LP SmartSide vs James Hardie Siding in Michigan | NEXT Exteriors
You've narrowed it down. After ruling out vinyl (because you want something that'll actually last), you're looking at two names that keep coming up: LP SmartSide and James Hardie. Both are premium siding products. Both claim to handle Michigan weather. Both cost more than vinyl—sometimes a lot more.
So which one makes sense for your home in Sterling Heights, Rochester Hills, or Grosse Pointe Farms?
We've been installing both as a Detroit siding company since the late 1990s. We've seen how they perform through 25+ Michigan winters, ice storms, summer humidity, and the relentless freeze-thaw cycles that destroy poorly installed materials. This isn't a sales pitch for one over the other—it's what we've learned on hundreds of jobs across Southeast Michigan.
What LP SmartSide Actually Is (And How It Performs in Michigan)
LP SmartSide is engineered wood—specifically, oriented strand board (OSB) treated with a zinc borate coating and sealed with a proprietary resin called SmartGuard. It's not the same as the old hardboard siding (Masonite) that rotted out on thousands of Michigan homes in the 1980s and 90s. The technology is fundamentally different.
The SmartGuard treatment is baked into the wood strands during manufacturing, not just applied to the surface. This gives it resistance to moisture, fungal decay, and termites—critical in Michigan, where we get everything from lake-effect snow in winter to 90% humidity in July.
How It Holds Up in Michigan Freeze-Thaw Cycles
Michigan's real test isn't just cold—it's the constant cycling between freezing and thawing. January might hit -5°F overnight, then climb to 38°F by noon. Water gets into cracks, freezes, expands, thaws, and repeats. This destroys materials that aren't properly sealed or installed.
LP SmartSide handles this reasonably well when installed correctly. The key is proper flashing, a weather-resistant barrier behind it, and maintaining the factory-applied finish. We've seen 15-year-old LP installations in Shelby Township that still look solid. We've also seen 8-year-old jobs where the painter didn't maintain the edges and moisture crept in.
Michigan-Specific Consideration: LP SmartSide comes pre-primed, but it must be painted within 180 days of installation, and cut edges need field priming before installation. Skip this step, and you're asking for moisture problems within five years. If you're working with Southeast Michigan painting professionals, make sure they understand this requirement.
Weight and Structural Impact
LP SmartSide is lighter than fiber cement—about 2.2 pounds per square foot for 7/16" lap siding. This makes it easier to handle during installation and puts less stress on your home's structure. For older homes in Detroit or Mount Clemens with questionable framing, this can matter.
What James Hardie Fiber Cement Brings to the Table
James Hardie is fiber cement—a mix of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers. It's been around since the 1980s and has become the benchmark for premium siding. HardiePlank (their lap siding product) is what most people think of when they hear "fiber cement."
The material is non-combustible, won't rot, and is impervious to termites and woodpeckers. In Michigan, where we have all four of those concerns (yes, woodpeckers love LP SmartSide and cedar—they largely ignore fiber cement), that's a real advantage.
ColorPlus Technology and Michigan's UV Exposure
James Hardie offers a factory-applied finish called ColorPlus. It's baked on in a controlled environment, which gives it better UV resistance and color retention than field-applied paint. Michigan summers are brutal on south- and west-facing walls—intense UV, high heat, and sudden thunderstorms. ColorPlus holds up better than most field finishes over 15+ years.
The catch? ColorPlus costs more upfront, and you're locked into Hardie's color palette (though it's expanded significantly in recent years). If you want a custom color, you'll need to go with primed HardiePlank and have it painted after installation.
Weight and Installation Complexity
Fiber cement is heavy—about 3.3 pounds per square foot for standard 5/16" lap siding. That's 50% heavier than LP SmartSide. It requires carbide-tipped saw blades, generates silica dust (which means respiratory protection during cutting), and takes longer to install.
For a typical 2,000-square-foot siding job, the labor cost difference can be $1,500 to $3,000 more for James Hardie compared to LP SmartSide, depending on the complexity of the home's architecture. If you're getting quotes from exterior services in Detroit, ask whether they're accounting for the additional labor and equipment needed for fiber cement.
Durability in Michigan Ice Storms
We've installed James Hardie on homes that have taken direct hits from falling tree limbs during ice storms. The siding cracked, but it didn't shatter or compromise the weather barrier behind it. LP SmartSide, in the same scenario, tends to dent or splinter. Neither is indestructible, but fiber cement has a higher impact resistance threshold.
The Real Cost Difference (And What You're Actually Paying For)
Let's talk numbers. These are real-world costs for Southeast Michigan as of early 2026, based on our projects in Macomb and Oakland counties.
| Material | Material Cost (per sq ft) | Labor Cost (per sq ft) | Total Installed Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| LP SmartSide (primed) | $2.80 - $3.50 | $3.00 - $4.00 | $5.80 - $7.50 |
| LP SmartSide (pre-finished) | $4.00 - $5.00 | $3.00 - $4.00 | $7.00 - $9.00 |
| James Hardie (primed) | $3.50 - $4.50 | $4.00 - $5.50 | $7.50 - $10.00 |
| James Hardie (ColorPlus) | $5.00 - $6.50 | $4.00 - $5.50 | $9.00 - $12.00 |
For a 2,000-square-foot siding job (typical for a two-story Colonial in Troy or Warren), you're looking at:
- LP SmartSide (primed): $11,600 - $15,000
- LP SmartSide (pre-finished): $14,000 - $18,000
- James Hardie (primed): $15,000 - $20,000
- James Hardie (ColorPlus): $18,000 - $24,000
These numbers include tear-off of old siding, new weather-resistant barrier (usually Tyvek or similar), trim work, and basic flashing. They don't include window or door replacement, soffit and fascia work, or painting (for primed products).
What You're Actually Paying For: The price difference isn't just material—it's durability, warranty coverage, and maintenance intervals. LP SmartSide typically needs repainting every 10-12 years. James Hardie ColorPlus can go 15-20 years before needing attention. Factor that into your long-term cost analysis.
Durability Head-to-Head: Freeze-Thaw, Moisture, and Impact
Freeze-Thaw Performance
Both materials handle Michigan's freeze-thaw cycles, but they fail differently when installation goes wrong.
LP SmartSide: If water gets behind the siding (due to poor flashing around windows or missing drip edge), the OSB core can swell. Once it swells, the finish cracks, and you're on a fast track to rot. We've seen this happen on homes where the contractor skipped the step of sealing cut edges or didn't maintain proper clearance above grade.
James Hardie: Fiber cement doesn't absorb water the same way. It can wick moisture, but it won't swell or rot. The failure mode is usually cracking at fastener points or delamination of the finish if the siding wasn't properly back-primed. It's more forgiving of minor installation mistakes.
Ice Dam Resistance
Ice dams are a Michigan reality, especially on homes with poor attic insulation in Metro Detroit. When ice builds up at the eaves and water backs up under the shingles, it can run down behind the siding.
James Hardie's non-porous surface gives it an edge here. LP SmartSide will hold up if the flashing and weather barrier are done right, but fiber cement gives you more margin for error. If you've had ice dam issues in the past, address the root cause (attic insulation and ventilation) before worrying about siding—but if you're replacing siding anyway, Hardie is the safer bet.
Woodpecker and Pest Damage
This sounds minor until you've dealt with it. Woodpeckers love LP SmartSide. They'll peck holes looking for insects (or just because they can). We've seen homes in Lake Orion and Bloomfield Hills where homeowners had to install deterrents or repair sections every spring.
James Hardie? They ignore it. Fiber cement is too hard. If you live near wooded areas or have had woodpecker issues, this alone might tip the scale.
Installation Realities: What Michigan Contractors See on the Job
The quality of the installation matters more than the brand of siding. We've seen expensive James Hardie jobs fail because the contractor didn't follow the installation manual. We've seen budget LP SmartSide jobs last 20+ years because the crew did it right.
LP SmartSide Installation Musts
- Field prime all cut edges before installation. The factory primer doesn't cover cut ends, and moisture will wick in through exposed OSB.
- Maintain 6" clearance above grade and 1" above hard surfaces like decks or concrete. Closer than that, and you're inviting moisture problems.
- Use stainless steel or hot-dipped galvanized nails. Regular nails will rust and stain the siding within a few years.
- Paint within 180 days. The factory primer isn't a finish coat. If you leave it exposed through a Michigan winter, you'll have adhesion problems when you finally paint it.
James Hardie Installation Musts
- Cut with a carbide-tipped blade and proper dust control. Silica dust is a serious health hazard. OSHA has strict rules about this, and any contractor cutting fiber cement indoors or without ventilation is cutting corners.
- Back-prime all cut edges. Just like LP SmartSide, cut edges need sealing. Hardie provides touch-up paint for ColorPlus; use it.
- Use Hardie-approved fasteners. The warranty requires specific nail types and spacing. Deviation voids coverage.
- Leave expansion gaps. Fiber cement expands and contracts with temperature changes. Butt joints need a 1/8" gap, filled with approved caulk.
If you're comparing bids from contractors and one is significantly cheaper, ask what they're skipping. The most common shortcuts we see: no edge priming, wrong fasteners, inadequate flashing around windows and doors, and skipping the weather-resistant barrier. All of these will cost you more in repairs than you saved upfront.
Credential Check: Ask if your contractor is a James Hardie Elite Preferred installer or has manufacturer training for LP SmartSide. These certifications aren't just marketing—they mean the crew has been trained on proper installation techniques and the warranty will actually be honored if something goes wrong.
Which One Makes Sense for Your Michigan Home?
There's no universal answer. It depends on your home, your budget, and what you're optimizing for.
Choose LP SmartSide If:
- You want a premium product but need to keep costs closer to $12,000-$16,000 for a typical job
- Your home has complex architectural details (LP is easier to cut and shape for intricate trim work)
- You're planning to paint it a custom color anyway (primed LP is cheaper than primed Hardie, and the paint job will look the same)
- You're working with an older home where the lighter weight is an advantage
- You don't have woodpecker issues and you're committed to maintaining the finish every 10-12 years
Choose James Hardie If:
- You want the longest possible maintenance interval (15-20 years with ColorPlus)
- Fire resistance is a priority (fiber cement is non-combustible; LP is not)
- You've had woodpecker or termite problems in the past
- You're in an area prone to hail or ice storms (higher impact resistance)
- You want the best resale value—James Hardie has stronger brand recognition among buyers and appraisers
- You're willing to pay $18,000-$24,000 for a premium, low-maintenance solution
What We'd Do on Our Own Homes
Honestly? It depends on the house. For a 1960s ranch in Clinton Township that we're planning to keep for 20+ years, we'd go with James Hardie ColorPlus. The upfront cost hurts, but the maintenance savings and durability make sense for a long-term hold.
For a flip project or a home we're prepping for sale in the next 5 years, LP SmartSide makes more sense. The ROI on the extra $6,000-$8,000 for Hardie doesn't always show up in the sale price, especially in markets where buyers are focused on cosmetics over long-term durability.
For a historic home in Grosse Pointe Farms with intricate trim details, LP SmartSide is easier to work with. We can match existing profiles without custom milling, and the lighter weight is kinder to old framing.
Don't Forget the Rest of the System
Siding doesn't exist in isolation. The performance of LP SmartSide or James Hardie depends on what's behind it and around it:
- Weather-resistant barrier: Tyvek, Typar, or similar. This is your primary water defense. The siding is just the first line.
- Flashing: Properly installed flashing around windows, doors, and penetrations is more important than the siding material itself. We've seen $30,000 James Hardie jobs fail because of $200 worth of missing flashing.
- Ventilation: If your attic isn't properly vented and insulated, you'll have moisture problems regardless of siding choice. Fix the attic first.
- Gutters: Seamless gutters in Detroit, MI that actually work keep water away from your foundation and siding. Clogged or poorly sloped gutters will undermine even the best siding job.
If you're replacing siding, it's worth evaluating your windows, roofing, and insulation at the same time. The cost to add these services while scaffolding is already up is a fraction of what you'd pay to do them separately.
Ready to Get Started?
NEXT Exteriors has been protecting Michigan homes since 1988. We install both LP SmartSide and James Hardie, and we'll tell you honestly which one makes sense for your home—not which one gives us a better margin. Get a free, no-pressure estimate from a team that shows up on time and does the job right.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Both handle Michigan winters well when installed correctly, but they fail differently. LP SmartSide is engineered wood with a moisture-resistant coating—it can swell and rot if water gets behind it due to poor flashing or unpainted cut edges. James Hardie is fiber cement and won't rot, but it can crack if not properly fastened or if the substrate shifts. In our 35+ years installing both in Southeast Michigan, Hardie has a slight edge in freeze-thaw durability, but LP performs fine if the installation follows manufacturer specs and the finish is maintained every 10-12 years.
For a typical 2,000-square-foot job in Macomb or Oakland County, expect James Hardie to cost $3,000-$8,000 more than LP SmartSide, depending on whether you choose primed or ColorPlus finish. The higher cost comes from both the material (fiber cement is more expensive to manufacture) and labor (it's heavier, harder to cut, and takes longer to install). Primed LP SmartSide runs about $5.80-$7.50 per square foot installed, while James Hardie ColorPlus is typically $9-$12 per square foot. The gap narrows if you're painting LP anyway, since you'll need to factor in the cost of a quality exterior paint job.
LP SmartSide (primed) must be painted within 180 days of installation, and you'll need to repaint every 10-12 years to maintain the warranty and prevent moisture intrusion. LP also offers a pre-finished option that lasts longer but still needs touch-ups on cut edges. James Hardie primed siding also requires painting after installation, with similar 10-12 year intervals. James Hardie ColorPlus (factory finish) is the exception—it typically lasts 15-20 years before needing repainting, and some sections may go 25+ years depending on sun exposure. In Michigan's UV-intense summers, south- and west-facing walls fade faster regardless of product.
James Hardie wins this one decisively. Fiber cement is too hard for woodpeckers to damage—they'll try once and move on. LP SmartSide, being engineered wood, is a woodpecker magnet. We've seen homes in Lake Orion, Bloomfield Hills, and other wooded areas of Oakland County where homeowners had to install visual deterrents or repair sections every spring. If you live near wooded areas or have had woodpecker issues with your current siding, that alone might justify the extra cost of James Hardie. LP SmartSide is also vulnerable to carpenter bees, though less so than natural cedar.
Technically possible, but we don't recommend it—and most manufacturers void the warranty if you do. Installing over old siding traps moisture, hides structural problems (rot, insect damage, failing sheathing), and creates an uneven substrate that leads to fastener issues and wavy walls. In Michigan, where moisture management is critical due to freeze-thaw cycles and ice dams, you want to inspect what's behind the old siding before covering it up. The cost to tear off and dispose of old siding is typically $1-$2 per square foot—worth it for the peace of mind and proper installation. If budget is tight, it's better to do a smaller section correctly than the whole house incorrectly.
James Hardie has stronger brand recognition among buyers, appraisers, and realtors, which can translate to a 1-3% higher resale value in competitive markets like Rochester Hills, Troy, or Grosse Pointe Farms. National data shows fiber cement siding recoups about 68-75% of its cost at resale, compared to 60-70% for engineered wood. That said, the difference often comes down to curb appeal and condition rather than brand. A well-maintained LP SmartSide home with great color choice and clean trim will sell better than a faded, poorly installed James Hardie job. If you're selling within 5 years, the ROI gap is minimal. If you're holding the home 15+ years, Hardie's lower maintenance costs and longer lifespan give it an edge.
LP SmartSide offers a 50-year prorated limited warranty on the substrate and a 5-year 100% labor and material coverage period (if installed by a certified contractor). The finish warranty varies—primed products get minimal coverage; pre-finished gets 15 years. James Hardie offers a 30-year non-prorated warranty on the product and a 15-year warranty on ColorPlus finish. Both warranties are void if installation doesn't follow manufacturer specs—and both require proof of proper maintenance (painting intervals, etc.). In practice, most warranty claims fail because homeowners can't prove the contractor followed the installation manual. This is why working with a certified installer matters more than the warranty length.