5 ways engineered wood siding beats genuine wood

If you are considering installing real wood siding on your home's exterior, you should also consider the advantages of engineered wood siding. Although natural wood has been a popular siding choice with homeowners for decades, today's siding manufacturers offer engineered wood products that often last longer, install quicker and cost less, than the real thing.

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5 reasons engineered wood siding trumps real wood

1. Fewer defects. Less waste is created when you install engineered wood siding on your home, because there are no knots or other natural defects that need to be cut out of those less-than-perfect siding boards. Engineered boards also resist warping, cupping and checking better than real wood.


2. Ease of installation. Engineered products can often be installed quicker than traditional wood, because the siding boards come pre-primed from the factory, which means that they are ready to install right out of the box. Unlike wood boards, engineered boards come standard in 16-foot lengths, which can mean fewer unsightly joints and a shorter installation time.


3. Durability. Louisiana Pacific (LP) treats their SmartSide siding with zinc borate, which is a decay-inhibiting coating that helps reduce siding failure due to insect or water damage. Louisiana Pacific states that the SmartGuard-patented process helps their siding and trim products withstand the hottest and most humid environments on earth.


4. Matching trim and fascia. If you are installing new siding on your home, chances are you also need to install fascia and trim boards, as well as new soffit panelling. Louisiana Pacific offers factory-primed, engineered wood trim and soffit to match their many styles of siding, all of which are available in several widths, lengths and surface textures.


5. Less costly. Engineered siding is often less expensive than real wood. For example, a traditional 8-inch, beveled cedar clapboard costs about $21.50 for a 16-foot-long siding board, while LP offers an engineered board of the same dimensions for about $9. When siding an entire house, those savings can really add up!

Another benefit of choosing engineered siding is that you are purchasing an environmentally sustainable building product. For example, LP's SmartSide Siding is made from small diameter trees, which the company obtains through the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. Do yourself and the environment a favor and include engineered siding among the options you consider for your home exterior improvement.

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