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.
Common Outdoor Plywood Uses
Let’s take a quick look at some of the most common uses for outdoor plywood that you might come across.
1. Building Sheds
Basic CDX plywood is a great option to consider when it comes to building simple structures like outdoor sheds for garden and storage purposes, especially when they need to last for a long time in relatively poor weather conditions. Exterior plywood is always best for this purpose.
2. Making Storage Boxes
Just like plywood is great for larger sheds, it also makes for a good option to use when making smaller outdoor storage boxes, such as for gardening tools and other storage purposes.
3. Siding for Houses
Another very common use for exterior-grade plywood is for the sheathing and sidings of houses. It’s a great way to cover the exterior and protect the rest of the house’s frame from damage, and if you choose the right kind, it’s also easy to stain and paint, so it matches the exterior of your home.
4. Decks and Patios
Yet another common use for exterior grade plywood, any kind of it realistically, is for making the floors of decks and patios. If you need a cost-effective wooden building material that can handle lots of foot traffic and is weather resistant, plywood is the way to go.
5. Docks, Boats, and More
In terms of marine-grade plywood, as the name implies, this is perfect to use for marine or seaside applications. This can include building boat hulls, seaside sheds, docks, piers, and anything else of the sort.
