Engineered wood siding has revolutionized the exterior cladding industry, and LP SmartSide leads the market with a product that combines the beauty of real wood with advanced engineering that outperforms traditional siding materials in virtually every category. At Weatherguard Construction, we're certified LP SmartSide installers with 25+ years of experience helping homeowners across Stillwater, Woodbury, Minneapolis, and the Twin Cities metro upgrade to this exceptional siding product. Here's why LP SmartSide has become our most recommended siding material.
What Is Engineered Wood Siding?
Engineered wood siding is manufactured from wood strands that are treated with resins and waxes, then formed under heat and pressure into durable, dimensionally stable panels and planks. Unlike natural wood that retains its original grain structure (with all the knots, splits, and inconsistencies that come with it), engineered wood creates a uniform, predictable product that maintains wood's natural beauty while eliminating its weaknesses.
LP SmartSide, manufactured by LP Building Solutions, is the premium leader in this category. Their proprietary SmartGuard manufacturing process treats the wood strands with zinc borate (for pest and decay resistance) and bonds them with a durable binder before applying a moisture-resistant overlay. The result is a siding product that looks like real wood but performs like a modern engineered material.
The SmartGuard Advantage
What sets LP SmartSide apart from other engineered wood products — and from earlier generations of engineered siding that earned a poor reputation — is the SmartGuard process. This four-layer protection system includes:
- Treated wood strands — Zinc borate treatment throughout the entire substrate resists termites, fungal decay, and other wood-destroying organisms
- Durable binder resins — Advanced resins bind the wood strands into a stable, consistent matrix
- Moisture-resistant overlay — A resin-saturated overlay on the face provides a smooth, paintable surface that resists moisture penetration
- Primer coating — Factory-applied primer provides immediate protection and excellent paint adhesion
This multi-layer protection addresses every failure mode that plagued earlier engineered wood products, making LP SmartSide a fundamentally different and superior product.
Why LP SmartSide Excels in Minnesota
Impact Resistance
Minnesota's severe thunderstorms frequently produce damaging hail. LP SmartSide's engineered wood construction gives it exceptional impact resistance — dramatically outperforming both vinyl and fiber cement. While vinyl shatters and fiber cement cracks on impact, LP SmartSide flexes and absorbs impact energy without breaking.
For homeowners in Maple Grove, Eagan, Bloomington, and other hail-prone areas, this impact resistance translates to fewer insurance claims, less frequent repairs, and greater peace of mind during storm season.
Cold-Climate Performance
Unlike vinyl that becomes brittle in extreme cold or fiber cement that can suffer freeze-thaw damage if moisture penetrates, LP SmartSide maintains its integrity across Minnesota's full temperature range. The treated wood strand substrate handles thermal cycling without cracking, warping, or becoming fragile — even at -30°F and below.
Lightweight Construction
LP SmartSide weighs approximately 1.15 lbs per square foot — less than half the weight of fiber cement (2.5 lbs per square foot). This lighter weight means:
- Faster installation (saving labor costs)
- No need for structural assessment of existing walls
- Easier handling for installers, resulting in more precise installation
- Less stress on wall framing, especially for older Minnesota homes
Authentic Wood Aesthetic
LP SmartSide features a deep cedar-grain texture that captures the warmth and character of real wood siding. Unlike vinyl's plastic appearance or fiber cement's sometimes flat finish, LP SmartSide looks and feels like genuine wood — because it is real wood, just engineered for superior performance.
The product is available in multiple profiles:
- Lap siding in 6", 8", and 12" exposures
- Board and batten vertical panels with applied battens
- Panel siding for contemporary and commercial applications
- Soffit panels for a cohesive exterior system
- Trim boards in various widths for finishing details
Unlimited Color Options
Because LP SmartSide takes paint exceptionally well, you can choose literally any color for your home. Unlike vinyl (limited to factory colors that can't be changed) or James Hardie ColorPlus (limited palette of factory colors), LP SmartSide gives you complete creative freedom. This is particularly valuable for homeowners following the trend toward bold, dark siding colors that vinyl cannot safely accommodate.
Paint adhesion on LP SmartSide's overlay surface is excellent, and properly applied premium exterior paint typically lasts 12–15 years before repainting is needed.
The LP SmartSide Warranty
LP SmartSide's 5/50 limited warranty is one of the strongest in the industry:
- 5-year 100% labor and material coverage
- 50-year prorated substrate coverage against manufacturing defects, fungal decay, and termite damage
This warranty coverage reflects LP's confidence in the SmartGuard technology and gives homeowners decades of protection on their siding investment.
LP SmartSide vs. the Competition
vs. Vinyl Siding
LP SmartSide costs more than vinyl ($8–$13 vs. $4–$8 per sq ft installed) but delivers dramatically superior performance in impact resistance, cold-weather durability, aesthetics, and longevity. For Minnesota homeowners who can invest in a premium product, LP SmartSide eliminates the compromises that come with vinyl.
vs. James Hardie Fiber Cement
LP SmartSide and James Hardie are direct competitors in the premium siding market. LP SmartSide's advantages include lighter weight (faster, less expensive installation), superior impact resistance, and lower freeze-thaw risk. James Hardie's main advantage is fire resistance (Class A vs. LP SmartSide's Class B). Both offer excellent aesthetics and long-term durability.
vs. Natural Wood
LP SmartSide delivers the wood aesthetic that natural wood lovers want, but with far less maintenance (repainting every 12–15 years vs. every 3–7 years for stained cedar), better pest resistance, superior dimensional stability, and a 50-year warranty. Natural wood can't match LP SmartSide's engineered consistency.
Choosing a Certified LP SmartSide Installer
LP SmartSide's performance depends on proper installation. As a certified LP SmartSide installer, Weatherguard Construction follows LP's detailed installation specifications, including proper flashing, fastening patterns, clearances, and caulking requirements. Certified installation helps ensure your warranty remains valid and your siding performs as intended for decades.
Contact Weatherguard Construction at (651) 439-4320 or book a free consultation to learn how LP SmartSide can transform your home. We serve homeowners across St. Paul, the Twin Cities metro, Schaumburg, IL, and Centennial, CO. Visit our LP SmartSide page for more details and project photos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is LP SmartSide the same as the engineered wood siding that failed in the past?
No. Earlier engineered wood products (like Louisiana-Pacific's original Inner Seal siding from the 1990s) used different technology that was susceptible to moisture damage. LP SmartSide uses a completely redesigned SmartGuard process with zinc borate treatment and moisture-resistant overlays that address every failure mode of those earlier products. LP SmartSide has been on the market since 1997 with an excellent track record.
How often does LP SmartSide need to be repainted?
With quality exterior paint, LP SmartSide typically needs repainting every 12–15 years. This is comparable to fiber cement and significantly less frequent than natural wood, which may need restaining every 3–7 years.
Does LP SmartSide come pre-painted?
LP SmartSide comes with a factory-applied primer that provides immediate moisture protection. Final paint color is applied after installation. Some LP SmartSide dealers offer pre-finishing services that apply your chosen color before the siding arrives on site, saving time during installation.
Can LP SmartSide be used for commercial buildings?
Yes. LP SmartSide's Panel and Trim products are used extensively in light commercial, multi-family, and institutional applications. The lighter weight compared to fiber cement makes it particularly popular for multi-story commercial projects where structural load is a consideration.
