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Engineered Wood Siding vs. Composite Siding

When deciding to re-side your home, it can be difficult to get a handle on all the terminology. For example, the terms “composite siding” and “engineered wood siding” are often used interchangeably—though they are not exactly the same. And while understanding the substrate specifics can be a daunting task, we’re here to help you make sense of it.

How Composite Siding and Engineered Wood Siding Differ

Before you consider which of the two materials is the better option for your home, let’s discuss some key differences between composite siding vs. engineered wood siding.
composite siding
Traditionally, composite siding is made up of fibrous wood pieces as a base that is bonded with additional materials. However, there are also composite siding options that do not use wood as the base (for example, using cement instead).
SmartSide siding
Technically, engineered wood siding is a subset of composite siding. It’s typically made of wood that includes minimal extractives or tannins that could stain and bleed through, which helps improve appearance. During the manufacturing process, the product is cut and sliced into strands.

Compare Composite Siding & Engineered Wood Siding

Let’s see how composite siding and engineered wood siding compare in some key areas:

Efficiency

man holding board

Engineered wood can be more flexible than composite siding which make it less prone to breakage.

Composition

yellow siding

Some composite sidings are made up of cellulose fibers that is bonded with additional materials, while engineered wood uses treated wood strands combined with a resin binder for strength.

Maintenance

Composite siding may require some maintenance. LP® SmartSide® offers a simple checklist for cleaning and maintenance that will help keep your siding looking beautiful.

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Check out the LP SmartSide product catalog for more details.