Engineered Wood Siding in Fort Smith, AR
Our team installs LP SmartSide engineered wood siding on Fort Smith homes — a strand-composite product that delivers the look of natural wood siding with significantly better moisture resistance and dimensional stability. Engineered wood is a strong mid-range option for Fort Smith homeowners who want wood aesthetics without the full maintenance commitment of natural wood.
LP SmartSide in Fort Smith's Climate
LP SmartSide is manufactured from wood strands bonded with resin and treated with zinc borate — the borate treatment inhibits fungal growth and termite activity, two concerns that are relevant in Fort Smith's humid, clay-soil environment. The engineered construction gives LP SmartSide significantly better dimensional stability than natural wood: it expands and contracts less dramatically through Fort Smith's temperature and humidity cycles, which reduces paint failure at joints over time.
Compared to vinyl: LP SmartSide looks more like natural wood, accepts paint like wood, and is more impact-resistant. Compared to fiber cement: LP SmartSide is lighter (easier on the substructure of older Fort Smith homes), easier to cut and install, and costs less. Compared to natural wood: LP SmartSide is more resistant to moisture damage and termites, requires slightly less aggressive maintenance, and carries a 50-year limited warranty.
LP SmartSide Products We Install
- SmartSide Trim & Siding lap panels: Primary product — installs like cedar bevel siding. Available in smooth and fine-grain embossed textures. Most popular on traditional Fort Smith home styles.
- SmartSide Panel: 4x8 and 4x9 vertical panel format — board-and-batten style. Works well on rural and farmhouse designs, garages, and contemporary construction in the Fort Smith area.
- SmartSide Shakes & Shingles: Cedar shake profile for accent applications — gable ends and dormers on homes where a mixed-material exterior look is part of the design.
Painting LP SmartSide in Fort Smith
LP SmartSide is primed at the factory but requires a topcoat of quality exterior paint before or shortly after installation. In Fort Smith's climate, we recommend 100% acrylic latex exterior paint in a satin or low-gloss finish. The factory prime coat provides good adhesion — field-applied paint on LP SmartSide holds better than on raw wood because of the consistent primer base. Repaint every 6-8 years in Fort Smith to maintain moisture protection.
Frequently Asked Questions — Engineered Wood Siding in Fort Smith
How much does LP SmartSide cost in Fort Smith compared to vinyl and fiber cement?
LP SmartSide installed in Fort Smith typically runs $7.00-11.00 per square foot, compared to $4.50-8.00 for vinyl and $9.00-14.00 for fiber cement. It's a genuine mid-range option — more expensive than basic vinyl but less than James Hardie, with better aesthetics than vinyl and competitive performance to fiber cement in most Fort Smith applications.
Is LP SmartSide termite-resistant for Fort Smith homes?
LP SmartSide's zinc borate treatment provides resistance to termite damage — LP warrants the product against termite damage as part of the 50-year warranty. It is not a substitute for a termite protection program on Fort Smith homes in high-risk areas (clay soil, moisture, older wood structures nearby), but it is a meaningful upgrade over untreated natural wood siding in terms of termite vulnerability.
How does LP SmartSide hold up in Fort Smith's ice storms?
LP SmartSide performs well in ice events — it doesn't crack or shatter under ice loading the way that older or lower-grade vinyl can. The engineered construction maintains flexibility at low temperatures better than natural wood. It is still susceptible to impact damage from large hail, though less so than standard vinyl.