President of Mike Schwartz Construction Remodels His Own Home Using LP® SmartSide® Trim & Siding
SUMMARY
For more than three decades residents in Pierce County, Washington have trusted Mike Schwartz Construction for their additions, remodels and custom home projects. An award-winning builder, Mike Schwartz takes great pride in his work and carpentry skills as he works alongside his clients to offer expert advice and innovative suggestions. This steadfast dedication equates to satisfied homeowners for the life of their home.
In May of 2016, Schwartz bought a single-story ranch style house in Puyallup, Washington to remodel and eventually reside in. For the exterior remodel, he sought out trim and siding products that would install easily and look good for years to come. He chose to use LP® SmartSide® Trim & Siding prefinished with ColorStrand™ by Northwest Factory Finishes.
OBJECTIVES
Schwartz had used LP SmartSide Trim & Siding on many homes in the past and had often recommended it to his customers. Rather than hiring an installation crew, he planned to physically install the product on the home himself. He wanted a siding product that would be easy to handle and install.
He had also used fiber cement materials in the past, but he was not satisfied with the quality or aesthetic. “To me it’s a no-brainer. I’m not a big fan of fiber cement. It’s much thinner. When you look down the wall, it has a wavy look,” said Schwartz. “Since I’m actually the one installing the product, I notice these things.”
Many remodelers choose LP SmartSide treated engineered wood siding because it cuts out the time you spend dealing with warped and split pieces when properly stored and applied. Virtually every piece leaves the mill straight and ready to use.
Schwartz also wanted to use a siding product that would hold up to the weather in the rainy Pacific Northwest. “I like it because it has the 50-year warranty, but more importantly up here we’re concerned with rain and moisture.”
IMPLEMENTATION
Once Schwartz had sourced his prefinished LP SmartSide Trim & Siding from Northwest Factory Finishes, he got started on the installation. He especially values the prefinished material and recommends it to his homeowners. “The price eventually levels out,” said Schwartz. “They do a great job prefinishing the product at the plant in Montana, and the outcome is always beautiful.”
He noted that the installation process was not difficult. “LP SmartSide siding is sixteen feet where fiber cement is twelve,” says Schwartz. “It just looks better and goes up easier.”
OUTCOME
The remodel was completed in July of 2017. Schwartz was satisfied with the overall aesthetic of the home, choosing a timeless deep gray on the lap and shake. With the 5/50-year limited warranty, Schwartz has peace of mind that his home will withstand the elements and look great for years to come.
Compared to the aesthetics of fiber cement, Schwartz says, “It looks better and it hangs better. The shake is especially better looking.”
Even in an area of high rainfall, the LP SmartSide 5/50 year-limited warranty provides peace of mind that the siding products used on the home will withstand the elements. Each strand or fiber of the innovative engineered wood siding products are treated with the SmartGuard® process to resist termites and fungal decay. A resin-saturated overlay creates the final layer of protection against the elements, finishing off the material with long-term durability and strength.
Schwartz mentioned that he used LP SmartSide Trim & Siding on his previous home. According to him, “It still looks good!”