Expert LP SmartSide Installation in Illinois
Weatherguard Construction is a certified LP SmartSide installer serving homeowners across Illinois who want the beauty of real wood siding with the durability of modern engineering. LP SmartSide engineered wood siding has become the siding of choice for discerning Illinois homeowners, and Weatherguard's trained installers ensure every project achieves the performance and aesthetics this premium product is designed to deliver.
LP SmartSide combines the natural warmth and beauty of wood with advanced SmartGuard technology that protects against impacts, moisture, fungal decay, and termites. The result is siding that looks like real wood, performs like engineered material, and lasts for decades with simple paint maintenance.
LP SmartSide Product Lines We Install
- LP SmartSide Lap Siding: Available in smooth and cedar-grain textures with multiple exposure widths. The most popular profile for traditional and transitional home styles. Pre-primed and ready for any paint color.
- LP SmartSide Panel Siding: Large-format panels ideal for modern, contemporary, and farmhouse aesthetics. Available in smooth and textured finishes. Can be installed vertically or horizontally.
- LP SmartSide Shakes: Engineered shake panels that replicate the look of hand-split cedar shakes without the splitting, cupping, and rot issues of natural cedar. Perfect for accent areas, gables, and full-home applications.
- LP SmartSide Trim & Fascia: Coordinated trim, fascia, soffit, and corner boards engineered with the same SmartGuard technology. Available in multiple widths and profiles for a complete, cohesive exterior finish.
Why LP SmartSide Is Ideal for Illinois Homes
Illinois's climate is one of the most demanding in the country for exterior building materials. LP SmartSide is engineered to handle every challenge our weather presents:
- Impact Resistance: LP SmartSide withstands impacts from hail, lawn equipment, and debris far better than vinyl siding, which cracks and shatters in cold weather. This is critical in Illinois where hailstorms are common and vinyl becomes brittle below freezing.
- Moisture Management: SmartGuard technology treats every strand of the engineered wood substrate with zinc borate, providing protection against moisture infiltration, fungal decay, and termites from the inside out.
- Thermal Stability: LP SmartSide does not expand and contract with temperature changes like vinyl siding. This means no waviness, no gaps at joints, and consistent performance across Illinois's 110+ degree annual temperature range.
- Paintability: Unlike vinyl that is limited to factory-molded colors and cannot be repainted, LP SmartSide accepts any exterior latex paint, giving Illinois homeowners unlimited color choices and the ability to refresh or change colors any time.
LP SmartSide Warranty
LP SmartSide carries an industry-leading 5/50-year limited warranty. The first 5 years provide full replacement coverage with no proration. Years 6-50 provide prorated coverage based on the original purchase price. This is one of the strongest siding warranties available and reflects LP's confidence in SmartGuard-protected engineered wood technology.
The warranty covers defects in materials and manufacturing, including resistance to fungal decay and termite damage. When properly installed by a certified contractor like Weatherguard and maintained with regular painting, LP SmartSide delivers decades of reliable protection and beauty for Illinois homes.
LP SmartSide vs. Other Siding Materials
Choosing the right siding material is a major decision for Illinois homeowners. Here's how LP SmartSide compares to the most common alternatives:
LP SmartSide vs. Vinyl Siding: Vinyl is the lowest-cost siding option but comes with significant drawbacks in Illinois's climate. Vinyl becomes brittle below 20°F and can crack or shatter on impact from hail, flying debris, or even a stray baseball. Vinyl also expands and contracts significantly with temperature changes, creating visible waviness and gaps at joints. LP SmartSide maintains its rigidity and impact resistance regardless of temperature, offers a more authentic wood appearance, and can be painted any color — unlike vinyl which is limited to factory colors.
LP SmartSide vs. Fiber Cement (James Hardie): Fiber cement is a durable siding option but is significantly heavier than LP SmartSide, requiring specialized cutting tools and installation equipment. Fiber cement is also more brittle and can crack during installation or from impact. LP SmartSide is lighter, easier to cut and install, and offers better impact resistance. Both products require painting maintenance, though LP SmartSide accepts paint more readily and holds color well.
LP SmartSide vs. Natural Wood: Natural cedar or pine siding offers authentic beauty but requires extensive maintenance including regular staining or painting, and is susceptible to rot, insect damage, splitting, and cupping. LP SmartSide provides the same wood appearance with dramatically less maintenance and superior engineered protection against all of these common wood failure modes.
The Weatherguard LP SmartSide Installation Process
Proper installation is essential to maximizing LP SmartSide's performance and warranty coverage. Weatherguard's certified siding crews follow LP Building Solutions' installation specifications precisely, ensuring every detail meets the manufacturer's requirements.
Our process begins with a thorough exterior inspection and removal of existing siding down to the sheathing. We assess the wall structure for any moisture damage, repair or replace damaged areas, and install a quality weather-resistant barrier (house wrap) to create a continuous drainage plane behind the new siding. We maintain the proper 6-inch clearance from grade level required by LP and ensure all flashing details around windows, doors, and penetrations are watertight.
LP SmartSide boards are installed with corrosion-resistant fasteners, properly gapped at joints per LP specifications, and caulked with premium, paintable sealant at all butt joints and transitions. All cut ends are treated with LP's recommended primer to maintain the SmartGuard protection. After installation, we apply two coats of premium exterior latex paint for maximum color richness and UV protection.
A complete LP SmartSide re-siding project for a typical Illinois home takes 1-3 weeks depending on the home's size and complexity. We protect your landscaping, clean up thoroughly each day, and leave your home looking beautiful from every angle.