Lp Smartside Cost Calculator
LP SmartSide engineered-wood siding (made in Minnesota by Louisiana-Pacific) is the fastest-growing siding product in North America, positioned between vinyl and fiber cement in price. This LP SmartSide cost calculator breaks down the 2025 retail costs for 38 Series lap, 76 Series panel, and shake-texture siding, plus trim, fasteners, house wrap, paint, and pro labor so you can budget a whole-house siding project or compare quotes.
2025 LP SmartSide Pricing at a Glance
| Product | Material ($/sq ft) | Installed ($/sq ft) |
|---|---|---|
| 38 Series Lap, primed | $2.40-2.80 | $5.50-7.50 |
| 38 Series Lap, prefinished (Diamond Kote) | $4.20-4.80 | $7.50-10 |
| 76 Series Panel, primed | $2.10-2.50 | $4.80-6.50 |
| 76 Series Panel, prefinished | $4.00-4.40 | $7.00-9 |
| Cedar Texture Shake Panel | $3.60-4.00 | $6.50-9 |
| LP 440 Series Trim, primed | $3.50-4.20/linear ft | N/A |
A typical 2,000 sq ft two-story home with 2,500 sq ft of siding area:
- DIY (primed lap, paint separately): $7,500-10,000
- Pro installed (primed lap, painted): $18,000-24,000
- Pro installed (prefinished Diamond Kote lap): $22,000-28,000
What Drives LP SmartSide Cost
- Product line. Prefinished (Diamond Kote) adds $1.50-2.00 per sq ft over primed but eliminates field painting. Over 10 years, Diamond Kote usually costs less than painted-primed.
- Waste factor. Simple single-story homes run 8-10% waste. Two-story with dormers and bay windows can hit 15-20%.
- Trim. LP 440 series trim is premium priced; using regular PVC or wood trim can save $0.50/linear ft but voids the LP warranty for the trimmed detail.
- House wrap. Required under warranty. Tyvek or Typar at $0.25-0.35 per sq ft installed.
- Labor rate. Basic pro install is $3/sq ft; premium (intricate cuts, upgraded fasteners, caulk lines) is $5.50/sq ft.
- Teardown. Removing existing siding adds $1-3 per sq ft depending on material (vinyl is easy, asbestos shingle is expensive).
Installed Cost by Home Size
| Home Footprint | Siding Area (typical) | Pro Installed (Primed Lap) | Pro Installed (Prefinished) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,200 sq ft ranch | 1,400-1,800 | $9,000-14,000 | $11,500-16,500 |
| 1,500 sq ft split | 1,800-2,200 | $11,500-17,500 | $14,500-20,500 |
| 2,000 sq ft 2-story | 2,400-2,800 | $15,500-22,500 | $19,500-26,500 |
| 3,000 sq ft 2-story | 3,400-3,800 | $22,000-30,500 | $27,500-36,500 |
| 4,000 sq ft Colonial | 4,400-4,800 | $28,500-38,500 | $35,000-46,000 |
Prefinished Diamond Kote adds 20-25% to total project cost but eliminates the $2,500-5,000 separate painting step on most homes.
LP SmartSide vs Competitors (Installed Cost)
- Vinyl siding: $4-7/sq ft (cheaper upfront, shorter life)
- LP SmartSide (primed lap): $6-9/sq ft (mid-range, 50 year warranty)
- James Hardie (fiber cement): $7-12/sq ft (similar look, heavier, needs carbide blade to cut)
- Cedar: $8-15/sq ft (natural, needs maintenance every 3-5 years)
- Engineered stone / brick veneer: $15-25/sq ft (premium, labor-heavy)
LP SmartSide's core pitch: lighter than Hardie (2 people can carry a 16 ft plank), cheaper than Hardie by $1-2/sq ft installed, holds paint longer than traditional wood, and can be nailed with standard siding nails (no carbide blade needed like fiber cement).
Trim and Accessories
Every siding job needs trim. A 2,000 sq ft two-story home typically uses:
- 200-300 linear ft of 1x4 corner trim (LP 440 series)
- 80-120 linear ft of band boards (water table, belt course)
- 120-180 linear ft of window and door casings
- 15-25 tubes of LP-approved caulk (OSI Quad Max or GE SCS2700 silicone)
- 1 roll of house wrap per 1,000 sq ft of wall area
Budget $1,500-3,000 for trim and accessories on a typical project.
When to Hire a Pro
LP SmartSide is DIY-friendly for single-story homes with experienced builders, but multi-story homes, complex gables, or warranty-critical installs (commercial, historical, or Diamond Kote prefinished) should go to a pro. Diamond Kote warranty requires installation by a certified contractor; DIY install voids the finish warranty. Always verify certification through LP's locator.
Painting Primed LP SmartSide
Primed 38 Series lap ships with a factory primer. Field paint with 100% acrylic exterior latex (Sherwin-Williams Emerald, Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior, or equivalent), 2 coats, within 180 days of installation per LP's warranty. One gallon covers about 300-350 sq ft per coat, so a 2,500 sq ft home needs about 14-16 gallons for 2 coats.