I've never heard of the Louisiana Pacific (LP) Smartside until you mentioned it (of course the topic of siding does come up very often in bean counting conversations). You peaked my interest so I researched it as well. Seems like good stuff. DIED installed had the Certainteed fiber-cement siding put on his house. The end result does look beautiful, but like you mentioned it is supposed to be a bear to handle and install.

Look, siding is not something you ever want to mess with a second time. I'd go with the type of siding you want and use a factory finish. It has a great guarantee.

Siding is something that you will see every time you visit the property. Go with the good stuff.

Oh and I like Theo's idea, if you're getting pinched for time can you just apply another of the wrap?

JHAP
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"My mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives."
...Hedley Lamarr (that's Hedley not Hedy)