You noticed it after the last rainstorm; your siding is not looking too great. When you bought the house, the realtor mentioned something about needing to replace the LP siding but you weren’t sure what that would entail.
As you stand there looking at the condition of your siding, you begin to wonder … “Will I have to replace my LP siding? What siding should I use if I do?”
If you have spent any time looking, you’ve probably noticed that finding out why your current LP siding isn’t working well is not an easy undertaking. But don’t worry, this guide will help you understand the issues with LP siding and offer some help with deciding on a suitable replacement.
Keep scrolling to discover the top five issues with LP Inner Seal siding and how Hardie board can help resolve them.
Table of Contents
- Why Is LP Siding Bad? Here Are 5 Reasons That Should Make You Consider Replacement
- Why Replacing LP Siding With Hardie Board Siding Is the Way to Go
- Elite Home Exteriors: A James Hardie Siding Contractor Providing Expertise and Quality When Replacing LP Siding
Why Is LP Siding Bad? Here Are 5 Reasons That Should Make You Consider Replacement
Louisiana Pacific’s Inner Seal siding — better known as LP siding — is historically unreliable.
When the product was first released, it was seen as a smarter, cheaper alternative to traditional plywood and it quickly grew in popularity. This sudden spotlight led to many builders choosing to incorporate at least some of this product. By the time the 90s came around, countless homes boasted LP siding.
In the mid-90s, Louisiana Pacific found itself defending a major class-action suit regarding its product and the issues it had caused. By 1997, LP had re-engineered its product in hopes of fixing many of the issues that had come to light.
Although the settlements from the suit helped some families replace their siding, many homes still have LP siding. Why is this an issue? Because LP siding simply doesn’t perform well and, when it inevitably breaks down, repair is not an option — you have to replace everything.
Why is LP siding bad? Here are the top five ways it falls short of the mark.
#1: Water Penetration and Deterioration
Although siding should be moisture resistant, LP siding doesn’t do too well in this area — it’s notorious for letting in water. This leads to damp, swollen siding that quickly begins to disintegrate.
LP siding is a type of particle board — meaning it is made out of smaller pieces of wood held together by different glues and sealants. The problem is that these materials break down over time and with exposure to moisture.
When water penetrates the siding, the wood particles absorb it, causing the wood to swell which, in turn, compromises the integrity of the board, leading to disintegrated siding that crumbles at the worst times, such as during a massive thunderstorm.
#2: Mold
When siding is consistently damp, it is only a matter of time before you have a mold problem on your hands.
In addition to compromising the integrity of your siding, mold can have detrimental effects on your health. Mold exposure might lead to respiratory issues such as coughing, and difficulty breathing.
You could even find yourself experiencing itchy eyes, a runny nose, sneezing, or a litany of other undesirable symptoms.
For those with asthma or extreme sensitivities, mold can pose an even bigger threat. A mold issue is no joking matter.
#3: Termites
While humans consistently find LP siding to be bothersome and problematic, there is another species in the animal kingdom that loves it — termites.
Particleboard — the main component of LP siding — is a magnet for termite damage, especially when it gets damp.
If you don’t like the idea of finding that part of your home has turned to dust or mush thanks to the industrious labor of a family of termites, you might want to consider replacing your LP siding.
#4: Discoloration and Impacts on Trim
If all of that isn’t enough, LP Inner Seal siding also has some discoloration issues.
Several factors can contribute to discoloration in LP siding:
- Dampness
- Staining from mold and other fungi
- Excessive dirtiness
Unfortunately, the siding isn’t the only thing that suffers. Often, when LP siding has been used, you will find that the trim has taken a beating as well, meaning you will need to replace both.
#5: LP Siding Lawsuits
The final nail in the Inner Seal siding coffin was a massive lawsuit after Hurricane Andrew devastated much of South Florida in 1992.
The storm wreaked havoc on most homes in its path but those with LP siding were hit especially hard as the siding was shredded and ripped from the homes, leaving them exposed to continued weather-related damage.
Louisiana Pacific ended up paying out nearly one billion dollars to over 129,000 different claims. There was a massive recall and the LP itself has referred to the event as “one of the largest class-action lawsuits in the history of the siding industry.”
To LP’s credit, they made good on the payouts and resolved things as quickly as possible, even going so far as to revamp their product in an effort to fix the problems it had.
Why Replacing LP Siding With Hardie Board Siding Is the Way to Go
If circumstances aren’t already requiring it, you should start thinking about replacing your LP siding with something more durable. As soon as you start looking into siding options, you are likely to find yourself a little bit overwhelmed. There are countless options and everyone has a reason why they like the one they do.
However, there is one type of siding that has risen above the clamor and is often touted as the premier option.
James Hardie siding is a popular choice among contractors and customers alike thanks to its curb appeal and supreme durability.
Moisture and Weather Resistant
Hardie board is a type of fiber cement siding which is made from a combination of:
- Cement
- Sand
- Water
- Cellulose fibers
James Hardie siding also contains proprietary additives that enhance the product’s quality and function.
All these ingredients add up to high-quality durability that resists moisture and defies the elements. Hardie board is both weather and moisture resistant, meaning you don’t have to worry about:
- Swollen, dilapidated siding
- Mold
- Dampness
- Leaks
Pest Resistant
Remember those happy termites building a community in your LP siding?
With Hardie board, you can serve them an eviction notice that won’t ever expire.
Due to its composition, the Hardie board is practically impervious to pests such as termites. Hardie board is a great option if you are looking to protect your home from pests.
Fire Resistant
One of Hardie board’s most stunning features is its fire resistance.
Siding plays a massive role in protecting your home in the event of fires but many siding options don’t provide very good protection:
- Vinyl siding melts quickly
- Wood siding often lights easily and will contribute fuel to the fire
- Sheet metal siding may melt if the fire is hot enough
James Hardie siding is fire resistant and will not add any type of fuel to an existing fire.
Hardie board is a great option to protect your home from Mother Nature’s greatest destroyer, especially if you live in an area prone to wildfires.
Exceptional Warranty
James Hardie has created a great, dependable product and they know it. That is why they back it with an incredible warranty. Most Hardie products boast a 30-year warranty against a variety of things, when the siding is installed by a certified James Hardie Elite Preferred Contractor, such as Elite Home Exteriors.
Hardie board can run on the higher price end but it is beyond worth it.
If you are looking for a great product guaranteed to perform well, Hardie board just might be for you.
Elite Home Exteriors: A James Hardie Siding Contractor Providing Expertise and Quality When Replacing LP Siding
Your LP siding might be a problem, but Elite Home Exteriors can provide the solution. With years of experience, our family-owned business is committed to excellence in all that we do.
We are proud to be a part of the James Hardie Elite Preferred Contractor Alliance, meaning we have the expertise and qualifications necessary to properly install your new Hardie board.
Schedule your free consultation today and make damp, moldy, termite-infested LP siding a thing of the past.