts like wood so there’s no need for special tools
- No harmful dust produced when cutting
- Handles heat and cold cycles better than wood, reducing swelling and shrinkage
- Resists hail damage up to 1 ¾”
- Available prefinished as SmartSide ExpertFinish Siding & Trim
Acceptance in the marketplace is a good indicator of a siding’s performance and the level of trust placed in it. Since the introduction of LP SmartSide, there have been 15 million homes covered, proving that this is a popular and reliable option.
What Is in the LP Smartside Product Line?
LP SmartSide is available in a number of product options:
- Standard lap siding in both cedar and smooth finishes
- Staggered and straight edge shake panels
- Smooth and cedar grained 8” O.C. and plain panels
- Trim, fascia and soffit (reversible)
All are primed and ready for painting. The trim and fascia boards are reversible, eliminating the need to stock smooth and textured, saving space and inventory dollars.
U.S. LUMBER Carries the Engineered Wood Products Your Customers Want
We are in the business of providing the highest quality products to our vendors and their communities. LP SmartSide ExpertFinish Trim & Siding are just a few of the many building material product lines that we have to offer among other engineered siding materials. We invite you to contact us today or ask your rep for more information.