Why You Can Believe in LP® SmartSide®, Part 4: Tested For Toughness

LP® SmartSide® siding options withstand impact from airborne debris and everyday bumps better than many other products. They offer the kind of toughness that helps keep your home looking great for years. See what happened when LP SmartSide siding was independently tested for impact resistance.

Everyday Durability for Everyday Bumps

We wanted unbiased proof of the superior durability of LP SmartSide siding. To get it, LP Building Products asked researchers at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to test and compare the impact resistance of fiber cement siding and LP's engineered wood siding. Both types of siding were hit with golf balls and baseballs, two projectiles which could be accidentally hit into the side of a house, as well as rocks and marbles, to simulate the effect of rocks being thrown from a lawn mower.

High-speed video cameras clocked the speed of the projectiles and documented damage to the siding materials. NASA reported the following results: "Under similar conditions, with all four projectiles more damage was sustained by the fiber cement siding product than the engineered wood siding product." A link to the full written evaluation can be found at LPSmartSide.com.

Termites are No Match for LP® SmartSide® Products

Another advantage of LP SmartSide products is treatment with the SmartGuard® process. During this process, the naturally-derived additive zinc borate is added to the wood used in SmartSide substrate, making it exceptionally resistant to fungal decay and damage from wood-eating insects. To put the termite resistance of LP engineered wood siding options to the ultimate test, we exposed samples to colonies of Formosan termites, widely recognized as one of the world’s most destructive pests. Even after years of exposure, the LP SmartSide siding sustained no termite damage.

In addition, the termite testing took place in the extremely wet, humid conditions of Hilo, Hawaii, with an average temperature of more than 70 degrees, high levels of humidity and almost 170 inches of annual rainfall. Even after years of exposure to that environment, LP SmartSide products remained structurally sound.

The Strength of Smart Engineering

We think you’ll be impressed by the strength and beauty of our engineered wood products. For more information on using LP SmartSide products for your next project, find an LP SmartSide siding retailer or remodeler near you to request an estimate.

Learn about other benefits of LP Smartside siding, including the beautiful finish, long-term durability and warranty coverage.