Rawson Roofing, Serving Teller County & Beyond
Engineered Wood Sidingin Woodland Park, CO
The warm look of real wood with better impact resistance and less upkeep, installed with the details that keep it dry through a mountain winter.
Engineered Wood at Elevation
Mountain Character
at a Friendlier Price
Engineered wood is popular on mountain homes and cabins because it has the character people want up here without the constant staining of cedar. Boards come in long lengths, so there are fewer seams, and they're lighter than fiber cement, which keeps labor costs down.
It does have one weakness that matters a lot at 8,000 feet: moisture at the edges. Cut ends and bottom edges have to be sealed, and the siding has to sit high enough above the ground, decks, and roof lines that snow and snowmelt don't sit against it all winter. We build those clearances into every install, and we'll tell you honestly if your wildfire exposure means a noncombustible material is the better call.
The Honest Breakdown
Engineered Wood
Pros & Cons
Why Homeowners Choose It
- Real-wood look in lap, board-and-batten, and shake styles.
- Good impact resistance, which helps with hail.
- Mid-range cost, typically less than fiber cement or premium metal.
- Lighter boards and long lengths mean fewer seams and faster installs.
- Easy to repair when a board gets damaged.
What to Know First
- Combustible. Not the right primary choice for high wildfire-risk lots.
- Edges must be sealed, and boards must be kept clear of snow and ground contact.
- Paint maintenance matters; high-altitude UV breaks finishes down faster.
- Woodpeckers can still damage it, like other wood products.
What We Do
Engineered Wood
Siding Services
New Installation
Engineered wood installed with the snow clearances, sealed edges, and flashing mountain homes need.
Replacement
Replacing tired cedar or vinyl with engineered wood, sheathing checked and repaired first.
Repair
Swollen, damaged, or woodpecker-hit boards replaced and painted to match. See siding repair.
How It Compares
Engineered Wood vs.
Other Siding
| Material | Typical Lifespan Here | Fire Resistance | Hail Performance | Upkeep | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metal (steel / aluminum) | 40–70 years | Noncombustible | Strongest overall; heavier gauge resists denting best | Low | Wildfire zones, hail-exposed walls, low-maintenance homes |
| Fiber cement | 25–40 years | Noncombustible | Good; very large hail can crack or chip boards | Moderate: periodic repainting | Traditional painted-wood look with fire resistance |
| Engineered wood | 20–30 years | Combustible | Good impact resistance | Moderate: keep painted, edges sealed | Real-wood look at a mid-range budget |
| Wood & log | 10–15 years before major work | Combustible | Fair; dents and splits | High: restain or reseal every few years | Log homes and cabins where the authentic look matters |
Why Rawson
Family-Owned.
Community-Rooted.
Cory and Jessica Rawson were raised in these mountains, and their family is now the fourth generation with roots here. We're not a storm-chasing crew that shows up after a hailstorm and disappears. We're your neighbors, and we'll still be here when you need us down the road.
20+ Years at Elevation
We know how every exterior material behaves at 7,000 to 10,000 feet, in this sun, in this snow, and under these building codes.
Honest, Written Estimates
Clear, itemized numbers with no pressure. Take your time, ask questions, and never sign anything until you're sure.
We Answer the Phone
If something comes up after the job is done, you can reach us, and we'll come back out and make it right.
Service Area
Engineered Wood Siding Across
Five Counties
Based in Woodland Park and serving Teller, El Paso, Douglas, Fremont, and Park Counties.
Don't see your town? Give us a call. We'll tell you straight whether your project is in range, no pressure either way.
Common Questions
Engineered Wood Siding FAQ
What is engineered wood siding?
Engineered wood siding is made from wood strands or fibers bonded with resins and waxes, then treated to resist moisture and decay and finished with a primed or prefinished surface. It looks like real wood lap or board-and-batten siding but is more uniform and more impact resistant than natural wood.
Is LP SmartSide good for Colorado mountain homes?
LP SmartSide is one of the best-known engineered wood siding brands, and engineered wood can perform well here when it's installed correctly. That means sealed cut edges, proper clearance above the ground and roof lines so snow doesn't sit against it, and keeping the paint in good shape. It's not the right choice if wildfire exposure is your top concern.
Is engineered wood siding fire resistant?
No. Engineered wood is a wood product and it is combustible. If your home sits in a high wildfire-risk area, we'll usually recommend metal or fiber cement instead, or at least on the most exposed walls.
How long does engineered wood siding last?
At mountain elevations, engineered wood typically lasts 20 to 30 years with good maintenance. The biggest factors are how well cut edges were sealed during install, clearance from snow and ground contact, and keeping the paint from failing.
Engineered wood vs. fiber cement: which should I choose?
Engineered wood is lighter, easier to install, handles impacts well, and usually costs less. Fiber cement is noncombustible and more resistant to moisture over the long run. If fire resistance matters for your lot, fiber cement wins. If budget and a real-wood look matter most, engineered wood is a strong option.
Does engineered wood siding need to be painted?
Yes, over time. Prefinished boards come with a factory finish, but at high altitude the sun breaks down paint faster, especially on south and west walls. Keeping the paint and sealed edges in good shape is what gets you the full lifespan.
Engineered Wood Siding
in Woodland Park
Free, no-pressure estimates, with a straight answer on whether engineered wood is the right fit for your lot.
719-210-9235