Minot Builders Supply Deep Grain Collection Shake Siding (3/8″ x 12″ x 4′)

LP SmartSide’s engineered wood shake siding at 4.5 lbs per panel changes the game for contractors installing shake accents on gables and dormers. 45% lighter than fiber cement, this product eliminates the shoulder fatigue that comes with hauling heavy panels up ladders all day. The Deep Grain finish is particularly praised for mimicking natural cedar shakes without the maintenance overhead, and installers and homeowners rate it highly for its realistic shadow lines and ease of handling.

Montana’s extreme weather demands more than good looks. The SmartGuard process with zinc borate treatment provides the termite and fungal resistance that matters when you’re building in valleys with 94% humidity in January or dealing with spring snowmelt that keeps ground moisture high for weeks. At elevation, where hail can destroy lesser products, this siding’s engineered high impact resistance keeps it intact.

Weight Advantage and Installation Reality

The weight difference isn’t marketing fluff. Standard tools cut through it without special blades or masks — no silica dust, no specialty saw blades eating into your tool budget. Blind-nail installation using hot-dipped galvanized fasteners means clean sight lines without face nailing. The shiplap ends provide overlap for a seamless look, though you still need to maintain 3/16” gaps at all vertical and horizontal joints.

The real payoff comes at 3 p.m. when your crew’s still moving fast instead of dragging. Lighter panels mean more square footage installed per day, especially on those steep gable ends where every trip up the ladder counts.

Specification	Value	Source
Actual Thickness	0.354”	Manufacturer
Actual Width	11.69”	Manufacturer
Actual Length	48.56”	Manufacturer
Recommended Exposure	10” (9”-10” range)	Manufacturer
Panel Weight	4.5 lbs	Manufacturer
Substrate Warranty	50-year limited	LP Building Solutions
Finish Warranty	30-year limited	Northwest Factory Finishes
Labor/Replacement	5-year 100%	LP Building Solutions

Performance in Montana Conditions

The Class C fire rating meets code requirements across Montana’s high wildfire risk zones. More importantly for daily performance, ASTM D5420 impact resistance compliance handles the hail that regularly pounds the Flathead Valley and eastern Montana. No warping or melting under high temperatures — critical when chinook winds can swing temperatures 50 degrees in hours.

The two-tone pre-finish creates realistic shadow lines through ColorStrand Deep Grain Collection’s machine-applied process. This isn’t paint slapped on at the jobsite. Northwest Factory Finishes backs their ColorStrand finish with a 30-year warranty, and the color consistency shows why. Each panel matches without the batch variations that plague field-finished products.

Sustainable wood source with SFI Certification matters to customers who ask about it. For contractors, what matters more is consistency compared to real wood, which comes with typically 1-5 year warranties versus this product’s 50-year substrate protection.

Installation Requirements

Don’t skip the basics just because it’s engineered. Install over water-resistive barrier (WRB) — no exceptions. Seal all field-cut edges with touch-up paint or you’ll void that 50-year warranty faster than spring snowmelt floods a basement. Maintain proper clearances: 6” from soil, 2” from roof surfaces.

LP SmartSide and ColorStrand trim systems match perfectly, and coordinated outside corners, mounting blocks, and touch-up kits are available. No cobbling together mismatched components.

ASTM D5206 wind load compliance and APA Product Report PR-N124 certification mean building inspectors won’t give you grief. The product meets code everywhere Western Building Center serves.

FAQs

Q: How does the weight compare to real cedar shakes?

Real cedar runs heavier when wet and varies by species. At 4.5 lbs per panel for a 12” x 4’ section, this engineered shake stays consistently light regardless of moisture conditions. Cedar can double in weight when saturated.

Q: What’s the actual coverage per panel?

With 10” recommended exposure on a 12” wide panel, you’re getting roughly 3.33 square feet of coverage per panel. Factor in the 3/16” gaps required at joints when calculating material needs.

Q: Can I use regular nails instead of hot-dipped galvanized?

Don’t. The installation guidance specifically calls for hot-dipped galvanized fasteners. Regular nails will rust, stain the siding, and potentially void your warranty. The zinc borate treatment in the panels requires corrosion-resistant fasteners.

Q: How critical is sealing cut edges?

Absolutely critical. Every field-cut edge must be sealed with touch-up paint. Skip this step and moisture intrusion will compromise the engineered substrate, regardless of that 50-year warranty.

Q: Does this work with rain screen systems?

Installation requires a water-resistive barrier, and the product’s design accommodates standard rain screen applications. The 3/8” actual thickness works with furring strip systems without creating excessive wall thickness.