LP SmartSide is engineered wood. Wood strands are treated through LP's SmartGuard process and bonded into consistent boards and panels. Bay Area Siding Company installs it across the Bay Area, from foggy coastal neighborhoods to hot inland valleys. Below we cover the product lines, how SmartSide compares with fiber cement and real wood, what upkeep looks like, and how we install it.

The LP SmartSide lineup we work with

LP SmartSide vs. fiber cement vs. real wood

Each material has a genuine place. Fiber cement is a strong choice where noncombustibility or a long factory finish matters most. Real wood is still the answer for some historic Victorians and for owners who want natural stain. SmartSide fits between them. It gives you a convincing wood look with lighter handling and better dent resistance, and it takes paint well.

Maintenance and longevity: what engineered wood actually asks of you

SmartSide is not maintenance-free, and we won't describe it that way. It's a painted product, and the paint film is part of how it sheds water. Plan on periodic repainting, washing off dirt and mildew, and checking caulked joints. Solid wood usually needs refinishing more often and can develop checking, splits and soft spots between paint cycles. With SmartSide, you are mostly maintaining the coating rather than repairing the boards themselves.

Engineered wood holds up well when water can't sit on its edges. The weak points are the ones a good installer controls. These include field-cut ends that were never sealed, and boards run tight to a concrete patio or roof surface where splash and standing water wick in. Another is a missing kick-out flashing at a roof-wall intersection, which sends runoff behind the siding.

Bay Area conditions shape the maintenance rhythm. Near the coast, marine-layer moisture and salt air keep walls damp for long stretches. It pays to inspect bottom edges and north-facing walls, and to keep the paint film intact. Inland, UV and summer heat wear down south- and west-facing paint faster, so those elevations often need attention first. Painted this way and kept up, SmartSide can hold its appearance for a long time. LP's limited warranty also expects the product to be installed and finished according to its instructions.

Our installation process

1. Estimate and consultation. We walk the exterior, talk through profiles and colors, flag any fire-hazard or permit questions, and put the scope in writing.
2. Permits and fire-zone check. We confirm permit requirements with the local building department. On parcels mapped in a Cal Fire hazard zone, we review Chapter 7A requirements for the wall assembly with the AHJ before choosing materials.
3. Tear-off to the sheathing. Old siding comes off down to the sheathing/substrate, exposing the existing water-resistive barrier and flashing so we can see what they've been doing.
4. Inspect and correct. We look for soft or delaminated sheathing, torn or brittle WRB, and window flashing that was never lapped correctly. Water-stained sheathing below old window corners is a common find, and we document and repair these before anything new goes on.
5. New WRB and flashing detailing. The WRB is lapped shingle-style. Window and door flashing is integrated with it so water drains outward. We add kick-out flashing at roof-wall intersections and Z-flashing over horizontal trim.
6. Install to LP's specifications. We keep required clearances to grade and to roofing and hardscape, and fasten snug rather than overdriven. Butt joints are gapped and detailed as LP's instructions allow, and every field-cut edge is sealed.
7. Paint and final walkthrough. Primed siding is painted within LP's specified window, and we walk the finished house with you to review the details and the care it will need.

LP SmartSide FAQ