LP Smartside vs. Vinyl Siding: What to Choose?
Exterior siding on your home is more than just an aesthetic choice. Siding is an important component as it is the first line of defense against weather such as rain, snow and hail. Siding also acts as a layer of insulation for your home. The two most common types of exterior siding used in the U.S. are LP Smartside and Vinyl Siding. So let’s compare the two and help you choose!
What are the materials of the siding?
LP Smartside is comprised of engineered wood. This product is made of wood strands/chips that are coated with a mixture of waxes and resins.
Vinyl is comprised of engineered product. This product is polyvinyl chloride resin (PVC) or simply put a plastic material.
What is the durability?
LP siding is very resistant to environmental wear, especially moisture. LP siding is a great choice for any climate. It is also high-impact resistant, meaning it is less likely to be damaged by hail, baseballs, etc.
Vinyl is flexible yet does not dent easily. It is highly scratch-resistant. However, vinyl can crack or break in cold environments or hard wind gusts.
What type of maintenance is needed?
Both sidings need to be washed to remove debris that can cause mold and mildew growth. LP siding also requires repainting every so often, while vinyl tends to retain its hue for longer periods. This is because LP siding color is painted on while vinyl colors go all the way through the siding. LP siding has a higher chance for mold/mildew so it is recommended to keep spraying water away from LP siding such as from a sprinkler.
What is the cost?
LP Smartside generally cost $7-$14 per square foot for materials and installation.
Vinyl generally cost $3.50-$7.50 per square foot for materials and installation.
What does it look like?
Both LP and vinyl sidings are customizable and come in a variety of colors and textures. Vinyl has a wider variety of styles such as Dutch lap, Clapboard, Scalloped, Batten, and Bearded. LP siding comes in styles such as shakes and lap siding. LP also offers wood-like textures or smooth textures.
So which would you choose?
We prefer LP siding for its durability as well as looks!