Article
LP SmartSide® is engineered wood siding that looks like real wood, holds up to everyday life, and installs quickly. For many homes across the Piedmont Triad, it strikes the sweet spot between curb appeal, durability, and value.
“You get the warmth of wood with modern consistency—and fewer seams, fewer call-backs.”
What It Is (and Why That Matters)
LP SmartSide is an engineered wood product—wood strands bonded with resins and sealed, then pressed with a realistic grain. It arrives factory-primed (and also available prefinished through select lines), with matching trim and panel options so details look intentional.
Why We Reach for It
- Real-wood look, crisp lines: Deep grain and sharp shadow lines without the waviness you see in some alternatives.
- Longer lengths: Fewer butt joints on long walls = cleaner elevations and less caulking.
- Impact-friendly: Handles stray balls, lawn equipment, and day-to-day bumps better than many brittle materials.
- Install speed: Lighter than fiber cement, easy to cut with standard carpentry tools, and faster to stage/fasten.
- System parts: Lap, panel & batten, and shake profiles with matching trim for windows, doors, and corners.
Styles That Fit Most Homes
- Traditional lap: The classic choice for Colonials, Craftsman, and new builds—pair with 4/4 or 5/4 trim.
- Panel & batten: Great on gables or whole modern farmhouses; mix with lap for texture.
- Shakes: Perfect for accent walls, dormers, or coastal-inspired details without the upkeep of individual shingles.
“Mix profiles on purpose—lap at the body, board-and-batten in gables—for depth without visual noise.”
Install Best Practices We Follow
- Flat wall first: True up sheathing and use a high-quality WRB (housewrap) with taped seams.
- Clearances: Keep required gaps to grade, roof, and hardscape; use kick-out flashing at roof returns.
- Flashing every joint: Slip flashing behind butt joints and head flashings above trims and penetrations.
- Proper fasteners: Exterior-rated, manufacturer-approved nails, set flush (not over-driven).
- Paint and seal: Prime any field cuts; paint within the recommended window for best longevity.
- Optional rainscreen: Furring/vented gap behind siding in splashy exposures to help walls dry faster.
How It Compares
- Vs. fiber cement: Lighter, easier on blades, and less brittle at edges. Fiber cement still wins near constant splash/soak or for non-combustible requirements—project context matters.
- Vs. natural wood: More uniform boards with fewer knots and less movement; natural wood can be stunning but wants more frequent maintenance.
- Vs. vinyl: Richer texture and tighter outside corners; vinyl can be economical but reads more “plastic” and needs specific trim systems.
Care & Maintenance
Wash occasionally with a garden hose and mild soap, inspect caulked joints, and touch up paint as needed. Keep landscaping and sprinklers from constantly wetting the lower courses, and maintain clearances to soil and hardscape.
Great Use Cases
- Whole-house refreshes where you want a wood look without full wood maintenance.
- Additions that need to blend with existing wood siding profiles.
- Mixed-material facades with stone/brick at the base and lap or board-and-batten above.
Common Questions
- Can it be painted any color? Yes—use high-quality exterior paint and follow light-reflectance (LRV) guidance, especially for very dark tones in full sun.
- Does it work over foam? Yes with proper furring/fastener length—ask us to review your wall build-up.
- What about warranties? Strong coverage is available from the manufacturer; we’ll review specifics with your proposal.
Quick Spec Checklist for Your Quote
- Front and rear elevation photos (straight-on if possible)
- Preferred profile (lap, board-and-batten, shakes) and reveal size
- Trim style (simple square vs. built-up), corner type (butt vs. mitered/boxed)
- Color direction (painted vs. prefinished line) and sheen
- Any areas needing rainscreen, extra flashing, or special details
We install LP SmartSide across Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Mount Airy, and nearby—dialed for the Triad’s weather and architecture. See real exteriors in our portfolio or explore our services to start planning.