Engineered wood siding such as LP SmartSide usually costs less to install: about $4 to $13 per square foot, averaging $8.50, according to Angi[1]. Fiber cement runs $5 to $14 per sq ft in Angi's siding-only pricing[2], and $16 to $40 per sq ft for a full James Hardie project including tear-off and trim, per HomeGuide[3]. Fiber cement carries a 30-year non-prorated substrate warranty[4] and is noncombustible[5]. LP's warranty is 5 years at 100%, then prorated to 50 years[6].
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Last updated October 29, 2026. Third-party prices are shown as each source publishes them. Sources price different scopes, so ranges are shown side by side and never averaged together.
The short answer
Choose engineered wood if upfront cost and a lighter, easier install matter most and you're prepared to keep up the paint. Choose fiber cement if you want a noncombustible exterior, a longer non-prorated warranty and the stronger resale record. Fiber-cement siding replacement recouped 113.7% of its cost in the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report[7]. That report does not price engineered wood separately, so no resale comparison is possible from it.
Side-by-side comparison
| Fiber cement (e.g. James Hardie) | Engineered wood (e.g. LP SmartSide) | |
|---|---|---|
| Material only / sq ft | $4 – $7.50 (James Hardie, Angi)[8] | $5 – $10 (LP SmartSide, Angi)[8] |
| Installed, siding only / sq ft | $5 – $14 (Angi)[2]; about $9 (This Old House / Homewyse)[9] | $4 – $13, avg $8.50 (Angi)[1]; $7 – $12 (HomeGuide)[10] |
| Full project with tear-off and trim / sq ft | $16 – $40 (HomeGuide)[3] | No comparable published figure |
| Labor | 50% – 65% of total cost (HomeGuide)[3] | $1 – $6 per sq ft (Angi)[1] |
| Manufacturer warranty | 30-year non-prorated substrate; ColorPlus finish 15-year limited[4] | 5 years 100% labor and material, then prorated material to 50 years[6] |
| Expected life | About 50 years (Angi)[2]; 100+ (InterNACHI)[11] | 20 – 30 years (Angi)[1]; 100+ (InterNACHI)[11] |
| Repainting | Every 10 – 15 years, about $3,000 – $10,000 (HomeGuide)[3] | About every 10 years; average paint job about $3,150 (Angi)[1] |
| Fire | Noncombustible (ASTM E136); Class A, flame spread 0 (ASTM E84)[12] | Wood-based; LP's warranty covers hail and termite/fungal damage, not fire performance[13] |
| Pests and rot | Warranted against termite and wood-boring insect damage[14] | SmartGuard borate treatment; termite/fungal damage coverage in the warranty[13] |
| Weight and handling | About 2.5 lb per sq ft; needs silica dust control[3] | Cuts with standard woodworking tools (Angi describes a wood-fiber and resin blend)[1] |
Installed cost per square foot
Published prices for these two materials differ mainly because of scope. Angi's engineered wood guide gives $4–$13 per sq ft installed, averaging $8.50, with labor at $1–$6 per sq ft[1]. HomeGuide puts engineered wood at $7–$12 installed[10]. For fiber cement, Angi's general siding guide lists $5–$14 per sq ft[2], and This Old House, using Homewyse data, lists about $9 per sq ft installed with materials around $5.37[9]. HomeGuide's James Hardie guide is the high outlier at $16–$40, because it includes removal of old siding, prep work and materials[3].
Material costs are closer than most people expect. Angi's repair guide puts James Hardie material at $4–$7.50 per sq ft and LP SmartSide material at $5–$10[8]. Most of the gap in a finished price is labor. HomeGuide says labor is 50%–65% of a Hardie project[3], because fiber cement weighs about 2.5 lb per sq ft and has to be cut with silica dust controls[3].
Worked example: 2,000 sq ft of wall
This example multiplies each source's published per-square-foot range by 2,000 sq ft of exterior wall area (not floor area). It is simple arithmetic on the cited ranges, not a quote.
| Scenario | Rate (source) | 2,000 sq ft of wall |
|---|---|---|
| Engineered wood, installed | $4 – $13 (Angi)[1] | $8,000 – $26,000 |
| Engineered wood at Angi's average | $8.50 (Angi)[1] | $17,000 |
| Fiber cement, siding only | $5 – $14 (Angi)[2] | $10,000 – $28,000 |
| Fiber cement at about $9 | ~$9 (This Old House / Homewyse)[9] | about $18,000 |
| James Hardie, full project with tear-off and trim | $16 – $40 (HomeGuide)[3] | $32,000 – $80,000 |
The $8,000–$26,000 engineered wood figure matches Angi's own table for 2,000 sq ft of wall[1]. Comparing like for like on siding-only pricing, the midpoints are about $17,000 for engineered wood and about $18,000–$19,000 for fiber cement. Expect quotes to land near the higher fiber cement figure once tear-off, house wrap and trim are included.
Paint over 30 years. At Angi's interval of about every 10 years and average paint job of about $3,150[1], engineered wood would need roughly three repaints, about $9,450. At HomeGuide's 10–15 year interval and $3,000–$10,000 per job[3], painted fiber cement would need two to three repaints, about $6,000–$30,000. Factory finishes such as Hardie's ColorPlus, which carries a 15-year limited finish warranty[4], can delay the first repaint. InterNACHI rates exterior paint at 7–10 years[11], so a sunny or humid site may need shorter intervals.
Warranty: what each manufacturer actually covers
James Hardie. James Hardie says all Hardie fiber cement products carry a 30-year, non-prorated limited warranty. ColorPlus finishes have a separate 15-year limited warranty covering peeling, cracking and chipping[4]. The warranty document covers hail, woodpecker, termite and wood-boring insect damage. It also covers cracking, splitting or warping from water, heat and freezing when tested to ASTM C1185. It states that James Hardie will not pay labor or accessory material costs under the substrate warranty[14].
LP SmartSide. LP describes a 5/50-year warranty. It covers 100% of labor and material replacement for the first five years, then pays a prorated share of material cost through year 50[6]. Hail and termite/fungal damage coverage is tied to the SmartGuard treatment. Some terms, such as buckling, require installation in strict accordance with LP's instructions[13].
The practical difference: in years 6 to 30, Hardie's substrate coverage is not prorated, while LP's is. Both exclude damage from improper installation, so ask your installer how they follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Lifespan and maintenance
Angi estimates engineered wood lasts 20–30 years with repainting about every 10 years[1], and fiber cement about 50 years[2]. InterNACHI's life-expectancy chart, which assumes regular recommended maintenance, lists both fiber cement and engineered wood siding at 100+ years[11]. The gap between the two sources is a reminder that maintenance drives lifespan. Both materials depend on intact paint and caulk at joints. InterNACHI rates caulking at 5–10 years[11].
Fire, moisture and pests
- Fire: ICC-ES report ESR-2290 classifies James Hardie lap, panel and shingle siding as noncombustible per ASTM E136, with a Class A rating (flame-spread index 0, smoke-developed index under 5) per ASTM E84[12]. James Hardie notes that no siding is fireproof and that applied paints can char[5]. Engineered wood is a wood-fiber and resin product[1]. LP's warranty does not list fire performance among its coverages[13]. If you're in a wildfire-prone area, check your local code before choosing.
- Moisture: Hardie warrants against cracking, splitting, edge checking and warping caused by water and freeze damage under ASTM C1185 testing[14]. Angi says engineered wood resists moisture and warping[1], but its long-term protection depends on keeping the painted surface intact.
- Pests: Hardie warrants that its product will not be damaged by termites or wood-boring insects[14]. LP's SmartGuard borate process is designed to resist termites and fungal decay, and the warranty covers that damage under its terms[13].
Which should you choose?
- Budget-first, wood look: engineered wood. Angi's average is $8.50 per sq ft installed[1].
- Wildfire zone or long-term ownership: fiber cement, for noncombustibility[12] and the 30-year non-prorated warranty[4].
- Resale: fiber cement is the only one of the two with a Cost vs. Value figure (113.7% recouped)[7].
Get at least three itemized quotes that name the product line, finish, trim and soffit scope, and removal. Compare them using how to compare siding quotes. For deeper price breakdowns, see James Hardie siding cost, LP SmartSide siding cost and vinyl vs. fiber cement. Already decided on a material category and comparing the two brands' product lines and finish warranties? See LP SmartSide vs. James Hardie.
Sources
- Angi, "How Much Does Engineered Wood Siding Cost? [2026 Data]", Haley Nothstein (updated Jul 20, 2026). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- Angi, "How Much Does It Cost to Replace or Install Siding? [2026 Data]", Rachel Hoffman (updated Oct 9, 2026). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- HomeGuide, "Hardie Board Siding Cost", Tara Farmer (Oct 24, 2025). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- James Hardie, "Frequently Asked Questions", James Hardie (n.d.). Accessed Oct 29, 2026.
- James Hardie, "Fire Resistant Siding", James Hardie (n.d.). Accessed Oct 29, 2026.
- LP Building Solutions, "The What's & Why's of the LP SmartSide 5/50 Limited Warranty", LP (n.d.). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- Zonda / Journal of Light Construction, "2025 Cost vs. Value Report", Zonda (Sep 18, 2025). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- Angi, "How Much Does It Cost to Repair Siding? [2026 Data]", Haley Nothstein (updated Oct 14, 2026). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- This Old House, "Siding Replacement Cost (2026 Pricing) (Homewyse data)", Alexis Carthan (updated Jun 12, 2026). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- HomeGuide, "Wood Siding Cost", HomeGuide (n.d.). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- InterNACHI, "Standard Estimated Life Expectancy Chart for Homes", InterNACHI (n.d.). Accessed Oct 29, 2026.
- ICC Evaluation Service, "ESR-2290: James Hardie Building Products, Inc.", ICC-ES (n.d.). Accessed Oct 29, 2026.
- LP Building Solutions, "LP SmartSide Prorated 50-Year Limited Warranty and Arbitration Agreement (Exterior Use)", LP (n.d.). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- James Hardie, "Hardie Siding and Trim Products Limited Product Warranty (effective Feb 2024)", James Hardie (Feb 2024). Accessed Oct 29, 2026.
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More cost guides
Prices on this page are third-party figures as published by each source, with the date we accessed them. Sources measure different scopes (some include tear-off, trim and soffit), so ranges are shown side by side, not averaged. The calculator uses SidingCostEstimate editorial estimate rates. See our methodology.
Frequently asked questions
Is engineered wood siding cheaper than fiber cement?
Usually. Angi puts engineered wood at $4–$13 per sq ft installed (average $8.50) and fiber cement at $5–$14 for siding-only work. HomeGuide prices a full James Hardie project with tear-off and trim at $16–$40 per sq ft. Sources accessed Oct 27, 2026.
How much does each cost for 2,000 sq ft of wall?
Applying Angi's ranges gives $8,000–$26,000 for engineered wood and $10,000–$28,000 for siding-only fiber cement. Using HomeGuide's full-project range gives $32,000–$80,000 for James Hardie.
Which has the better warranty, James Hardie or LP SmartSide?
James Hardie offers a 30-year non-prorated substrate warranty and a 15-year ColorPlus finish warranty. LP SmartSide offers 5 years of 100% labor and material coverage, then prorated material coverage to year 50. Accessed Oct 29, 2026.
Is fiber cement siding fireproof?
No siding is fireproof. James Hardie fiber cement is classified noncombustible per ASTM E136 with a Class A (ASTM E84) rating, per ICC-ES report ESR-2290. Paints and coatings can still char.
How often do you repaint fiber cement vs. engineered wood?
HomeGuide says fiber cement every 10–15 years. Angi says engineered wood about every 10 years. InterNACHI rates exterior paint at 7–10 years.