When it comes to renovating your home, finding the right materials for your next renovation is extremely important if you want it to look and last a long time. When it comes to selecting the best siding to install, many homeowners are torn between James Hardie fiber cement siding and LP SmartSide siding (engineered wood).
Quality is one of the first considerations when it comes to selecting siding. This can encompass many categories, but I wanted to narrow it down to some key considerations. First, James Hardie Siding is made of fiber cement, so unlike wood siding, the material does not rot at all, which is HUGE plus because LP SmartSide isn’t rot-free at all. Because it is a composited material, the siding is also quite durable, lasting for years with what seems to be minimal upkeep.
Another benefit of James Hardie Siding is that is it also extremely fire resistant – as seen in the video above. It maintains its structure rather well given the extended burning. In an emergency that can provide any family vital time to escape from a fire.
Regarding its resistance, the siding’s material is also resistant to several common pests. That means termites and woodpeckers can’t go up against the fiber cement siding. That’s a good thing as I have worries about pests where I live. Lastly, the brand also takes sustainability seriously, which is important. If I can keep my home looking pleasing and resistant to the weather, all while helping the environment just a bit, well, I’d consider that a win-win.
James Hardie Siding also comes in various forms, as seen on the James Hardie website. For example, James Hardie Siding can come in Select Cedarmill or Colonial Roughsawn Lap Siding, or James Hardie Stucco sheets which comes in 4×8 foot sheets.
There are a couple of things to consider regarding James Hardie siding. One thing to consider is that the James Hardie siding material is significantly heavier than LP Smartside and may require a little more installation time. That means that installing James Hardie Siding will require more of a time investment or skilled labor to install, which will increase the cost of installation.
LP SmartSide’s SmartGuard® ensures a longer-lasting wood siding. This is because the engineered wood is more robust and weather-resistant than traditional wood siding (however it does not outperform Cedar Wood Siding).
This wood is considered engineered for a couple of reasons, but the main one is that the wood is treated with Zinc Borate, an additive, and various resins and waxes.
The nature of the siding also carries some benefits. For example, the LP SmartSide siding is lighter and easier to install than fiber cement siding, reportedly up to 22% faster to install, according to LP SmartSide. Furthermore, the durability of the engineered wood allows it to stand up to a diverse array of weather. If someone is looking for a natural, wood-look for siding, LP SmartSide would be a great option.
There are some things to keep in mind regarding LP SmartSide siding. For one, engineered wood is still wood, which can warp. Furthermore, engineered wood is still prone to rot and deterioration, which can be another issue. Another consideration to make is that fiber cement stands up better to fire. In the worst-case scenario of your home catching on fire, LP Smartside will not hold up as good as James Hardie Siding.
Most homeowners neglect to think about how vital siding is to our homes. It isn’t the most glamorous part of a house to keep up, but can do a lot to maintain the exterior and insulate the structure and increase curbside appeal. As far as why siding is so important, we’ve narrowed it to four reasons. These are the main things to consider when selecting house siding.
Siding is part of what is called a “waterproof” envelope. Water can do quite a lot of damage to any structure when it constantly runs through the same areas over and over again, which was how the Grand Canyon was formed. You don’t want to underestimate how much damage water can do, so reducing the chance of water seeping into your home is important.
For example, the average home insurance claim for water damage is over $10,000 in the US as of 2020. There are multiple safeguards to protect the insides from excess moisture in the home. For example, the roof, gutters, and a strong foundation do a lot to keep a home dry.
However, siding plays an important role as well. Good quality and durable siding can do a lot to keep that moisture out and prevent heavy water damage. If you want to keep your house from becoming a damp mess, you need to consider the effectiveness of the siding in preventing water from coming in overtime.
It is pretty easy for a home to become rocked by inclement weather. Heat and winds can have a debilitating effect on the structure, and proper siding is critical in reducing the damage the elements can have on a home. Storms can do tremendous damage to homes, and the costs can add up. Going with strong siding is essential to prevent seasonal damage from building up. However, even outside of shielding from the elements, siding has another critical role to play: energy efficiency.
Siding is key to achieving proper energy usage in my home. Good siding will allow any house to retain its heat in winter and stay cool in the summer. That saves me money. Between proper window sealing and the right choice in siding, this can help you keep your home energy costs stable.
Along with the weather, if you live in a wooded area, not having durable and high quality siding can leave your home open to termites, pests, and rodents. Specifically, insects can be a big problem and can work their way into a home that does not have the proper protection.
These little annoyances often work their way into the walls of any home through cracks and gaps in siding. Wood siding can be a target for wood-boring beetles that can cost up to $5000 to remove from a pest control company.
On top of the practical considerations when it comes to siding, you also want your home to look nice. If you really love your home, you just cannot settle for less and go with a cheap type of siding, so make sure you have carefully thought about your siding selection before hiring a siding contractor in your area.
Siding is also an excellent investment for any home, we’ve even seen that homeowners can recoup over 70% of the total siding replacement costs when selling a house, now that’s a lot more compared to other renovations that might be done in a typical house in America. Just about any siding replacement will add to the value of a home. So, when weighing at my options for siding, they need to look good and increase the value of my house.
Ultimately, given that the cost between the James Hardie siding and LP SmartSide siding isn’t that much different. If you want a long term investment for your home and don’t want to worry about the potential for rot and pests to flood your home in the near future then James Hardie Siding is the best option for house siding.
So, when comparing the two brands on our four criterias, James Hardie siding is the best option when it comes to durability, efficiency, pest resistance, and curb appeal. Much of it comes down to durability and pest resistance, because wood, even if chemically treated, will not be able to withstand the constant beating of the outside elements as much as Hardie Siding. James Hardie fiber cement siding is far more durable as explained in this article on the benefits of James Hardie Siding and there are different types of James Hardie Siding to choose from.
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