Coming from Chicago, IMO there is nothing worse than a house that has a muddy off color in the dead of winter against all that dirty snow Light Mist and Pearl Gray are meh! Select a color that has some real contrast to the Arctic White trim.

those nails should never be done like that. I posted a huge PDF installation file link. did you ever read it? I mean, you keep coming here to us asking for advice, and we've advised you. Not sure what else you want us to say? From where I sit, the install isn't done up to specs. Have you talked over the last issues w/the installer?? Why not call and speak to a Hardie rep. I'm sure if you sent him these pics, they could advise you about their products. those corner pieces don't look right. as stated previously, nail heads should not be exposed. This is just wrong. here is a corner like yours. do you see any nail heads??? Nope. I've posted diff corner finishes: Hardie Mitered Corners. Hardie Corners This just looks like water damage waiting to happen Here's how a properly done window/siding looks: what happens when water gets in between this gap and just sits there or seeps in behind? have no idea if proper flashing was used. Does this one look like yours? nope. This is a Drip Cap. Not sure if that's what was used w/yours I don't know what to say except I'd report all of these mistakes and issues to whomever is in charge. And I wouldn't pay a dime until all of these are fixed

Hello. We are using LP Smartside. Diamond Kote is painting ours a custom color. I didn't like their standard white (too bright!) and chose White Dove for our siding. We ordered it the end of November and are expecting it any day now. I did not find it cost prohibitive to do the custom color. BTW, you can do any color you want. Our local lumbar yard sent my paint chip to Diamond Kote, they made a sample (approx 5x8") and sent it back to me. I now carry that sample with me almost everywhere - it sort've lives in my purse :)

HI, Weedy, A recommendation for an alternative to the LP Smart Side panels would require more information about the specific application and climate zone. Do you need a single panel for an architectural feature or is it cladding for an entire home? You noted the need for a waterproof material. Smart Side is an engineered wood product. It's not waterproof. PVC is waterproof, but it's not as dimensionally stable as wood or an engineered wood product like Smart Side and a panel will cost around 10X what the Smart Side panels cost. If your application is exterior cladding using panels, you might consider the panels offered by James Hardie. For the record, I'm not a fan of Smart Side products. I don't have a problem with the "side" just the use of the term "smart" in conjunction with it. Joe Lstiburek of Building Science Corporation referred to OSB as the "SPAM of wood products." In my opinion, Smart Side products are an attempt to elevate a wood SPAM analog to a level where it doesn't belong.