I’m still investigating siding possibilities.
A high-end builder I know has switched from Hardie and started using the LP product called “SmartSide”, which appears to be a high-density OSB-type product overlaid with some type of skin that is textured to look like rough-sawn cedar, or they also make it with a smooth skin. LP’s warranty is impressive–50 yrs. (That’s in large print; the small print is loaded with the typical weasel-words.)
The builder and his painter both say they left a sample of the stuff in a bucket of water for 2 weeks with no sign of deterioration or swelling, even on the cut ends.
LP makes a full line of trim products to go with the lap siding, and they also make 4 x 8 sheets of it.
Has anybody used this stuff? The builder likes it for its ease of application, which is not always indicative of long-term performance, so I’m hoping for some input from folks who might be more objective.
Replies
I haven't used it.
SmartSide is LP's play to save the ship after the class action suit. Of course LP also has a major hurdle to jump, in that Hardie took a lot of their business away from them, the resides as well as new business.
My guess is that builders are staying away from SmartSide because of the lingering stigma. I hope it turns out to be a good product.
The builder and his friend should also test to see whether SmartSide will grow mushrooms. :o)
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I used the 'vertical grain' 4x8 sheets last spring to re-side a shed and I liked it. The application was rather straight-forward, and the final product looks sharp. I like the smoother look of this product when painted versus T-111 and the speed of application is obviously much faster than board and baton or vertical ship-lap/T&G. But there again, we're talking 4x8 sheet product. I wasn't aware they had it in clapboard form.
I cut the sheets using a shooting board and circular saw. Nailed it with a carefully dialed-in siding nailer and SS rings - LP cautions against over-driven nails. All my cuts got primed. Application was over 15lb felt and down to a composite water table and drip cap. The paint job looks phenomenal, although it's only been a year since I've put it up.
Bottom line, yes, I'd use it again. BUT, I would be leery of comparing a wood-based product with a cementatious product in overall life span and durability...