LP wood shed siding vs T1-11 siding – What’s the best choice? You know you need an outdoor shed, and you know that choosing the right type of exterior is important for the longevity of your new storage building. It can be challenging to figure out which type of siding will give you the most bang for your buck. We’ll help you weigh the options by taking a closer look at these two popular siding choices and comparing them in maintenance, durability, and cost. If you are concerned about financing your new shed, talk to Classic Buildings today and find out how easy it is to Rent-To-Own your new storage building. We even offer financing and most people qualify without even having to have a down-payment.

LP Wood Shed Siding vs T1-11 Siding

The following chart will give you a quick comparison between LP wood shed siding and T1-11 siding. Read on to learn more details about each type of siding what makes it better.

Image sources from the above chart: 5/8″ – 4’X8′ Yellow Pine T1-11 and LP Wood Shed Siding

 What is T1-11 Siding?

T1-11 siding is a wood or wood-based siding product that has been a popular choice for sheds since the 1960’s. It comes in two major grades: plywood and Oriented Strand Board (OSB). The following video will give you a further introduction to T1-11 siding.

What is LP Wood Siding?

LP® SmartSide® Siding (the brand name for LP Wood Siding) is a treated engineered wood that offers the warmth and beauty of traditional wood with the durability of a composite wood. It is specially manufactured to make it incredibly strong and extremely resistant to harsh weather, fungal decay, and termites. The following video shows how this type of shed siding is made.

Maintenance Comparison

T1-11 siding: T1-11 siding does require regular and diligent maintenance to keep it in good condition. If you have chosen to stain your plywood siding, then you will need to re-apply a protective stain every three to five years so that it will be protected from the elements. If you have painted it then you probably won’t have to re-paint as often, however, you should probably do it every 10 to 15 years. Remember that if you are painting this type of siding, it is a good practice to paint the edges and joints before it is installed in order to extend the life of the siding and protect it from water damage.

LP Wood Siding: LP® SmartSide® Siding has a 50-year prorated warranty. It also comes with a 25-year warranty against chipping or peeling, which means that it is virtually maintenance-free for a very long time. Once you put up your shed, you won’t be constantly painting or staining it to make sure that it stays beautiful.

How to Decide: If you want a virtually maintenance-free shed that will last and not require diligent maintenance, then choose LP wood siding over T1-11.

Durability Comparison

T1-11 Siding: The less expensive OSB grade does not hold up well to exposure to water and over time it will probably expand and warp. It is also susceptible to rot and general wear and tear. The plywood grade is more expensive but it does hold up better than OSB.

LP Wood Siding: LP® SmartSide® Siding is extremely durable. It has been treated to the core with LP’s proprietary SmartGuard process. Every strand of wood that goes into the siding is treated with an advanced formula of adhesive resins, water-resistant waxes, and zinc borate. It is then covered and bonded with a water-resistant, resin-saturated overlay. This process makes it one of the most durable siding products you can purchase. It can stand up to harsh weather in any climate and resists damage from termites and fungal decay.

How to Decide: If you want the most durable siding available, then LP wood siding is your better choice. If you want to sacrifice some durability for savings, then choose the plywood grade over the OSB T1-11.

Cost Comparison

T1-11 siding: T1-11 siding is generally less expensive than LP Wood siding.

LP Wood Shed Siding: LP® SmartSide® Siding is generally more expensive to purchase than T1-11 siding.

How to Decide: It is always important to weigh the value of the cost to you. Is it worth it to pay a bit more upfront in order to have less maintenance over time, or do you not really mind painting and staining so that the initial savings is actually worthwhile? The cost of ownership is also another consideration. If your T1-11 siding is going to need to be replaced due to water damage, then it may cost you more in long-term replacement costs.

Which Type of Siding Wins?

Overall, the best siding choice for your outdoor shed is LP® SmartSide® Siding. It is the clear winner when it comes to maintenance and durability. The old saying is true – you get what you pay for. For the extra money, it is well worth that extra investment to get a quality shed that will last a long time.

Classic Building – Helping You Afford the Best

If spending the extra money to get a high quality shed with the best type of siding is a concern for you then you will be pleased to find out that Classic Buildings provides financing and most people even qualify with no money down. Contact Classic Buildings today or visit the location nearest you to find out how easy it is to Rent-To-Own your own building.

Remember, before buying a shed you should be aware of the shed permit requirements of your municipality. Sometimes permit requirements depend on the size of your shed.

Classic Buildings has locations throughout the Midwest, including various Missouri cities (St. Louis, Arnold, Columbia, St. Charles, Rolla, Linn, Springfield, Jefferson City, Kansas City, and Washington Missouri). We are located in Swansea, Illinois and Kansas and deliver throughout the Midwest, and, in some cases, nationwide!

If you would like to take a look at Classic Buildings’ storage sheds, check out our brochure, or visit one of our locations to see our sheds firsthand! 

“It was a pleasure working with confident and qualified people. The workmanship and materials are second to none…I would recommend Classic Buildings to anyone who requires a building for storage, recreation or whatever your needs are.”
– Mike Dinello
 Read more testimonials here!

Sources:
T1-11 Siding
LP SmartSide