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Remodeling Exterior

Plywood for Board and Batten Exterior Siding

3 years ago

Is it ok to use ACX plywood for board and batten siding (all exterior walls)? Will be painted. Does it look ok or cheap?

Featured Answer

millworkman

3 years ago

Plywood siding in the current age is a temporary siding at best in my opinion. The only thing making even less durable would be plywood batons. ACX plywood will not be flat it will fight you the entire way and the batons will be worse. There needs to be a ton of z-flashing as plywood will delaminate if you look at it wrong, yes even exterior grade.

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Comments (11)

Seabornman
3 years ago
You'll have to use a z-flashing at horizontal joints which will look cheap, and create a slight bump in the battens. You're still planning on sheathing the house first?
sshreve
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you. Actually just using the 3/4" plywood over the Tyvek,. No horizontal joints, one story house.
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PRO
PPF.
3 years ago
What's the reason for using the plywood?
sshreve
Original Author
3 years ago
plywood is an option for the board part of board and batten .
There was another house in Houzz that used MDO plywood. Very expensive but very durable. Might be overkill for California. Another option is Hardie siding. wondering if anyone has had a bad experience with ACX plywood for siding.
PRO
PPF.
3 years ago
The last time I used a plywood product for siding was 1987.

California has some strict rules for how walls are sheathed and 3/4" ply is probably overkill for meeting them. That's the upside to sheathing/siding with ply.

Is this a DIY project? What's the siding going on?
sshreve
Original Author
3 years ago
the board and batten siding with plywood is going on a house. what would you use?
sshreve
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you. So what would you use for board and batten siding?
sshreve
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks everyone. Can someone recommend the right product for board and batten siding other than Hardie siding please. Would like too hear..
Seabornman
3 years ago
I would use rough-sawn lumber from a mill. Rough-sawn accepts stain very well. I can get a choice of white pine, hemlock and larch around here in 10 or 12 inch widths. You might find something different where you live. Cedar is great if you can get at a reasonable price. I would finish every board on all six sides before installing and would add a top coat of finish afterwards.
sshreve thanked Seabornman
sshreve
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you Seabornman

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