Exterior Finish Comparison · Ed’s Backyard Builds
12×16 Appalachian Country Cottage
Exterior Siding Options — Complete Comparison
A transparent, scope-level comparison of two fully completed exterior siding systems for the Appalachian Country Cottage — including siding, wall sheathing, trim, housewrap, roofing, and a premium exterior stain finish. All costs reflect Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana market conditions.
How Ed prices this comparison: Both options are priced as a complete, fully finished exterior — materials, labor, housewrap, trim, roofing, and two-coat premium stain included. Only the all-in total is presented here, consistent with how professional construction firms present customer-facing comparisons. What changes between the two options is the siding system and wall sheathing. Everything else — the structure, the roof assembly, the trim work, and the finish — is identical scope at identical quality.
What’s Being Compared
Two Siding Systems.
Same Structure. Same Finish Standard.
The Appalachian Country Cottage is built to the same structural specification regardless of siding choice — 2×6 framing, 6" overhangs, hurricane ties, and 30-year architectural shingles. The siding system and wall sheathing are the only variables. Everything else is constant.
Roseburg DuraTemp® Direct-Applied Panel System
Single-Layer · Panel = Sheathing + Siding
- DuraTemp 19/32" T1-11 panels — 8" OC groove, primed hardboard face over Douglas-fir plywood core, applied direct to framing.
- House wrap at gable ends & flashing zones — Typar or equivalent, applied at vulnerable transitions.
- Aluminum Z-bar flashing at all horizontal panel joints.
- 1×4 cedar/PVC trim — corners, door surround, rake trim, fully fitted and caulked.
- Two-coat premium exterior stain — spray applied with back-brush.
- 30-year Roseburg limited warranty on panel performance.
1/2" CDX Plywood + LP SmartSide® Lap Siding System
Two-Layer · Structural Sheathing + Engineered Lap
- 1/2" CDX plywood wall sheathing — structural sheathing layer applied to all framed walls and gables.
- Full-coverage house wrap — Tyvek/Typar over all CDX sheathing, taped at all seams.
- LP SmartSide® 38 Series 8" lap siding — primed, cedar texture, SmartGuard® treatment.
- LP starter strip and 1×4 trim — installed and caulked with LP-compatible sealant.
- Two-coat premium exterior stain — spray applied with back-brush.
- LP SmartSide 5-year finish / 50-year structural warranty.
The 9/12 Pitch — What It Means for This Build
The Appalachian Country Cottage’s 9/12 Pitch Is a Defining Architectural Feature — and a Meaningful Construction Difference.
A 9/12 pitch rises 9 inches for every 12 inches of run — producing a rafter length of 10.82 feet per side versus 9.22 feet at 7/12. This increases the roof surface area, deepens the gable triangles from 42 SF to 54 SF, and pushes the build into the steep-slope threshold where additional staging, harnesses, and slower production pace apply. Both siding options are priced to reflect the actual 9/12 geometry and the associated labor requirements.
Named Materials · No Generic Specs
Every Material Named.
No Interpretation Required.
Ed names every product in every proposal. The materials below apply to this comparison exactly as they would appear in a written proposal — manufacturer, specification, and application role stated clearly for both options.
Option A — DuraTemp Direct Panel
Roseburg DuraTemp® 19/32" T1-11
8" on-center groove. Primed hardboard face over Douglas-fir plywood core. Structural panel siding — eliminates need for separate sheathing layer.
50-Year Roseburg Limited WarrantyTypar / Tyvek Weather Barrier
Applied at gable ends, window and door rough openings, and all flashing transitions.
Aluminum Z-Bar Flashing
Installed at every horizontal panel joint to prevent moisture intrusion at seams.
1×4 Cedar / PVC Trim Boards
Corners, door surround, rake trim — fully fitted, nailed, and caulked.
HDG Ring-Shank Nails
Hot-dipped galvanized ring-shank fasteners required by Roseburg warranty specifications.
Option B — CDX Plywood + LP SmartSide®
1/2" CDX Plywood Sheathing
Exposure-1 rated structural sheathing applied to all wall framing and gables.
Tyvek / Typar House Wrap — Full Coverage
Full wall coverage, all seams taped. Complete water-resistive barrier layer.
LP SmartSide® 38 Series Lap Siding
Primed, cedar texture, SmartGuard® zinc borate treatment throughout the panel.
5-Yr Finish / 50-Yr Structural WarrantyLP SmartSide Starter Strip
LP-compatible starter strip at the base course for correct installation angle.
1×4 Fiber Cement / PVC Corner Trim
Corners, door surround, and rake trim with LP-compatible caulk at all joints.
Exterior Stain Finish · Included in Both Options
Premium Stain — Both Options Include
a Fully Applied Two-Coat Finish.
Both siding systems are primed at the factory and require a finish coat to activate moisture protection and warranty performance. The two-coat stain application below is included in the all-in pricing for both options.
TWP 100 Pro Series
Semi-Transparent · Oil-Based · Highest-Rated
Deep UV protection and a longer recoat cycle for cedar-texture engineered wood.
Armstrong Clark
Semi-Transparent · Oil-Based · Easiest Application
Best for ease of application and future maintenance recoating.
Defy Extreme
Semi-Transparent · Water-Based · Best Water Option
Lower cost, faster dry time, and excellent mildew resistance.
Completed Project Cost · All-In Pricing
What Each Option Costs —
Fully Completed. No Surprises.
Pricing below represents 100% complete exterior siding — materials, installation labor, housewrap, trim, roofing, and two-coat Armstrong Clark premium stain applied and finished. These figures include the requested 20% pricing increase rounded to the nearest $5.
Option A — DuraTemp Direct Panel
Roseburg DuraTemp® System
Fully Completed
Single-layer panel · no separate substrate · primed + two-coat Armstrong Clark stain applied
- DuraTemp 19/32" T1-11 panel siding
- House wrap at transitions and flashing zones
- Aluminum Z-bar at horizontal joints
- Cedar/PVC trim, caulking, and sealant
- Full roof assembly
- Two-coat Armstrong Clark stain
All-In Completed Price
$5,140
Pricing reflects 9/12 steep-gable geometry and the Cincinnati Tri-State market.
Option B — CDX Plywood + LP SmartSide®
LP SmartSide® Lap System
Fully Completed
Two-layer system · 1/2" CDX sheathing + LP SmartSide® lap · primed + two-coat stain applied
- 1/2" CDX plywood wall sheathing
- Full-coverage Tyvek/Typar house wrap
- LP SmartSide® 38 Series lap siding
- LP starter strip and trim
- Full roof assembly
- Two-coat Armstrong Clark stain
All-In Completed Price
$6,575
Pricing reflects the added CDX sheathing layer, housewrap, siding labor, and 9/12 pitch staging.
The LP SmartSide® system costs approximately $1,435 more than the DuraTemp panel option on this structure — driven by the additional CDX sheathing layer, full-coverage housewrap, greater lap-board installation time, and the premium LP SmartSide® material cost.
Honest Trade-Off Analysis
Which System Wins on What —
No Spin, No Omissions.
Ed builds with total transparency. Here is an unvarnished comparison across every meaningful dimension — performance, longevity, aesthetics, and best-fit use case.
| Factor | Option A — DuraTemp Panel | Option B — CDX + LP SmartSide® Lap |
|---|---|---|
| Completed Cost | Lower — $5,140 all-in | Higher — $6,575 all-in |
| Aesthetic / Look | Vertical groove panel — classic shed and Appalachian barn character | Horizontal lap — residential craftsman look |
| Stain Grain Expression | Moderate — hardboard face limits natural wood grain depth | Superior — cedar-texture engineered wood takes stain naturally |
| Wall Sheathing | Single layer — structural panel | Two layers — CDX sheathing plus lap siding |
| Moisture Resistance | Good — edge sealing is critical | Excellent — SmartGuard® treatment plus full housewrap |
| Best Fit For | Workshops, garden storage, Appalachian-aesthetic builds | Backyard offices, studios, guest suites, residential-style structures |
Ed’s Straight-Talk Summary
The Honest Answer for Most Buyers on a 12×16 Appalachian Country Cottage.
DuraTemp is the stronger dollar choice for most Country Cottage buyers — it delivers a complete, warrantied, fully finished exterior at a lower investment, with a vertical groove profile that suits the Appalachian aesthetic the model is named for. If you want the structure to read more like a built-addition to your property, LP SmartSide® earns the premium through its horizontal lap profile, stronger residential character, and full wall system assembly.
Exterior Finish Comparison · Ed’s Backyard Builds
Companion to: DuraTemp vs. LP SmartSide Lap Comparison
12×16 Appalachian Country Cottage
DuraTemp vs. LP SmartSide® Board & Batten
A transparent, scope-level comparison of two fully completed exterior siding systems — Roseburg DuraTemp® direct-applied panel versus LP SmartSide® Board & Batten panel with 1/2" CDX plywood substrate — including wall sheathing, housewrap, trim, batten strips, roofing, and a premium two-coat exterior stain finish. All costs reflect Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana market conditions.
How to read this comparison: Both options are priced as a 100% complete exterior — CDX sheathing, housewrap, siding panels, batten strips, trim, roofing, and two-coat premium stain included. Only the all-in total is presented here. What changes between the two options is the siding system. The structure, roof assembly, trim scope, and stain finish are identical on both.
What’s Being Compared
Two Siding Systems. Same Cottage.
Vertical Panel vs. Vertical Board & Batten.
Both options produce a vertical siding profile on the 12×16 Appalachian Country Cottage — but through fundamentally different systems. DuraTemp achieves it with a grooved structural panel. LP SmartSide Board & Batten achieves it with a smooth field panel and applied batten strips over a full sheathing substrate.
What LP SmartSide Board & Batten Actually Is
The B&B System Is Two Components Applied Over a Full Substrate — Not a Single Panel.
LP SmartSide Board & Batten uses the 38 Series 3/8"×4'×8' cedar-texture smooth panel as the field surface, with LP SmartSide batten strips applied vertically over the panel joints at 16" on center to create the classic board-and-batten shadow line. Unlike DuraTemp — which functions as both sheathing and siding in a single layer — the LP SmartSide panel system requires 1/2" CDX plywood wall sheathing and full-coverage housewrap before the panels go on.
Roseburg DuraTemp® Direct-Applied Panel System
Single-Layer · Panel = Sheathing + Siding · Routed Groove Profile
- DuraTemp 19/32" T1-11 panels — 8" OC routed groove, primed hardboard face over Douglas-fir plywood core.
- House wrap at gable ends and flashing transitions — Typar or equivalent at vulnerable zones.
- Aluminum Z-bar flashing at all horizontal panel joints.
- 1×4 cedar/PVC trim — corners, door surround, rake trim, fully fitted and caulked.
- Two-coat premium exterior stain — Armstrong Clark, spray with back-brush.
- 30-year Roseburg limited warranty on panel performance.
LP SmartSide® Board & Batten Panel System
Three-Layer · CDX Sheathing + Housewrap + LP Panel + Batten
- 1/2" CDX plywood wall sheathing — full structural substrate layer over all framing.
- Full-coverage Tyvek/Typar housewrap over all CDX sheathing, all seams taped.
- LP SmartSide® 38 Series panel — SmartGuard® treated, primed, applied vertically over housewrap.
- LP SmartSide batten strips applied vertically at 16" OC over all panel joints.
- 1×4 fiber cement/PVC corner trim — all corners, door surround, rake, LP-compatible caulk throughout.
- LP SmartSide 5-year finish / 50-year structural warranty.
The 9/12 Pitch — Same Impact on Both Options
Both Systems Are Priced for the Actual 9/12 Geometry of the Appalachian Country Cottage.
A 9/12 pitch produces rafter lengths of 10.82 ft per side versus 9.22 ft at 7/12 — increasing gable area from 42 SF to 54 SF and requiring staging and safety equipment for the steep-slope roof work. Both siding options carry identical pitch-related cost increases.
Named Materials · No Generic Specs
Every Product Named.
Manufacturer, Specification, and Role.
Every material in every Ed’s Backyard Builds proposal is named by manufacturer and specification — never described generically. The same standard applies here.
Option A — DuraTemp Direct Panel
Roseburg DuraTemp® 19/32" T1-11
8" on-center routed groove. Primed hardboard face over Douglas-fir plywood core. Structural panel — applied direct to 2×6 framing, no separate sheathing layer required.
50-Year Roseburg Limited WarrantyTypar / Tyvek Weather Barrier
Applied at gable ends, window and door rough openings, and flashing transitions.
Aluminum Z-Bar Flashing
Installed at every horizontal panel joint — full perimeter at transitions.
1×4 Cedar / PVC Trim Boards
Corners, door surround, rake trim — fitted, nailed, and caulked with exterior sealant.
Option B — LP SmartSide® Board & Batten
1/2" CDX Plywood Wall Sheathing
4-ply, Exposure-1 rated structural sheathing over all wall framing and gables.
Tyvek / Typar Housewrap — Full Coverage
Applied over all CDX sheathing, full wall coverage, all seams taped.
LP SmartSide® 38 Series Cedar Texture Panel
SmartGuard® zinc borate treatment throughout. Primed at factory. Applied vertically over housewrap.
5-Yr Finish / 50-Yr Structural WarrantyLP SmartSide® Batten Strips
Applied vertically at 16" OC over all panel joints to create the true B&B shadow line.
Exterior Stain Finish · Included in Both Options
Both Options Include a Fully Applied
Two-Coat Premium Stain Finish.
Both siding systems are factory-primed and require a finish coat to activate moisture protection and warranty performance. LP SmartSide’s cedar-texture panel surface accepts penetrating stain with excellent grain expression.
TWP 100 Pro Series
Semi-Transparent · Oil-Based · Highest-Rated
Best natural-looking stained wood finish in the lineup.
Armstrong Clark
Semi-Transparent · Oil-Based · Easiest Application
Standard basis for all-in pricing and easiest future recoating.
Defy Extreme
Semi-Transparent · Water-Based · Best Water Option
Lower cost, faster dry time, and shorter recoat cycle.
Completed Project Cost · All-In Pricing
What Each Option Costs —
Fully Completed. No Surprises.
Both prices represent a 100% complete exterior — CDX sheathing, housewrap, siding, batten strips, trim, roofing, and two-coat Armstrong Clark stain applied and finished. These figures include the requested 20% pricing increase rounded to the nearest $5.
Option A — DuraTemp Direct Panel
Roseburg DuraTemp® System
Fully Completed
Single-layer panel · no separate substrate · primed + two-coat Armstrong Clark stain applied
- DuraTemp 19/32" T1-11 panel siding
- Housewrap at transitions and flashing zones
- Aluminum Z-bar at horizontal joints
- Cedar/PVC trim and sealant
- Full roof assembly
- Two-coat Armstrong Clark stain
All-In Completed Price
$5,140
Reflects 9/12 steep-gable geometry and the Cincinnati Tri-State market.
Option B — LP SmartSide® Board & Batten
LP SmartSide® B&B System
Fully Completed
Three-layer system · CDX + housewrap + LP panel + battens · two-coat stain applied
- 1/2" CDX plywood wall sheathing
- Full-coverage Tyvek/Typar housewrap
- LP SmartSide® cedar-texture panel
- LP SmartSide® battens at 16" OC
- Fiber cement/PVC trim and LP-compatible caulk
- Two-coat Armstrong Clark stain
All-In Completed Price
$6,265
Includes CDX sheathing, housewrap, LP panels, batten strips, stain on all surfaces, and staging.
The LP SmartSide® Board & Batten system costs approximately $1,120 more than the DuraTemp panel option — less than the LP SmartSide Lap premium because the large-format B&B panels install faster than individual lap boards while still adding the CDX substrate and batten material.
Where Board & Batten Sits in the Full Ed’s Backyard Builds Siding Lineup
Option A — DuraTemp Panel
$5,140
Vertical groove · single layer · lowest investment
Option B — LP B&B Panel
$6,265
True B&B shadow line · vertical · middle investment
LP SmartSide® Lap
$6,575
Horizontal lap · residential look · highest investment
Honest Trade-Off Analysis
DuraTemp vs. LP SmartSide Board & Batten —
Every Meaningful Difference, Plainly Stated.
Both systems produce a vertical siding profile. What differs is the depth, the architectural character, the substrate requirement, and the aesthetic at close range.
| Factor | Option A — DuraTemp Panel | Option B — LP SmartSide® B&B |
|---|---|---|
| Completed Cost | Lower — $5,140 all-in | Higher — $6,265 all-in |
| Siding Orientation | Vertical — 8" OC routed groove | Vertical — applied batten strips at 16" OC |
| Shadow Line Depth | Shallow routed groove | True architectural shadow line from raised battens |
| Aesthetic Character | Classic Appalachian shed character | Reads more like a finished architectural structure |
| Stain Grain Expression | Moderate | Excellent — strongest stain candidate in the lineup |
| Wall System Layers | Single layer — DuraTemp is structural | Three layers — CDX + housewrap + LP panel + battens |
| Best Fit For | Workshops, storage, rustic Appalachian character | Buyers who want true board-and-batten architectural character |
Ed’s Straight-Talk Summary
The Honest Answer for the Buyer Choosing Between DuraTemp and LP Board & Batten.
If you came to this comparison wondering whether the LP SmartSide Board & Batten is worth $1,120 more than DuraTemp, the answer depends on one question: do you want the structure to look like a grooved panel or a true board-and-batten building? At ten feet, they are not the same. DuraTemp’s routed groove is a surface detail. LP SmartSide’s raised batten strips create genuine shadow depth.
The B&B system also accepts premium stain better than any other option in the lineup. If you intend to stain the structure and want the grain expression that premium stain is capable of, the B&B panel is the best surface in this comparison for that purpose.