Material
- ABC Seamless Steel Siding
- 28-gauge galvanized steel
- LP SmartSide
- Engineered wood composite
Steel Siding vs. LP SmartSide: Which Is the Better Long-Term Investment?
LP SmartSide engineered wood siding has gained significant market share as a premium alternative to vinyl and real wood. It's treated to resist moisture and insects better than conventional wood, carries an attractive visual profile, and is positioned as a durable product. But how does it actually compare to seamless steel siding when homeowners evaluate the complete picture? The differences are significant.
LP SmartSide
LP SmartSide is an engineered wood composite — wood strands treated with a zinc borate solution for pest and rot resistance, then overlaid with a resin-saturated overlay. It performs meaningfully better than traditional wood or hardboard siding in moisture resistance and dimensional stability. But it is still fundamentally a wood-based product with wood-based limitations.
Painting Required
LP SmartSide requires painting at installation and periodic repainting every 3 to 5 years to maintain warranty coverage. This is a recurring maintenance obligation that steel siding eliminates entirely.
Moisture Vulnerability at Seams and Edges
Despite its treatment, LP SmartSide can absorb moisture at cut ends and seams — particularly when installation instructions aren't followed precisely (gaps at butt joints, improper caulking, contact with standing water). Moisture infiltration at these points can lead to swelling, delamination, and accelerated deterioration.
Pest Risk — Reduced But Not Eliminated
The zinc borate treatment that makes LP SmartSide resistant to insects is water-soluble. Over time, with repeated moisture exposure, this treatment can leach from the material — reducing its pest resistance below the treated specification. Steel siding has no organic content and provides no food source for insects at any point in its lifespan.
Fire Vulnerability
As a wood-based product, LP SmartSide is combustible — unlike steel siding, which is non-combustible and carries a Class A fire resistance rating. In wildfire-prone regions, this is a material distinction with real safety and insurance implications.
How Steel Siding Compares
| Factor | ABC Seamless Steel Siding | LP SmartSide |
|---|---|---|
| Material | 28-gauge galvanized steel | Engineered wood composite |
| Painting Required | Never | Yes — every 3—5 years (warranty requirement) |
| Moisture Absorption | None | Yes — at seams, cut ends, and over time |
| Pest Resistance | Excellent (no organic content) | Good — but zinc borate treatment leaches over time |
| Fire Resistance | Class A — non-combustible | Combustible — lower fire rating |
| Seam Construction | Virtually seamless (on-site fabrication) | Seamed — panel by panel |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime | 50 yr limited (conditions apply) |
| Climate Performance — Cold | Excellent | Moderate — moisture issues in freeze-thaw |
Painting Required
- ABC Seamless Steel Siding
- Never
- LP SmartSide
- Yes — every 3—5 years (warranty requirement)
Moisture Absorption
- ABC Seamless Steel Siding
- None
- LP SmartSide
- Yes — at seams, cut ends, and over time
Pest Resistance
- ABC Seamless Steel Siding
- Excellent (no organic content)
- LP SmartSide
- Good — but zinc borate treatment leaches over time
Fire Resistance
- ABC Seamless Steel Siding
- Class A — non-combustible
- LP SmartSide
- Combustible — lower fire rating
Seam Construction
- ABC Seamless Steel Siding
- Virtually seamless (on-site fabrication)
- LP SmartSide
- Seamed — panel by panel
Warranty
- ABC Seamless Steel Siding
- Limited lifetime
- LP SmartSide
- 50 yr limited (conditions apply)
Climate Performance — Cold
- ABC Seamless Steel Siding
- Excellent
- LP SmartSide
- Moderate — moisture issues in freeze-thaw
Frequently Asked Questions
Is LP SmartSide better than regular wood siding?
Yes — LP SmartSide significantly outperforms traditional wood and hardboard siding in moisture and pest resistance. But it remains a wood-based product with wood-based limitations that steel siding eliminates entirely.
What's the biggest advantage of steel over LP SmartSide?
The elimination of painting maintenance is the most immediately practical advantage — LP SmartSide requires periodic repainting to maintain warranty coverage. Steel siding never does. Followed closely by steel's non-combustibility and its genuine seamless construction.