LP SmartSide Engineered Wood Siding in Wichita, KS

What engineered wood siding is

LP SmartSide is made from wood strands coated with resin binders and a treatment that resists fungal decay and termites, pressed into boards and panels with a resin-saturated overlay and a wood-grain texture. It is primed at the factory, and some colors are available prefinished. The result is real wood fiber, so it cuts and fastens much like wood, without the knots, splits and constant upkeep of solid wood.

Why homeowners choose it

• Weight and length. Engineered wood lap siding is much lighter than fiber cement and comes in long boards, so there are fewer butt joints on long walls.
• The look. A deep cedar-style grain, or smooth, in lap, panel, shake and board-and-batten styles, with matching trim.
• Toughness against bumps. Wood fiber has some give, so it handles everyday impacts on garages and shops well.
• Outbuildings. LP's panel siding is common on detached garages, shops, barns and sheds around Wichita and in the rural towns, often matched to the house.

Warranty basics

LP offers a manufacturer's limited warranty on SmartSide products, with terms that depend on the product and on installation and finishing according to LP's instructions. Read the current warranty for the exact product being quoted, and keep your paperwork. A contractor's workmanship terms are separate from the manufacturer's warranty.

Moisture is the thing to manage

Engineered wood is treated, but it is still wood fiber, so the details that keep water out matter more than with vinyl:

• Clearance. LP specifies minimum clearances from the ground, from roofing, and from decks, patios and concrete. Boards that sit in mulch, snow or splashback absorb water at the edges.
• Cut edges. Field cuts and exposed edges need to be primed or sealed per LP's instructions.
• Paint. Primed SmartSide must be painted within the time LP specifies, with a quality exterior paint. Keeping the finish intact is part of maintenance.
• Flashing. Kick-out flashing at roof-to-wall intersections and proper head flashing at windows and doors are essential.
• Fasteners. Nails must be set flush, not overdriven; overdriven nails break the surface and let water in.

Engineered wood and Kansas hail

Hail can dent engineered wood and crack or chip the paint. Small dents with intact paint are often cosmetic; cracked paint or crushed fibers should be sealed or the board replaced so moisture does not get in. After a storm, check the walls that faced the wind and touch up promptly. See hail damage siding.

LP SmartSide vs. fiber cement

These two are the most common upgrades from vinyl in the Wichita area. Fiber cement is noncombustible and does not take on water the same way; engineered wood is lighter, longer and easier to handle. Both need paint maintenance eventually. Cost is often similar enough that contractor experience and the specific products quoted make the difference. The full comparison is in LP SmartSide vs. James Hardie.

Replacing old hardboard and T1-11

Many Wichita-area homes built in the 1970s through the 1990s have hardboard lap siding or T1-11 plywood panel siding, which often swells and rots at the bottom edges. Engineered wood is a common replacement because the look is similar and the panel and lap profiles cover the same walls. Before choosing, have the contractor check the sheathing and framing behind the old siding. See what is T1-11 siding?

Painting and colors

Primed engineered wood can be painted any color. Prefinished boards come with a factory finish in a set palette, which saves a step and usually comes with a finish warranty. For a field-painted job, ask who paints (the siding contractor or a painter), what paint is used, and how many coats. Dark colors absorb more heat, but unlike vinyl, engineered wood is not restricted to light colors.

Care and maintenance

• Inspect caulk and paint once a year, especially on south and west walls.
• Keep gutters clean and downspouts pointed away from the walls.
• Keep sprinklers off the siding.
• Touch up chips and scrapes before water gets into the fibers.
• Repaint when the finish starts to wear, before bare wood fiber is exposed.

Questions to ask before you sign

• Which LP SmartSide product (lap, panel, shakes, trim) and which texture are included?
• Is it primed or prefinished, and if primed, who paints it and how soon after installation?
• What clearances will be kept from the ground, roof lines, decks and concrete?
• How will cut edges be sealed, and how are nails set so they are flush, not overdriven?
• Is kick-out flashing included where roofs meet walls?
• How does the quote handle rotted sheathing or framing found when the old siding comes off?
• Will the installation meet LP's warranty requirements, and will you give me the warranty paperwork?

Common mistakes with engineered wood

Most problems with engineered wood siding come from a short list of installation errors: boards run down onto a roof or into the soil with no clearance, nails driven too deep, unsealed cut ends, missing kick-out flashing, and primed boards left unpainted too long. Each lets water into the edges of the boards. A contractor who installs LP regularly will be able to explain how it avoids each one.

Getting an LP SmartSide quote

Choose "LP SmartSide" on the form, and mention whether it is for the house, a garage, a shop or a barn. We will call you back to set up a free quote. Ask which LP product line is included, whether it is primed or prefinished, and who handles painting. Published price ranges are in the cost guide.

What does it cost? See published national ranges for LP SmartSide siding in the siding cost guide. They are general industry estimates, not quotes.

Related guides

• LP SmartSide vs. James Hardie: Which Is Better in Kansas?
• What Is T1-11 Siding? Problems, Repair and Replacement

Good to know: Requesting a quote is free and there is no obligation. Ask for a written quote that lists the material, the scope, permits and the warranty terms.