Choose Durable Residential Siding

Fiber cement vs. engineered wood – freeze-thaw cycles from Denver to Boston
Fiber cement siding is typically more brittle than engineered wood, making it more susceptible to breaking or cracking (www.lpsmartside.com) such as from an errantly thrown ball.

Cracking may also occur when water penetrates and remains in the cement substrate and freezes and expands as the outside temperature falls. Repeated cycles of freeze and thaw may enlarge the cracks.

In fact, freeze-thaw cycles can occur multiple times in a day. Following from the National Climatic Data Center are examples of U.S. cities and their average annual freeze-thaw cycles: Denver, 105; Minneapolis 51; Chicago, 56; St. Louis, 46; Washington, D.C., 76; Philadelphia, 52; New York, 39; Hartford, Conn., 75; and Boston, 47.

Vinyl vs. engineered wood
Although vinyl siding is popular in some parts of the country, it will fade over time to a different and unpredictable shade. It is difficult to refinish. Vinyl becomes more brittle in the winter in colder climates and as such is susceptible to cracking from impact against it. Even in warmer seasons, pliable vinyl siding is susceptible to damage from impact from stones thrown by a lawn mower, baseballs or hail.

Homeowners may not know that because vinyl is affixed more loosely on the house to allow for contraction and expansion, a strong wind event may cause the siding to chatter on the underneath structure and adjacent pieces of vinyl. Finally, because of its material properties, vinyl siding may be more challenging to dispose of responsibly.

Traditional wood vs. engineered wood
Unlike some traditional wood siding, LP SmartSide products resist warping, checking and splitting. Traditional wood typically requires more maintenance than other siding materials. This includes paint scraping and more frequent painting because traditional wood expands and contracts more through the seasons than engineered wood.

In addition to better termite and fungal decay resistance via the innovative  SmartGuard process, LP SmartSide products are factory pre-primed to take and keep paint well, delivering optimal adhesion and consistent application.

To contact an LP preferred remodeler to get started on a home project right away, visit www.smartsidenow.com/find-contractor.

To visualize a personalized exterior residential siding project, visit www.smartsidenow.com/design-planner. For more information about LP SmartSide Trim and Siding, call 888.820.0325 or visit www.smartsidenow.com/products/Exterior.aspx.

About LP Building Products
Louisiana-Pacific Corporation is a leading manufacturer of quality engineered wood building materials including OSB, structural framing products, and exterior siding for use in residential, industrial and light commercial construction. From manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Canada, Chile and Brazil, LP products are sold to builders and homeowners through building materials distributors and dealers and retail home centers. Founded in 1973, LP is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, and traded on the New York Stock Exchange under LPX. For more information, visit www.lpcorp.com.

SOURCE LP(R) SmartSide(R) Trim and Siding