We use LP Smartside. It’s very popular here (WI). Lighter weight and easier to work with than Hardie (per my GC husband). Answer from WiscoGal36 on reddit.com
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Globalexteriorexperts
globalexteriorexperts.com › blog › alternatives-to-vinyl-siding
8 Alternatives to Vinyl Siding Options: Boost Curb Appeal & Value - Global Exterior Experts
June 30, 2025 - We chose the 8 best alternatives to vinyl siding primarily based on their endurance, cost-effectiveness, curb appeal, and weather resistance. Here's a quick overview of all the siding options that we chose: Fiber cement (also known as Hardie Board) is a versatile, durable, and lightweight material ...
Discussions

Cedar Siding vs. Hardie Board
Cedar Siding vs. Hardie Board More on forum.mrmoneymustache.com
🌐 forum.mrmoneymustache.com
April 1, 2024
Any cheaper alternative for siding a shed?
Everything i do now will either be Hardie or metal. ... I think smartside stuff is pressboard. Click to expand... Overpriced, pre-primed OSB with an over to exaggerated "grain" IMHO. ... Click to expand... For siding? That will look... interesting... ... I'm with rough sawn pine board and batten. More on garagejournal.com
🌐 garagejournal.com
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April 7, 2025
[deleted by user]
Lp smartboard is better imo. Easier to work with More on reddit.com
🌐 r/Homebuilding
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February 26, 2024
Siding options besides Hardie?
We use LP Smartside. It’s very popular here (WI). Lighter weight and easier to work with than Hardie (per my GC husband). More on reddit.com
🌐 r/Homebuilding
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July 26, 2024
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Allura USA
allurausa.com › homepage - allura › blog › what are the best fiber cement siding alternatives?
What Are the Best Fiber Cement Siding Alternatives? | Allura USA
January 4, 2022 - This guide breaks down three of the most popular fiber cement siding alternatives, diving into the pros and cons of each exterior material.
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Fideiarch
fideiarch.com › know-your-hardie-board-siding-options
Know Your Alternatives to Vinyl or Hardie Siding | Fidei Architecture
It is designed to look like vinyl or wood, but with added benefits. It is an effective alternative to standard vinyl, and it is eco-friendly.
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The Spruce
thespruce.com › best-brands-of-fiber-cement-siding-1821132
7 Best Brands of Fiber-Cement Siding for Your Home
December 2, 2022 - Instead, request Nichiha fiber-cement board through your architect or contractor.
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Houzz
houzz.com › discussions › 2305038 › what-material-did-you-use-for-trim-with-hardi-siding
What material did you use for trim with Hardi Siding
June 30, 2008 - We've also used (and heard of others using) Miratec trim with fiber cement siding. Miratec is considered a cheaper alternative to pvc trimboards, and is a wood composite (I believe).
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Festool Owners Group
festoolownersgroup.com › general discussions › home improvement & other projects
Hardie Board -vs- Engineered Wood (LP) Siding (-vs-painting) | Festool Owners Group
May 17, 2022 - It really didn't swell much in two weeks and after I took it out it went right back to its dimensions, it was not brittle or weakened at all. That was good enough for me. The 4x8 panels were cheaper, had more options available, and were drastically lighter then the hardi panel product.
Find elsewhere
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Burnettinc
burnettinc.com › home › blog › siding replacement wars: james hardie vs. lp smartside in a battle for contractors, builders, and you
Siding Replacement Wars: James Hardie vs. LP SmartSide in a Battle for Contractors, Builders, and You
August 8, 2018 - While those have played out on ... battle of paintable composite siding boards has given rise to quite the rivalry between LP SmartSide and James Hardie....
Price   $$
Address   11202 E 61st St
(5.0)
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Everlastsidingnewengland
everlastsidingnewengland.com › blog-0 › bid › 96018 › alternatives-to-fiber-cement-siding
Alternatives to Fiber Cement Siding
These products are similar to fiber cement, but without the cement. They're comprised of mostly sawdust, or wood chips and some type of resin or glue. They tend to be cheaper than real wood siding but have many of the same issues.
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Sulfycor
sulfycor.com › comparing-the-best-cement-board-alternatives-for-2025
The Best Cement Board Alternatives for 2025
June 11, 2025 - Your budget plays a significant role in material selection. Traditional cement boards are more affordable, costing between $4 to $6 per square foot. Alternatives like Hardie board siding range from $6 to $13 per square foot.
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WoodNet
forums.woodnet.net › showthread.php
Hardie Plank Options
November 8, 2024 - « Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 … 169 Next » Hardie Plank Options · View a Printable Version · Subscribe to this thread · Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s) Contact Us · Woodnet Forums · Return to Top · Mobile Version · RSS Syndication · Terms of Service ·
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Southwest Exteriors
southwestexteriors.com › blog › 2024 › june › james-hardie-siding-vs-lp-smartside-siding-which
James Hardie Siding vs. Lp Smartside Siding: Which Is Right for You?
January 23, 2025 - In this comprehensive article, you’ll find an unbiased, in-depth comparison of James Hardie Siding vs LP SmartSide. We’ll match them head-to-head in terms of lifespan, rot resistance, impact resistance, warranty, price, ease of installation, ...
Address   2430 Freedom Dr.,, 78217, San Antonio
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The Garage Journal
garagejournal.com › forums › the garage › general garage discussion
Any cheaper alternative for siding a shed? | The Garage Journal
April 7, 2025 - Click to expand... $500 amortized over … 20 years? Economical. or use something cheaper and replace it in 5 years. ... I think smartside stuff is pressboard. Looks similar to Hardie which is cement.
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Today's Homeowner
todayshomeowner.com › siding › types of siding › allura vs hardie siding: everything you need to know
Allura vs Hardie Siding: Everything You Need To Know (2025) | Today's Homeowner
April 4, 2025 - James Hardie’s HardiePlank is still one of the most used options, in part due to the name familiarity. The closest competitor would have to be Allura. Both companies make a high-quality fiber cement product with a range of options, styles, and colors.
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Woodworking Talk
woodworkingtalk.com › home › forums › woodworking forum › general woodworking discussions
Absolute Cheapest Siding Material | Woodworking Talk
I use the price per sq ft as the gauge. Absolute cheapest per sq ft is t1-11($1.06), LP is next, and Hardie is higher. There was .34 per sq ft between the cheapest and the highest.
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Minnetonkaconstruction
minnetonkaconstruction.com › home › the top 3 fiber cement brands compared
The Top 3 Fiber Cement Brands Compared - Minnetonka Construction
February 7, 2025 - Allura is a newer brand to the fiber cement industry, but they have quickly added a full range of products that compete directly with industry leader James Hardie. The caveat is that Allura’s product is significantly thicker and heavier, making it a more difficult siding product to install.
Price   $$-$$$
Address   15704 Wayzata Blvd, 55391
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Elite Home Exteriors NW
elitehomeexteriorsnw.com › blog › james hardie plank siding › hardie board vs. masonite siding: why you should spring for an upgrade
Hardie Board vs. Masonite: Which Is Best for Your Home? - EHE
February 13, 2025 - Hardie Board vs. Masonite: 7 Differences to Consider · Elite Home Exteriors: Your Elite Preferred James Hardie Siding Installer and Contractor ... It is very inexpensive to make, but it is not very durable either. In the long run, it can cause some serious infrastructure issues. If sawdust were a siding, it would be Masonite. Due to it being inexpensive, from the 1980s to the mid-90s, Masonite was a popular siding choice for homeowners.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/homebuilding › [deleted by user]
Cheaper Alternative to Hardy Board Siding? : r/Homebuilding
February 26, 2024 - Vinyl. It’s cheaper and an alternative. ... I swear reddit just hate vinyl with a passion saying its fake, yet they will push hardie (cement board is man made) and smartside (osb trash)