James Hardie VS LP Smartside, Which Is The Best Siding Choice For Portland–Vancouver Homes.

by | Jan 29, 2026

How to Choose Home Siding,
James Hardie or LP Smartside?

When comparing James Hardie and LP SmartSide siding, James Hardie offers superior durability and fire resistance due to its fiber cement composition, while LP SmartSide provides a more wood-like aesthetic and is generally less expensive (likely due to it’s more flammable material). Here’s a more detailed comparison:

James Hardie
(Fiber Cement):

  • Material: Made from fiber cement, a blend of cement, sand, water, and cellulose fibers.
  • Durability: Known for its high durability and resistance to rot, mold, pests, and fire. Withstands winds up to 130mph and hail. Warp resistant, no shrinking, excellent seal.
  • Maintenance: Low maintenance compared to wood siding, but still needs periodic cleaning every 6 to 12 months
  • Cost: Slightly more expensive than LP SmartSide due to it’s durability and longevity
  • Warranty: Typically offers a 30-year limited warranty, considered the best in the industry
  • Aesthetic: modern look with “smooth” or “cedarmill” which is a natural wood appearance. Over 700 color options, with matching trim and soffit available

LP SmartSide
(Engineered Wood):

  • Material: Made from treated wood strands coated in resins, waxes, and zinc borate.
  • Durability: Offers good resistance to moisture, pests, and fungal decay, good against hail damage.
  • Maintenance: Requires regular cleaning and may require repainting every 5 to 10 years depending on exposure.
  • Cost: Slightly less expensive
  • Warranty: Comes with a 50-year limited (pro-rated) warranty. This means LP SmartSide will reduce coverage by 2.2 percent at year six and every year up to 50. Therefore, it would appear that most homeowners would prefer the James Hardie warranty.
  • Aesthetic: authentic wood look, 16 pre-finished colors. Other colors you must paint

Key Differences Between James Hardie Siding and LP Smartside

  • Fire Resistance: James Hardie’s fiber cement is non-combustible and offers superior fire protection.
  • Impact Resistance: Both are impact resistant, Hardie can withstand higher winds
  • Aesthetics: LP SmartSide offers a more natural wood-like appearance, while James Hardie has a more uniform, modern look with more color options. James Hardie’s color and profile options work especially well for Craftsman and modern farmhouse exteriors in the Portland–Vancouver area.
  • Weight: James Hardie is heavier than LP SmartSide, making it a more substantial material.
  • Maintenance: Both siding types require periodic maintenance, but James Hardie tends to require less frequent maintenance due to its durability.
  • Climate: Consider your local climate when choosing siding. James Hardie’s fiber cement is a good choice for areas with high humidity, wind and rain. LP Smartside is good with hail.
  • Budget: LP SmartSide is slightly more affordable up front, but will require more maintenance in the long run
  • Installation: LP SmartSide is faster to install; James Hardie siding requires specialized installation techniques from trusted contractors to maximize durability

At Cutting Edge Contracting, we prioritize durability, fire resistance, beauty and low maintenance. That is why we choose James Hardie as our preferred siding for Pacific Northwest Homes.  In fact, we are James Hardie Elite Preferred contractors, meaning we are the top percent of contractors who know how to skillfully install James Hardie siding. Visit our siding gallery for more, or contact us today to schedule your free consultation.

 

 Other posts you might be interested in: