LP SmartSide vs HardiePlank: Cost, Durability, and Which Siding to Choose

LP SmartSide vs HardiePlank: Cost & Durability Compared

LP SmartSide and HardiePlank are two of the most popular siding products in the country, and homeowners compare them constantly before committing to an exterior. The two could not be more different in composition. LP SmartSide is engineered wood made from oriented wood strands bonded with moisture-resistant resins. HardiePlank is fiber cement made from cement, sand, and cellulose fibers. Both are rated for roughly 50 years of service, but they differ in price, installation, moisture behavior, and the climates where each is the better pick.

TheRemodelers brings together licensed siding contractors and specialists to help homeowners understand the differences between LP SmartSide engineered wood and HardiePlank fiber cement siding, including cost, durability, moisture resistance, and the climates where each performs best.

Installed, LP SmartSide costs between 4 and 8 dollars per square foot, while HardiePlank costs between 5 and 10 dollars per square foot installed. The gap is typically 1 to 2 dollars per square foot, which works out to roughly 2,000 to 4,000 dollars on a typical single-story home. Labor rates are similar for both, so most of the difference is the product itself.

Cost Comparison

LP SmartSide material runs about 3 to 5 dollars per square foot, with installation adding 1 to 3 dollars per square foot. HardiePlank material runs 4 to 6 dollars per square foot, with installation adding 1 to 4 dollars per square foot. Because engineered wood is lighter and cuts with standard woodworking tools, some crews charge slightly less labor for it, which widens the overall gap. Regional labor rates move both products up or down, so quotes in high-cost areas can land well above these ranges. The siding pillar covers total siding cost factors, and the vinyl versus fiber cement comparison explains where fiber cement sits against the most affordable siding options.

Durability and Lifespan

Both products are rated for roughly 50 years of service, a claim neither plywood nor standard fiberboard can make. LP SmartSide panels are treated with zinc borate to resist rot, fungal decay, and termites and carry a 50-year prorated warranty. HardiePlank does not rot, warp, or support termites, and because it contains no organic material, it is noncombustible. The practical difference shows up over decades: fiber cement is chemically inert and weathers any climate without degrading, while engineered wood depends on its treatment holding up over the full life of the siding.

Moisture Resistance

Moisture behavior is where the two products differ most. HardiePlank is cement based and does not absorb water, so it shrugs off humid coastal air, heavy rain, and snow with a wide margin for installation mistakes. It still needs proper flashing and clearance above grade, because water trapped behind any siding damages the framing. LP SmartSide is engineered wood, and while every panel is treated against moisture damage, the product must not sit in standing water, touch the ground, or stay sealed inside wet conditions. In consistently wet climates, fiber cement gives you more forgiveness. In normal and dry climates, both products perform well for decades.

Installation Differences

LP SmartSide is the easier product to install. It is noticeably lighter than fiber cement, cuts cleanly with standard circular saws and routers, and fastens with standard galvanized nails, so most crews finish it faster. HardiePlank is heavy and brittle, requires carbide blades and specialized cutting tools, and must be cut outdoors or with dust collection because the silica dust in fiber cement is hazardous to breathe. The handling difference matters most on two-story homes, where crews carry and cut siding on ladders and scaffolding.

Paint Retention and Appearance

Both products arrive pre-primed or factory-finished. LP SmartSide is factory primed and takes a 100 percent acrylic paint system well, and its boards are dimensionally stable, so the paint film does not crack with expansion and contraction. HardiePlank offers ColorPlus, a factory-applied baked-on finish that carries a longer finish warranty than standard on-site painting. Both hold color for years, and both need repainting every 10 to 15 years, with dark colors sooner. Homeowners also commonly combine the two: LP SmartSide trim pieces match HardiePlank profiles, so many houses use HardiePlank on the walls with engineered wood trim around windows and doors.

Best Climates for Each

HardiePlank is the stronger choice in hot, humid, coastal, and heavy-rain climates because it cannot absorb moisture or warp, and its noncombustible nature makes it a top pick in wildfire-prone areas. LP SmartSide performs best in moderate and dry climates where moisture exposure is limited, and both products handle cold winters well. For homeowners who want dark colors, fiber cement tolerates heat and fading better than most materials, while engineered wood with a good paint system also holds dark tones acceptably. Whatever you choose, the installer matters more than the product, since flashing, fastening, and clearance decide how long either siding lasts.

Final Thoughts

Both LP SmartSide and HardiePlank are proven products installed on millions of homes, and neither is a bad choice. The decision comes down to budget, climate, and who installs it. If you are in a wet or wildfire-prone region, HardiePlank gives you more margin. If you want a lower installed cost and easier future repairs, LP SmartSide delivers. Ask for quotes on both products from the same contractor so you compare like for like, and ask each crew which one they prefer and why, because installer experience matters as much as the product itself.

When you are ready to get estimates from licensed siding contractors in your area, this free connection service connects you with professionals who offer free no-obligation assessments.

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