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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2018
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract] |
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] |
1. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Nature of Operations Louisiana-Pacific Corporation and our subsidiaries are a leading provider of high-performance building solutions. We design, manufacture and market a broad range of products for the new home construction, repair and remodeling and outdoor structures markets. In addition to our U.S. operations, the Company also maintains manufacturing facilities in Canada, Chile and Brazil through foreign subsidiaries and joint ventures. The principal customers for our building products are retail home centers, manufactured housing producers, distributors and wholesalers in North America and South America, with limited sales to Asia, Australia and Europe. References to "LP", "the Company", "we", "our" and "us" refers to Louisiana-Pacific Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries as a whole. See Note 24 below for further information regarding our products and segments. Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of LP and our majority-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions, profits and balances have been eliminated. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents includes cash on hand and short-term investments of 3 months or less when purchased. These investments are stated at cost, which approximates market value. Investments Our long-term investments are classified as available-for-sale and are reported at estimated fair value. Unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, on these investments are reported as a separate component of “Accumulated comprehensive loss” in Stockholders’ Equity until realized. Impairment losses are charged to income for other-than-temporary declines in fair value. Realized gains and losses (including impairments) are recorded in “Investment income” in the Consolidated Statements of Income. For purposes of computing realized gains and losses, cost is identified on a specific identification basis. See Note 4 for further discussion. Fair Value of Financial Instruments We have, where appropriate, estimated the fair value of financial instruments. These fair value amounts may be significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of cash flows. Accordingly, the estimates presented are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized in a current market exchange. Inventory Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Inventory costs include materials, labor and operating overhead. The LIFO (last-in, first-out) method is used for a minor portion of our log inventories with the remaining inventories valued at FIFO (first-in, first-out) or average cost. Included in the inventory balance as of December 31, 2018 is a valuation allowance of $10.9 million. Inventory consists of the following:
| December 31,
Dollar amounts in millions | 2018 |  | 2017
Logs | $ | 56.9 |  |  | $ | 60.3 |
Other raw materials | 24.8 |  |  | 20.8 |
Semi finished inventory | 23.4 |  |  | 24.3 |
Finished products | 167.9 |  |  | 153.7 |
Total | $ | 273.0 |  |  | $ | 259.1 |
Timber and Timberlands Timber and timberlands is comprised of timber deeds and allocations of purchase price to Canadian timber harvesting licenses. Timber deeds are transactions in which we purchase timber, but not the underlying land. The cost of timber deeds are capitalized in timber and timberlands and charged to cost of timber harvested as the volume is removed. Timber that has been severed but has not yet been delivered to a facility is included in timber and timberlands. The values associated with timber licenses were allocated in the purchase price allocations for Le Groupe Forex (Forex), Peace Valley OSB, and the assets of Evans Forest Products. These licenses have a life of twenty to twenty-five years. These licenses are amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the facilities. See Note 8 for further discussion. Canadian timber harvesting licenses also include future requirements for reforestation. The fair value of the future estimated reforestation obligation is accrued and recognized in cost of sales on the basis of the volume of timber harvested; fair value is determined by discounting the estimated future cash flows using a credit adjusted risk-free rate. Subsequent changes to fair value resulting from the passage of time and revisions to fair value calculations are recognized in earnings as they occur. Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment, including capitalized interest, are recorded at cost. Depreciation is principally calculated by the units of production method for machinery and equipment which amortizes the cost of equipment over the estimated units that will be produced during its useful life. Provisions for depreciation of buildings, land improvements and the remaining machinery and equipment have been computed using straight-line rates based on the estimated service lives. The effective straight-line lives for the principal classes of property range from three to twenty years. Depreciation expense can be attributed to Cost of sales and Selling and administrative as noted below:
Dollar amounts in millions | Years ended December 31,
2018 |  | 2017 |  | 2016
Cost of sales | $ | 116.8 |  |  | $ | 120.1 |  |  | $ | 109.6 |
Selling and administrative | 3.2 |  |  | 3.2 |  |  | 3.2 |
Total depreciation and amortization | $ | 120.0 |  |  | $ | 123.3 |  |  | $ | 112.8 |
Logging road construction costs are capitalized and included in land and land improvements. These costs are amortized as the timber volume adjacent to the road system is harvested. We capitalize interest on borrowed funds during construction periods. Capitalized interest is charged to and amortized over the lives of the related assets. Capitalized interest totaled $4.0 million in 2018 and $2.2 million 2017. Plant, property and equipment, net consists of the following:
Dollar amounts in millions | December 31,
2018 |  | 2017
Property, plant and equipment, at cost: |  |  |
Land, land improvements and logging roads, net of road amortization | $ | 168.6 |  |  | $ | 162.7 |
Buildings | 329.9 |  |  | 347.5 |
Machinery and equipment | 1,949.0 |  |  | 1,977.4 |
Construction in progress | 148.1 |  |  | 98.5 |
| 2,595.6 |  |  | 2,586.1 |
Accumulated depreciation | (1,585.2 | ) |  | (1,660.0 | )
Property, plant and equipment, net | $ | 1,010.4 |  |  | $ | 926.1 |
Potential Impairments Long-lived assets to be held and used by us (primarily property, plant and equipment and timber and timberlands) are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. When impairment is indicated, the book values of the assets are written down to their estimated fair value as calculated by the expected discounted cash flow or estimated net sales price. See Note 17 for a discussion of charges in 2018, 2017 and 2016 related to impairments of property, plant and equipment. Long-lived assets that are held for sale are written down to the estimated sales proceeds less cost to sell unless the estimated net proceeds exceed the carrying value. Goodwill and Intangible assets Goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis, and when indicators of impairment are determined to exist. Impairment is evaluated by applying a fair value based test. Impairment losses would be recognized whenever the implied fair value of goodwill is less than its carrying value. Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized generally on a straight-line basis over the periods benefited. Impairment of the intangible asset is evaluated when factors indicate impairment may exist. See Note 8 for further discussion. Investments in Affiliates LP accounts for investments in affiliates when LP does not have a controlling financial interest using the equity method under which LP’s share of earnings and losses of the affiliate is reflected in earnings and dividends are credited against the investment in affiliate when declared. See Note 9 for further discussion. Restricted Cash Our restricted cash accounts generally secure outstanding letters of credit. Income Taxes We account for income taxes under an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. In estimating future tax consequences, we generally consider all expected future events other than the enactment of changes in tax laws or rates. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates will be recognized as income or expense in the period that includes the enactment date. Additionally, deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. We recognize liabilities for uncertain tax positions through a two-step process. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of the available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation process, if any. The second step requires us to estimate and measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. It is inherently difficult and subjective to estimate such amounts, as LP must determine the probability for various outcomes. LP evaluates these uncertain tax provisions when new information becomes available. These revaluations are based upon factors including, but not limited to, changes in circumstances, changes in tax law, successful settlement of issues under audit and new audit activity. Such a change in recognition or measurement could result in the recognition of a tax benefit or an increase to the related provision. We classify interest related to income taxes liabilities or uncertain tax positions as interest expense or interest income and, if applicable, penalties are recognized as a component of income tax expense. See Note 11 for further discussion of deferred income taxes. Asset Retirement Obligations We record the fair value of the legal and conditional obligations to retire and remove long-lived assets in the period which the obligation is incurred. These obligations primarily consist of monitoring costs on closed landfills, timber reforestation obligations associated with LP’s timber licenses in Canada and site restoration costs. When the related liability is initially recorded, we capitalize the cost by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. Over time, the liability is accreted to its settlement value and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. Upon settlement of the liability, we recognize a gain or loss for any difference between the settlement amount and the liability recorded. See Note 15 for further discussion. Stock-Based Compensation We recognize the cost of employee services received in exchange for awards of equity instruments, such as performance shares, restricted stock or restricted stock units and stock-settled stock appreciation rights (SSARs), based upon the fair value of those awards at the date of grant over the requisite service period. See Note 14 for further discussion. Foreign Currency Translation The functional currency for our Canadian subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar; however, the books and records for these subsidiaries are maintained in the Canadian dollar. The financial statements of these foreign subsidiaries are remeasured into U.S. dollars using the historical exchange rate for property, plant and equipment, timber and timberlands (related depreciation and amortization on both property, plant and equipment and timber and timberlands), goodwill, and certain other non-monetary assets.We use the exchange rate at the balance sheet date for the remaining assets and liabilities, including deferred taxes. A weighted-average exchange rate is used for each period for revenues and expenses. These transaction gains or losses are recorded in “Other non-operating income (expense)” on the Consolidated Statements of Income. The functional currencies of our Argentinean, Brazilian, Chilean, Columbian and Peruvian subsidiaries is the local currency and therefore their books and records are maintained in the local currency. Translation adjustments, which are based upon the exchange rate at the balance sheet date for assets and liabilities and the weighted-average rate for the income statement, are recorded in “Accumulated comprehensive income (loss)” in Stockholders’ equity. Advertising costs Advertising costs, which amounted to $21.3 million, $19.1 million and $19.6 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, are principally expensed as incurred. Advertising costs include product displays, media production costs, agency fees, sponsorships and cooperating advertising. Other Operating Credits and Charges, Net We classify significant amounts unrelated to ongoing core operating activities as “Other operating credits and charges, net” in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Such items include, but are not limited to, amounts related to restructuring charges (including severance charges), charges to establish and maintain litigation or environmental reserves, product reserves, prior year adjustments, retirement charges and gains or losses from settlements with governmental or other organizations. Due to the nature of these items, amounts in the income statement can fluctuate from year to year. The determination of which items are considered significant and unrelated to core operations is based upon management’s judgment. See Note 16 for a discussion of specific amounts in 2018, 2017 and 2016. Retirement Benefits We are required to use actuarial methods and assumptions in the valuation of defined benefit obligations and the determination of expense. Difference between actual and expected results or changes in the values of the obligations and plan assets are not recognized in earnings as they occur but, rather, systematically and gradually over subsequent periods. See Note 22 for further information. Comprehensive Income Comprehensive income consists of net income (loss) and other gains and losses affecting shareholders’ equity that are excluded from net income (loss), including foreign currency translation adjustments, costs associated with pension or other post retirement benefits that have not been recognized as components of net periodic benefit costs, and net unrealized gains or losses on securities and is presented in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. See Note 23 for further discussion.

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