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I've installed both JH and LP here in Oklahoma for years. Although this evaluation was well thought out and nicely presented as a comparison of siding options, I'm not sold that JH and LP should be compared as Best/Worst as in the "same" category. Concrete option vs Wood option, and the negative focus seems to be water penetration (?). Because I can only speak to my experiences regardless of marketing techniques, I'd like to offer a viewpoint. When given the option of siding products, it's not uncommon homeowners may choose JH. Unfortunately, when the numbers come in, LP wins almost every time. Product costs, as well as labor costs routinely will turn a customer's nose up. I simply think it's important to express that when it comes to moisture, NO wood product will ever be superior to a product lacking the ability to absorb water. For that reason, product installation, protection, and maintenance dollars spent over time typically outweigh the "up front" spending from an otherwise careful budget while building or remodeling. That said, I have no preference of one over the other. I've made plenty of JH repairs due to cracking and broken siding, just as I've made plenty of repairs to LP from moisture issues. Either siding, once compromised, moisture will find its way in. Good video ... just another viewpoint.
A couple comments from an inspector who looks at each of these daily. Hardie board cracks fairly often. If you overdrive the nails, install too tight, or have minor expansion and contraction of the framing or sheathing. I've also seen it deteriorate pretty quickly if the paint is worn. Vinyl siding dry rots over time, especially the areas that get a lot of sun. After about 20-30 years it becomes very brittle. It always cracks. I have seen the least amount of issues with LP. The only issue is if you do not seal the ends or caulk properly it will deteriorate at the cut ends. Thats if you have no overhangs and the siding is exposed to a lot of water. It's much more forgiving and won't crack like hardie. This ranking is not accurate, vinyl is at the bottom of the barrel for siding. I would personally pick LP over hardie.
Thank you for your perspective because I have personally met people who prefer LP over Hardie siding. However, I think this gentleman did a commendable job with his comparison. I don't like gimmicks and believe manufacturers should let the product speak for itself.
Would you recommend to use over steel panel? Looking for a farmhouse look. Building a steel frame home with steel ext walls and ceiling in South Florida.
I respect that you see these problems as inspector but you also need to understand that it will depend on a area of the country. We live in cold climate and seen really fast paint degradation on Smart Lap siding while cement siding hold paint absolutely great for over 15 years. Based on what we see here, Smart lap siding is the cheapest option here , so loved by Builders and slapped on all new housing, while Cement siding is selected for more expensive houses and holds really well. We also live in earthquake zone and yet have not had problems.
I installed LP smart siding on my house (3600 sq ft) all by myself. After reading about the failures LP Smart siding has had in the past due to not following manufactures installation guidelines, I didn’t trust anyone to install it correctly following the instructions to a T. I installed it exactly as manufacturer instructed and it’s been up for seven years without a problem. I haven’t had a sledge hammer hit any of it but living in the ozarks we have plenty of rocks and I’ve seen the mower throw rocks at blazing speeds at the siding on more than a few occasions and the siding has never once taken on damage. Can’t say the same thing for a couple of Windows around the house. My neighbor built is house at the same time and has Hardie Board on his house. He wanted to install his own but after finding out the amount of dust and special cutting tools needed to install it he hired someone to install it. The people that installed it used cheap caulking when installing it and though his Hardie Board is still up, the wall it’s nailed to has taken on moisture and begun to rot and mold. I’ve been in construction for many years and I do believe that both Hardie and LP siding both have their advantages. But if either one of them is installed by those that don’t pay extra attention to detail then you’re almost guaranteed to have problems.
Yeah man. I live in Washington and had two houses with LP siding. They suck. Any water that gets on the siding your house is done. LP siding is multiple class-action lawsuit in the making. Don't use it. Very good video. I agree with your evaluation completely.
Dmitry - good job! I'm an architect and I appreciate the thorough comparison. I am so glad you called out the warranty provisions. There is nothing worse for a property owner to discover than when they realized they had all this "work" to do to "maintain" the warranty for the manufacturer!! Anyway, I have specified James Hardie products for over 35 years on all my residential and commercial projects where we want this kind of look for the client and the architecture.
I am in the process of getting bids for windows and siding now. I have it down to LP and JH and I have gone back and forth based on the companies comments when they come out to give the bid. This is really great. Thanks for the help on this.
I’ve sold, installed, and owned both LP & Hardie. I’ve been in the trades for almost 30 years. I like them both. I can say that I’ve had the unique opportunity to see 2 houses across the street from each other. One with Hardie & the other with LP. I know the Hardie installer and he is a Hardie “Elite Preferred”Contractor. Don’t know the LP installer. They where at the end of a development so both walls faced the same direction. Large hail literally bashed half the Hardie off the garage wall. The garage wall on the house with LP had no holes. You had to walk up on it to see the dents. If I didn’t see it with my own eyes I wouldn’t have believed it. Same damage to the roof, gutters, and facia on both houses. However, I think if they are installed correctly both products are very good quality and will give you many years protection. I’ve also experienced both Hardie & LP refuse a warranty claim for moisture damage & finish problems. In my opinion, take the time to vet your installer. In most cases that will make the difference. Even your Vinyl will fail, leak and promote moisture damage if installed incorrectly.
I had Hardie but now am getting siding replaced w/LP. I don’t know if my contractor’s people know how to properly install it. I think they’re using cheap caulking since it’s already receded/exposed the seams, and the siding has been on for a month! Also, all of the lower portions are buckling; I googled this, and it’s d/to improper spacing? Just looking for some advice on how to address those issues w/my contractor. It’s $16K of siding/work. I want it done RIGHT and so any warranties apply. Thank you.
The Hardie over studs test is also relevant for a lot of people in my area. t1-11 siding over studs is very common on older homes here, people replace it with Hardie thinking it's a cure all and have no idea it's not nearly as impact resistance and does nothing for shear strength like their old wood siding did. The most important thing with any siding is to install it right and in conditions where it's got a good chance to survive.
Definitely 5 🌟..I was actually getting completely ready to use LP siding on my new house...starting watching video..very imformative..makes complete sense...immediately contacted drafting engineers and changed over to t1-11 plywood..it was that close..thank goodness for your imformation..viewers can definitely benefit from utube videos like this..need plenty more
This is the best video! I’ve learned quite a bit and know not to buy LP Siding. But the best part was watching you call them out so harshly! Thanks for telling us the truth.
Thanks I’m getting vinyl again bc it was the older style from the 90s and lasted 31 years no issues. Vinyl comes in larger plank styles that to a regular person looks like fiber cement or wood and no caulking. And I don’t grill up against my house. Honest review
Great helpful video! I'm commenting on 12/5/23 so your video is several years old. Do you see any significant changes between LP Siding and Hardie made in last few years that would change your thinking?
As a consumer I really appreciated this video! I stumbled here after seeing a video where a guy said get rid of your vinyl siding, it's like wrapping you're house in jet fuel. So of course that was a bit alarming--but thankfully I live in the country so no houses close enough to me to easily catch fire from another house, and really common sense has always been to locate/use a grill away not up next to a house! So with that potential exception, your chart looked very much in favor on what matters most of vinyl siding, especially if outs insulated. This gave me information I needed to make a decision based upon my budget what I need to do. Thank you thank you!
Fantastic, honest video. I loved it. I am building a barndo very soon and I really liked the warm look of wood siding and the Diamond Kote product over metal siding. This video opened my eyes and has changed my mind and will save me $20k in doing so by staying with metal.
Dmitry, I'm in Arizona and I'm getting ready to install Hardie Lap Siding on my 60 yr. old house. We get a lot of rain with 50 mph + winds and sometimes temperatures up to 120 degrees. I will use a guillotine cutter on the 8.25" siding to eliminate any dust and I will be using ring shank galvanized nails run through one of my collection of siding nailers. This video is very informative, and I did get the lap siding [8.25"x12'] on sale at Lowes for $7.97 ea.
My builder countered with LP Smartside when I told him I wanted to upgrade from vinyl to JH. I read their warranty and was also suspicious before finding your video. THANKS for this breakdown!!
Please do a metal siding comparison and pros cons. Also composite rain screen looks promising. Dude you rock. You are what makes this country amazing. Cheers yo
Your video was the most informative siding comparison I have ever seen. We are about to build a new home and I feel so much more knowledgeable. A million thanks
I'm a retired firefighter and I have seen so many fires that either spread to or just did significant damage to structures with vinyl siding. For me personally, because of what I have seen James Hardie siding wins hands down because of this one category. All your other categories are easier to recover from compared to a house fire.
@@RoofingInsights3.0 It most certainly will melt when exposed to just the heat but frequently there are embers that can ignite it. There may be some that have had properties added to them keep them from igniting without direct flame contact. Fire sucks.
@@rickkephartactual7706 Yeah, most cities have code making homes be a certain distance apart if vinyl siding is exterior sheathing. But honestly its rarely enough.
@@anthonybalough8760 James Hardie doesn’t require fire proof caulking because it doesn’t burn, it doesn’t rot, swell, check or become moldy on the back side like LP. LP is the worst siding on the market period.
My problem with Hardie is continually going to houses that have sever windows damage or the siding wears large holes around the nails and starts to fall down. I see that all the time in Des Moines. Thoughts?
Thank you so much for making this video! (And thank TH-cam algorithm for finding it for me…) We’ve been having endless discussions about what siding to use on our off grid cabin in the rainforest of North Vancouver Island. Your video made the choice obvious. Thank you!!!
I was so stressed trying to decide what siding to use. Stress is gone thanks to your video. You are very pleasant, intelligent, realistic and funny. Oh and cute!!!
I installed vinyl siding on the second floor of my house in Sunnyvale. After a few years, large areas of the siding began to slowly melt and sag. It took a while for me to figure out that at certain times of day during the summer, some of my low-e glass windows were reflecting IR from sunlight onto those sections of vinyl. So those sections were being heated by the combination of direct sunlight PLUS the heat that was being reflected from windows. I ended up ripping off all the vinyl and doing it over with Hardie Cedermill planks. It looks beautiful. I also used Hardie on my ranch house in the mountains. We survived a wild fire that burned right up to the house.
detailed and useful review. great job! the only thing that worries me a lot about this review is that the guy seems to be quite (negatively) biased towards LP Smartside. ~80% of time is spent on discussing one product (LP). I would love to get more objective drill in both horizontal (across other products) and vertical (not only negative but also positive) directions
Vinyl siding melting from window reflections is the biggest issue I've seen. Easy to replace the siding with a fresh bit of vinyl, but if the neighbor doesn't get rid of their window, it's just going to continue happening. Big point deduction for vinyl because of this.
Best review ever!! Great delivery. Facts speak for themselves but your presentation style nailed it. Loved the humour too despite a very serious topic and review. Thank you!!
Great video. I am currently trying to make a product decision for my siding project, a reno. The concern I have with Hardie is that it is critical that it is caulked properly and the caulking is maintained over the life of the product. If water gets behind it you can have significant problems including rot of the Hardie. So if you have a two storey house this means you have significant labour just to inspect the caulking periodically. And also you have to ensure your contractor is doing to good job on the caulking in the first place. For this reason I am leaning toward vinyl.
TY for doing this, like you, I have a strong distrust for marketers too, some more than others. You covered and exposed LP Smart Side well. I don’t have as much beef with James Hardy on their marketing, but concerning their durability, there are two things I’ve observed from other youtubers concerning their product. One, over time the sun will break down the cement siding and make it brittle. Two, the paint likewise exposed to sun will become powdery, rubbing your finger over old sun exposed James Hardy siding will leave streaks on the siding and powder on your fingers. Thanks for doing this video, one of my favorites comparing siding.
Would you review in the same way newer hardboard products to fiber cement? Chelsea Everlast, Royal Celect, Boral TruExteriors, Alside Ascend, Plygem steel siding, Quality Edge steel siding, Bergers siding product
Had concrete around garage in old house Guy took it off old concrete. He said I need to replace rotten vinyl around based of garage before pouring new concrete. Do I just use a 2" nail gun to nail the new vinyl or do I use nails?? He also said I need to water proof it with outside paint or something.
This was great - just what we needed to compare siding options. One suggestion - maybe include energy efficiency as a rating category. Maybe it doesn't make that much difference but it's something we're considering.
Very good video! I always thought LP smart siding was a good product however now I understand what is more in their warranty! I will tell you it is very important to read the warranty and you pointed that out in the video and I am glad you did! Very eye opening!
Thanks for taking the time to educate me! I have real Cedar shake siding that is crumbling off my house. Detroit weather, you think James Hardie shakes is a good option?
Very informative thank you. I was so close to purchasing smartside. Any recommendations for a good vinyl siding in B.C. Canada . I am refreshing my home.
I am planning to put siding on my home. Yesterday came a contractor to talk about the job. I am glad that I found your video for I will not cover my home with vinyl siding due to fire problems.
This is more of a commercial for James Hardie siding. I've been building houses since 1972 and the only thing that I can say is that each has their advantages and disadvantages. If you have proper ground clearance to avoid splash back and proper onerhang you won't have any problems. The key is to paint-all edges and at least 3 inches around the perimeter of the back before installing. Two coats of high quality paint will preserve the structural integrity of the panels be it vertical or horizontal. James Hardie panels will crack and the dust created from the sawing process is extremely hazardous to your respiratory system. You can use a razor knife to cut and snap straight edges but not when cutting around windows and doors. I built a house in West Frankfort Illinois using James Hardie horizontal lap siding. A few years later I had to replace a piece that was damaged and upon removing the damaged piece found extreme condensation between the siding and the Tyvek house wrap. As I said earlier each type of siding has their pros and cons.
@@mrpad0I totally discount vinyl in his assessment because it's like comparing apples to oranges. Most high end homes do not have vinyl applied as a siding option because of it's cheap appearance. Even in moderate priced homes vinyl has durability issues due to lawn mowers ejecting rocks and kids throwing rocks,balls or whatever that will all break vinyl especially on cool days. Hardie panels have a tendency to crack over time where nailed.
@@diamondkutz54 To be honest I live in a high-end area (4,000 sq ft homes on a minimum of an acre) and 50% of the homes are brick and/or stone (fascia) and the others are the upper range of vinyl - often with painted wood trim, etc. When there is enough land around a home, damage to a good quality vinyl appears to be rare. People tend to replace the vinyl each time (or every other time) they replace their roof shingles. It's Ohio, and vinyl appears to cope very well here.
Replaced siding on two homes with James Hardie after hail storms. One home I put up 4 x 8 sheets which has weathered several hail storms with hardly a mark. Twenty years and looks as good as new. Made a few mistakes on installation as we didn't have good youtube videos then.
Thank you for the comparison. Does Hardie have a course or manual re: siding installation? My hubbie is a craftsman, but doesnt have Hardie experience, and we need to DIY our house's siding. Thanks :)
Great video. LP Smart Siding is a OSB product. Anybody that has worked in home building knows that OSB is the cheaper alternative over exterior grade plywood because OSB swells and degrades after getting exposed to water and moisture.
@Aquatic Ape LP Smart Siding is an OSB product. They do claim it is improved OSB because they treat it with Zinc Borate and Waxes. Perhaps they did make as a fiberboard core in the past, but switch to OSB. Oriented strand board is much better than fiberboard, but still has it issues with water and moisture. Here is how they make it. th-cam.com/video/9JSLknIEzg4/w-d-xo.html And picture of the backside. www.contractortalk.com/threads/lp-smart-lap-smooth-siding.138378/#lg=thread-138378&slide=0
I removed all of the original vertical aluminum siding on my 1992 manufactured home and glued and screwed 3/8" OSB onto the wall studs, then wrapped the hole thing with a Tyvek water barrier. For the final finishing - - - - - - - I used "Fullback® Vinyl Siding" With Molded Insulation Backing. You can punch it, kick it, hit it with a hard ball, and no damage is done, it is solid to the touch. The best investment that I've made so far, other than than the Pella Low-E, argon filled Windows that I installed.
Good break down, one thing I think is worth adding is the STC of the material for acoustic benefits. I have a train about 100 yards from where i'll be building my home and the thermal mass and STC benefits have led me to highly consider Hardie planks on top of ICFs.
Excellent video man! I would love for you to show up at an expo and bring a wall built to code for them to do the test on. Additionally point out there stipulations on their bs warranty!
Wow! I was seriously looking at LP Smart siding, and you possibly saved me from future headaches. Replacing 24 year old vinyl siding this summer. I hate the look of vinyl. I guess it's either Hardie (or brick veneer) this summer. Thank you. 😊
I am building in Northern Maine. I was, WAS going with LP smart side till I saw this... Thank you, I will now look into Hardi, we are too cold for vinyl.
I’m looking to remodel and wanted to be informative when speaking to the folks providing quotes! I now feel like I can have a conversation with them and know what to ask and know what they are talking about! Thank you!!!
Thanks for the honest vid. I plan on doing vinyl on my house. Any thoughts on brand quality? My first stop was ply gem at home depot but wondering what other good values there are. Thank you.
My local store carries I believe it is James Harding but in concrete 4x10 sheets. I may be wrong on length. But are you familiar with it? If so is it a good product of theirs?
The sheet version is quite comparable to the planks. The main difference is in appearance and the fact that the panels have to be surface nailed. I used the panels on outside porch ceilings with good success. I bought both products with factory primer and used stainless steel ring shank roof nails for installation. Urethane caulking and two coats of Sherwin-Williams best paint finished the job. Six years out it still looks great.
As a 74-year-old woman (I'm now 78) I installed Hardie siding on the exterior of my 1 story block and wood frame/ext. plywood house. I did not find the installation difficult, although trying to install the 16' lengths by myself required some maneuvering. With a helper, it's a breeze. I cut the material with a small, specialty saw with a concrete or diamond blade. Two issues: it's hard to carry and maneuver the 16' lengths and if not well balanced, they will break. 2nd ... I wish they had a better selection for windowsills - although maybe since I installed the product they have expanded their range. I live in FL and chose the cement-based product due to the high incidence of termites and water intrusion after torrential rains and floods. I've experienced both and the siding was not adversely affected. As for vinyl siding ... houses near me during the last 5 hurricanes I've lived through since 2004 rarely escaped without major damage.
@21:37 What kind of siding is in the background of this shot? It looks like cherry wood on the top & then brick on the bottom.? It's beautiful Please let me know! Thanks.
Thank you for this video! My house is 45 squares. I live in Northern Virginia. I'm considering TruLog. Do you have any thoughts on TruLog steel siding?
Wow, did not know there was an exclusion in the Smart Side warranty that literally excludes my house in western Washington, good grief. So glad I found this video.
One type of siding beyond woods you didn't mention was steel siding . Look at ABC siding in kcmo. The Log siding never needs paint wont dent and always looks good. But one drawback it also blocks Radio signals so you may not get WIFI outside your house. Or you might need a TV antena on your house outside.
Here in Texas we had vinyl siding that would get brittle in the sun. JH was a great option for the long haul. I would love to see a video in different kinds of metal siding.
Wow, this has been super helpful! I am building by the beach (10 blocks away). After watching, I am thinking about combo of mostly JH and Vinyl but do you think I will be able to match vinyl to JH Arctic White color? Or, should I just do JH? I like the JH Artisan Shiplap style (combo vertical & horizontal). Also, love the contemporary look of the JH Textured Panels ie Multi Groove Panel. So hard to choose.
Thanks, going with hardie but can I get the material. So far I can't the desired trim. It's gonna be a wait. Or vinyl since I am not a pro . And hire a contractor can also be a problem. I say can make all those mistakes all by myself and not have the pay for it. Thanksfor a great video
I live in BC, Canada. I didn't need to watch this any longer passed 12minutes. I was wondering between LP and JH, my choice is sealed Thanks for the video.
good info - I would say that location is also very important for product choices. Where I live (South Central AK), it's dry with a large temp changes throughout the year. LP is the only way to go unless you're running cedar or another natural product. In fact, JH doesn't sell it's product in our state anymore because of all of the warranty issues. Vinyl sucks up here due to the temps and wind issues (shrinks up in the cold and breaks with the wind). I know that these products are better in moist climates vs LP, but at the same time, LP has advantages over the others in dry climates... But you're right, the advertising is a running joke with LP... I would say that painting and caulking your siding is the most important part of keeping your siding in good shape for years. Cheers!
I had a brand new house built about 2 years ago. I assume it is just the cheaper vinyl siding used. The wind noise is absolutely terrible almost sounds like the siding is going to come off. Any recommendations how I can improve anything with the current siding with this?
Thanks for your time and honesty and I hope nothing bad happens to you those companies don’t want you to expose their lies and deception!! And pls make a video on aluminum siding thank you
I truly hope you can answer this question. In your opinion, I am currently building a new home. My contractor wants to use James Hardie siding but instead of using James Hardie (JH) for the trim he is pushing for vinyl trim instead. I don’t get it, It would make sense to also use James Hardie for the trim. Would you use JH Trim or Vinyl trim is you are using the JH siding?
I would use vinyl trim. Very common practice. James Hardie siding is the best but their trim is too thick and many installers use vinyl or LP or wood trim as well. It’s concrete product, and in some applications it’s just not the best. Hardie trim is ok but vinyl is the better option
Thank you, this was very helpful. I think you went too easy on the companies and there should have been more fours,, threes, and twos in there. For example, there's no way vinyl looks as good as Hardie board, and Hardie board is a lot more expensive when you include the paint cost. Home value for each is an important factor and vinal falls short there.
Agreed. And put up a hardie house next to a vinyl sided house here in Texas and tell me which one melts first… Hardie is a better product and vinyl is good for the price but is not for all areas of the country.
Wow! Amazing video! I signed up for LP Smartside for all my fascia/soffit work. They started installing yesterday and I noticed they were actually using Hardie Board. I wasn't sure if it was a mistake and if I should complain.....if it was a mistake it was a happy one!
Great review, but after also reading the comments from professionals in the field and considering the extreme weather in south Florida I’ve decided to go with T1-11 or marine plywood. The condensation with JH will definitely be an issue, The water issue with LP and warrantee loopholes is a definite no go for me and plastic no matter how pretty or sturdy it can be is well, plastic. Termites are an issue here as well as extreme temperature fluctuations, of corse hurricanes and very wet summers. Will be treating all the siding in cedar shield, painting all sides with oil based paint and treating the surrounding area with termite repellent.Maybe it's time for a new product that can really tackle all issues and be east enough to install for diy.
built $1.8M CBS custom two story 5888sq ft in South Florida killer sun; C/O in 1998 --- Hardie Plank much cut like ginger bread scallops looks like the day installed. SW paint looks great from that day, may repaint next year. Used the best products throughout all composite high performance trim. Yeah was tuff to spend the money up front but now has paid off in the long run. $3.5M today no rot anywhere ... house looks great less some surface mold started after 10 years on the North side. hasto get pressure washed each year. Dont skimp-build your best!
Great video and super informative! Question - why was insulation properties not included in your rating? I know most siding has very minimal insulating properties (outside of something like an insulated vinyl) - but I've heard, that out of all three, James Hardie has the lowest R rating out of all three. What's your take?
In my house, wind is passing thru siding and entering the rooms under the wall baseboards during winter conditions in Canada. Why is this happening and how can I fix that? Any info?
A good quality vinyl siding installed correctly is a great building science product. If water gets behind it, it allows the water/moisture to drain and dry out the backing / sheeting. Thanks for sharing you experience with all these different products!
Great information! I will say that in researching affordable ways to build I have seen ppl using the lp smart siding straight on the studs because it does meet code in there area or whatever
Thanks for the video. I’m a siding installer in New Brunswick Canada now. LP is becoming popular here whereas I used to install Hardie in Ontario Canada. Hardie won’t even warranty their product here in the Maritime provinces. The weather is too extreme. You’re probably right on with your vinyl and LP ratings but definitely not with Hardie. James Hardie is heavy and much harder to work with. James Hardie cemented board dust is dangerous, and James Hardie cement board crumbles apart when it gets water damage and it swells really bad. James Hardie paint also fades quite a bit over the years, but they all do as far as that goes. I used to hang trough for Martin Dyck from Dyck Exteriors in London Ontario, he’s much bigger than any of these siding guys in the video. Of course he is a fan of James Hardie and you should interview this guy. I’m also a fan of Hardie but in Canada you definitely could not give it a better rating than LP. LP is superior in cold, icy, snowy climates
Just an FYI, LP may not warranty the 76 series in Alaska, but James Hardie doesn't warranty anything here anymore. So much so that we cannot specify it in our drawings because they're completely removed warranties in Alaska. LP does still offer warranties here.
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I’ve had hardie on my house for 17 years and it’s never been hit by a sledge hammer
You must be living in good neighborhood :)
On the way!
Not yet. If I had a sledgehammer I would be looking for houses with James Hardie siding lol. Especially if it has no osb behind it. Easy money.
You’ve been lucky.
Don't you think you're overdue?
I've installed both JH and LP here in Oklahoma for years. Although this evaluation was well thought out and nicely presented as a comparison of siding options, I'm not sold that JH and LP should be compared as Best/Worst as in the "same" category. Concrete option vs Wood option, and the negative focus seems to be water penetration (?). Because I can only speak to my experiences regardless of marketing techniques, I'd like to offer a viewpoint. When given the option of siding products, it's not uncommon homeowners may choose JH. Unfortunately, when the numbers come in, LP wins almost every time. Product costs, as well as labor costs routinely will turn a customer's nose up. I simply think it's important to express that when it comes to moisture, NO wood product will ever be superior to a product lacking the ability to absorb water. For that reason, product installation, protection, and maintenance dollars spent over time typically outweigh the "up front" spending from an otherwise careful budget while building or remodeling. That said, I have no preference of one over the other. I've made plenty of JH repairs due to cracking and broken siding, just as I've made plenty of repairs to LP from moisture issues. Either siding, once compromised, moisture will find its way in.
Good video ... just another viewpoint.
That’s why I just always got with brick and rock and no Orrin’s, just have to put some more mortar in if it cracks every now and then.
Fantastic breakdown. I highly appreciate not only the time and effort you put in this, but above all, your honesty.
I second that motion... very in depth, but the honesty is what is most respectable . Well done video
A couple comments from an inspector who looks at each of these daily. Hardie board cracks fairly often. If you overdrive the nails, install too tight, or have minor expansion and contraction of the framing or sheathing. I've also seen it deteriorate pretty quickly if the paint is worn. Vinyl siding dry rots over time, especially the areas that get a lot of sun. After about 20-30 years it becomes very brittle. It always cracks. I have seen the least amount of issues with LP. The only issue is if you do not seal the ends or caulk properly it will deteriorate at the cut ends. Thats if you have no overhangs and the siding is exposed to a lot of water. It's much more forgiving and won't crack like hardie. This ranking is not accurate, vinyl is at the bottom of the barrel for siding. I would personally pick LP over hardie.
Thank you for your perspective because I have personally met people who prefer LP over Hardie siding. However, I think this gentleman did a commendable job with his comparison. I don't like gimmicks and believe manufacturers should let the product speak for itself.
Would you recommend to use over steel panel? Looking for a farmhouse look. Building a steel frame home with steel ext walls and ceiling in South Florida.
Thoughts on everlast siding?
Something lasting 30 years is bottom barrel? Wow
I respect that you see these problems as inspector but you also need to understand that it will depend on a area of the country. We live in cold climate and seen really fast paint degradation on Smart Lap siding while cement siding hold paint absolutely great for over 15 years. Based on what we see here, Smart lap siding is the cheapest option here , so loved by Builders and slapped on all new housing, while Cement siding is selected for more expensive houses and holds really well. We also live in earthquake zone and yet have not had problems.
As a home owner looking to update my home to me this video was absolutely the best time I have spent watching TH-cam video’s. Thanks for this video.
Thank you so much for commenting!
I installed LP smart siding on my house (3600 sq ft) all by myself. After reading about the failures LP Smart siding has had in the past due to not following manufactures installation guidelines, I didn’t trust anyone to install it correctly following the instructions to a T.
I installed it exactly as manufacturer instructed and it’s been up for seven years without a problem. I haven’t had a sledge hammer hit any of it but living in the ozarks we have plenty of rocks and I’ve seen the mower throw rocks at blazing speeds at the siding on more than a few occasions and the siding has never once taken on damage. Can’t say the same thing for a couple of Windows around the house.
My neighbor built is house at the same time and has Hardie Board on his house. He wanted to install his own but after finding out the amount of dust and special cutting tools needed to install it he hired someone to install it. The people that installed it used cheap caulking when installing it and though his Hardie Board is still up, the wall it’s nailed to has taken on moisture and begun to rot and mold.
I’ve been in construction for many years and I do believe that both Hardie and LP siding both have their advantages. But if either one of them is installed by those that don’t pay extra attention to detail then you’re almost guaranteed to have problems.
Yeah man. I live in Washington and had two houses with LP siding. They suck. Any water that gets on the siding your house is done. LP siding is multiple class-action lawsuit in the making. Don't use it. Very good video. I agree with your evaluation completely.
Dmitry - good job! I'm an architect and I appreciate the thorough comparison. I am so glad you called out the warranty provisions. There is nothing worse for a property owner to discover than when they realized they had all this "work" to do to "maintain" the warranty for the manufacturer!! Anyway, I have specified James Hardie products for over 35 years on all my residential and commercial projects where we want this kind of look for the client and the architecture.
As a roofing contractor, I completely agree with your recommendation.
I am in the process of getting bids for windows and siding now. I have it down to LP and JH and I have gone back and forth based on the companies comments when they come out to give the bid. This is really great. Thanks for the help on this.
I’ve sold, installed, and owned both LP & Hardie. I’ve been in the trades for almost 30 years. I like them both.
I can say that I’ve had the unique opportunity to see 2 houses across the street from each other. One with Hardie & the other with LP. I know the Hardie installer and he is a Hardie “Elite Preferred”Contractor. Don’t know the LP installer. They where at the end of a development so both walls faced the same direction. Large hail literally bashed half the Hardie off the garage wall. The garage wall on the house with LP had no holes. You had to walk up on it to see the dents. If I didn’t see it with my own eyes I wouldn’t have believed it. Same damage to the roof, gutters, and facia on both houses.
However, I think if they are installed correctly both products are very good quality and will give you many years protection. I’ve also experienced both Hardie & LP refuse a warranty claim for moisture damage & finish problems. In my opinion, take the time to vet your installer. In most cases that will make the difference. Even your Vinyl will fail, leak and promote moisture damage if installed incorrectly.
I had Hardie but now am getting siding replaced w/LP. I don’t know if my contractor’s people know how to properly install it. I think they’re using cheap caulking since it’s already receded/exposed the seams, and the siding has been on for a month! Also, all of the lower portions are buckling; I googled this, and it’s d/to improper spacing? Just looking for some advice on how to address those issues w/my contractor. It’s $16K of siding/work. I want it done RIGHT and so any warranties apply. Thank you.
The Hardie over studs test is also relevant for a lot of people in my area. t1-11 siding over studs is very common on older homes here, people replace it with Hardie thinking it's a cure all and have no idea it's not nearly as impact resistance and does nothing for shear strength like their old wood siding did. The most important thing with any siding is to install it right and in conditions where it's got a good chance to survive.
Do you like Everlast siding?
Thoughts on everlast siding?
This is probably the most honest and truthful comparison video i have personally ever watched. Great job Dmitry!
Definitely 5 🌟..I was actually getting completely ready to use LP siding on my new house...starting watching video..very imformative..makes complete sense...immediately contacted drafting engineers and changed over to t1-11 plywood..it was that close..thank goodness for your imformation..viewers can definitely benefit from utube videos like this..need plenty more
This is the best video! I’ve learned quite a bit and know not to buy LP Siding. But the best part was watching you call them out so harshly! Thanks for telling us the truth.
Thanks I’m getting vinyl again bc it was the older style from the 90s and lasted 31 years no issues. Vinyl comes in larger plank styles that to a regular person looks like fiber cement or wood and no caulking. And I don’t grill up against my house. Honest review
Great helpful video! I'm commenting on 12/5/23 so your video is several years old. Do you see any significant changes between LP Siding and Hardie made in last few years that would change your thinking?
As a consumer I really appreciated this video! I stumbled here after seeing a video where a guy said get rid of your vinyl siding, it's like wrapping you're house in jet fuel. So of course that was a bit alarming--but thankfully I live in the country so no houses close enough to me to easily catch fire from another house, and really common sense has always been to locate/use a grill away not up next to a house! So with that potential exception, your chart looked very much in favor on what matters most of vinyl siding, especially if outs insulated. This gave me information I needed to make a decision based upon my budget what I need to do. Thank you thank you!
Fantastic, honest video. I loved it. I am building a barndo very soon and I really liked the warm look of wood siding and the Diamond Kote product over metal siding. This video opened my eyes and has changed my mind and will save me $20k in doing so by staying with metal.
Dmitry, I'm in Arizona and I'm getting ready to install Hardie Lap Siding on my 60 yr. old house.
We get a lot of rain with 50 mph + winds and sometimes temperatures up to 120 degrees.
I will use a guillotine cutter on the 8.25" siding to eliminate any dust and I will be using ring shank galvanized
nails run through one of my collection of siding nailers.
This video is very informative, and I did get the lap siding [8.25"x12'] on sale at Lowes for $7.97 ea.
My builder countered with LP Smartside when I told him I wanted to upgrade from vinyl to JH. I read their warranty and was also suspicious before finding your video. THANKS for this breakdown!!
Thanks for sharing! What state are yo in?
Please do a metal siding comparison and pros cons. Also composite rain screen looks promising. Dude you rock. You are what makes this country amazing. Cheers yo
Thank you Michael, notes taken
Your video was the most informative siding comparison I have ever seen. We are about to build a new home and I feel so much more knowledgeable. A million thanks
I'm a retired firefighter and I have seen so many fires that either spread to or just did significant damage to structures with vinyl siding. For me personally, because of what I have seen James Hardie siding wins hands down because of this one category. All your other categories are easier to recover from compared to a house fire.
great angle, thanks for sharing! I thought vinyl usually melts? At least what I have seen besides grills
@@RoofingInsights3.0 It most certainly will melt when exposed to just the heat but frequently there are embers that can ignite it. There may be some that have had properties added to them keep them from igniting without direct flame contact. Fire sucks.
LP siding also has CAL FIRE WUI certification as long as you use fire resistant caulking.
@@rickkephartactual7706 Yeah, most cities have code making homes be a certain distance apart if vinyl siding is exterior sheathing. But honestly its rarely enough.
@@anthonybalough8760 James Hardie doesn’t require fire proof caulking because it doesn’t burn, it doesn’t rot, swell, check or become moldy on the back side like LP. LP is the worst siding on the market period.
What is better LP smartside or T 111 plywood siding for water/ moisture control also longevity I am leaning towards t 111 which one is better ?
My problem with Hardie is continually going to houses that have sever windows damage or the siding wears large holes around the nails and starts to fall down. I see that all the time in Des Moines. Thoughts?
Thank you so much for making this video! (And thank TH-cam algorithm for finding it for me…)
We’ve been having endless discussions about what siding to use on our off grid cabin in the rainforest of North Vancouver Island. Your video made the choice obvious.
Thank you!!!
Wanted Hardy. My contractor talked me into LP! We love it! Will keep it painted with the best paint! No worried about rot!
Same here, I love it too. The laser cut soffit vents are a nice touch.
Yeah, its probably okay if you paint more frequently
Suckers!!!!!
I would love to see a comparison on wood sidings too (cedar, redwood, ipe, pine, etc.).
Not the same product or tier of product
I was so stressed trying to decide what siding to use. Stress is gone thanks to your video. You are very pleasant, intelligent, realistic and funny. Oh and cute!!!
I installed vinyl siding on the second floor of my house in Sunnyvale. After a few years, large areas of the siding began to slowly melt and sag. It took a while for me to figure out that at certain times of day during the summer, some of my low-e glass windows were reflecting IR from sunlight onto those sections of vinyl. So those sections were being heated by the combination of direct sunlight PLUS the heat that was being reflected from windows. I ended up ripping off all the vinyl and doing it over with Hardie Cedermill planks. It looks beautiful. I also used Hardie on my ranch house in the mountains. We survived a wild fire that burned right up to the house.
Vinyl is indeed dangerous in fire areas and toxic too.
Here in the state of Washington, it you put on vinyl siding, it may be difficult to sell your house. Everybody uses Hardie Plank - it lasts.......
detailed and useful review. great job! the only thing that worries me a lot about this review is that the guy seems to be quite (negatively) biased towards LP Smartside. ~80% of time is spent on discussing one product (LP). I would love to get more objective drill in both horizontal (across other products) and vertical (not only negative but also positive) directions
Vinyl siding melting from window reflections is the biggest issue I've seen. Easy to replace the siding with a fresh bit of vinyl, but if the neighbor doesn't get rid of their window, it's just going to continue happening. Big point deduction for vinyl because of this.
Thats why you buy 30 acres and dont live on top of each other like rats
So on a 1 acre lot where neighbors are not close this wouldnt be a concern
Great vid! Do you have the video comparing Steel roofing?
Best review ever!! Great delivery. Facts speak for themselves but your presentation style nailed it. Loved the humour too despite a very serious topic and review. Thank you!!
Thanks Gloria for feedback!
Great video. I am currently trying to make a product decision for my siding project, a reno. The concern I have with Hardie is that it is critical that it is caulked properly and the caulking is maintained over the life of the product. If water gets behind it you can have significant problems including rot of the Hardie. So if you have a two storey house this means you have significant labour just to inspect the caulking periodically. And also you have to ensure your contractor is doing to good job on the caulking in the first place. For this reason I am leaning toward vinyl.
So ? How did it go ?
TY for doing this, like you, I have a strong distrust for marketers too, some more than others. You covered and exposed LP Smart Side well. I don’t have as much beef with James Hardy on their marketing, but concerning their durability, there are two things I’ve observed from other youtubers concerning their product. One, over time the sun will break down the cement siding and make it brittle. Two, the paint likewise exposed to sun will become powdery, rubbing your finger over old sun exposed James Hardy siding will leave streaks on the siding and powder on your fingers. Thanks for doing this video, one of my favorites comparing siding.
Thanks for Support brother! Absolutely appreciate every comment!
Would you review in the same way newer hardboard products to fiber cement?
Chelsea Everlast, Royal Celect, Boral TruExteriors, Alside Ascend, Plygem steel siding, Quality Edge steel siding, Bergers siding product
Had concrete around garage in old house
Guy took it off old concrete. He said I need to replace rotten vinyl around based of garage before pouring new concrete. Do I just use a 2" nail gun to nail the new vinyl or do I use nails?? He also said I need to water proof it with outside paint or something.
Can you compare Alside Ascend w Hardie next? 🙏🙏🙏
Hey, really good information, really appreciate that people like you are around! Thank you!!
Thank you so much for the research. Which company you recommended for the hardy in chicago I really appreciate it for advice
This was great - just what we needed to compare siding options. One suggestion - maybe include energy efficiency as a rating category. Maybe it doesn't make that much difference but it's something we're considering.
Very good video! I always thought LP smart siding was a good product however now I understand what is more in their warranty! I will tell you it is very important to read the warranty and you pointed that out in the video and I am glad you did! Very eye opening!
Thanks for taking the time to educate me!
I have real Cedar shake siding that is crumbling off my house. Detroit weather, you think James Hardie shakes is a good option?
I’m dying to get the vinyl off my house and put up jh and change the look of my house.
Very informative thank you. I was so close to purchasing smartside. Any recommendations for a good vinyl siding in B.C. Canada . I am refreshing my home.
I am planning to put siding on my home. Yesterday came a contractor to talk about the job. I am glad that I found your video for I will not cover my home with vinyl siding due to fire problems.
This is more of a commercial for James Hardie siding. I've been building houses since 1972 and the only thing that I can say is that each has their advantages and disadvantages. If you have proper ground clearance to avoid splash back and proper onerhang you won't have any problems. The key is to paint-all edges and at least 3 inches around the perimeter of the back before installing. Two coats of high quality paint will preserve the structural integrity of the panels be it vertical or horizontal. James Hardie panels will crack and the dust created from the sawing process is extremely hazardous to your respiratory system. You can use a razor knife to cut and snap straight edges but not when cutting around windows and doors. I built a house in West Frankfort Illinois using James Hardie horizontal lap siding. A few years later I had to replace a piece that was damaged and upon removing the damaged piece found extreme condensation between the siding and the Tyvek house wrap. As I said earlier each type of siding has their pros and cons.
Th overall 'winner' here was vinyl, so I am not sure how this was a commercial for James Hardie Siding. (!)
@@mrpad0I totally discount vinyl in his assessment because it's like comparing apples to oranges. Most high end homes do not have vinyl applied as a siding option because of it's cheap appearance. Even in moderate priced homes vinyl has durability issues due to lawn mowers ejecting rocks and kids throwing rocks,balls or whatever that will all break vinyl especially on cool days. Hardie panels have a tendency to crack over time where nailed.
@@diamondkutz54 To be honest I live in a high-end area (4,000 sq ft homes on a minimum of an acre) and 50% of the homes are brick and/or stone (fascia) and the others are the upper range of vinyl - often with painted wood trim, etc. When there is enough land around a home, damage to a good quality vinyl appears to be rare. People tend to replace the vinyl each time (or every other time) they replace their roof shingles. It's Ohio, and vinyl appears to cope very well here.
@@mrpad0 That's good.
Replaced siding on two homes with James Hardie after hail storms. One home I put up 4 x 8 sheets which has weathered several hail storms with hardly a mark. Twenty years and looks as good as new. Made a few mistakes on installation as we didn't have good youtube videos then.
Thank you for the comparison. Does Hardie have a course or manual re: siding installation? My hubbie is a craftsman, but doesnt have Hardie experience, and we need to DIY our house's siding. Thanks :)
Awesome video. I’m thinking same way. Just would like to ask you what do you think abount Gentek Align composite siding? Thank you
Great video. LP Smart Siding is a OSB product. Anybody that has worked in home building knows that OSB is the cheaper alternative over exterior grade plywood because OSB swells and degrades after getting exposed to water and moisture.
You are exactly right. Thanks for sharing
@Aquatic Ape LP Smart Siding is an OSB product. They do claim it is improved OSB because they treat it with Zinc Borate and Waxes. Perhaps they did make as a fiberboard core in the past, but switch to OSB. Oriented strand board is much better than fiberboard, but still has it issues with water and moisture.
Here is how they make it.
th-cam.com/video/9JSLknIEzg4/w-d-xo.html
And picture of the backside.
www.contractortalk.com/threads/lp-smart-lap-smooth-siding.138378/#lg=thread-138378&slide=0
@@aliikane So is Huber's Zip System which is widely respected. It's all in the formulation and manufacturing.
@@RoofingInsights3.0 What is OSB?
@Aquatic Ape It's OSB. And it behaves like it.
I removed all of the original vertical aluminum siding on my 1992 manufactured home and glued and screwed 3/8" OSB onto the wall studs, then wrapped the hole thing with a Tyvek water barrier. For the final finishing - - - - - - - I used "Fullback® Vinyl Siding" With Molded Insulation Backing. You can punch it, kick it, hit it with a hard ball, and no damage is done, it is solid to the touch. The best investment that I've made so far, other than than the Pella Low-E, argon filled Windows that I installed.
Good break down, one thing I think is worth adding is the STC of the material for acoustic benefits. I have a train about 100 yards from where i'll be building my home and the thermal mass and STC benefits have led me to highly consider Hardie planks on top of ICFs.
i m doing a hardie install over icf, what screws did you use?
Excellent video man! I would love for you to show up at an expo and bring a wall built to code for them to do the test on. Additionally point out there stipulations on their bs warranty!
Wow! I was seriously looking at LP Smart siding, and you possibly saved me from future headaches. Replacing 24 year old vinyl siding this summer. I hate the look of vinyl. I guess it's either Hardie (or brick veneer) this summer. Thank you. 😊
What are your thoughts on Rustic Series Hardie lap siding (Hardie plank painted by 3rd party to look like wood)
I am building in Northern Maine. I was, WAS going with LP smart side till I saw this... Thank you, I will now look into Hardi, we are too cold for vinyl.
We are learning about siding for a house we are thinking of buying that has lots of work to be done. Siding would be first. Trying to decide.
This video and information was exceptionally helpful for me as I make a decision about what to replace my old vinyl with. Thank you so much!!!
I’m looking to remodel and wanted to be informative when speaking to the folks providing quotes! I now feel like I can have a conversation with them and know what to ask and know what they are talking about! Thank you!!!
Subscribed based on details and honesty in reviewing. Great video Dmitry!
Thanks for the honest vid. I plan on doing vinyl on my house. Any thoughts on brand quality? My first stop was ply gem at home depot but wondering what other good values there are. Thank you.
My local store carries I believe it is James Harding but in concrete 4x10 sheets. I may be wrong on length. But are you familiar with it? If so is it a good product of theirs?
The sheet version is quite comparable to the planks. The main difference is in appearance and the fact that the panels have to be surface nailed. I used the panels on outside porch ceilings with good success. I bought both products with factory primer and used stainless steel ring shank roof nails for installation. Urethane caulking and two coats of Sherwin-Williams best paint finished the job. Six years out it still looks great.
As a 74-year-old woman (I'm now 78) I installed Hardie siding on the exterior of my 1 story block and wood frame/ext. plywood house. I did not find the installation difficult, although trying to install the 16' lengths by myself required some maneuvering. With a helper, it's a breeze. I cut the material with a small, specialty saw with a concrete or diamond blade. Two issues: it's hard to carry and maneuver the 16' lengths and if not well balanced, they will break. 2nd ... I wish they had a better selection for windowsills - although maybe since I installed the product they have expanded their range. I live in FL and chose the cement-based product due to the high incidence of termites and water intrusion after torrential rains and floods. I've experienced both and the siding was not adversely affected. As for vinyl siding ... houses near me during the last 5 hurricanes I've lived through since 2004 rarely escaped without major damage.
Curious if there are any warranty updates or changes in improvement to the LP in the 3 years since this video was produced?
@21:37 What kind of siding is in the background of this shot? It looks like cherry wood on the top & then brick on the bottom.? It's beautiful Please let me know! Thanks.
Thank you for this video! My house is 45 squares. I live in Northern Virginia. I'm considering TruLog. Do you have any thoughts on TruLog steel siding?
Wow, did not know there was an exclusion in the Smart Side warranty that literally excludes my house in western Washington, good grief. So glad I found this video.
One type of siding beyond woods you didn't mention was steel siding .
Look at ABC siding in kcmo.
The Log siding never needs paint wont dent and always looks good. But one drawback it also blocks Radio signals so you may not get WIFI outside your house. Or you might need a TV antena on your house outside.
Here in Texas we had vinyl siding that would get brittle in the sun. JH was a great option for the long haul. I would love to see a video in different kinds of metal siding.
Plastic vinyl will melt right off.
Wow, this has been super helpful! I am building by the beach (10 blocks away). After watching, I am thinking about combo of mostly JH and Vinyl but do you think I will be able to match vinyl to JH Arctic White color? Or, should I just do JH? I like the JH Artisan Shiplap style (combo vertical & horizontal). Also, love the contemporary look of the JH Textured Panels ie Multi Groove Panel. So hard to choose.
Combination will look great! I don’t see problem with it
I just bought everlast. How does that compare?
Very helpful video, thank you for your honest review of those siding options. I'm definitely leaning towards cement. Thanks again.
Thanks, going with hardie but can I get the material. So far I can't the desired trim. It's gonna be a wait. Or vinyl since I am not a pro . And hire a contractor can also be a problem. I say can make all those mistakes all by myself and not have the pay for it. Thanksfor a great video
I live in BC, Canada. I didn't need to watch this any longer passed 12minutes. I was wondering between LP and JH, my choice is sealed
Thanks for the video.
good info - I would say that location is also very important for product choices. Where I live (South Central AK), it's dry with a large temp changes throughout the year. LP is the only way to go unless you're running cedar or another natural product. In fact, JH doesn't sell it's product in our state anymore because of all of the warranty issues. Vinyl sucks up here due to the temps and wind issues (shrinks up in the cold and breaks with the wind). I know that these products are better in moist climates vs LP, but at the same time, LP has advantages over the others in dry climates... But you're right, the advertising is a running joke with LP...
I would say that painting and caulking your siding is the most important part of keeping your siding in good shape for years. Cheers!
I had a brand new house built about 2 years ago. I assume it is just the cheaper vinyl siding used.
The wind noise is absolutely terrible almost sounds like the siding is going to come off. Any recommendations how I can improve anything with the current siding with this?
Thanks for your time and honesty and I hope nothing bad happens to you those companies don’t want you to expose their lies and deception!! And pls make a video on aluminum siding thank you
if you live in the midwest or another place that experiences hail storms seasonally, aluminum siding is the absolute worst, dings galore.
I truly hope you can answer this question. In your opinion, I am currently building a new home. My contractor wants to use James Hardie siding but instead of using James Hardie (JH) for the trim he is pushing for vinyl trim instead. I don’t get it, It would make sense to also use James Hardie for the trim. Would you use JH Trim or Vinyl trim is you are using the JH siding?
I would use vinyl trim. Very common practice. James Hardie siding is the best but their trim is too thick and many installers use vinyl or LP or wood trim as well. It’s concrete product, and in some applications it’s just not the best. Hardie trim is ok but vinyl is the better option
Thank you
Thank you, this was very helpful. I think you went too easy on the companies and there should have been more fours,, threes, and twos in there. For example, there's no way vinyl looks as good as Hardie board, and Hardie board is a lot more expensive when you include the paint cost. Home value for each is an important factor and vinal falls short there.
Agreed. And put up a hardie house next to a vinyl sided house here in Texas and tell me which one melts first… Hardie is a better product and vinyl is good for the price but is not for all areas of the country.
Tell me please what the best siding is?
Wow! Amazing video! I signed up for LP Smartside for all my fascia/soffit work. They started installing yesterday and I noticed they were actually using Hardie Board. I wasn't sure if it was a mistake and if I should complain.....if it was a mistake it was a happy one!
Facia and soffit is usually done with hardy, even if it's lp below. Ice is actually the worst for lp
What do you prefer when it comes to soffit and fascia LP or JH? New to both of them trying to make my mine up for my house?
Great review, but after also reading the comments from professionals in the field and considering the extreme weather in south Florida I’ve decided to go with T1-11 or marine plywood. The condensation with JH will definitely be an issue, The water issue with LP and warrantee loopholes is a definite no go for me and plastic no matter how pretty or sturdy it can be is well, plastic. Termites are an issue here as well as extreme temperature fluctuations, of corse hurricanes and very wet summers. Will be treating all the siding in cedar shield, painting all sides with oil based paint and treating the surrounding area with termite repellent.Maybe it's time for a new product that can really tackle all issues and be east enough to install for diy.
built $1.8M CBS custom two story 5888sq ft in South Florida killer sun; C/O in 1998 --- Hardie Plank much cut like ginger bread scallops looks like the day installed. SW paint looks great from that day, may repaint next year. Used the best products throughout all composite high performance trim. Yeah was tuff to spend the money up front but now has paid off in the long run. $3.5M today no rot anywhere ... house looks great less some surface mold started after 10 years on the North side. hasto get pressure washed each year. Dont skimp-build your best!
Great video and super informative! Question - why was insulation properties not included in your rating? I know most siding has very minimal insulating properties (outside of something like an insulated vinyl) - but I've heard, that out of all three, James Hardie has the lowest R rating out of all three. What's your take?
In my house, wind is passing thru siding and entering the rooms under the wall baseboards during winter conditions in Canada.
Why is this happening and how can I fix that? Any info?
Hello and good day, I'm in Canada where we get hail every year. I'm making a carport and wanting to know if using ondura for siding is a good thing?
A good quality vinyl siding installed correctly is a great building science product. If water gets behind it, it allows the water/moisture to drain and dry out the backing / sheeting. Thanks for sharing you experience with all these different products!
Great point!
Thank you. Insulated Vinyl Siding is now the plan and keep the grill away from the house❤
Thanks. You produced a great video-the best lesson plan of any contractor’s video.
Can U put LP smart side over vinyl siding or do U have to remove vinyl 1st TY 4 info ;)
Great information! I will say that in researching affordable ways to build I have seen ppl using the lp smart siding straight on the studs because it does meet code in there area or whatever
This was very informative and helpful! Thank you for the objective analysis. Now I know what product to use to replace my siding.👍
Thanks for the video. I’m a siding installer in New Brunswick Canada now. LP is becoming popular here whereas I used to install Hardie in Ontario Canada. Hardie won’t even warranty their product here in the Maritime provinces. The weather is too extreme. You’re probably right on with your vinyl and LP ratings but definitely not with Hardie. James Hardie is heavy and much harder to work with. James Hardie cemented board dust is dangerous, and James Hardie cement board crumbles apart when it gets water damage and it swells really bad. James Hardie paint also fades quite a bit over the years, but they all do as far as that goes.
I used to hang trough for Martin Dyck from Dyck Exteriors in London Ontario, he’s much bigger than any of these siding guys in the video. Of course he is a fan of James Hardie and you should interview this guy.
I’m also a fan of Hardie but in Canada you definitely could not give it a better rating than LP. LP is superior in cold, icy, snowy climates
How thick is the Mastic vinyl siding, is it colored all the way through and where can a private homeowner buy it for DIY installation? Thanks, ED
Just an FYI, LP may not warranty the 76 series in Alaska, but James Hardie doesn't warranty anything here anymore. So much so that we cannot specify it in our drawings because they're completely removed warranties in Alaska. LP does still offer warranties here.
Great review & I'd be amazed if many people in the US know that James Hardie are actually a really successful Australian company (like Boral).
I thought I was going to use Smart Side until I watched this. You just do roofing or siding? Im looking to side my place in Windom 56101
My friend, you are great. This was my first time watching. Love what you're doing. Keep making these informative videos for me to watch. Thank you.