Direct Answer
Who installs LP SmartSide siding in Longmont, CO?
Josh Brooks Construction and Renovation Inc. (CON-24-0152) installs LP SmartSide engineered wood siding in Longmont and across Northern Colorado. Premium wood look, SmartGuard moisture protection, 5/50 warranty, and a fraction of the weight of fiber cement. Free estimate: 720-828-7997.
LP SmartSide Siding Installer in Longmont, CO
Not every homeowner needs James Hardie. If you want the look of wood siding with engineered performance, a lower price point, and a 50-year product warranty, LP SmartSide is a serious contender. Josh Brooks Construction and Renovation Inc. installs both — and we’ll give you an honest comparison so you can make the right call for your home and budget.
What Is LP SmartSide?
LP SmartSide is an engineered wood composite siding manufactured by Louisiana-Pacific. Unlike standard OSB or plywood products, LP SmartSide strands are treated with the SmartGuard process — a combination of zinc borate treatment, resin binders, and a moisture-resistant overlay — before being compressed into panels, lap siding, shakes, and trim. The result is an engineered wood product that resists moisture, fungal decay, and termites significantly better than untreated wood while maintaining the visual warmth and workability of a wood product.
LP SmartSide is available in lap siding (the most common profile), vertical panels, shakes, and trim boards. It accepts paint well, cuts with standard woodworking tools, and is lighter than James Hardie fiber cement — making it faster to handle on complex installations with lots of corners, dormers, or architectural detail.
LP SmartSide vs. James Hardie: The Honest Comparison
| Feature | LP SmartSide | James Hardie |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Engineered wood composite | Fiber cement |
| Impact Resistance | Class 3 (most products) | Class 4 — highest available |
| Weight | Lighter — easier on complex profiles | Heavier — more dense |
| Product Warranty | 5/50 (workmanship/product) | 30-year ColorPlus / product |
| Cost vs. Hardie | 10-20% less installed | Premium |
| Fire Resistance | Class 1 / A with overlay | Non-combustible |
| Wood Look | More natural grain texture | Smooth or wood-grain options |
| Insurance Discount | Possible with Class 3 rating | 15-30% with Class 4 rating |
Our recommendation: If your primary concern is hail impact resistance and maximum insurance premium discount, James Hardie Class 4 is the right call. If you want a premium wood aesthetic at a lower price point with excellent moisture performance, LP SmartSide is a legitimate choice. We’ll tell you which is right for your home — not which one pads the invoice more.
LP SmartSide Installation Process
Proper LP SmartSide installation requires following LP’s technical specifications exactly to maintain the 5/50 warranty. Key requirements we follow on every installation:
- Moisture barrier required — housewrap or building paper behind all LP SmartSide products before installation
- Proper clearances — minimum 6 inches above grade, minimum 1 inch above horizontal flashing, minimum 1/2 inch above roofing
- Fastener specifications — hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel nails per LP specs; improper fasteners void the warranty
- All cut edges painted — all field cuts must be sealed with a compatible primer before installation to maintain moisture resistance at cut ends
- Caulking at joints — all butt joints, trim intersections, and penetrations caulked with a paintable siliconized acrylic caulk
These aren’t suggestions — they’re warranty requirements. A contractor who skips any of these steps is leaving you with an unwarranted product. We’ve seen LP SmartSide installations fail within 5 years because a previous contractor skipped moisture barrier or left cut ends unsealed.
LP SmartSide with PVC Trim: The Right Combination
One of the most effective combinations in exterior renovation is LP SmartSide lap siding paired with PVC cellular trim at corners, windows, and doors. The LP provides the warm wood aesthetic on the field of the wall, while PVC trim at the vulnerable high-moisture transition points — corner boards, window casings, door surrounds — provides zero-maintenance performance that won’t rot, crack, or need painting. This is exactly what you’re seeing in the photo above.
The PVC trim we use is cellular PVC board (Azek, Versatex, or equivalent) — routed and milled to match any traditional wood profile. It accepts paint, installs with standard woodworking fasteners, and will outlast the LP siding around it without any maintenance.
5/50
LP SmartSide warranty — 5 yrs workmanship, 50 yrs product against decay and termites
LP Building Products
10-20%
typical cost savings vs. James Hardie fiber cement on same installation
Material Cost Data
Class 3
impact resistance rating — solid performance, one below Hardie’s Class 4
UL 2218 Testing
31 yrs
Josh Brooks field experience installing siding across Northern Colorado since 1996
Colorado License 1996
“LP SmartSide paired with PVC trim is one of my favorite combinations on the right home. The engineered wood gives you that authentic grain texture that fiber cement can’t fully replicate, and PVC trim at the corners and windows means zero maintenance at the most vulnerable points. I’ve been installing both in Northern Colorado since 2014 and I know which product works for which situation. I won’t just sell you the most expensive option.”
Josh Brooks
Licensed General Contractor CON-24-0152 | Longmont, CO Since 2014
Frequently Asked Questions
What is LP SmartSide and how does it compare to James Hardie?
LP SmartSide is an engineered wood composite siding treated with SmartGuard technology for moisture and termite resistance. It costs slightly less than James Hardie fiber cement and is lighter and easier to cut on site, making it faster to install on complex profiles. James Hardie is heavier, more impact-resistant, and preferred in Colorado’s hail corridor. LP SmartSide is an excellent choice for homeowners who want a premium wood look at a lower cost than fiber cement.
Is LP SmartSide good for Colorado’s climate?
Yes. LP SmartSide’s SmartGuard technology provides good moisture resistance for Colorado’s humidity swings, and the engineered wood core flexes through freeze-thaw cycles better than fiber cement in some applications. However, James Hardie achieves a higher impact resistance rating (Class 4 vs. LP SmartSide’s Class 3 in most products), which matters in the hail corridor. We discuss the tradeoffs honestly on every project.
How much does LP SmartSide cost to install in Longmont?
LP SmartSide installation in Longmont typically runs $7,000-$15,000 for a standard home depending on square footage and profile complexity — generally 10-20% less than James Hardie fiber cement on the same job. Josh Brooks Construction and Renovation Inc. provides fixed-price bids. License CON-24-0152.
Does LP SmartSide come with a warranty?
LP SmartSide carries a 5/50 warranty — 5 years on workmanship and 50 years on the product against fungal decay and termite damage when installed per manufacturer specifications. The finish warranty depends on whether the product is pre-primed or factory-finished. Josh Brooks Construction and Renovation Inc. installs LP SmartSide per all manufacturer specifications to maintain full warranty coverage.
LP SmartSide Estimate — Longmont & Northern Colorado
Premium engineered wood siding, properly installed per LP specs. Fixed-price bid, full warranty.
Licensed CON-24-0152. We install James Hardie and LP SmartSide — we’ll recommend the right one for your home.
Completed Project — Fort Collins, CO
LP SmartSide Panel Siding with PVC Trim Boards — Tudor Gambrel Home, Fort Collins
This Fort Collins Tudor-style gambrel home had failing original wood panel siding on the upper gable sections. The curved gambrel roofline and Tudor board-and-batten detail required precise LP SmartSide panel cuts and carefully fitted PVC trim boards to maintain the home’s architectural character.
- LP SmartSide vertical panel — dark gray factory-primed
- White cellular PVC trim boards at horizontal bands and window surround
- Curved gambrel profile maintained with precision panel cuts
- Tudor board-and-batten trim detail preserved
- Installed December 2023 — Larimer County permitted