Two Siding Options for Your Home (And They’re Not Vinyl)

By Rick Wedding •  Updated: 03/24/21 •  4 min read

Yes, siding needs to look good, but it also plays far greater roles. It is a protectant from the suns harmful rays and more importantly keeps water from entering your interior. Here are a few products that can stand up to the elements, but also give you the pleasing curb appeal you’re looking for.

James Hardie Siding

James Hardie® fiber cement products combine beautiful design with high performance. Time and time again, we beat our competitors on both curb appeal and durability. There are many reasons to choose James Hardie siding over vinyl, the first of which is appearance. James Hardie siding is over five times thicker than vinyl, allowing for deeper grooves and a more authentic wood-grain effect. The result is more elegant than vinyl (which is plastic), particularly on a historic home. Then comes function. Vinyl melts easily in a fire (or even from the reflection of the sun off Low-E glass windows); James Hardie products are noncombustible. Vinyl may crack and warp from the elements; James Hardie products are more durable and resist warping, sagging and melting.

Painted wood trim looks nice at first. But because wood expands and contracts more than fiber cement does, the paint on wood trim tends to crack and peel faster, requiring more frequent spot repairs to prevent it from looking sloppy. PVC has its own issues. For one, it’s plastic, making it more susceptible to thermal movement, which creates unsightly gaps and buckling. Often, nail heads stick out like sore thumbs. HardieTrim® boards come with concealed fasteners. HardieTrim boards are engineered for durability, complementing the performance of our siding products. They also offer a variety of design possibilities for windows, doors, gables, corners, and more. In other words, the fun part. And remember, like all James Hardie® siding products, HardieTrim® boards are available with ColorPlus Technology finishes.

LP SmartSide

I personally like this product better than the James Hardie. They have perfected this technology since the early days and it just keeps getting better and better.

LP SmartSide is one of the fastest-growing house siding brands in the United States. It’s an excellent choice for homeowners who want beautiful curb appeal and the easy maintenance that comes from these innovative engineered wood siding products. Get the versatility to create a custom look with LP SmartSide Lap Siding. Available in different sizes in smooth and textured finishes, LP SmartSide enhances the curb appeal of new and remodeled homes. Plus, it’s the perfect complement to homes finished in other exteriors such as stucco, stone, and brick.

From corner to corner, your home is defined by the beautiful details of LP SmartSide Trim and Fascia. With its attractive wood grain texture and timeless styles, it’s easy to see why LP SmartSide Trim perfectly complements any and all house siding products. Now you can easily achieve the look you want with LP SmartSide Trim and Fascia. It’s available in lengths up to 16’ for fewer seams than most house trim, and you’ll get a premium appearance that enhances the curb appeal of any home. Plus, LP SmartSide Trim and Fascia come in a wide assortment of styles so you can add a touch of craftsmanship that’s hard to miss.

Rick Wedding

Rick Wedding is the founder of Building Supply Guy and has been in the building materials industry since 1987. Since then, his mission is to make selecting products for your home easy for everyone. And each year, he continues to help more people with choosing the best products and services for their homes.