Exterior Plywood Siding
Exterior plywood siding is most commonly manufactured of species that perform best in all types of weather, such as Douglas fir, Western red cedar, redwood and Southern pine. Composed of several layers of wood veneer sandwiched together with exterior glue, plywood siding comes in a broad range of textures and patterns and if properly maintained, can last from 30 years to the life of the building.
A few of the disadvantages of plywood siding include its flammability, susceptibility to termite damage when in direct contact with soil, and to water rot if not properly finished. Its plies can also come unglued if it accumulates moisture.
When installing plywood siding, it is very important to properly treat the plywood before installation. Treating, or prepping the plywood siding includes applying an appropriate waterproof sealant to the plywood in order to prevent any moisture from leaking into the plywood siding. Once moisture has entered the plywood siding it can cause the plywood to deform, bubble, and warp, eventually causing paint to peel and the wood to rot.
Either roughhewn or smooth, plywood is usually attached to a home horizontally, which isn’t the best practice to protect from water damage. However, plywood is attractive for its natural look, and major corporations are always seeking ways to further develop its strength and structural integrity.
When using plywood for exterior siding, it is crucial to ensure that the grade you choose is the proper product for exterior use. Don’t try to save by selecting a lower grade because this would mean major headaches in the future. Before deciding on it, speak to a licensed contractor to evaluate its practicality for your area. Because the proper installation of plywood siding is so critical to preventing moisture damage, it is highly recommended that you have a licensed contractor handle the work.
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