LP SmartSide material costs about $5–$10 per sq ft and James Hardie material about $4–$7.50 per sq ft, according to Angi[1]. Installed, Angi prices engineered wood like LP SmartSide at $4–$13 per sq ft[2]. HomeGuide prices a full James Hardie project with tear-off and trim at $16–$40[3]. Hardie backs its siding with a 30-year non-prorated substrate warranty[4]. LP's prefinished ExpertFinish line carries a 5/15/50-year warranty: 5 years labor and materials, 15 years on the finish and 50 years on the substrate[5].
Estimate your project in the siding cost calculator (engineered wood preset) →
Last updated October 29, 2026. This page compares the two brands. For the material-category comparison (fire, moisture, pests, lifespan and repainting), see fiber cement vs. engineered wood siding.
Brand comparison at a glance
| LP SmartSide | James Hardie | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Engineered wood (wood strands, waxes, resins, zinc borate)[5] | Fiber cement (cellulose fiber–reinforced cement)[6] |
| Main product lines | Lap, trim and fascia, Nickel Gap, panel and vertical, shake lap, soffit[7] | HardiePlank lap, HardiePanel vertical, HardieShingle, Artisan lap, trim, soffit[8] |
| Textures | Cedar texture and brushed smooth on many products[7] | Varies by product line[6] |
| Factory finish | ExpertFinish, 16 colors[5] | ColorPlus Technology, baked on in the factory[4] |
| Unfinished option | Primed[7] | Primed for field painting[4] |
| Substrate warranty | 5 years 100% labor and material, then prorated material to 50 years[9] | 30-year non-prorated, transferable to the first transferee[8] |
| Finish warranty | 15 years (ExpertFinish)[5] | 15 years, prorated (ColorPlus)[4][8] |
| Climate-specific formulas | None described in the LP sources reviewed | Hardie Zone System: HZ5 (freeze and snow) and HZ10 (heat, humidity, coastal)[10] |
| Material cost / sq ft | $5 – $10 (Angi)[1] | $4 – $7.50 (Angi)[1] |
Product lines
LP SmartSide. LP's 2026 catalog lists lap siding, trim and fascia, Nickel Gap siding, outside corners, panel and vertical siding, shake lap siding, closed and vented soffit, and accessory blocks. Many products come in cedar texture or brushed smooth, either primed or prefinished in the ExpertFinish color collection[7]. LP's vented soffit provides 10 square inches of ventilation per linear foot, with 1/8-inch vents meant to keep out hornets and most bees[7]. LP says the ExpertFinish lap joint design helps avoid seam caulking, joint molds or pan flashing at butt joints[5].
James Hardie. Hardie's U.S. warranty names HardiePlank lap siding, HardiePanel vertical siding, HardieShingle, Hardie Trim, Hardie Soffit, Hardie Artisan siding and Hardie architectural panels[8]. ICC-ES report ESR-2290 covers Hardie panels, lap siding and shingles as exterior wall covering under the IBC and IRC[6]. All Hardie siding is available primed for painting, or with ColorPlus finishes cured on in the factory[4].
Regional availability and climate fit
James Hardie sells climate-specific formulations through its Hardie Zone System, and you can look up your zone by zip code. HZ5 is designed for freezing temperatures, big seasonal swings, snow and ice, with a surface engineered for paint adhesion and moisture resistance plus a drip edge. HZ10 is designed for hurricane-force winds, salty coastal air and humid southern heat[10]. Hardie's limited warranty covers installations in the U.S. (except Alaska), Puerto Rico and Canada (except Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut)[8]. The LP sources we reviewed do not describe a regional formulation system. LP lists its products for new homes, remodels, multifamily projects, and sheds and outdoor buildings[7]. Stock and color availability for both brands varies by local dealer, so confirm with your installer.
Warranty details that change the math
- Labor: LP covers 100% of labor and material for the first 5 years[9]. Hardie's substrate warranty states that Hardie will not pay labor or accessory material costs. Instead it refunds, replaces, or reimburses up to twice the original retail cost of the defective portion[8].
- Proration: after year 5, LP's substrate coverage is prorated through year 50[9]. Hardie's is not prorated for 30 years, then expires[8].
- Finish: both brands offer 15-year finish warranties on factory-finished products[5][4]. In year one, Hardie's ColorPlus warranty can reimburse paint and labor up to $2.15 per sq ft for the damaged portion[8]. LP's ExpertFinish warranty sits with LP rather than a third-party prefinisher[5].
- Named hazards: Hardie's warranty lists hail, woodpecker, termite and wood-boring insect damage[8]. LP's lists hail and termite or fungal damage tied to its SmartGuard treatment[11].
- Installation: both make coverage depend on following the manufacturer's installation instructions[11][6].
Worked example: 2,000 sq ft of wall
This is simple arithmetic on each source's published range, applied to 2,000 sq ft of exterior wall area. It is not a quote.
| Line | LP SmartSide | James Hardie |
|---|---|---|
| Material only | $5 – $10/sq ft → $10,000 – $20,000[1] | $4 – $7.50/sq ft → $8,000 – $15,000[1] |
| Installed | $4 – $13/sq ft (Angi, engineered wood) → $8,000 – $26,000[2] | $16 – $40/sq ft (HomeGuide, with tear-off and trim) → $32,000 – $80,000[3] |
| Labor share | $1 – $6/sq ft → $2,000 – $12,000[2] | 50% – 65% of the project[3] |
Material prices are close, and Angi's ranges even put LP's material slightly higher. Finished Hardie projects cost more mainly because of labor and scope. HomeGuide's Hardie range includes removal and prep[3], while Angi's engineered wood range is a narrower siding-install figure[2]. For a like-for-like check, ask both installers to quote the same tear-off, wrap, trim and soffit scope.
Which brand fits which project
- Freeze-thaw or hurricane coast: Hardie's HZ5 or HZ10 formulation is designed for those exposures[10].
- Early-years protection including labor: LP's 5-year 100% labor and material coverage[9].
- Long non-prorated coverage: Hardie's 30-year substrate warranty[4].
- Prefinished color selection: LP lists 16 ExpertFinish colors[5]. Ask your Hardie dealer which ColorPlus colors are stocked in your zone.
- Resale: the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report rates fiber-cement siding replacement at 113.7% of cost recouped and does not rate engineered wood[12].
Estimate both in the calculator with the engineered wood preset and the fiber cement preset. For full price breakdowns, see LP SmartSide siding cost and James Hardie siding cost.
Sources
- Angi, "How Much Does It Cost to Repair Siding? [2026 Data]", Haley Nothstein (updated Oct 14, 2026). Accessed Oct 27, 2026.
- Angi, "How Much Does Engineered Wood Siding Cost? [2026 Data]", Haley Nothstein (updated Jul 20, 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.
- LP Building Solutions, "Introducing LP SmartSide ExpertFinish Trim & Siding", LP (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 Trim & Siding 2026 Product Catalog", LP (2026). Accessed Oct 29, 2026.
- James Hardie, "Hardie Siding and Trim Products Limited Product Warranty (effective Feb 2024)", James Hardie (Feb 2024). 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.
- James Hardie, "The Hardie Zone System", James Hardie (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.
- Zonda / Journal of Light Construction, "2025 Cost vs. Value Report", Zonda (Sep 18, 2025). 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
Is LP SmartSide cheaper than James Hardie?
Installed, usually yes. Angi puts engineered wood like LP SmartSide at $4–$13 per sq ft, and HomeGuide puts a full Hardie project at $16–$40. Material alone is close: LP $5–$10 and Hardie $4–$7.50 per sq ft (Angi).
What does LP SmartSide vs. James Hardie cost for 2,000 sq ft of wall?
Applying those ranges gives about $8,000–$26,000 installed for LP SmartSide and $32,000–$80,000 for a full James Hardie project including tear-off and trim.
Which has the better warranty?
It depends on the years. LP covers 100% of labor and material for 5 years, then prorated material to 50 years (15-year finish on ExpertFinish). Hardie gives 30 years non-prorated on the substrate but excludes labor, plus a 15-year prorated ColorPlus finish warranty.
What are HZ5 and HZ10?
They are James Hardie's climate-specific product lines. HZ5 is for freezing temperatures, snow and ice. HZ10 is for heat, humidity, hurricane winds and coastal air. Hardie assigns a zone by zip code.
Do both come prefinished?
Yes. LP offers ExpertFinish (16 colors), and Hardie offers ColorPlus Technology. Both also sell primed boards for field painting.