Siding Products & Colors
LP SmartSide, quality vinyl and steel — the siding products Northern Exteriors installs across the Twin Cities, the colors and finishes each one comes in, and how to see them on your own house before you decide.
The Short Answers
Siding Products We Install
The project photos below are our own installs on Twin Cities homes. Color swatches and galleries are the manufacturers’ official assets and are labeled as such.
LP SmartSide
LP Remodelers Edge contractorEngineered wood
Profiles: lap, shake, panel and trim, with a dimensional wood-grain look and strong impact resistance. Generally costs more than vinyl and needs finish maintenance over time.
Colors and finishes: 22 prefinished ExpertFinish colors (including the six-color Naturals Collection and Sand Dunes, LP’s 2026 Color of the Year), Diamond Kote factory finishes on qualifying products, or primed for field painting in any color.
Photo: prefinished LP SmartSide lap siding — Twin Cities. Northern Exteriors project.
Quality Vinyl Siding
Lowest initial costLow routine upkeep
What we install: quality panels in the 0.044–0.048 inch (44–48 mil) range from lines such as Mastic — not builder-grade. Panel design, wind rating, color technology and installation details matter as much as thickness.
Colors: a wide range of profiles and colors; color-retention technology and warranty terms vary by collection, so we compare the exact product, not the brand name alone.
Photo: vinyl siding replacement — Cottage Grove, MN. Northern Exteriors project.
Steel Siding
Low upkeepDimensional stability
What to know: steel does not become brittle like some plastics and needs little routine maintenance, but severe hail or mechanical impact can dent it. Product availability, finish systems, repairability and cost vary, so we compare the exact specification.
Colors: factory-finished color lines vary by manufacturer and season. Tell us the look you want and we will bring the current color chart and samples to your estimate.
Availability, finish technology, warranty terms and maintenance requirements vary by manufacturer and product line. We confirm current samples and written product information before ordering and identify the exact product in your proposal.
LP SmartSide ExpertFinish Colors at a Glance
Every prefinished LP SmartSide color available in 2026: the 16 core ExpertFinish colors plus the six-color Naturals Collection, including Sand Dunes, LP’s 2026 Color of the Year. Tap any swatch for pairing ideas and Minnesota-specific advice in our color guide, or try a color on your own house with LP’s Home Visualizer.
Core 16 ExpertFinish colors
Sand Dunes2026 Color of the Year 
Snowscape White 
Desert Stone 
Quarry Gray 
Prairie Clay 
Terra Brown 
Harvest Honey 
Timberland Suede 
Garden Sage 
Redwood Red 
Tundra Gray 
Summit Blue 
Rapids Blue 
Cavern Steel 
Midnight Shadow 
Abyss BlackExpertFinish Naturals Collection
Washed White
Smoky Slate
Saffron Cedar
Weathered Walnut
Aged Amber
Bonsai BlackColor swatches courtesy of LP Building Solutions. Screen colors vary — confirm with a physical sample in daylight. Primed LP SmartSide can be field-painted any color.
Which Siding Fits Which Homeowner — At a Glance
| Product | Color and finish options | Where to see colors | Routine upkeep | Tends to suit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LP SmartSide | 22 ExpertFinish colors, Diamond Kote finishes, or primed for any paint color | Our LP color guide (official swatches) | Inspect finish; repaint when condition requires | Homeowners who want an engineered-wood look, multiple profiles and impact resistance |
| Quality vinyl | Manufacturer palette by collection; color-retention tech varies | Manufacturer gallery + samples at your estimate | Cleaning; no field repainting | Budget-led projects where low routine maintenance matters most |
| Steel | Factory-finished color lines; vary by manufacturer | Current color chart + samples at your estimate | Cleaning and finish inspection | Homeowners prioritizing low upkeep and a crisp, distinct appearance |
Want the full trade-offs, thickness talk and installation details? See our Twin Cities siding services page or read the advantages of LP SmartSide siding for Minnesota homes.
Choosing a Siding Color for a Minnesota Home
- Match the roof before the walls. Most Minnesota roofs are weathered wood, charcoal or driftwood shingles. Choose the siding color against your actual shingle, not a white background. Replacing both? Start with our roofing shingle colors page.
- Plan for five months of snow. White ground reflects light upward; mid-tone grays can wash out in winter while deeper tones hold their contrast.
- Pick trim and accent colors at the same time. The siding, trim, stone, front door and garage door read as one picture from the street.
- Look at sample boards outdoors, at two times of day. Morning and late-afternoon light are dramatically different from October through March.
For pairings that work on real Twin Cities homes, see the color table in our LP SmartSide color guide and our before-and-after siding design ideas.
See a Color on Your Own House Before You Commit
Tell us the product and colors you are considering. We bring full-size sample boards to a free, no-pressure siding estimate, can point you to completed installs nearby, and can build a free 3D rendering of your home in the colors you like. Call 651-230-5103 or use the form.
Request Siding Samples or a Free Estimate
Mention the product or colors you want to see in the message box and we will bring them. Northern Exteriors has been giving free, no-pressure estimates to Twin Cities homeowners since 2001.
Northern Exteriors Minnesota Inc. · MN Residential Building Contractor License #BC297099 · Based in Cottage Grove, MN · LP Remodelers Edge contractor · Malarkey Certified Pro Contractor · A+ BBB rating. See our Twin Cities siding services, Cottage Grove siding and Woodbury siding pages.