Why is LP SmartSide good for Minnesota cold?
LP SmartSide is engineered wood that flexes with temperature swings instead of cracking, which suits Minnesota’s freeze-thaw cycling. It is treated with a zinc-borate process that resists moisture and insects, and it comes in longer boards that mean fewer seams — fewer places for water to find a way in. Combined with its flexibility, that makes it one of the more forgiving materials in deep cold, where rigid claddings are more prone to brittleness and cracking. The SmartGuard process binds zinc borate through the board to resist moisture, termites, and fungal decay. (LP Building Solutions)
How does it handle hail?
It flexes. Where fiber cement cracks and vinyl shatters under hail, engineered wood’s give lets it absorb impact with less damage — a meaningful advantage in the hail-prone Twin Cities. Steel still leads on outright hail resistance, but among the wood and cement options, LP SmartSide is the stronger hail performer. Its warranty covers hail damage up to 1.75 inches in diameter. For communities choosing between fiber cement and engineered wood on exposed elevations, hail exposure often tips the decision toward LP. (LP Building Solutions)
| Attribute | LP SmartSide | Fiber cement | Vinyl |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold/freeze-thaw | Flexes, strong | Good (HZ5) | Brittle |
| Hail | Strong (flexes) | Moderate (can crack) | Weak |
| Weight/install | Lighter, fewer seams | Heavier, more labor | Light |
| Warranty | 50-yr limited | 30-yr | Varies |
| Cost vs. Hardie | ~15–25% less | Premium | Cheapest |
What is the value case?
The value case is performance per dollar. LP SmartSide delivers strong cold and hail performance, a 50-year limited warranty, and faster installation from longer, lighter boards — typically at 15–25% below full James Hardie cost. For a board funding a six-figure project from reserves and assessments, that combination of durability and lower installed cost is compelling, which is why it is often the best value for Minnesota cold and hail. (LP Building Solutions)
Isn’t this the siding that got recalled?
No — and this is the most important point for any board with a long memory. The 1990s failures and class action involved LP’s Inner-Seal hardboard composite, made 1985–1995, which absorbed water, swelled, and rotted. The 1995 settlement covered roughly 800,000 affected homeowners through a fund of up to about $475 million, with claims running until early 2003 and nearly $1 billion paid out over the life of the program. LP SmartSide is a later, different engineered-wood product with zinc-borate treatment and a 50-year limited warranty. Conflating the two penalizes a good modern material for an old product’s failures. See is LP / hardboard siding bad. (Justia, Lieff Cabraser)
What are the honest trade-offs?
LP SmartSide is still a wood product, so its long life depends on coating and flashing integrity — a breached coating or bad flashing lets moisture reach the substrate. It is combustible, unlike fiber cement and steel, which can matter on certain attached-building code paths. And it does carry legacy distrust from the Inner-Seal era that a board may need to address with owners. None of these are dealbreakers, but a responsible recommendation names them.
A board’s LP SmartSide checklist
- Separate it from Inner-Seal. Different product; address the confusion head-on.
- Match it to hail exposure. Its flex is a real advantage on exposed elevations.
- Confirm the code path. It is combustible; check attached-building requirements.
- Protect the coating and flashing. Wood performance depends on water management.
- Compare installed cost. Often 15–25% below full fiber cement. See fiber cement vs. engineered wood vs. vinyl vs. steel.
FAQ
Is LP SmartSide recalled? No. The recalled and litigated product was LP Inner-Seal hardboard composite from 1985–1995. LP SmartSide is a different, later engineered-wood product with a 50-year limited warranty.
Is LP SmartSide good for hail? Yes. Its flexibility lets it absorb hail impact better than brittle fiber cement or vinyl. Steel still leads on outright hail resistance, but LP is strong among wood and cement options.
How long does LP SmartSide last? It carries a 50-year limited warranty and is generally rated for 40–50 years, with real lifespan depending on coating and flashing integrity in Minnesota’s climate.
Is LP SmartSide cheaper than James Hardie? Usually yes — often 15–25% less installed — while offering strong cold and hail performance and a longer warranty. Fiber cement’s premium buys fire rating and resale appeal.
Does LP SmartSide rot like the old hardboard? The modern product is zinc-borate treated to resist moisture and insects and is engineered differently from the failed Inner-Seal composite. As with any wood product, performance still depends on intact coating and correct flashing.
Related reading: Is LP / hardboard siding bad? · Fiber cement vs. engineered wood vs. vinyl vs. steel · Best siding for Minnesota cold and hail