It’s always of value to research and investigate siding that will work for your home. You want materials that are not only durable, but reliable, and that will accommodate your needs. Limiting maintenance and bringing an attractive appearance to your home are also assets. Where should you start if you want any of these features in siding? Well, let’s compare James Hardie vs. LP SmartSide and go from there. Which of the two makes the best siding for your house?
James Hardie
James Hardie products have been in the marketplace for over a century, and their siding is known for its durability and beauty. It is protective against fire, pests, moisture, cold temperatures and mold. James Hardie is one company that builds climate control features into their siding, which allows for control of temperature extremes. If you want a product that truly withstands cold and freezing weather, James Hardie covers that.
View this post on Instagram
LP SmartSide
LP SmartSide is a lightweight siding that has existed for about 20 years. Their siding gains steady popularity because of its installation ease, style variation, and color selections.
Product Material Makeup
James Hardie uses a mixture of materials that include cement, sand, and cellulose fibers to make their siding. The cellulose fiber consists of parts of cellulose that come from plant materials, wood and bark.
The siding is a durable product that lasts indefinitely, as it’s reliable and requires limited maintenance. Using this fiber cement material means that you will go for several years without having to repaint, plus the siding is impenetrable to weather conditions and damage from pest
SmartSide is made from wood strands that have been wax coated to avoid resistance to moisture. A coating of a smart solution that consists of zinc borate adds to the product’s strength and further protects it from damage by pests and decay in general. The siding is also lightweight and much simpler to install compared to other brands.
Material Costs
The costs of siding products are comparable with James Hardie and LP SmartSide. Unless you’re budgeting, the product’s cost will probably not be a factor in whatever siding you choose. With SmartSide, you figure the costs of materials and installation at about $9.00 per square foot; whereas the costs of James Hardie siding come to about $10 per square foot. With the heaviness of the James Hardie cement siding, figure in the added material and costs of installation. Though there is a difference with the added dollar, a return on your investment is inevitable when you use James Hardie’s fiber cement siding.
Appearance Of Siding
Both siding selections give you options that meet design and style tastes. James Hardie offers different styles (six) of lap siding that come in both smooth, smooth beaded and rough selections. HardiePlank is the more popular of styles and is like cedar shingles in appearance. It is available in both a smooth or textured siding that is similar to wood.
There are also 15 siding color selections in the Statement Collection and other color choices through their Dream Collection. Remember the baked-in color technology through ColorPlus which helps maintain paint anywhere from 12 to 14 years.
With LP SmartSide you receive five different styles of lap siding in Cedar Texture bold profiles, Colonial Beaded and Smooth Finish. They give a choice with the siding being finished during the manufacturing process or waiting and painting the siding once the installation is complete.
Warranties
There are differences in the warranties with Hardie and SmartSide. Smartside has a 50-year limited warranty that’s prorated. Hardie’s warranty is not prorated and runs for 30 years. In looking at warranties, you want to go beyond the number of years and get into what a warranty does and doesn’t cover.
James Hardie Warranty
The James Hardie 30-year siding warranty appears to be a stellar package, and even other Hardie products come in a non-prorated form with a 15-year warranty.
LP SmartSide Warranty
LP Smartside customers receive a 50-year warranty that is limited. If defects in siding are present, the 100 percent warranty only covers any of those defects for the first five years. As the years progress, 6-49, the warranty reduces by 2.2 percent a year. So, over a 30-year period that only equals out to 34 percent coverage; whereas with a Hardie warranty, you will receive 100 percent coverage after 30 years.
Maintenance
With James Hardie siding materials, you’ll only need general cleaning with soap, water, and a soft brush. Cleaning keeps mold and mildew to a minimum, while caulking helps prevent any water seepage from getting into the siding.
LP Smartside requires limited maintenance. In general, cleaning should happen at least every six months while you should do any painting at five years and beyond.
Installation
With either siding choice, you want experienced and licensed technicians to install your siding. If you want both an honest and good job, you’ll need to do some research to find an NJ siding contractor who can do the siding installation in a professional and timely manner. Your installation should be accurate and pleasing in appearance. After all, curb appeal is one incentive that adds to the attractiveness and value of your home.
Better Of The Two
Fiber cement materials found in James Hardie siding appear to give it a slight edge over LP SmartSide siding in its materials and features. It’s appreciated by homeowners as an excellent investment in their homes and fits their needs as a top brand in cement-based siding. Its quality, appearance, durability, reliability and warranties make it a top choice for anyone. In comparison, LP SmartSide has its advantages in being less expensive and lighter for easier installation. It requires less seaming in trim work and is resistant to sudden impact. Also, being made of wood fiber makes it an eco-friendly and sustainable product, and its appearance is what homeowners desire to improve curb appeal.
Both James Hardie and LP SmartSide siding have advantages that are given here. Should you have further questions about either product, contact RGB Construction at 856-264-9093. They’ll be happy to answer your inquiries and get you on the road to the best siding choice for your home.
