Most builders in Colorado mountain markets are working with two competing demands: clients who want the warmth and texture of real wood, and jurisdictions that are tightening fire code requirements every year. LP SmartSide exists in that space. It is not natural wood and it is not non-combustible, but it is the product that bridges the gap for a large number of projects. Understanding exactly what it is and what it is not will help you spec it right.
Rocky Mountain Finishes is a direct source for prefinished LP SmartSide across the full product lineup. Here is everything you need to know.
LP SmartSide is engineered wood — not solid lumber. Wood strands are pressure-bonded with a zinc borate and resin system during manufacturing. The result is a panel or lap board that is significantly more resistant to moisture, impact, fungal decay, and fire than raw wood, without sacrificing the texture and character of a wood product.
The most popular LP SmartSide product in our market. Horizontal lap profiles in 6", 8", and wider widths install in the traditional lap pattern that reads as classic wood siding from any distance. Available in smooth or cedar-texture face.
4x8, 4x9 and 4x10 vertical panels used for board-and-batten applications, accent panels, and full vertical elevations. The panel format installs fast and is a go-to for gable ends and lower-story accent zones.
Pre-assembled shingle panels that install like traditional cedar shakes but in a fraction of the time. Popular for accent zones, dormers, and upper-story elevations where the shingle texture adds architectural detail.
LP SmartSide Lap Siding in Custom Brown paired with composite decking. A fire-code-conscious exterior package.
LP Lap Siding in Custom Black paired with Pine Smooth Siding in Custom Orange. A bold two-tone combination that plays LP's engineered consistency against natural wood warmth.
LP SmartSide holds a Class C (Class 3) fire rating. That puts it in a better position than untreated natural wood, which carries no fire rating at all. It does not put it in the same category as fiber cement or steel, which are non-combustible. LP SmartSide can ignite. The rating reflects that it performs meaningfully better than raw wood under fire exposure, not that it will not burn.
For most WUI jurisdictions in Colorado, this matters. The majority of the mountain communities we work in require Class 1 or Class 2 fire ratings on exterior cladding. LP SmartSide at Class 3 does not satisfy those requirements on its own. In those cases, builders who want a wood aesthetic have two realistic options: use fiber cement as the primary cladding with wood accents where code permits, or build a compliant wall assembly using 5/8" Type-X gypsum as the rated fire barrier with a decorative wood finish applied over it. That assembly qualifies for a 1-hour fire rating and preserves the look clients are after. It adds cost, but it is the path forward in stricter jurisdictions.
Where LP SmartSide makes the most sense is on projects where the jurisdiction accepts its Class 3 rating, or where the client is selecting it specifically for its engineered durability, low-maintenance performance, and price advantage over natural wood species. It is a strong product in the right context. Know your jurisdiction before you spec it, and confirm the requirements with your Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) on each project.
Rocky Mountain Finishes is a direct source for prefinished LP SmartSide in lap, panel, and shingle profiles, delivered to your jobsite with WUI documentation. We know the product and we know the code.
Want to know more? Contact Luke Tyler.