What You Should Know About LP SmartSide Siding

Choosing siding in Minnesota requires more than finding a color that looks good from the street. The exterior must face freezing temperatures, summer heat, wind, hail, snow, moisture, and repeated seasonal changes. That is why many homeowners consider LP SmartSide siding for Minnesota homes. 

This engineered wood siding offers the appearance of traditional wood while using treated wood strands, resins, waxes, and other protective components to improve durability. However, no siding product performs well through material quality alone. Proper installation, flashing, clearances, finishing, and routine maintenance all affect how long the exterior lasts.

Here is what Minnesota homeowners should understand before selecting LP SmartSide siding.

What Is LP SmartSide Siding?

LP SmartSide is an engineered wood siding product made from wood strands that are compressed and bonded together. The boards receive LP’s SmartGuard treatment during manufacturing.

According to LP Building Solutions, the SmartGuard process uses four main components:

• Wood strands
• Water-resistant waxes
• Industrial-grade adhesive resins
• Zinc borate

The waxes help limit moisture absorption. The resins add strength and impact resistance. Zinc borate helps the material resist fungal decay and termite damage.

Unlike natural wood siding, engineered wood is manufactured for more consistent strength, dimensions, and appearance. It can provide a wood-style exterior without many of the knots, defects, and irregularities found in untreated lumber.

LP SmartSide products are available in several formats, including:

• Horizontal lap siding
• Vertical siding
• Panel siding
• Shake-style siding
• Trim and fascia
• Soffit
• Nickel gap siding

Homeowners can use one profile across the full exterior or combine styles to add contrast around gables, entryways, dormers, and other architectural features.

Why LP SmartSide Works Well for Minnesota Homes

Minnesota weather can expose siding to several different forms of stress within a single year. Winter introduces snow, ice, freezing temperatures, and wind. Spring brings melting snow and heavy moisture. Summer can produce intense sunlight, humidity, storms, and hail.

LP SmartSide offers several characteristics that make it worth considering in this climate.

Impact Resistance During Storm Season

Hail can dent, crack, or puncture certain siding materials. LP states that the resins used in SmartSide products help create resistance against hail impact. Its product literature also identifies limited warranty protection for qualifying hail damage, subject to the current warranty terms and product requirements.

Impact resistance can also matter around busy Minnesota households. Siding may be struck by ladders, toys, lawn equipment, tree branches, or snow-removal tools.

No siding is completely damage-proof, but a stronger exterior can reduce the chance of visible damage from normal residential activity and moderate impact.

Protection Against Moisture-Related Decay

Engineered wood is still a wood-based material. It must be installed and maintained to prevent ongoing moisture exposure.

However, LP SmartSide uses water-resistant waxes and zinc borate as part of its protective treatment. LP states that this treatment helps the siding resist fungal decay and moisture-related damage.

This protection is useful in Minnesota, where snow can collect near walls and meltwater can reach lower siding courses.

The treatment does not eliminate the need for proper drainage. Gutters, downspouts, flashing, roof edges, housewrap, kickout flashing, and ground clearance still play important roles in protecting the wall system.

Performance Through Temperature Changes

Minnesota siding must move through large seasonal temperature swings. Materials repeatedly expand and contract as conditions change.

LP SmartSide is engineered for dimensional consistency, but installers must still follow the manufacturer’s spacing and fastening requirements. Boards installed too tightly may buckle as conditions change. Incorrect nails or fastening patterns may also affect movement and long-term performance.

Correct installation allows the material to respond to seasonal conditions without placing unnecessary pressure on individual boards.

The Appearance of Painted Wood

Many homeowners like traditional wood siding but do not want the cost or maintenance demands of natural cedar. LP SmartSide offers deep textures and defined shadow lines that can resemble painted wood. Lap siding is available in brushed-smooth finishes, depending on the selected product.

This appearance can work well on several common Minnesota home styles, including:

• Ramblers
• Two-story suburban homes
• Farmhouses
• Craftsman-style homes
• Cabins
• Split-level homes
• Modern residential designs

Trim, shake siding, vertical panels, and lap boards can also be combined to make a large exterior feel more detailed.

Primed Siding Versus Prefinished LP SmartSide

LP SmartSide siding may be purchased primed or with a factory-applied finish.

Primed LP SmartSide

Primed siding arrives ready for approved exterior paint after installation. This option gives homeowners access to a broad range of paint colors.

The siding contractor and painter must coordinate the work carefully. Exposed cuts, edges, nail heads, joints, and other required areas must be finished according to manufacturer instructions.

The quality of the field-applied paint system will affect the final appearance and future maintenance schedule.

LP SmartSide ExpertFinish

ExpertFinish products receive their color in a controlled factory setting. This can provide a consistent finish across boards and reduce the amount of exterior painting required after installation.

LP currently offers ExpertFinish siding in multiple colors and backs eligible products with separate limited warranty terms covering labor and materials, the finish, and the substrate. Homeowners should review the exact warranty document for the selected product rather than relying only on general warranty summaries.

Factory-finished siding may also help shorten the project because most of the painting process is completed before the boards reach the property.

How Long Does LP SmartSide Siding Last?

There is no single service-life figure that applies to every house. Siding longevity depends on several factors:

• Installation quality
• Roof and gutter performance
• Moisture management
• Sun exposure
• Tree coverage
• Paint quality
• Maintenance
• Ground clearance
• Flashing details
• Storm damage

LP SmartSide products include a 5/50-year prorated limited warranty structure. LP describes this as five years of qualifying labor and material replacement coverage followed by prorated material coverage through the remainder of the 50 years. Warranty limitations, exclusions, maintenance rules, and installation requirements apply.

A long warranty should not be treated as a promise that every installation will remain maintenance-free for 50 years. It shows how the manufacturer structures product coverage.

Homeowners should keep their contract, product records, color information, installation date, warranty documents, and contractor information after the project.

Does LP SmartSide Require Maintenance?

LP SmartSide is not a zero-maintenance exterior.

Homeowners should inspect the siding regularly and address problems before moisture enters the wall system. Important maintenance tasks may include:

• Cleaning dirt, mildew, and organic buildup
• Checking caulked joints
• Repainting field-finished siding when needed
• Repairing damaged boards or trim
• Keeping gutters and downspouts clear
• Correcting roof or flashing leaks
• Maintaining clearance above soil and hard surfaces
• Trimming vegetation away from the wall
• Preventing sprinklers from soaking the siding
• Checking penetrations around pipes, vents, windows, and doors

Painted siding may eventually fade, chalk, peel, or lose protection. The repainting timeline depends on paint quality, surface preparation, orientation, color, sunlight, and weather exposure.

South- and west-facing walls often receive stronger sunlight than shaded walls. Darker colors may also show fading or surface changes differently than lighter finishes.

Proper Installation Matters as Much as the Product

An experienced siding contractor should install the material according to current LP instructions and local building requirements.

Several details deserve close attention.

Correct Clearances

The siding must remain the required distance above roofs, decks, steps, concrete, soil, and other surfaces.

Boards placed too close to the ground may absorb moisture from snow, soil, or landscaping. Siding near rooflines can also collect water or remain exposed to melting snow if the required spacing is ignored.

Flashing Around Openings

Windows, doors, roof intersections, penetrations, and horizontal trim create possible water-entry points.

Flashing should move water onto the exterior surface and away from the wall. Caulk alone should not replace properly installed flashing.

Minnesota homes with roof-to-wall intersections also need careful kickout flashing details. These areas can direct large amounts of roof water behind the siding when installed incorrectly.

Sealed Cut Edges

Cutting siding exposes untreated or less-protected material beneath the finished surface. Required cut edges must be sealed with an approved coating as specified by the manufacturer.

Missing edge treatment is easy to overlook after installation but may affect moisture resistance and warranty eligibility.

Correct Fasteners

Fasteners must meet the required type, size, spacing, and placement rules. Nails should hold the siding securely without being overdriven or placed too close to board edges.

Overdriven nails may damage the siding surface. Improper fastening may also allow movement, loose boards, or visible distortion.

Adequate Board Spacing

Engineered wood siding needs room for normal movement. Installers should follow the required joint spacing rather than forcing boards tightly together.

Proper spacing, flashing, and joint treatment help prevent buckling and other visible problems.

LP SmartSide Versus Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding is common throughout Minnesota because it is affordable and requires little painting. However, LP SmartSide and vinyl create different appearances and perform differently.

LP SmartSide generally offers:

• Thicker profiles
• Deeper shadow lines
• A painted-wood appearance
• Strong impact resistance
• More flexibility for detailed trim
• The ability to repaint many products

Vinyl siding generally offers:

• Lower maintenance
• No routine repainting
• A wide selection of colors
• Often lower initial project costs
• Lightweight installation

Vinyl can crack after hard impacts, especially during cold weather. Dark colors may also absorb heat and require specific installation practices.

LP SmartSide may appeal more to homeowners who value detailed trim, solid profiles, and a wood-style exterior.

LP SmartSide Versus Fiber Cement Siding

Fiber cement and LP SmartSide are both popular alternatives to natural wood.

Fiber cement is made from cement, sand, cellulose fibers, and other components. It offers strong resistance to fire, insects, and rot but is relatively heavy and can crack when handled or installed incorrectly.

LP SmartSide is lighter and can generally be cut using standard woodworking tools. The lighter boards may be easier to carry and position, especially on complex homes.

Both materials require proper flashing, fastening, finishing, and clearance. Neither product can compensate for poor installation or an exterior wall system that allows water to remain trapped.

The better choice depends on the home, design goals, budget, fire concerns, installer experience, and desired maintenance plan.

How Much Does LP SmartSide Siding Cost in Minnesota?

The total price depends on more than the siding boards.

Major cost factors include:

• Home size
• Number of stories
• Roof height
• Dormers and gables
• Existing siding removal
• Wall repairs
• Sheathing replacement
• Housewrap or drainage work
• Window and door flashing
• Trim complexity
• Soffit and fascia work
• Siding profile
• Paint or factory finish
• Jobsite access
• Waste disposal

A simple one-story home with clear access will usually cost less per square foot than a tall house with multiple rooflines, additions, bump-outs, and decorative trim.

Quotes should clearly identify what is included. One contractor may include siding removal, wall inspection, housewrap, trim, disposal, and permits. Another may quote only the visible siding installation.

Comparing only the final number can hide major differences in scope.

Signs Your Minnesota Home May Need New Siding

Replacement may be worth considering when the existing exterior shows widespread deterioration or no longer protects the walls.

Warning signs include:

• Soft or swollen boards
• Cracked or missing siding
• Repeated paint failure
• Loose panels
• Rot around windows
• Water stains inside the house
• Gaps at joints
• Storm damage
• Faded or uneven appearance
• Frequent spot repairs
• Insect damage
• Rising maintenance demands

Not every issue requires full replacement. Isolated storm damage or a small area of decay may be repairable.

A professional inspection should determine whether the problem is limited to the siding or extends into the sheathing, framing, flashing, insulation, or window openings.

Questions to Ask an LP SmartSide Contractor

Before signing a siding contract, ask:

1. Does the crew regularly install LP SmartSide?
2. Will the installation follow the current manufacturer instructions?
3. How will existing siding be removed?
4. Will the wall sheathing be inspected?
5. How will hidden damage be priced?
6. What housewrap or water-resistive barrier will be used?
7. How will window, door, and roof flashing be handled?
8. Will all required cut edges be sealed?
9. Is the siding primed or factory finished?
10. Who handles touch-ups and final paint?
11. What labor warranty does the contractor provide?
12. Who registers or documents the product warranty?
13. Are permits, cleanup, and disposal included?
14. How will landscaping, windows, roofing, and driveways be protected?

A detailed proposal should name the product line, profile, finish, trim, wall preparation, flashing work, cleanup responsibilities, and warranty coverage.

Is LP SmartSide Right for Your Minnesota Home?

LP SmartSide can be a strong option for homeowners who want the appearance of painted wood with engineered strength and impact resistance.

It may be especially appealing when the project calls for:

• Deep siding profiles
• Detailed trim
• Mixed exterior textures
• Strong hail resistance
• Factory-finished colors
• A traditional wood appearance
• The option to repaint later

Its performance still depends on proper installation. Clearances, flashing, fastening, cut-edge treatment, paint, drainage, and routine inspections should all be part of the project plan.

Crest Exteriors can inspect the current exterior, identify areas of hidden concern, and prepare a siding recommendation based on the home’s architecture and exposure. Request an estimate to determine whether LP SmartSide siding is the right fit for your Minnesota home.

Frequently Asked Questions