LP Smartside siding

[Kevin54]

It was LP. I was so pissed off that I spent so much money then to have that happen and they got out of paying almost nothing because of the bankruptcy. They had hugh townhouses and apartments covered with this stuff, and it had all failed. I had some kind of brown mold spores and the rest you could just touch it and it would disappear in your hands.
Just google lp siding, or lawsuit.

LPSmartside....any input to this?

When I put something on, I don't want to have things go south on me a few years down the road. As it stands right now, I have to stain the house, craft shed, and shed. When I put my addition on, I am also planning on siding the existing garage along with the addition. I do not want to have to reside a few years down the road. If it has a 50 year warranty, and if it does go bad and things are covered, that is one thing. If it goes bad in 51 years, I won't really give a **** by then. But if in 10 years things go bad, then I'll be pissed.

So far everything has sounded favorable as far as Smartside goes, but now there are a couple of negatives. I'd like to hear a reply to the negatives from a rep. if you would be so kind to do so.

I'm not the type to base my decision on a couple bad reviews, and will lean towards favorable reviews from members, but as with anything, we all live in different climates. In Ohio, you can get Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter all withing the same day.

 

[jbogacki]

I used it on my new house. Outperforms Hardy siding, way more durable. I got a chance to speak with a rep from LP and they had a ton of great information on it. My siding installer lived by Hardy siding and since he did my house he has switched and recommends LP now. I hit it with a hammer in front of him and no dents, nothing. We got it pre-painted and also used all LP trim on corners, fascia, doors and windows. The look alone is awesome on it.

 

[BUGTHUG]

Kevin54, I'm just telling you what I went thru, my siding wasn't even on a year. I painted it about 6 months after it was hung, used the proper primer, even though it had factory primer, and used the best paint Valspar had. Didn't matter the materials and the process was junk, the siding held moisture from the backside then it started molding then turned to sawdust. At least spend a few minutes and check out the lawsuits, then if you think its the right product for you, then by all means go for it. I hope you have more success than I did.

 

[sselander]

After reading about the LP siding, I found a page that goes into some detail:
http://www.hartmanhomeinspections.com/blog/view/136/the_lp_siding_fiasco

The product that failed is called "Louisiana Pacific Inner Seal Siding", the newer siding is the LP SmartSide.

"Manufactured from early 1990 through 1996, LP was a defendant in a major class action suit http://www.sidingsolutions.com/pages/classtat.htm and paid claims for the product discoloring, disintegrating, and even growing fungi. Two years after the suit and after LP settled all related suits, the product was re-engineered and is now marketed as LP SmartSide http://www.lpcorp.com/smartside/lap/resources/. Since 1997 the company has sold approximately three billion square feet with no warranty claims"

 

[30cal]

Kinda funny they can claim a 50 year warranty because of 3 billion square feet sold since 1997...

I've used t1-11, hardy, and the smartside... I hate the concrete stuff the most (dust,weight, brittle,like siding with glass) plywood (rots, ***** paint like a sponge) smartside (the primer "chips off" if not careful, and if the primer doesn't stick, what good is the paint? osb product)

Right now it seems there is no clear winner..but I like the looks,durability, and easy install and the price of the smartside panels, I'll just have to wait and see if I was wrong

 

[jbogacki]

I also used the LP smartside Panels around the bottom half of my deck. I cut, painted and installed them. Now they touch mulch, and I water the plants every couple days. The panels have been up for over a year and have not swelled, or anything.

In this instance they are painted front and back. Im sure this helps.

With my LP Lap we painted the cut ends like LP recommends. I have not had any issues. I will say this though, pay attention to the Joints and use the distance they recommend in their install guides. Because they do expand/contract a bit.

Personally I love the product. Like anything though if you dont follow the manufactures guidelines, cut corners you could have problems. And as with anything you could get a bad batch and it could cause problems.

 

[Falcon67]

I'll give you some "impact resistance" insight. My old shop used the LP SmartSide panels. Built in 1999, we moved from there winter 2010. The shop was 24x20, long sides facing east and west. That west wall facing the back yard was used daily as a ball return for the dog, base ball backboard for playing ball with my grandson, got pounded by a hail storm that required most of the roofs in town to be replaced - twice. It also got the full hit of the west Texas sun, running about 130F surface temps during the summer. Mostly it served as a giant sports ball backboard. Never a dent, ding, smudge or flake of paint in 11 years of abuse. And if you could have seen a session of "Rusty ball", you'd know it took a beating.

Rusty ball - Rusty the dog, barking like a possessed demon at any ball play, jumping, snapping at the pitch, the swing, the hit, chasing, etc. Good hits right over the dog. Grandson had a bit of trouble when he started playing Little League because there was no dog raising hell in front of him when he was at bat.

 

[wssix99]

After reading about the LP siding, I found a page that goes into some detail:
http://www.hartmanhomeinspections.com/blog/view/136/the_lp_siding_fiasco

The product that failed is called "Louisiana Pacific Inner Seal Siding", the newer siding is the LP SmartSide.

"Manufactured from early 1990 through 1996, LP was a defendant in a major class action suit http://www.sidingsolutions.com/pages/classtat.htm and paid claims for the product discoloring, disintegrating, and even growing fungi. Two years after the suit and after LP settled all related suits, the product was re-engineered and is now marketed as LP SmartSide http://www.lpcorp.com/smartside/lap/resources/. Since 1997 the company has sold approximately three billion square feet with no warranty claims"

This is a great summary. The past issues are long gone and I'm told by our dealers and installers that the new stuff is performing with flying colors.

We have stucco going up on a very tall ICF house in Chicago right now. The remainder will be covered in LP Smartside, including a curved wall. (I can post the after pictures in a few weeks.) Here's where we are now:

At this point, I'll say the LP customer service has been outstanding. (This pails in comparison to Marvin who has totally screwed up our window order repeatedly and given us units that are already failing before we've moved in.) We've had several visits by LP Smartside reps ahead of our install over the entire year leading up to our install. They also have helped with techniques and tester strips to work out how the curved wall (this is not going to be easy) will go up and will be showing up to give our installers some additional training on the product.

 

[sselander]

Looks like LP is tryinh hard to prove the duarability of the siding.

One of thing LP mentions is this:
"We put our products to the test in the rain-drenched, humid,
termite-infested jungles of Hilo, Hawaii. 10 years,the testing equivalent of almost 30 years. "

I guess they needed to prove how well the borate infused siding held up.

They also have a video on the impact testing :
http://lphowto.com/impact.aspx

It certainly looks interesting. Although I went with Hardie siding on my current house, I would have to consider the LP Smartside if I ever needed to reside another house. My dad's T-111 siding is starting to go after 40 years and will need to be replaced.

 

[Mandres]

For me, that's all just marketing drivel. This stuff is compressed wood pulp shaped into planks. It's inherently the wrong material for this particular application. You're relying on the strength of the glues and preservatives to hold wet cardboard together and keep the weather outside of your structure.

If it were half the cost of fiber cement or solid wood it might be a compelling option. But it's basically the same (they claim it's cheaper for installation but that's nebulous and depends completely on your contractor).

I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole, but that's just my opinion and I certainly don't wish any ill will.

 

[wssix99]

For me, that's all just marketing drivel. This stuff is compressed wood pulp shaped into planks. It's inherently the wrong material for this particular application. You're relying on the strength of the glues and preservatives to hold wet cardboard together and keep the weather outside of your structure.

It's fine if you are going to share your opinion, but at least put some facts behind them. The statements above are flat out false (or misinformed) and sound like off-the-hip ramblings. You could probably say these things about Masonite and be close to making a point, but what we are talking about here is an engineered wood product. It's a totally different thing.

 

[BUGTHUG]

It's fine if you are going to share your opinion, but at least put some facts behind them. The statements above are flat out false (or misinformed) and sound like off-the-hip ramblings. You could probably say these things about Masonite and be close to making a point, but what we are talking about here is an engineered wood product. It's a totally different thing.

You can say those things about "Masonite" because that's what it is also! Masonite is where it all begin back in the late 1800's, its all about heat, glues, pulp, or chips of wood all squished together. You can call it engineered if you want, but its not differnt

 

[Pluribus]

...

...

^^Edit: Since mods removed original posts, I have removed quoted info. Thanks for cleaning up the thread!

I don't have a huge issue with companies posting useful technical information that can be helpful to prospective customers, but was there really a need to post virtually the same thing in post #49 and #56?

 

[Falcon67]

For me, that's all just marketing drivel. This stuff is compressed wood pulp shaped into planks. It's inherently the wrong material for this particular application. You're relying on the strength of the glues and preservatives to hold wet cardboard together and keep the weather outside of your structure.

If it were half the cost of fiber cement or solid wood it might be a compelling option. But it's basically the same (they claim it's cheaper for installation but that's nebulous and depends completely on your contractor).

I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole, but that's just my opinion and I certainly don't wish any ill will.

I used LP to trim the windows on my shop. The 1x4 primed material. There are three windows on the back (N) side. I never got around to painting the trim back there, going on 3 years now. No ill effects. And on my old shop I had the siding in ground contact in a flower bed and had to deal with water intrusion issues for years because of the way the slab was poured. Never had an issue with the siding. Not a "fan boy" but I've seen it work, and it works pretty well IMHO. And having done a building with both LP and Hardi, I can assure you that while LP may be close in price to Hardi, LP is 50 times easier to work with. LP is also cooler on the surface than Hardi in direct sun (as much as 50F on the inside), and it does not sweat on the inside during rapid temperature changes. Hardi does, like a single pane window.

 

[wssix99]

You can call it engineered if you want, but its not differnt

Until you have an LVL, PSL, or OSB holding your house up or keeping it from blowing over in the wind...

 

[Falcon67]

I should post a picture of the OSB shed in the yard behind us. It's about 3 years old now, and just OSB nailed to a frame. No paint, nothing. It's a little dark but other wise holding up fine.

 

[Kevin54]

Seriously? I'm not one to argue with a mod, but I thought at least one of the replies from LP Smartside should have stayed. Reason being is that it explained the process of the new product over existing products before.

ANd if that is the case, what about every other vendor on here that offers up their information?

Sorry, but to remove every response from the vendor, I'm saying that is B.S. I never read one of his replies that shows where he was trying to sell his product, he was explaining the product and thanking people for using it. Is that any different than ones in the flooring section? Is EVERY single floor rep on the front home page, is Lista on the front home page?

 

[rpenner54]

Out here in Wichita KS we do a lot of repairs to houses rotting out. Majority of the rot is from Masonite siding. Sometimes some of it is just old cedar that has had to much water on it. We will either use hardy or lp depending on what the customer wants and if its been repaired with one or the other before. We like the lp much better for the ease of use with it. It also seems to hold paint better. My dad did his house with Hardy, and my Grandpa's house with LP. Grandpa's house is around 8 years old. Houses like Grandpa's in his neighborhood built at the same time are already having rot problems here and there with the Masonite siding. Grandpa's house is holding up great.

 

[Kevin54]

I know that when I was talking to the rep that was here at the house, we were discussing it. Currently I have vinyl on the garage, and it doesn't match the house. At the time, I did what I could afford, which was vinyl. I was thinking of going with Cedar as that is what is currently on the house. The Rep told me that the Smartside is about half the price of the Cedar and will last just as long. I hoping I can save on cost somewhere, and the LP sounds great according the the Rep, and also from the other members, although some will have bad reviews too, as everyones expectations are not the same. But as it stands, I will have a 28' x 36' garage to cover, then have a 36' x 36' to cover also, and three gable ends total. So if I can get the same looks as the house and the wifes building, and save some money also, that's a win. And in 30 or 40 years, I won't give a **** by then anyways.

 

[Pluribus]

Seriously? I'm not one to argue with a mod, but I thought at least one of the replies from LP Smartside should have stayed. Reason being is that it explained the process of the new product over existing products before.

ANd if that is the case, what about every other vendor on here that offers up their information?

Sorry, but to remove every response from the vendor, I'm saying that is B.S. I never read one of his replies that shows where he was trying to sell his product, he was explaining the product and thanking people for using it. Is that any different than ones in the flooring section? Is EVERY single floor rep on the front home page, is Lista on the front home page?

Two replies, seven posts apart, significant parts identical but cut and pasted in different order, both referencing quantity produced and/or number of homes, but wait, there may have been a difference in the attached link; that makes it all ok. Judging by the number of posts that disappeared, maybe there was at least one other vendor post up-thread.

Some vendors do an excellent job of providing useful information without their posts coming across as cut & paste advertising, and I appreciate their contributions. Of course they're here to represent their product; I don't have an issue with that if done tactfully. There's a difference, and it seems that others also think there should be boundaries.

 

[BUGTHUG]

Until you have an LVL, PSL, or OSB holding your house up or keeping it from blowing over in the wind...

you lost me on that one

 

[Kevin54]

Two replies, seven posts apart, significant parts identical but cut and pasted in different order, both referencing quantity produced and/or number of homes, but wait, there may have been a difference in the attached link; that makes it all ok. Judging by the number of posts that disappeared, maybe there was at least one other vendor post up-thread.

Some vendors do an excellent job of providing useful information without their posts coming across as cut & paste advertising, and I appreciate their contributions. Of course they're here to represent their product; I don't have an issue with that if done tactfully. There's a difference, and it seems that others also think there should be boundaries.

There's no doubt that there should be boundries. Why wasn't the first reply left in place that explained how the product was made instead of deleting everything? There was a discussion going on about the product and some were comparing it to another product by the same company that failed years back. Granted it did say how much had been sold, so on and so forth, but to some, that is useful information.

Why not just leave the first reply from the rep about the product and how it's made, then you could have cleaned up everything else that you didn't see fit to belong along with what was quoted? I would venture to say that more than just me found some of the information useful, especially the ones that have the product and are curious as to what a rep from the company has to say about it, verses on, maybe two that may just not like the product or may have had a bad experience with the company possibly, so we'll do an "I'll show them" and just delete everything.

 

[sselander]

I was interested in the product as well, my dad's T-111 on his house is vertical siding and I am looking at alternatives to the T-111 (his is 40 years old now, and looks like ****).

 

[wssix99]

you lost me on that one

Most people are probably unaware that their houses rely on engineered wood, (PSL, LVL, OSB, etc.) to hold up their houses. In some cases, they replace steel beams and most wood houses rely on engineered plywood to resist wind forces.

Masonite or sawdust glued together can't do this. In some cases, the LP product may be stronger than the wall behind it.

 

[BUGTHUG]

Most of my home was built in 1920, long before all the latest technology. I think the hardie board might help to hold it up, cause we get 80 to 100mph, at least once a year sometimes more. I'm having 60mph wind right now.

 

[htchevyii]

I would avoid it like the plague. I would hope that the current product was better, but a lot of LP siding was used in my area with terrible results. Eventually, you end up with areas that swell and fall apart. There was a class action settlement that was almost worthless and if you sell you house, you have to disclose that you have it. My parents got burned by it and had it replaced with cement board. The "warranty" consisted of paying only for the damaged pieces of siding. If you search for LP siding lawsuit you will find a lot of info.
http://www.hometownexteriordesigns.com/how_the_lp_siding_settlement_works.php
http://www.hobb.org/hobbv1/lp.shtml

 

[BUGTHUG]

I would avoid it like the plague. I would hope that the current product was better, but a lot of LP siding was used in my area with terrible results. Eventually, you end up with areas that swell and fall apart. There was a class action settlement that was almost worthless and if you sell you house, you have to disclose that you have it. My parents got burned by it and had it replaced with cement board. The "warranty" consisted of paying only for the damaged pieces of siding. If you search for LP siding lawsuit you will find a lot of info.
http://www.hometownexteriordesigns.com/how_the_lp_siding_settlement_works.php
http://www.hobb.org/hobbv1/lp.shtml

That's what pissed me off, they came out and took pictures then put a red circle around places that were showing damage with the naked eye, then paid like .10 cent on the dollar, knowing that all the siding was made at the same time and place and that it was ALL going to fail. They still owe me $10,000.00 as far as I'm concerned. If they are so successful in selling it now days, they need to pay who they owed on the first run stuff. I personally wouldn't by anything from LP, the bastards.

 

[Premium08]

Got it on my shed, shed was already here when I bought the house. I think its at least 3 years old, still looks great

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

 

[lynnbilodeau]

I have to admit that I am afraid of products like this that are exposed. However, I also admit I was impressed with the independent inspector's statement:

"Since 1997 the company has sold approximately three billion square feet with no warranty claims."

 

[wssix99]

Most of my home was built in 1920, long before all the latest technology. I think the hardie board might help to hold it up, cause we get 80 to 100mph, at least once a year sometimes more. I'm having 60mph wind right now.

Engineering wise, it would definitely help. With the added cost of doing cement siding on a tall reinforced concrete home, it was an easy choice to go with LP. The stronger and heavier siding wouldn't get us anything.

 

[BBQ&Love]

For me, that's all just marketing drivel. This stuff is compressed wood pulp shaped into planks. It's inherently the wrong material for this particular application. You're relying on the strength of the glues and preservatives to hold wet cardboard together and keep the weather outside of your structure.

If it were half the cost of fiber cement or solid wood it might be a compelling option. But it's basically the same (they claim it's cheaper for installation but that's nebulous and depends completely on your contractor).

I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole, but that's just my opinion and I certainly don't wish any ill will.

You are welcome to your opinion but I must say, your opinion isn't founded on facts. Some of what you said was flat out false.

 

[BBQ&Love]

LP had major problems and have gone to great length to win trust back with honesty about their problems (from top reps), transparency, great warranties (make sure it qualifies rather than see if you can disqualify it), and a great product. After soaking a piece of LP Smartside trim in a sealed container of water for 4 years and seeing very little change, I am a believer in their products. I was truly amazed. We sell a ton of it (installed) and we can't afford to be wrong. Unlike a lot of home builders, we can't just fade away if there's a problem. It would completely ruin our business.

 

[BBQ&Love]

You can say those things about "Masonite" because that's what it is also! Masonite is where it all begin back in the late 1800's, its all about heat, glues, pulp, or chips of wood all squished together. You can call it engineered if you want, but its not differnt

It most certainly is not Masonite. And it most certainly is different than Masonite. If you want credibility with your opinions you probably shouldn't make claims like this. Best to ya!

 

[coljar]

Got it on my shed, shed was already here when I bought the house. I think its at least 3 years old, still looks great

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

That looks like a nice little building you have there.

I agree with Kevin54's post about leaving the first reply from the LP people about their product.

 

[Premium08]

That looks like a nice little building you have there.

I agree with Kevin54's post about leaving the first reply from the LP people about their product.

Thanks, the previous owner built it out of rough cut lumber. Dad helped me add the ramp.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

 

[BUGTHUG]

It most certainly is not Masonite. And it most certainly is different than Masonite. If you want credibility with your opinions you probably shouldn't make claims like this. Best to ya!

I was replying to another post, but the process of making the LP siding is the same as making the Masonite siding. Its made of wood by product, chips, and glues compressed together, its not a solid material, Masonite is not a solid material, they are man made or engineered. Masonite was the FIRST to make this kind of material according to wiki. That's my claim and I'm sticking to it.
As far as credibility, I have more than LP, I've never screwed anyone out of money!

 

[mikec35]

I'm using it on a 12x12 lean-to. Seems like a good product. I haven't painted it yet, I've had a side exposed all winter just as it comes primed, can't tell the difference between the stuff I've had up for 8 months and the new stuff.

 

[Kevin54]

I'm going to repeat it again for a lot of ones that don't read through everything. Although Masonite is a brand name, everyone associates the word "masonite" with the smooth brown slick hardboard, that most pegboard is made out of. This IS NOT the same as what OSB is, or what I am assuming Smartside is. The masonite I know, and that many are familiar with, the pegboard stuff, was used years back to make a lap siding product. This type of siding delaminated very easily, absorbed moisture, and you would see houses and mainly garages with the bottom piece rotted off and mushrooms growing out of the next couple of pieces. Now I am not sure 100% what Smartside is, hence the reason for this thread, but when my parents bought a shed kit from Lowes, I am fairly certain it had Smartside on it. It was an OSB product, stamped on one side to look exactly like wood grain.

To the ones that actually have "Smartside"......am I right or wrong on what Smartside is?

And if that's what it is, I don't think I'll have a problem is it comes pre-primed completely. As long as the edges are completely sealed, I think it will be an okay product. Like I said, in 30 years or so, I won't give a **** anyhow. I know I don't want a 4x8 sheet product though, I want a lap product. And I'm not above going with cedar, if necessary, but if Smartside does what it says, and they stand behind the product, I won't have a problem. If it is a compressed paper product like what I call masonite, hardboard, pegboard type of material, then I want nothing to do with it. I may hit the lumber company on the way home, and get a sample piece myself.

I have all kinds of time to decide because I can't get a goddamm quote from a contractor YET!!!!!!!!!!

 

[santagary]

My garage has been sided with it and painted for 8+ years and looks new. Every winter I have snow and ice to the eaves for months and there's no delamination or peeling.

 

[BBQ&Love]

the process of making the LP siding is the same as making the Masonite siding.

No it's not.

Its made of wood by product, chips, and glues compressed together,

LP Smartside is not made of wood by products.

I am sorry you had a bad experience with LP. It's completely understandable if you wish to badmouth them and refuse to use their products again. I don't blame you for that. But if you want people to take you seriously, then it would help if you would not make false claims about their product. I wish you the best!