What the Heck is Composition Siding? Unveil the Austin Homeowner’s 2025 Nonpareil Guide

🌇How Austin Does Siding: Bold, Smart, and a Bit Weird

Hey Austin! We’re a city that’s built on blends—Tex-Mex, boot-scootin’ indie rock, and high-tech startups in historic bungalows. So it makes perfect sense that the best siding for our homes would be a mashup too. Welcome to the world of composition siding—where the durability of concrete meets the charm of wood, and the science of weatherproofing meets style worth bragging about.

Whether you’re building your dream modern farmhouse or restoring a classic Travis Heights bungalow, this guide will help you understand what composition siding is, why it’s perfect for Texas, and which product is right for your home.

🎤 What Is Composition Siding Anyway?

(The Greatest Hits Album of Siding)

At its core, composition siding is any siding material that is man-made by combining different raw materials (creating a composition) to achieve a desired set of performance characteristics. Think of it less like a solid piece of wood cut from a tree.

The goal is simple: take the best qualities of traditional materials (like the undeniable beauty of wood) and systematically eliminate the drawbacks (like rot, pests, warping, and constant maintenance). In the modern siding world, this term primarily refers to two incredible products that are locked in a heavyweight title fight for the best siding in Texas.

Think of it as a smart recipe:

• Keep the beauty of traditional siding.

   

• Eliminate the downsides—like rot, termites, fire risk, and high maintenance.

   

Today, when people talk about composite siding in Austin, they usually mean one of two heavy-hitters:

• Fiber cement siding (hello, James Hardie®)

   

• Engineered wood siding (LP® SmartSide®)
  

🆚 The Two Titans: Fiber Cement vs. Engineered Wood

2. The Two Titans of Texas Siding: A Deep Dive

When people talk about composition siding today, they’re almost always talking about one of these two rockstars.

🔨 Fiber Cement Siding (The Rockstar):

 This is the undisputed champion of the Austin siding scene, and its biggest name is James Hardie ®.

• The Recipe: It’s a precise, near-bulletproof mixture of cement, sand, water, and cellulose fibers, all cured with pressurized steam.
• Its Superpowers: It’s non-combustible, making it a hero in the fire-prone Hill Country. It’s impervious to rot and pests (termites literally can’t eat it), and it’s dimensionally stable, meaning it won’t swell and shrink in our wild 40-degree temperature swings. It can be made with a deep, realistic wood grain or a sleek, smooth finish perfect for modern homes.

💪 Engineered Wood Siding (The Stuntman):

This is the tough, impact-resistant contender, with LP® SmartSide® leading the charge.

• The Recipe: It starts with real wood strands and fibers that are compressed with industrial-strength resins and waxes.
• Its Superpowers: During the manufacturing process, it’s treated with a proprietary zinc borate compound. This makes the entire board a toxic wasteland for fungal decay and termites. Its biggest claim to fame is its incredible impact resistance—it can shrug off bumps, dings, and even hail much better than many other materials. It also comes in longer 16-foot planks, meaning fewer unsightly seams on your home.

So you have two amazing choices. Which one is right for your home?

🥊 The Showdown: James Hardie vs. LP SmartSide

Here’s a side-by-side breakdown for quick decision-making:

➡️ Verdict: You can’t go wrong with either. Choose James Hardie for ultimate fireproofing and modern versatility. Choose LP SmartSide if you want longer boards, deeper wood texture, and top-tier impact resistance.

🔥 Built for Texas: Heat, Hail, and Humidity Proof

Austin weather is no joke. Here’s how composite siding keeps your home looking good and standing strong:

• ☀️ Sun/UV Resistance: Unlike vinyl siding, fiber cement and engineered wood are built to resist fading, cracking, and chalking—even in 100°+ temps.

   

• 🌩️ Hail Protection: LP SmartSide excels in impact testing. James Hardie’s dense makeup also stands strong against flying debris.

   

• 💧 Moisture Control: Old composite siding had issues with swelling and rot. Today’s composition siding materials are chemically treated or completely inorganic—so they won’t absorb water or rot.

   

🐛 Pest Defense: Fiber cement is immune to insects. LP’s SmartGuard® process makes engineered wood deadly to termites and fungi.

💾 Not Your Grandpa’s Composite Siding

Heard horror stories about composition siding from the ‘80s or ‘90s? Yeah, that’s fair. Back then, composite often meant “glorified particleboard.” But modern composite siding is a whole new animal.

Today’s composition siding is:

• Scientifically engineered with modern binders & waterproofing

• Lab-tested for long-term durability

• Supported by strong manufacturer warranties

• Backed by third-party testing for hail, UV, and fire performance

Think of it like comparing a 1985 car to a 2025 electric SUV. They’re both vehicles—but only one has automatic lane assist, a heat pump, and built-in Spotify.

💸 How Much Does Composite Siding Cost in Austin?

Here’s what to expect for new siding installation in Central Texas:

Full siding replacement for a 2,000 sq ft home typically ranges from $18,000 to $30,000, depending on:

• Material choice

   

• Home layout

   

• Trim, soffit, fascia, and paint scope

   

✅ Pro Tip: Want to increase ROI? New siding is one of the highest-return investments for curb appeal and resale value.

🧰 The Imperium Exteriors Process: We Nail It (Literally)

At Imperium Exteriors, siding isn’t just slapped on. It’s crafted. Here’s how we do it:

1. Consultation – We help you compare brands, styles, and performance needs.

    

2. Tear-Off – We remove all old siding for a clean inspection.

    

3. Sheathing Check – We repair any rot or water damage.

    

4. Weather Barrier Install – Premium house wrap & flashing to keep water out.

    

5. Siding Installation – Installed to manufacturer-certified specs.

6. Trim, Fascia, Soffits – Seamless finish around every detail.

    

7. Pro Painting – Long-lasting exterior paint with your chosen color.

    

Final Walkthrough – We don’t stop until you’re 100% satisfied.

🏆 The Imperium Advantage: Siding Without Bias

Some contractors only install one siding type—so that’s what they push. Not us.

At Imperium Exteriors, we install fiber cement, engineered wood, metal, Trespa®, vinyl, and more. That means we give honest, unbiased recommendations based on what’s best for you—not just what we sell.

We serve Austin, Georgetown, Round Rock, Cedar Park, and beyond, bringing elite craftsmanship and transparent guidance to every exterior project.

TL;DR: Why Composition Siding is a Smart Choice for Austin Homes

✅ Combines durability, fire resistance, and beauty
✅ Survives sun, hail, pests, and wild weather
✅ Low-maintenance with high curb appeal
✅ LP SmartSide = best for impact resistance
✅ James Hardie = best for fire resistance & modern styling
✅ Backed by manufacturer warranties and local expertise
✅ Professionally installed by Austin’s #1 siding contractor: Imperium Exteriors

Ready to Reinvent Your Exterior?

Whether you’re building, remodeling, or just ready for a glow-up, let’s make your exterior smarter, stronger, and better-looking. Contact Imperium Exteriors for a free design consultation and siding quote today.

👉 Schedule Your Free Siding Consultation
📞 Call us at (737) 376-5800

❓Top Composite Siding FAQs (Austin Edition)