If you’re planning a house siding replacement and want something more durable than vinyl, two names come up again and again: James Hardie fiber cement and LP SmartSide engineered wood. Both are premium, long-lasting products, both look far more like real wood than vinyl, and both perform well in Wisconsin. But they’re built very differently, and those differences matter for your home, your budget, and the look you want.
At The Exteriors Company, we install both. Here’s an honest, side-by-side comparison to help you
decide.
LP SmartSide vs. Hardie: The Short Answer
In the LP SmartSide vs Hardie decision, there’s no wrong answer, just a better fit for your home:
- Choose LP SmartSide if you want a lighter, more impact-resistant siding with a real-wood look, longer board lengths with fewer seams, a slightly lower price, and a sustainably sourced product that’s often made right here in Wisconsin.
- Choose James Hardie if you want the most fire-resistant option, a masonry-like rigid feel, and a siding that won’t burn, rot, or be bothered by insects.
Both are excellent choices for Madison homes. The best one depends on your priorities, your home’s style, and your budget.
James Hardie vs. LP SmartSide at a Glance
| Feature | James Hardie | LP SmartSide |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Fiber cement (cement, sand, cellulose fibers) | Treated engineered wood (wood strands, resins, zinc borate) |
| Weight | Heavy and rigid | Lighter and more flexible |
| Board length | Typically 12 ft | Up to 16 ft (fewer seams) |
| Impact resistance | Hard surface, but brittle; can crack or chip | Flexible; resists dents and cracks from hail |
| Fire resistance | Noncombustible | Treated wood; not noncombustible |
| Raw materials | Cement, sand, and cellulose fibers | Fast-growing aspen from SFI-certified sourcing |
| Made in Wisconsin | No | Yes: siding mills in Hayward and Tomahawk |
| Freeze-thaw | HZ5 products engineered for cold climates | SmartGuard treatment built for freeze-thaw cycles |
| Substrate warranty | 30-year non-prorated limited warranty | 5/50-year limited warranty (5 years full, then prorated) |
| Prefinished option | ColorPlus Technology (15-year finish warranty) | ExpertFinish (15-year finish warranty) |
| Typical installed cost | $10 – $18 per sq ft | $8 – $14 per sq ft |
What Is LP Siding?
LP SmartSide is engineered wood siding made by LP Building Solutions. Wood strands are coated with resins and treated with zinc borate through LP’s SmartGuard process, then pressed into boards with a realistic cedar texture or a smooth finish. The treatment goes all the way through the board, helping it resist moisture, fungal decay, and termites.
The result looks and feels like real wood, but it’s far more durable and needs much less maintenance. LP SmartSide boards come in lengths up to 16 feet, so you get fewer seams across long walls, and the boards are light enough to install quickly, which can help keep labor costs down.
What Is James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding?
James Hardie siding, often called Hardie Plank or “Hardie board,” is made from fiber cement: a mix of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers. It’s dense, rigid, and noncombustible, so it won’t burn, rot, or attract insects. James Hardie makes its HZ5 products specifically for climates with freezing temperatures, snow, and freeze-thaw cycles, like Wisconsin’s.
Fiber cement holds paint well and can be ordered with James Hardie’s factory-applied ColorPlus finish. Its weight and rigidity give it a solid, high-end feel, but they also make it harder to install. More on that below.
Durability in Wisconsin Weather
Hail and Impact
This is where LP SmartSide has a clear edge. Because engineered wood flexes, it’s better at absorbing impacts from hail, baseballs, and lawn equipment without cracking. LP’s warranty also includes coverage for hail damage. Fiber cement is very hard, but that hardness makes it more brittle: a heavy impact can crack or chip a board. Over time, that can mean a lower siding repair cost after hailstorms with LP SmartSide.
Freeze-Thaw and Moisture
Both products are built for cold climates. James Hardie’s HZ5 line is engineered for freeze-thaw conditions, and LP’s SmartGuard treatment protects against moisture and decay. For either product, proper installation is critical: correct clearances from the ground and roofline, sealed cut edges, and good flashing around windows and doors are what keep moisture out for decades.
Fire Resistance
James Hardie wins here. Fiber cement is noncombustible, while LP SmartSide is treated wood. If fire resistance is your top priority, Hardie is the stronger choice.
Energy Efficiency
Neither LP SmartSide nor James Hardie adds much insulation on its own. What makes either one energy efficient siding is what goes underneath it. During installation, we can add continuous foam insulation board and a high-quality house wrap behind the siding, which reduces drafts and heat loss. If you want energy-efficient siding for a Wisconsin home, the system matters as much as the siding itself.
Sustainability: LP SmartSide’s Wisconsin Advantage
For homeowners looking for a more eco-friendly siding, LP SmartSide has a story that’s hard to beat, and much of it happens right here in Wisconsin.
Made From Fast-Growing, Self-Regenerating Aspen
LP SmartSide is made primarily from trembling aspen, a fast-growing hardwood that regenerates naturally through its root system. After harvest, new aspen shoots sprout from the existing roots, so the forest renews itself without replanting. That makes aspen one of the most renewable wood sources available for building products.
Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Certified
All wood used in LP SmartSide is grown and gathered under Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) standards, and LP’s compliance is checked by an independent third-party auditor. SFI certification requires forests to be managed for long-term environmental, social, and economic value, including forest regeneration, water quality, and wildlife habitat.
Sourced Locally and Made in Wisconsin
LP sources the wood for SmartSide from forests within about 90 miles of its mills, which cuts down on transportation and supports regional forestry. Two of those mills are in Wisconsin, in Hayward and Tomahawk, and LP’s prefinishing facility for ExpertFinish products is in Green Bay. That means the LP SmartSide on your Madison home was often grown, manufactured, and finished right here in our state.
Minimal Waste and Low Emissions
LP reports that its mills use 99% of every log, either in the product itself or as fuel to run the mill. No urea-formaldehyde is added during manufacturing, and the binders and resins used in LP SmartSide are low-emitting. LP SmartSide can also help builders earn points in leading green building programs.
James Hardie fiber cement is also a long-lasting, low-maintenance product, and durability itself is a form of sustainability: siding that lasts decades keeps material out of landfills. But for homeowners who want a renewable, locally made product, LP SmartSide is the clear choice.
Styles and Looks
Both products work for traditional and modern siding designs. LP SmartSide offers lap siding, panels, shakes, and trim in cedar-textured or smooth finishes, plus 16 prefinished ExpertFinish colors. James Hardie offers a wide range of lap, panel, shingle, and board-and-batten profiles and a broad ColorPlus palette.
For modern home siding, both brands offer smooth vertical panels and board-and-batten looks that pair well with large windows and clean lines. Mixing materials, such as vertical panels on one section and horizontal lap on another, is one of the most popular approaches to contemporary house siding right now. Both brands offer online color tools, and a roof and siding visualizer lets you preview siding colors and styles on a photo of a home before you decide.
Trim, Soffit, and Fascia
Siding is only part of your home’s exterior shell. Both LP SmartSide and James Hardie make matching trim, and LP SmartSide also offers soffit products, so your corners, window surrounds, and rooflines can match your new siding. If your soffits and fascia are rotting, peeling, or letting in pests, planning a soffit and fascia replacement at the same time as your siding is usually more cost-effective than doing it separately later, and it gives your home a finished, consistent look.
Installation: Why the Contractor Matters
James Hardie fiber cement is heavy, and cutting it creates silica dust, so crews need specialized tools, dust control, and training. That’s why it’s important to choose experienced fiber cement siding contractors. Look for Hardie plank siding installers who follow James Hardie’s installation requirements exactly, because improper installation can void the warranty. Cement siding contractors who install it regularly will also know how to handle details around windows, doors, and corners.
LP SmartSide is lighter and easier to cut, but it has its own installation rules for clearances, fastening, and sealing cut edges. Either way, installation quality is what determines how long your siding lasts.
Cost: LP SmartSide vs. Hardie
LP SmartSide is typically a bit less expensive than James Hardie, both in materials and in labor, because its lighter boards install faster. For most Madison homes, expect LP SmartSide to run roughly $8 to $14 per square foot installed and James Hardie to run roughly $10 to $18. The total depends on your home’s size, the profile and finish you choose, and how much prep work the walls need. For a full breakdown, see our guide on how much siding replacement costs in Madison, WI.
Warranties Compared
LP SmartSide comes with a 5/50-year limited warranty: five years of full coverage, then prorated coverage for the remainder of the 50 years. It covers fungal decay, termites, and hail damage. ExpertFinish pre-finished products add a 15-year finish warranty.
James Hardie offers a 30-year non-prorated limited warranty on its siding, plus a separate 15-year finish warranty on ColorPlus products. Non-prorated means coverage doesn’t decline as the siding ages.
With both brands, the warranty depends on following the manufacturer’s installation instructions, which is one more reason to choose an experienced installer.
James Hardie vs. LP SmartSide FAQs
Neither is better for every home. LP SmartSide is lighter, more impact resistant, and usually costs less. James Hardie is noncombustible and has a longer non-prorated warranty. Both perform well in Wisconsin when installed correctly.
With proper installation and maintenance, LP SmartSide can last for decades, and it’s backed by a 50- year limited warranty.
James Hardie’s HZ5 products are engineered for freeze-thaw climates. Cracks usually come from impacts or installation errors rather than cold alone.
LP SmartSide. Engineered wood flexes under impact, and LP’s warranty covers hail damage.
Yes. LP SmartSide is made primarily from fast-growing aspen that regenerates naturally from its roots, sourced under Sustainable Forestry Initiative standards. Much of it is made in Wisconsin, at LP’s mills in Hayward and Tomahawk, with pre-finishing in Green Bay.
Not if you choose a pre-finished option. LP’s ExpertFinish and James Hardie’s ColorPlus are factory-finished and come with their own finish warranties. Primed boards are painted on site.
Get Expert Help Choosing Your Siding
The best siding for your home depends on your style, budget, and priorities. Our free siding inspection includes a side-by-side look at LP SmartSide and James Hardie samples on your home, honest recommendations, and clear siding quotes for both. If a sustainable, Wisconsin-made siding matters to you, ask us about LP SmartSide.
