Plywood for outdoor shed siding???

fastfredracing · 06-26-2009, 06:29 PM

I have a ton of wood left over from helping my buddy close his buisness(another victim of the economy) , so I took some and built a 10x20 roof off to one side of my shed, and I am thinking of framing it up, and closing it in
I have plenty of sheets of 3/4" 4x8 plywood and was wondering how well it will hold up to the elements. My plan was to hang the plywood, and stain it the same color as the shed.
Would stain, or an outdoor paint be better for this application?? Do you think plywood can hold up for say 5-10 years , outdoors if properlly topcoated???.

look 171 · 06-26-2009, 06:40 PM

ususlly no. what kind of plywood?

LakeCleElum · 06-26-2009, 07:13 PM

Plywood, yes.......OSB, no......Putting a finish on it will help preserve it. Siding is cheap. Consider putting something like Hardy Plank on it?

craigster59 · craigster59's Garage

It needs to be CDX or a variant. Best would be T-111 treated with Pinnafin or some exterior treatment. Home Depot makes an excellent siding and fence solid stain. I used it on my fence and it has held up great.

afterburn 549 · 06-26-2009, 07:32 PM

Ply wood is great ! Will do a great job for you !

911Rob · 911Rob's Garage

3/4" is over kill.
you have exterior grade plywood that will hold up to an exterior application but NO WAY will it withstand any direct contact with the elements.

You can protect it with a building paper and siding material.
Paint or stain will help, but if the ply is in direct contact with the elements (rain, snow, sun) then it's not going to last long.

Make sure you have an 18" or 24" soffit overhang above, this will help protect it and you'll prolly be OK considering the price.

Good luck

futuresoptions · 06-26-2009, 08:28 PM

Do it! But When finished, I would do one of two things... I would stucco it, or I would Purchase that thick white ceramic roof covering and paint it on to make it look stucco... This would help with the aesthetics a little....

afterburn 549 · 06-27-2009, 06:32 AM

This is not the most current info..but I believe it to be still true.
Marine Ply and reg house ply uses the same glue. ( resourcenal)
The difference being is the quality of wood.
Marine is more plys and no blows
construction ply same glue, lower quality of wood and of course the blows.
You will have no problems.
If you keep the water out it will last for ever
There is NO such thing as dry rot
Rot is a fungus and operates best @ 50 % wet 50 % of the time.

Zeke · 06-27-2009, 09:28 AM

The grade stamped on the plywood tells you what it can be used for. I'd make sure the ends don't touch soil or concrete and are well sealed. A good primer and solid color stain or paint should give you pretty good protection. Each side, N, W, E, and S all have their unique weathering patterns.

When the ply starts to look shabby, paper it and side it as mentioned.