For building small sheds - What are good siding materials compared to Hardie Panels?

[EddieWalker]

I'm a big fan of Hardie, but for cost savings, Smart is a good alternative. The 4x8 sheets do not need anything under them like Hardie does. The edges are cut so they overlap. If you run a bead of caulk when installing the Smart Panels, they will be water proof.

Smart Panels are made from a high quality OSB. It's not like the construction grade that you use when sheeting a house. It's tighter, more uniform, and a holds together better when cutting. The surface is textured to look like wood with something hard, kind of like an eggshell. I don't know what it is, but it holds paint very well. You are not actually painting wood, the paint goes on that outer shell.

I've build sheds for clients using Smart Panels that have only been painted the day I built them, and some are well over a decade old. I also use it for the ceiling of porches when a painted finish is wanted, and it never needs to be painted a second time.

 

[newbury]

Thanks Eddie for the comments.
Do Smart Panels need to be stored out of the weather? Or if painted once (including edges) do you expect they would hold up for a decade?
How would you compare their water resistance to Advantech OSB?

 

[EddieWalker]

When you stay "stored out of the weather" are you talking about storing it outside until you are ready to use it? Or are you asking how long I expect it to hold up once installed on your shed?

Once installed and painted, you will get several decades out of it. But it's a good thing you brought up painting the cut edges. The surface is totally waterproof. That shell that it comes with is the selling point for Smart products. Where you cut it, you need to seal the cut. I like Zinsser 123 primer and a good quality paint like Duramax from Lowes, or Emerald from Sherwin Williams. I also try to make sure my cut's are covered by trim. Then I seal everything with the best caulking I know of. Currently, that's Big Stretch clear by Sashko. It's twice the price of regular painters caulk, but worth it in my opinion. I'm also a big fan of all the Sashko products!!!

Smart siding and sheeting OSB is very similar to Advantech in being a much higher quality OSB then regular building OSB. It's glued together tighter, and it saws cleaner. But you still need to protect the it where you cut it. Advantech has Zip Tape to seal their edges once it's installed as siding. The Zip System can remain exposed to the elements for a very long time, but not forever. Eventually the sun and weather will break it down. It needs to be covered by a siding of some sort that is designed to handle the elements forever.

Smart Lap Siding over Advantech is a good idea, but I prefer Hardie Lap Siding over Smart Lap Siding. For 4x8 sheets, it's going to be hard to find something more economical and nicer looking then Smart Sheeting.

 

[newbury]

Thanks.

When you stay "stored out of the weather" are you talking about storing it outside until you are ready to use it? Or are you asking how long I expect it to hold up once installed on your shed?

By "stored out of the weather" I meant storing LP Smartside so it doesn't get precipitated on or blown around and isn't sitting in water or exposed to the sun. My sheds in Mississippi provide cover but not temperature or humidity protection.
I've left a unpainted, unsealed 1/4 Hardie board panel outside in Northern Virginia through about 5 years of weather as a test, it only degraded slightly. I've left painted sheets of Advantech (2 coatings) in similar conditions, they started to deteriorate quicker.
I'll probably buy some sheets, paint it (sides and edges) and test it out.
/edit by quicker I meant slight degradation in 3-4 years, but still useable if I slapped another coat of paint on.

 

[EddieWalker]

I always used what I buy, when I buy it. I've never had it sit around for any period of time. I would worry about moisture getting into the ends of it over time.

 

[MAX-24-Dean]

The reality of the LP Smartside is if you are going to store it, you should paint it before you store it. One of the requirements for installation is to paint within 180 days of install. From using the product several times I would say paint within 180 days of purchase would be a better statement in thier installation instructions.
It is a great product and installation is easy with no special tools. Just make sure you prime every cut made.

 

[dstig1]

Well I'm thinking you got some bad info on the LP. I used it on my house and painted it 10 years ago and it still looks like new. It is a very stable substrate for paint, sort of like Hardie is, though LP is not cement based. I expect at least another 10 years before even thinking about repainting, and even then it probably won't need it. Granted, WI is not Miss...but I can't imagine it would be that much worse wearing in your climate.

 

[lostcause]

I think T1-11 is the hands-down winner around here as the siding of choice for sheds and garages - even some houses. my grandfather's garage was built with it in the late 70's (i think) and it's still there - a little tender on the bottom now from lack of care & being too close to the ground. probably last stained in the early 90's, likely an oil base though.

 

[Tomtint]

I built my 16x24 shed almost 10 years ago now..besides the deck and floor framing being PT, The rest is rough sawn. The exterior is rough sawn board and batten and it was stained red. So far its held up well.

 

[chim]

I used PT sleepers and plywood for the floor. Walls are 2x4 with OSB, house wrap and vinyl siding. Roof is DIY trusses with 2x4 purlins and ribbed metal roof.