Vinyl siding might be the most popular option in today’s market here in the Minneapolis area, but many people would agree that it’s not the best option. It certainly isn’t best for every home, and it's not our number one recommendation when people ask us about the siding products we offer.

There are plenty of alternatives to vinyl siding, and both composite wood siding and engineered wood siding are strong options to consider instead. These picks both come with some serious benefits over something like vinyl or even metal siding, but each has its own benefits as well. We’ll explain the differences between the two and the benefits of each option and

There are plenty of alternatives to vinyl siding, and both composite wood siding and engineered wood siding are strong options to consider instead. These picks both come with some serious benefits over something like vinyl or even metal siding, but each has its own benefits as well. We’ll explain the differences between the two and the benefits of each option and hopefully help make the decision process a bit easier as well.

The Perks of Using James Hardie Siding James Hardie siding is a composite product that’s used on homes all around the world. It’s durable, it looks nice, and it has a reputation for holding up well after installation. But other siding products offer similar benefits. That’s why we have to take some time to compare siding products.  In this post, we look at Hardie fiber cement siding versus LP engineered wood.

There are some major benefits when you look at Hardie and LP siding side by side.  When it comes to Hardie, the shake siding looks nicer, the siding is more fire-resistant, and it can be ordered pre-finished. James Hardie shake siding has a beautiful appearance, and if you want shake-style siding on your home, it’s often the best option to go with.

James Hardie siding stands up to fire really well and will slow a burning fire in its tracks. It’s much more fire-resistant than LP siding, making it a good option for fire-prone locations.

The siding also comes pre-finished, making it a bit more convenient to install and reducing the number of steps involved to get it installed on a house. Each of these benefits is nice, but you have to compare them with LP benefits as well before deciding which are most important to you.

LP Siding Benefits

LP SmartSide® (engineered wood) is a durable product that is also attractive. It offers some nice perks as well. It’s easier to cut and install, it can be put on closer to a roofline when being installed over it.  It's also lighter in weight.

If you’re worried about paying high prices for installation, this generally isn’t an issue with LP siding. That’s because you can cut it with standard wood saws and it’s just as easy to work with as wood is. Composite siding is more cumbersome and expensive to have installed overall.  Special protective equipment must be used, and its installation is governed by specific OSHA regulations. LP siding doesn't have those restrictions.

LP siding is also lightweight and easy to handle, and if it has to be installed over the top of a roof, for structures like dormers, it can be installed just 1” off the roofline, leaving behind a cleaner line than the 2” gap required with composite siding. That can give you a neater and more professional looking installation.

Both siding options offer some nice benefits, but it’s up to you to pick which perks are most important to you overall. Contact us here at Quarve, an experienced Minneapolis replacement siding contractor to find out more.

We are a licensed Minnesota home remodeling company, and we install a variety of siding products.  If you'd like to talk about the different options for your home, why not call us today for a free, no-obligation consultation?