Comparing LP SmartSide engineered wood and James Hardie fiber cement siding for Chicagoland homes.
Both LP SmartSide and James Hardie are premium siding options, but they're fundamentally different materials with different strengths. Here's how they compare for Illinois homeowners.
What They're Made Of
James Hardie is fiber cement — a mixture of cement, sand, and cellulose fiber. It's essentially a thin concrete panel. LP SmartSide is engineered wood — real wood strands treated with zinc borate and bonded with resin under extreme pressure.
Durability in Illinois Weather
Both handle Illinois weather well, but differently. Hardie's HZ5 formula is specifically engineered for our freeze-thaw climate zone and resists moisture absorption that causes cracking. LP SmartSide's SmartGuard process protects against moisture, rot, termites, and fungal decay. Both carry long warranties — Hardie at 30 years, LP SmartSide at 50 years.
Appearance
LP SmartSide has a more natural wood texture because it IS wood. It can be stained or painted in any color. Hardie offers a smooth or wood-grain texture and their ColorPlus factory-applied finish comes with a 15-year color warranty. Both look excellent — the difference is subtle and comes down to personal preference.
Installation
LP SmartSide is lighter and can be worked with standard carpentry tools, making installation faster. Hardie is heavier and requires specialized cutting tools (it's cement, after all), which can add to installation time and cost.
Cost
Pricing for both materials depends on your home's size, complexity, and the specific product line you choose. Generally they occupy a similar price tier — both are premium products above vinyl but below natural cedar. Call us for a free consultation where we can present both options side by side for your specific home.
Our Recommendation
Both are excellent choices. We install both regularly across Chicagoland. Hardie is our slight preference for homes with heavy sun exposure (cement doesn't fade), while LP SmartSide is ideal for homeowners who want authentic wood character without wood maintenance.
Related Siding Articles
What goes on the wall before the siding
Siding sheds most of the rain, but not all of it. What keeps the wall dry is the layer behind: a continuous weather barrier, taped seams, flashing above every window and door, kick-out flashing where a roof ends against a wall, and clearance above roofs, decks and the ground. Most of the failed siding we remove was missing one or more of those. Ask to see them on your estimate.
How Illinois weather tests siding
Walls here go from below zero to the nineties, with dozens of freeze and thaw cycles each winter. Materials that absorb water crack and swell. Hail tests impact strength, and summer sun on south and west walls tests color. Fiber cement made for freezing climates handles all of it well. Insulated vinyl handles moisture and cold but is more vulnerable to hail and heat. Wood and hardboard need constant upkeep.
Where exterior money goes furthest
For how a house looks from the street, the front door, garage door and siding color do the most. For comfort, windows and air sealing. For protecting the building, roof, gutters and flashing. For resale, national cost-versus-value surveys consistently put entry doors, siding and windows near the top for the share of cost recovered. A good plan fixes anything leaking first, then spends on what you will see and feel every day.
Common questions
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