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Engineered Wood Siding vs. Plywood
Comparing shed materials is an important part of ensuring a successful shed build. While both plywood and engineered wood siding are viable options for siding your shed, engineered wood provides exceptional aesthetic value. Engineered wood such as LP® SmartSide® Trim & Siding also comes with added durability.
How Engineered Wood Siding and Plywood Differ
Let’s review some key differences between engineered wood siding and plywood.
What is Plywood?
Plywood is a versatile wood-based material made from layers of wood veneer that are held together by glue and formed into a flat sheet. Plywood can be used for a variety of surfaces and is known for its multipurpose functions.
What is Engineered Wood Siding?
Engineered wood exterior siding uses engineered wood strand technology along with the SmartGuard® process to deliver superior protection against hail, wind, moisture, fungal decay and termites.
Compare Plywood & Engineered Wood Siding
Let’s see how plywood and engineered wood siding compare in some key areas:
Durability
Engineered wood siding uses treated wood strands combined with a resin binder for strength.
Maintenance
While traditional wood demands nearly constant maintenance, LP® SmartSide® Trim & Siding requires less. Click here for maintenance tips.
Beauty
Unlike plywood, engineered wood is free of knots, patches and face voids LP® SmartSide® Trim & Siding comes in cedar texture and smooth finishes.
Composition
Plywood is layers of wood veneer bonded with a glue adhesive, while engineered wood uses treated wood strands combined with waxes, zinc borate and advanced binders for exceptional strength and durability.
Length
Plywood typically comes in 4x8 or 10x12 foot sheets. In addition to 4X8, LP engineered wood siding can be manufactured up to 16-foot lengths while remaining light weight. The extra length may make engineered wood faster to install.
How Durable is LP® SmartSide® Siding?
LP® SmartSide® Trim & Siding is one of the most durable siding materials on the market—but you don’t have to take our word for it! Watch these videos to see how to achieve a complete shed build using LP® SmartSide® Siding as well as tests we’ve subjected our siding to prove that it can stand up to a variety of challenges the world might throw at it.
How to Build a Shed with LP® Outdoor Building Solutions®
Is Your Siding Tough Enough? LP® SmartSide® Siding vs. Baseballs
Four Components of Protection
The secret to LP SmartSide Trim & Siding's remarkable durability is LP's proprietary SmartGuard® manufacturing process. It ensures that every strand of wood is treated with a carefully formulated mix of resins, waxes, and zinc borate and finished with an overlay to offer complete protection against hail, moisture, termites and fungal decay.
Zinc Borate
This naturally derived additive helps engineered wood resist damage from termites and fungal decay.
Resins
Engineered wood stands up to impact and survives freeze/thaw cycles due to resins that offer incredible strength.
Waxes
Designed to resist moisture, waxes coat each strand to offer enhanced durability in humid environments.
Overlay
This final element of protection resists moisture intrusion, providing a durable base for a finished look.
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