Engineered wood siding such as LP SmartSide costs about $4 to $13 per square foot installed, averaging $8.50, according to Angi. That works out to roughly $14,875 for a typical home with 1,750 sq ft of exterior wall, with most projects between $7,000 and $22,000[1]. LP SmartSide material alone runs about $5–$10 per sq ft[2].
Estimate your project in the siding cost calculator (engineered wood preset) →
What is LP SmartSide?
LP SmartSide is an engineered wood siding made by LP Building Solutions (Louisiana-Pacific). Angi describes engineered wood as a blend of wood fibers and resin that resists moisture, pests and warping[1]. LP's product is treated with a borate-based process that LP calls SmartGuard, which is designed to resist termites and fungal decay[3]. LP's warranty covers lap siding, panels, vertical siding, NickelGap, cedar-look shakes, trim and fascia, and soffit[3]. Homeowners usually choose it for a wood look at a lower cost and weight than fiber cement.
LP SmartSide cost by wall area
Angi's engineered wood cost table, based on the square footage of exterior wall being sided[1]:
| Exterior wall area | Installed cost range |
|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | $4,000 – $13,000 |
| 1,250 sq ft | $5,000 – $16,250 |
| 1,500 sq ft | $6,000 – $18,500 |
| 1,750 sq ft | $7,000 – $22,750 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $8,000 – $26,000 |
| 2,250 sq ft | $9,000 – $29,250 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $10,000 – $32,500 |
HomeGuide's broader siding guides put engineered wood at $7–$12 per sq ft installed, with materials about $3–$5[4][5]. Angi's general siding guide lists engineered wood at $1–$6 per sq ft[6], which appears to reflect a narrower scope than its dedicated engineered wood guide. When quotes differ, check whether trim, house wrap and removal are included.
Cost by city
Angi publishes average engineered wood siding project ranges for several metros[1]:
| City | Average cost range |
|---|---|
| New York, NY | $14,100 – $23,000 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $13,800 – $22,400 |
| Portland, OR | $13,000 – $22,100 |
| Providence, RI | $12,500 – $20,900 |
| Tucson, AZ | $11,900 – $19,500 |
| Atlanta, GA | $11,700 – $19,900 |
| Boise, ID | $10,900 – $18,300 |
Coastal and high-cost urban areas tend to have higher material and labor costs, according to Angi[1]. See local pages for New York City, Los Angeles, Portland, Tucson and Atlanta.
Labor and other costs
- Labor: about $1–$6 per sq ft for engineered wood (Angi)[1].
- Old siding removal: usually included in a pro's quote. For DIY tear-off, budget about $150–$350 for junk removal alone[1].
- Permits: most municipalities require one. Angi's general siding guide gives $150–$1,500[6].
- Accessibility and season: multistory walls and heavy vegetation add labor time. Fall and early spring are busy seasons, which makes summer a good time to book, according to Angi[1].
- Style and color: planks and panels (including shiplap, tongue-and-groove and board-and-batten looks) generally cost less than shakes and trim pieces, and premium factory colors can cost more[1].
The LP SmartSide 5/50 warranty
LP describes its warranty as a five-year, 100% labor and material replacement feature plus a 50-year prorated material feature, under which LP covers a portion of material cost for a replacement after the first five years[7]. The warranty documents also define coverage for hail damage and for termite or fungal damage tied to the SmartGuard treatment, with installation requirements and exclusions[3]. Some coverage, such as buckling, requires installation in strict accordance with LP's instructions[3], so ask your installer how they follow them. Read the current warranty on lpcorp.com before you buy.
LP SmartSide vs. James Hardie fiber cement
| LP SmartSide (engineered wood) | James Hardie (fiber cement) | |
|---|---|---|
| Material cost / sq ft (Angi) | $5 – $10[2] | $4 – $7.50[2] |
| Installed cost / sq ft | $4 – $13, avg $8.50 (Angi)[1] | $16 – $40 with tear-off and trim (HomeGuide)[8]; up to $15 siding-only (Angi)[1] |
| Labor share | $1 – $6 per sq ft (Angi)[1] | 50% – 65% of total (HomeGuide)[8] |
| Expected life | 20 – 30 years with repainting about every 10 years (Angi)[1] | ~50 years (Angi)[6] |
| Warranty | 5-year 100% labor and material, 50-year prorated (LP)[7] | Up to 30-year product, 15-year ColorPlus finish (per HomeGuide)[8] |
| Weight and handling | Lighter and cuts like wood | About 2.5 lb per sq ft, silica dust control needed[8] |
The cost gap is mostly labor. Engineered wood installs faster with standard woodworking tools, while fiber cement is heavier and slower to cut and hang. Fiber cement is non-combustible and has the stronger resale record: 113.7% of cost recouped in the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report[9]. That report does not price engineered wood separately. Full breakdown: James Hardie siding cost.
LP SmartSide vs. vinyl and real wood
Vinyl is cheaper up front: Angi lists $3–$12 per sq ft installed[6], and This Old House's Homewyse average is $6.13[10]. Engineered wood offers a more convincing wood look and better impact resistance than thin vinyl. Compared with natural wood ($5–$15 per sq ft installed per HomeGuide)[4], engineered wood costs about the same or less and is treated against rot and insects, but it still needs paint maintenance. See wood siding cost and vinyl siding cost.
Repair or replace?
Angi suggests repairing engineered wood when repairs cost less than 50% of replacement, the siding is under about 15 years old and damage is localized. It suggests replacing when damage is widespread or repairs are needed several times a year[1]. Typical siding repairs average $928 nationally[2]. See siding repair cost.
Painting and long-term upkeep
LP SmartSide is sold primed or with a factory-applied finish. Either way, the painted surface protects the wood strands underneath, so finish maintenance is part of the real cost of ownership. Angi estimates engineered wood siding lasts 20–30 years with repainting about every 10 years, and puts the average exterior paint job at about $3,150[1]. Over 30 years, that means budgeting for two or three repaints, a cost that vinyl does not have. Keep gutters clean, keep sprinklers off the walls, and re-caulk joints as needed to protect the warranty and the boards.
Estimate your LP SmartSide project
Measure your wall area and use the siding cost calculator (engineered wood preset). Then ask installers for itemized quotes that name the LP product line and finish, trim and soffit scope, removal, and how they meet LP's installation requirements. Compare all materials on cost to side a house.
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 Repair Siding? [2026 Data]", Haley Nothstein (updated Oct 14, 2026). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- LP Building Solutions, "LP SmartSide Prorated 50-Year Limited Warranty and Arbitration Agreement (Exterior Use)", LP (n.d.). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- HomeGuide, "Wood Siding Cost", HomeGuide (n.d.). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- HomeGuide, "Siding Cost", HomeGuide (n.d.). 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.
- LP Building Solutions, "The What's & Why's of the LP SmartSide 5/50 Limited Warranty", LP (n.d.). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- HomeGuide, "Hardie Board Siding Cost", Tara Farmer (Oct 24, 2025). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- Zonda / Journal of Light Construction, "2025 Cost vs. Value Report", Zonda (Sep 18, 2025). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- This Old House, "Siding Replacement Cost (2026 Pricing) (Homewyse data)", Alexis Carthan (updated Jun 12, 2026). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
How to get and compare siding estimates →
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
How much does LP SmartSide cost per square foot?
Engineered wood siding like LP SmartSide costs about $4–$13 per sq ft installed, averaging $8.50 (Angi). LP SmartSide material alone is about $5–$10 per sq ft. Sources accessed Oct 27, 2026.
How much does LP SmartSide cost for a whole house?
Angi estimates about $14,875 for a typical home with 1,750 sq ft of exterior wall, with most projects between $7,000 and $22,000 and up to $32,500 for 2,500 sq ft of wall.
Is LP SmartSide cheaper than James Hardie?
Usually, mainly because labor is lower. Angi puts engineered wood at $4–$13 per sq ft installed, while HomeGuide puts fully installed James Hardie projects, including tear-off and trim, at $16–$40 per sq ft.
What does the LP SmartSide warranty cover?
LP describes a 5/50-year limited warranty: 100% labor and material replacement for covered defects during the first five years, then prorated material coverage through year 50. Hail and termite/fungal damage terms and exclusions apply.
How long does LP SmartSide last?
Angi estimates 20–30 years for engineered wood siding with maintenance, including repainting about every 10 years. LP's prorated warranty runs 50 years.