One year Soaked in Water Test

In this video, I document a long-term experiment to test the durability of two popular siding materials: James Hardie Siding and LP SmartSide Siding. Both siding samples were painted and submerged in a container of water for an entire year. But that’s not all-I also froze them solid and then thawed them, replicating harsh weather conditions over an extended period.
Now, I’m taking this experiment even further! This time, I'm continuing the test with the lid off, allowing the water to evaporate naturally. After each evaporation cycle, I refill the container to maintain the challenging conditions. But that’s not the only twist-I’ve also added a new siding sample to compete in this durability showdown!
Follow along to see how these siding materials hold up to constant exposure, freezing, and thawing. Will they stand the test of time, or will one material prove to be more durable than the other?
Pros and Cons of James Hardie Siding:
Pros:
Extremely durable and resistant to fire, pests, and rot.
Holds paint well, which reduces maintenance.
Offers a high-end look that mimics wood or stucco.
Cons:
Heavier and more labor-intensive to install, requiring specialized tools.
More expensive than some other siding options.
Can be prone to moisture issues if not installed correctly.
Pros and Cons of LP SmartSide Siding:
Pros:
Lighter and easier to handle, making installation faster and less costly.
Offers good resistance to impact and is less brittle than fiber cement.
Generally more affordable than James Hardie Siding.
Cons:
More susceptible to moisture and requires proper installation to avoid swelling or decay.
May need repainting sooner compared to fiber cement siding.
Does not have the same fire resistance level as James Hardie.
Stay tuned as I update you on how these materials perform under extreme conditions, and don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss the next phase of this durability challenge!

[@jeredmattson9]

would be great to see them dry for a week and then back into the bath again for another year and do a review again. great video

[@jimmy8653]

Then what rinse repeat lol

[@cleanmikeandtheboys3165]

Is it completely wrong to assume that multiple shorter soaking/drying cycles would be a more aggressive stress-test? I'm talking out of my hewtnanny here, but just wondering.

[@mr.upcycle9589]

A better test would be to leave them both sitting on the ground for an extended period. But I prefer the Lp, concrete boards is too brittle.

[@zbynial]

Compare after drying