James Hardie and LP SmartSide are both quality siding products that give you the look of painted wood without the constant upkeep. Hardie is fiber cement, so it is heavier, noncombustible and more resistant to moisture, insects and woodpeckers. LP SmartSide is engineered wood, so it is lighter, tougher against impact and easier to install. For most Pittsburgh homes facing wet springs and constant freeze thaw, we lean toward James Hardie, but LP is a solid product when it is installed and maintained correctly.
What is the difference between fiber cement and engineered wood?
James Hardie siding is made from portland cement, sand and cellulose fibers, pressed into planks, panels and shingles. The result is dense, rigid and dimensionally stable. Hardie also formulates products for different climates. Its HardieZone system includes a version engineered for cold, wet regions with freeze thaw cycles, which is the one used here in western Pennsylvania.
LP SmartSide is made from wood strands bonded with resin and wax, then treated with zinc borate to resist fungal decay and termites. LP calls this its SmartGuard process. The boards are surface embossed with a cedar grain and come primed or factory prefinished. Because it is a wood composite, it flexes instead of cracking and cuts like lumber.
Both are a big step up from old wood clapboard, and both look far more like real wood than standard vinyl does.
How do they handle Pittsburgh moisture and freeze thaw?
This is where the two products differ most for our climate. A typical western PA year brings soaking spring rain, humid summers, leaf clogged gutters in the fall and dozens of freeze thaw swings in winter.
Fiber cement does not swell when it gets wet, and it is not a food source for mold or rot. Water can still damage the wall behind it if flashing is wrong, but the siding itself tolerates moisture well.
Engineered wood is treated to resist moisture, and current LP SmartSide performs far better than the problem hardboard sidings of the 1980s and 1990s that many people still remember. It is still a wood product, though. Cut ends and edges must be sealed, the paint film must be kept up, and boards need proper clearance from roofs, decks and the ground. Where those details slip, such as behind an overflowing gutter or a low spot near grade, engineered wood is less forgiving than fiber cement.
Both manufacturers publish specific clearance and flashing requirements. Following them is not optional if you want the warranty to hold.
Which holds up better against woodpeckers, pests and impact?
- Woodpeckers: A real issue on wooded lots around here. Woodpeckers will peck at almost anything, but fiber cement is far harder for them to damage. Engineered wood can be drilled into, and repairs mean patching or replacing boards.
- Insects: Hardie contains no wood fiber that insects can eat. LP’s zinc borate treatment is designed to resist termites and decay, and LP warrants against them.
- Impact: LP has the edge here. Engineered wood flexes and is more resistant to dents and cracks from hail, balls and yard equipment. Fiber cement is very hard but can chip or crack from a sharp, heavy hit.
- Fire: James Hardie fiber cement is noncombustible. LP is a wood product and is combustible, although it meets building code requirements for exterior siding.
How do weight and installation compare?
Fiber cement is heavy, roughly twice the weight of engineered wood for the same board. It takes two people to handle long planks, can break if carried flat, and must be cut with dust control tools because cutting it releases silica dust. Installers need training to do it right, which is why James Hardie runs its own contractor certification programs.
LP SmartSide is lighter, comes in long lengths that mean fewer seams, and cuts with standard woodworking tools. That usually translates to faster installation and somewhat lower labor cost.
What about paint, maintenance and warranties?
Both can be bought primed for field painting or with a factory finish. Hardie’s factory finish is called ColorPlus Technology, a baked on coating applied in a controlled setting. LP’s factory finish is sold as LP SmartSide ExpertFinish, and LP also sells primed boards for painting on site. Factory finishes generally outlast a field paint job because they are applied and cured under controlled conditions.
| Factor | James Hardie | LP SmartSide |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Fiber cement | Treated engineered wood |
| Moisture tolerance | Excellent | Good when edges and paint are maintained |
| Impact resistance | Good, can chip | Very good, flexes |
| Fire | Noncombustible | Combustible, meets code |
| Weight and install | Heavy, specialized tools | Lighter, standard tools |
| Factory finish | ColorPlus Technology | ExpertFinish |
| Typical installed cost | Usually higher | Usually somewhat lower |
Maintenance for either means keeping gutters clean, caulking joints as needed, and repainting field painted siding every several years. Warranties on both products are long but limited, with different terms for the siding itself and for the finish. Read the current terms directly at jameshardie.com and lpcorp.com before you sign anything, because terms change and depend on proper installation.
Why does Bella install James Hardie?
We are a James Hardie Master certified contractor, and we chose to focus on Hardie because of how our houses live. Many homes in our area sit on hillsides with grade close to the siding, under big oaks and maples that clog gutters, on wooded lots with woodpeckers. Fiber cement handles those conditions with less risk if something goes wrong.
That does not make LP a bad choice. On a home with good drainage, tight detailing and an owner who keeps up with paint, LP SmartSide can look great for decades at a lower price. If you are also weighing vinyl, our James Hardie vs vinyl siding comparison and our guide to the best siding for Pittsburgh weather cover the other side of the decision. For budgeting, see our siding cost guide for Pittsburgh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is James Hardie or LP SmartSide more expensive?
James Hardie usually costs more installed, mostly because the material is heavier and slower to install. The gap varies with the profile, trim package and finish you choose. Every home is different, so compare full written quotes for the same scope.
Does LP SmartSide rot?
Current LP SmartSide is treated to resist fungal decay, and it is far more durable than older hardboard sidings. Rot problems usually trace back to installation or maintenance issues such as unsealed cut edges, missing clearances or water from a failing gutter.
Can James Hardie siding crack in freezing weather?
Not from freeze thaw alone when it is the correct cold climate product and installed to Hardie’s specifications. Cracks typically come from a hard impact, improper nailing or the board being mishandled during installation.
Which looks more like real wood?
Both have convincing cedar grain textures and also come in smooth finishes. LP’s deeper embossing reads slightly more like wood up close, while Hardie’s heavier boards give crisper shadow lines from the street.
Do I have to paint either one right away?
If you buy a factory finished product, no. Primed boards of either brand need a quality exterior paint within the time frame the manufacturer specifies, and leaving primed siding unpainted too long can affect the warranty.
Want an honest side by side look at your own house? Call Bella Construction at (724) 515 5163 for a free siding estimate, or learn more about our James Hardie siding installation. Fall install dates are filling, so it helps to get on the schedule before winter.