Proof Builders is a certified LP SmartSide installer serving Plymouth and the Twin Cities — engineered strand siding that gives you real wood-grain character with far more impact resistance than vinyl and far less upkeep than natural wood.
LP SMARTSIDE SNAPSHOT
Material: Engineered wood strand
Treatment: SmartGuard zinc borate process
Warranty: 5/50-year limited (5 yr full coverage)
Finish option: ExpertFinish, +15-yr finish warranty
Board length: 16 ft. — fewer seams
Best for: Wood aesthetic, storm resilience

LP SmartSide is an engineered wood siding built from wood strands bonded with resins and waxes, then treated to resist the exact problems that shorten the life of traditional wood: moisture, decay, and impact damage.
SmartSide gives you the texture and warmth of real wood — cedar-grain lap siding, smooth panels, shakes, and trim — manufactured from renewable wood strand technology rather than solid-sawn lumber. That engineering is what allows it to outperform both natural wood and vinyl in impact and weather testing while keeping a genuinely wood-like appearance.
Every piece goes through LP's SmartGuard manufacturing process: each strand is treated with a proprietary blend of resins, waxes, and zinc borate, then finished with a resin-saturated overlay. That treatment is what gives SmartSide its resistance to moisture intrusion, fungal decay, and termites — the three issues that historically made traditional wood siding a high-maintenance choice.
Homeowners can choose primed SmartSide (paint it in your own color) or ExpertFinish, LP's factory-applied prefinished option, which eliminates the initial paint job entirely and is backed by an additional finish warranty. Both are available in lap siding, panel siding, shakes, and matching trim, all manufactured in 16-foot lengths that reduce the number of seams across your exterior.
SmartSide occupies a middle ground between vinyl and fiber cement — better impact resistance and aesthetics than vinyl, with easier handling and lower material cost than fiber cement.
Engineered impact resistance: Independent testing has shown SmartSide outperforming both vinyl and fiber cement against hail and flying debris impact — a meaningful advantage in Minnesota's hail-prone storm season.
SmartGuard protection: Zinc borate treatment defends against moisture, fungal decay, and termites — problems that shorten the life of untreated wood siding.
Real wood-grain character: Deep cedar-grain texture and a range of profiles give SmartSide a natural, dimensional look that vinyl doesn't replicate as convincingly.
Lighter, faster installation: 16-foot boards weigh less than fiber cement of the same length and don't require the specialized cutting tools fiber cement does.
Strong wind performance: SmartSide products carry engineered wind-load ratings suitable for the gust speeds recorded during Twin Cities severe thunderstorm events.
Industry-leading warranty: The 5/50-year limited warranty provides full coverage for the first five years, with prorated coverage extending out to 50 years on the substrate.
Minnesota's freeze-thaw cycle is hard on any siding that absorbs moisture, and it's especially unforgiving on untreated wood. SmartSide's SmartGuard treatment is engineered to resist that moisture intrusion at the strand level, not just on the surface — which matters through a Twin Cities winter where snow, ice, and rapid temperature swings are the norm for months at a time.
SmartSide's impact performance is also a real advantage during Minnesota's hail season. Because the product is engineered rather than a single solid board, it tends to resist cracking and denting from hail and wind-driven debris better than natural wood siding and standard-grade vinyl — a meaningful factor for homeowners rebuilding after a storm and looking for a more resilient material the second time around.
As a certified LP SmartSide installer, Proof Builders follows manufacturer-specified fastening, flashing, and gapping requirements to keep your warranty intact — details that matter more in a climate with this much seasonal movement.
Vinyl - Vinyl Siding Installation:
The most affordable option, with premium cold-climate panels available.
Fiber Cement - James Hardie Siding:
The premium, fire-resistant upgrade with a 30-year non-prorated warranty.
Dent-resistant, Minnesota-manufactured steel siding with lifetime hail protection.
Storm Damage - Siding Storm Restoration:
Free inspections and insurance claim support after hail or wind events.
We assess every exterior surface in the scope, not just the siding panels. Soffit, fascia, window surrounds, corner posts, and any aluminum trim components are inspected for impact damage alongside the field panels. On homes where the roof is also being replaced, the siding and roof assessment happen in the same visit so the complete exterior scope is documented together before any insurance estimate is written.
Our siding assessments are organized by component category with photographs attached to each line item. When the adjuster's scope comes back, we review it against our documentation and identify any components that were missed or undervalued. This is the step that produces the supplement when the initial scope does not reflect the full extent of what the storm actually did to the exterior.
Proof Builders installs vinyl, EDCO Steel, LP SmartSide engineered wood, and fiber cement including James Hardie profiles, and can advise on which material best fits the home's exposure, the community's color requirements, and the homeowner's maintenance preferences. All three material types carry manufacturer warranties and all are appropriate for Plymouth's climate when installed correctly.
Siding removal reveals the condition of the housewrap or felt paper beneath. Where the existing moisture barrier is torn, compressed, or deteriorated, it is replaced before new siding goes on. The single most common failure point in siding installations is the weather barrier and flashing detail at windows and door openings. Every window opening is flashed before siding is cut and locked into place around it. This step is where shortcuts produce the moisture intrusion problems that appear two to four years after installation.
After installation we walk the full perimeter and document the completed system. All manufacturer warranty paperwork is provided to the homeowner at close of job along with installation photographs. For projects covered by insurance, we coordinate final documentation with the claim timeline so the homeowner has a complete record for both the warranty and the claim file.
SmartSide is engineered from wood strands treated during manufacturing with the SmartGuard process — a blend of resins, waxes, and zinc borate that resists moisture, fungal decay, and termites. Traditional solid wood siding doesn't have this built-in treatment and typically requires more frequent painting, sealing, and repair.
Yes. SmartSide's engineered wood strand construction has performed well in impact testing against hail and wind-driven debris compared to vinyl and fiber cement, which is one of the main reasons Minnesota homeowners choose it when rebuilding after storm damage.
Primed SmartSide is ready for you to paint in the color of your choice after installation. ExpertFinish comes with a factory-applied, baked-on finish in a curated color collection, backed by an additional 15-year finish warranty and eliminating the need for an initial paint job.
With proper installation and maintenance, SmartSide is designed to perform for decades and is backed by a 5/50-year limited warranty — full coverage for the first five years, with prorated coverage continuing through year 50 on the substrate.
LP recommends certified installation to ensure fastening, flashing, and gapping meet manufacturer specifications, which helps preserve full warranty coverage. Proof Builders is a certified LP SmartSide installer for the Plymouth and Twin Cities area.
In many cases, yes — we can match existing SmartSide profiles and colors for a partial repair. If your existing siding is older or a specific color is no longer available, we'll discuss whether a full-elevation or full-exterior replacement makes more sense for a consistent appearance.
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MN License #BC646808
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