Wood vs LP SmartSide vs Hardie Board vs Steel Siding in Northern Ontario

When people start looking at sidingWood vs LP SmartSide vs Hardie Board vs Steel Siding in Northern Ontario, What Makes the Most Sense? 

It usually comes down to a few main options.

Wood, engineered wood like LP SmartSide, fiber cement like Hardie Board, and steel.

They all have their place, but once you factor in the weather we get in Northern Ontario, they don’t all perform the same over time.

Wood siding has a look that’s hard to beat.

On the right house, it can look really good and give a natural finish that other materials try to replicate.

The downside is the maintenance.

It needs to be sealed, stained, or painted, and over time it’s going to wear down from moisture, sun, and temperature changes.

If it’s not kept up, that’s when you start to see issues like warping, cracking, or rot.

In terms of cost, wood siding is typically around $10 to $16 per square foot installed.

Lifespan really depends on maintenance, but generally you’re looking at around 15 to 30 years if it’s taken care of properly.

LP SmartSide is a step up from traditional wood in terms of durability.

It’s engineered to handle moisture better and tends to be more stable.

It’s still a wood-based product though, so it’s not completely maintenance free.

Over time, it will still need to be painted and looked after, especially in exposed areas.

Most LP SmartSide installs fall in the range of about $10 to $18 per square foot installed.

Lifespan is generally in the 20 to 30 year range depending on how well it’s maintained.

Hardie Board, or fiber cement siding, is another option people look at.

It’s more durable than wood and doesn’t have the same issues with rot.

It holds paint well and gives a clean look when it’s installed properly.

The tradeoff is it’s heavier and more brittle to work with, and still requires painting over time.

If it’s not installed properly or if water gets in behind it, you can still run into issues.

Most Hardie installs are typically around $12 to $20 per square foot installed.

Lifespan is usually 25 to 40 years, depending on installation and maintenance.

Steel siding is a different approach altogether.

It’s not going to give you the exact same look as wood, but it’s built for durability and low maintenance.

It doesn’t absorb moisture, it won’t rot, and it handles the weather swings we get a lot better over time.

You’re not dealing with repainting or the same kind of upkeep.

Steel siding installs typically fall somewhere around $12 to $20 per square foot depending on the level of detail and custom work involved.

When it’s installed properly, it can last 40 years or more with very little maintenance.

Around here, with snow sitting against the house, freeze and thaw cycles, and everything that comes with it, that makes a big difference long term.

It’s not just about how it looks when it’s finished, it’s about how it holds up years down the road.

That being said, it really comes down to what you’re trying to get out of the project.

If you like the natural look and don’t mind the maintenance, wood can still be a good option.

If you want something a bit more durable but still in that style, LP SmartSide or Hardie Board can make sense.

If you’re looking for something that’s going to last, stay consistent, and require less upkeep, steel is usually the better fit.

A lot of the work I do is focused on clean finishing and making sure everything ties together properly.

Custom trims, soffit and fascia, and getting everything lined up the way it should so it doesn’t look pieced together.

That’s usually where the difference is between an average job and something that actually looks finished.

At the end of the day, all of these products can work.

It just comes down to how much maintenance you want, how long you plan to stay in the home, and how you want it to look over time.

Recent projects Click: Iron Oak Contracting - Recent projects 

If you’re planning exterior work this season, feel free to reach out.

Call or text 705-492-5491 and I can take a look and go over what makes the most sense for your place.