4 Best Types of Plywood for Outdoor Use
There are four main types of exterior-grade plywood that are suitable for outdoor use, so let’s take a look.
1. CDX Plywood
One of the best and most common types of plywood designed for outdoor use is CDX plywood. The first two letters mean that this type of plywood is ideal for construction purposes, such as weight-bearing applications.
The X simply means that CDX plywood is designed for exterior use. This is an affordable type of exterior-grade plywood, yet can still stand up to rain and high levels of moisture. There are even higher grades of exterior plywood, including ABX, BCX, and ACX.
2. T1-11 Plywood
T1-11 plywood is a very special type of exterior-grade plywood that is designed to be used as siding for houses and sheds. It has a very rough appearance, nothing pretty to look at, and it might even have grooves designed to mimic the appearance of vertical ridges.
This type of plywood is easy to stain or paint, so you can match it to the color scheme and appearance of the rest of your home. This is in fact one of the most durable types of exterior plywood out there.
3. Pressure-Treated Plywood
If you are looking for one of the most waterproof types of plywood out there, you might try using pressure-treated plywood. Using a special process that involves high levels of pressure, this plywood is infused with various chemicals, such as chromate copper arsenate, copper azole, borates, and more. These chemicals allow pressure-treated plywood to be extremely resistant to moisture, mold, and mildew.
4. Marine-Grade Plywood
Perhaps the best type of plywood to use for exterior purposes is marine-grade plywood. First, the adhesive used to hold everything together is 100% waterproof, even to the point where it can be submerged or partially submerged in water for prolonged periods.
Also, the core is made with very high-quality sheets that are free of knots and holes. This eliminates the occurrence of water pockets inside the plywood. Boats, docks, and other seaside structures are often made with this material.
