You have no shortage of choices when you need to choose from siding products. This paradoxically makes choice harder, however, as the seemingly endless number of options may overwhelm you and keep you from choosing the most appropriate for your needs. Still, while almost every brand and type have their own strengths and weaknesses, as well as situations where they perform best, one siding brand shows exceptional performance against hail: LP® SmartSide® siding.
In this post, Pechacek’s General Contracting, Roofing & Siding LLC, your siding and roofing contractor, explains why and how this siding product may be your best bet against hail storms.
LP SmartSide Siding Vs. Hail: Results
Summer is peak hail storm season. In addition to the roof, hail damages your siding most, which is why hail-prone areas may benefit from some form of hail storm protection on their properties. This is where LP SmartSide siding shines, but don’t just take our word for it. The National Wind Institute’s Debris Impact Facility conducted tests on it, which showed how much more effective it is than typical fiber cement or vinyl siding.
These tests yielded interesting results. LP SmartSide siding remained virtually unscathed even when exposed to a 1.75-inch hailstone at 81mph. Compare this to fiber cement’s results, which showed dents up to 0.2 inches after being hit by a hailstone of a similar size but lower speed (74 mph). Vinyl siding fared worse; it cracked when exposed by a mere 1.25-inch hailstone at a speed of mere 57 mph. Such a speed would not even call for roof repair in most modern roofing systems.
Real-Life Application
The tests clearly show which siding brand is best when it’s a matter of protecting your property from hail storms. In fact, homeowners are already reaping the benefits of the LP SmartSide siding in a recent hail storm in Colorado wreaked havoc on over 500 homes without LP SmartSide siding. Those who have it, however, were immune to the destruction suffered by their neighbors.
For your next (and last) siding project, count on Pechacek’s General Contracting, Roofing & Siding LLC. We are your leading provider of roofing, siding and gutter installation services. Give us a call at (715) 502-2006 or fill out our contact form to request a free quote. We serve homeowners in Hudson and River Falls, WI.