News & Stories6 min
2020 This Old House Idea House Offers a New, Efficient Siding Option
Since 2015, This Old House Idea House projects have highlighted remodels that inspire homeowners—but they’ve also caught the eye of building professionals. Greyrock Companies’ Jerry Effren, a member of the Connecticut Home Builders and Remodelers Association, was a judge at the 2019 Idea House for the Connecticut Home Building Industry Awards. When he saw how LP® SmartSide® Trim & Siding was used, he reached out to learn more and ultimately became involved in the 2020 project.
Getting Involved
After Arnold Karp (builder of the 2019 Idea House and president of Karp Associates) recommended the process, Effren reached out to This Old House and the 2020 Idea House took shape. Karp also gave Effren a key recommendation: LP SmartSide Trim & Siding. “I had never used LP SmartSide siding before,” he says, “but my lumber suppliers liked the product and enjoyed the relationship with LP.” Those endorsements were enough to convince Effren.
Choosing the Products
On board to build the 2020 Idea House in Norwalk, Connecticut, Effren selected the products for a modern farmhouse overlooking the Long Island Sound. Featuring board and batten style siding with an attached barn-inspired portion, Effren chose a deep brown color with black accents.
“It’s important these days, with concerns about humidity, mold and pests, that the technical side of building materials are also well examined,” Effren says. “Whenever you have an engineered product like LP SmartSide Trim & Siding, there’s a lot of science involved—and that takes the guesswork out of it.”
Additionally, Effren says LP SmartSide products worked well with the other systems they used on the build and he found value in the expertise of LP’s technical representatives. These qualities and more made LP SmartSide Trim & Siding an ideal choice for the 2020 Idea House.
Photo Credits: Xpress Rendering
Designing the Style
The most prominent exterior feature of the house is its board and batten siding style, a trademark of the modern farmhouse design. Effren says the variety of sizes and lengths of LP SmartSide products were a perfect fit for creating a unique build. For example, the 16-foot lengths of LP SmartSide products made a huge difference with creating fewer seams on the gable end of the house.
Why LP?
Effren cites many LP SmartSide advantages during his first experience with the product. Notably, he says his crew learned how to install board and batten style siding with ease. “There is not a lot of waste with LP SmartSide products, and any waste is much lighter than alternative options,” he says. “It’s an efficient, easy maintenance, engineered product that looks great and wears well. Plus, it can be installed with a nail gun for easier workability.”
Moving Forward
Effren’s experience using LP SmartSide Trim & Siding on the 2020 Idea House speaks for itself. Due to a simple recommendation from another builder, he tried a trusted product and now plans to use it on several upcoming builds to continue reaping its benefits.
Watch the story of the 2020 Idea House unfold by tuning in to This Old House this fall. Check your local listings for more details. In the meantime, stay updated on the build by going behind the scenes here
Continue Reading
Business Advice4 min
Best House Sheathing for Cold Climates
With temperatures dropping, insulation and protecting new construction against the elements are top of mind. Of course, builders must consider how insulated wall sheathing can help meet code requirements and contribute to the overall performance of the building envelope. However, they must also carefully consider potential moisture problems both during and after the build and the potential impacts of freeze/thaw cycles. With the season of potential hard freezes followed by fast warm-ups upon us, let’s explore methods for choosing the best house sheathing for cold climates.
Continue ReadingBusiness Advice5 min
Building a House During Winter: Cold Weather Construction Safety Tips
With housing demand at an all-time high, builders do not have the ability to halt home construction during the winter months. Builders can work safely year round, even building houses during winter with planning and preparation. Advanced products and installation methods allow work to be performed during wet and very cold temperatures, but builders also need to consider winter safety for construction workers.
Business Advice4 min
Engineered Wood Siding in Multifamily Developments
Engineered wood siding has long been considered a trustworthy exterior product for single-family homes, but it is often overlooked for multifamily and commercial construction. LP® SmartSide® products are versatile enough for a range of builds beyond traditional single-family homes. Take a look at the homes featured in Madison Parade of Homes for siding inspiration and to see how LP SmartSide Trim & Siding might suit your building needs.
News & Stories7 min
Predictions for 2022 from LP Execs
If 2020 was the year of uncertainty, then 2021 was a year spent adjusting to new norms. What kind of year will 2022 be? We checked in with LP Building Solutions executives to reflect on the past year and to get their predictions for the year to come.