On the day of your LP Smart Siding installation, you were likely thrilled with the upscale appearance, authentic wood grain texture, and affordable price of your new home exterior. However, since that day, you may not have realized that your siding has been secretly suffering from concerning problems, like termite infestation, water infiltration, rot, and more.
Fortunately, there is a solution to remedy the underlying damage caused by your LP panels—fiber cement siding. We created this guide to help you understand some of the most common issues with LP siding and to show how James Hardie is the perfect replacement siding for your Portland area home.
LP Smart Siding vs. James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding
1. Durability
LP Smart Siding: LP siding is made from engineered wood—a combination of wood fibers, exterior-grade resins, and a zinc-borate compound. Unfortunately, engineered wood is still susceptible to storm damage. Homeowners with LP siding have reported rotting, disintegration, discoloration, and fungi growth on their exterior walls.
James Hardie: Hardie siding is made from fiber cement—a combination of Portland cement, sand, water, and cellulose fibers. Fiber cement is designed to withstand damage from moisture and rot and can handle the effects of rain, wind, hail, and snow. Additionally, James Hardie products are Engineered for Climate, so you can be confident your siding will stand up to the extreme weather conditions in your area.
2. Installation
LP Smart Siding: When LP panels are cut, the inner core is exposed, making the siding susceptible to moisture penetration. To prevent this, the contractor must prime and paint each board individually. Unless the contractor completing your installation was meticulous about this process, your LP siding is likely harboring water damage.
James Hardie: Even though Hardie siding is heavy, making it more difficult and time-consuming to install, an experienced contractor can complete the job with ease. Plus, unlike LP siding, there is less room for error during the installation process, especially when choosing boards with baked-on ColorPlus Technology.
3. Fire Resistance
LP Smart Siding: Since LP siding contains natural wood fibers, it is not fire-resistant and may combust when exposed to a flame.
James Hardie: Hardie siding is ASTM-rated as non-combustible and recognized by fire departments across the country for its fire-resistant qualities. It will not fuel a fire or ignite when exposed to a direct flame.
4. Pest Resistance
LP Smart Siding: LP siding contains wax-coated wood fibers, making it attractive to termites, woodpeckers, and other critters. Additionally, pest damage is not covered at all in LP’s warranty, so it’s inevitable you’ll pay for these repairs out-of-pocket.
James Hardie: Fiber cement is made from sand, so it’s not attractive to pesky animals and insects. You can rest assured your Hardie siding won’t suffer from pest-related damage, like termite infestation.
5. Warranty
LP Smart Siding: LP siding only comes with a five-year warranty. After five years, your coverage is reduced by 2.2 percent each year. After 20 years, you’ll only receive two-thirds of your coverage for repairs.
James Hardie: Hardie siding comes with a 30-year limited, transferable product warranty and a 15-year finish warranty covering paint and labor. You can be confident if a problem arises with your fiber cement siding, your warranty will cover the cost of replacement.
How to Begin the Process of Replacing Your LP Siding with James Hardie Siding
Don’t wait for problems to arise with your LP Smart Siding before getting a replacement. Instead, protect your home from costly damage and enjoy a great return on investment by installing durable, long-lasting fiber cement siding.
To start the replacement process, schedule a consultation with a James Hardie Elite Preferred Contractor like Lifetime Exteriors. These contractors specialize in the professional installation of fiber cement siding and meet the stringent standards set by the James Hardie company.
Once you’ve chosen a reliable contractor, they can help you remove your old boards, repair any underlying damage caused by your LP siding, and install your durable, attractive fiber cement siding. They can also help you choose the perfect design and color scheme to boost your home’s curb appeal and match your personal style.
Trust Your Local Siding Contractor for Your James Hardie Replacement
For over ten years, Lifetime Exteriors has helped hundreds of homeowners across Portland and Vancouver protect their homes with quality products, like James Hardie fiber cement siding.
As a James Hardie Elite Preferred Contractor, you can count on our team to ensure your siding is secure and sturdy, leaving you to enjoy the full benefits of your industry-leading warranty. Learn more about our James Hardie siding services to discover how you can transform your faulty siding into a beautiful, long-lasting home exterior.
