Balancing Durability and Design in Multifamily Properties

Multifamily projects are aiming to please two groups: residents who want stylish surroundings and property management companies that don’t want the cost and hassle of high-maintenance siding products. That’s why many architects are specifying and builders are using LP^® SmartSide^® Trim & Siding products, one of the most durable house siding options on the market.Indiana-based Becovic Management Group manages 13 upscale multifamily developments in the Midwest and Southeast. The company used the durable wood option of LP SmartSide engineered wood products on several recent builds—including The Preserve at Willow Springs, which features many amenities, including a landscaped garden and walking trails. Because the product can be painted a wide range of eye-pleasing colors and finishes that residents love, it adds to the property’s appeal. The design included both classic lap siding and a traditional board and batten design, accented by stone work.“In the past, we’ve had trouble with fiber cement siding that required extensive maintenance about seven years after installation,” says Randy McKnight, Becovic’s president of construction. They needed a siding option that would provide the most durable siding for a house available. When they switched to LP SmartSide products, they found not only easy maintenance but also that engineered wood siding is easier to install and didn’t produce the waste or breakage often seen with fiber cement siding. Because LP SmartSide is manufactured with LP’s proprietary LP^® SmartGuard^® process, it’s engineered to be durable wood siding that lasts.The Becovic team also liked the fact that LP was a one-stop shop for both trim and siding as well as panels (including cut-to-width vented soffit panels). All LP SmartSide products are engineered to perform as a great option when it comes to the most durable wood siding multifamily architects can use.When using siding on multifamily projects, both architects and builders need to think about how the product will look and perform long-term. Choosing LP SmartSide Trim & Siding, one of the most durable siding options on the market today, ensures that exteriors will look dazzling with easy maintenance.