Almost every board asks the same first question: isn’t this the LP siding that got recalled? No. That was Inner-Seal hardboard, a different product from the 1990s. Modern LP SmartSide is treated to the core, flexes through Minnesota freeze-thaw and hail, carries a 5/50 limited warranty, and typically runs 15–25% under full fiber cement.
”Isn’t this the recalled product?”
Isn’t LP the siding that got recalled?
This is the objection that sinks LP in board meetings, and it’s worth answering in full because it confuses two different products. LP’s Inner-Seal hardboard composite (made 1985–1995) drew one of the largest class actions in siding history — roughly 130,000 claims paid before the suit closed in 2002. The Minnesota case alone covered about 2,600 buildings with a $13.2M repair estimate (Justia — In re Louisiana Pacific Inner-Seal).
Here’s the part that matters: LP SmartSide is not that product. It’s a different engineered-wood line, manufactured differently and treated through the SmartGuard process — waxes, resins, and zinc borate driven to the core to resist moisture, fungal decay, and termites (LP — SmartGuard process). Yes, LP made a bad composite in the 1990s. No, SmartSide isn’t it — and rejecting one for the sins of the other costs boards a strong option.
Reviewed against public source material from Ben Juncker and Craftsmans Choice, without presenting their contractor credentials as this sites own.
Why it suits Minnesota
Why is LP SmartSide a good fit for Minnesota cold and hail?
Engineered wood flexes where fiber cement can crack, which is exactly what freeze-thaw cycling and hail demand. LP SmartSide is engineered for freeze-thaw and stays dimensionally stable through Minnesota’s temperature swings (LP — freeze/thaw weatherability). Longer board lengths also mean fewer seams and a faster install across large multifamily elevations.
Cold flex, hail resistance, fewer seams, lower cost — that mix is why engineered wood so often wins the value argument on Minnesota multifamily.
Cost, warranty, and the catch
What does LP SmartSide cost, and what’s the catch?
LP SmartSide runs roughly $10–$16/sq ft in material (some contractors quote $18–$20 installed), typically 15–25% under full James Hardie. The warranty is a 5/50 limited warranty — 5 years at 100% labor and material, then 50-year prorated material coverage (LP — 5/50 warranty). The catch: it’s a wood product, so its long life depends on intact coating and flashing, and it’s combustible — which can matter on some attached-building code paths.
| Factor | Engineered wood (LP SmartSide) |
|---|---|
| MN cost ($/sq ft) | ~$10–$16 (install $18–$20) |
| Warranty | 5/50 limited (5-yr full, 50-yr prorated) |
| Lifespan | 40–50 yr |
| Cold/freeze-thaw | Strong (flexes; engineered for freeze-thaw) |
| Hail | Strong |
| Fire | Combustible |
| Install | Lighter, fewer seams, faster |
Typical Twin Cities ranges; confirm with live quotes.
How it compares
LP SmartSide vs. fiber cement vs. steel?
Engineered wood leads on cost, cold/hail flex, and warranty length; fiber cement leads on fire rating and resale; steel leads on hail and lifecycle maintenance. For a Minnesota board balancing budget against durability, engineered wood is frequently the value pick — unless fire code or maximum hail resistance pulls the decision elsewhere.
| Material | Cost | Cold flex | Hail | Fire | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineered wood (LP SmartSide) | $$ | Strong | Strong | Combustible | 5/50 limited |
| Fiber cement (Hardie) | $$$ | Built for it | Moderate | Class A | 30-yr non-prorated |
| Steel | $$$ | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Varies |
Compare at /services/fiber-cement-siding/ and /services/steel-and-metal-siding/, or see the full matrix at /guides/choosing-siding-material/.
FAQ
LP SmartSide for multifamily — common questions
Q: Is LP SmartSide the same as the LP siding that was recalled? No. The class-action product was LP Inner-Seal hardboard composite (1985–1995), which drew roughly 130,000 claims. LP SmartSide is a different, modern engineered-wood line treated to the core through the SmartGuard process and backed by a 5/50 limited warranty. The two are routinely confused, and that confusion costs boards a strong option.
Q: Does engineered wood hold up in Minnesota cold and hail? Yes — it flexes through freeze-thaw where fiber cement can crack, and it resists hail well. LP SmartSide is engineered for freeze-thaw and stays dimensionally stable through hard winters. Its longevity hinges on intact coating and flashing, so the install details matter.
Q: How does the cost compare to James Hardie? LP SmartSide typically runs 15–25% under full fiber cement and carries a longer warranty term — a 5/50 limited warranty (5-year full, 50-year prorated) versus Hardie’s 30-year non-prorated. Hardie counters with a Class A fire rating. The right choice tracks budget, hail exposure, and fire-code requirements.
Q: Is this site an LP SmartSide installer? No — this is an independent Twin Cities multifamily siding planning and connection resource. It helps boards and owners pick a material, scope the project, and use a comparable scope when they talk with contractors. It does not publish manufacturer credentials it can’t back.
Weigh engineered wood against the alternatives.
Tell us about the building and your priorities — budget, hail exposure, fire code — and we’ll help you weigh LP SmartSide against fiber cement and steel and scope it correctly.