Break Free From Fiber Cement Siding for Better Workability

Do you currently use fiber cement for your siding projects? We know that old habits can be hard to break. However, by not learning about all your siding options, you may be making your installation projects more difficult than they need to be. Let's take a closer look at why you should consider making the switch to LP® SmartSide® engineered wood siding.

Easier to Cut

One of the great advantages of working with LP SmartSide products is the easier installation. It cuts just like traditional wood, using only a few standard woodworking tools: a circular saw or miter saw, a nail gun or drill, and primer, sealant and paint. Fiber cement siding, meanwhile, is more difficult to cut than wood. You need to supply expensive tools for your crew including pneumatic shears, a dust-reducing circular saw and a diamond-tipped miter saw.

Easier to Handle

Because fiber cement siding is made of brittle ingredients, it can easily break and crack, as well as shrink when exposed to moisture and temperature changes. Fiber cement is heavy and requires two people when handling to avoid breakage. LP SmartSide engineered wood contains advanced binders and resins instead of cement, making it lighter than fiber cement siding and much easier to handle on the jobsite. It will not crack and break when carried or moved, so it can be transported on the jobsite by just one worker.

Easier to Install

Fiber cement planks are limited to 12-foot lengths, while LP SmartSide siding comes in 16-foot lengths. This makes engineered wood faster and easier to install by allowing workers to cover more with one plank, and may have fewer joints and seams to finish.

Stop Using Fiber Cement

If you are a siding contractor, we're confident you will love the outstanding workability of our LP SmartSide products. In addition, we offer many ideas for siding and trim color combinations for your projects using the LP SmartSide Visualizer. To learn more or to purchase LP products, find dealers near you.