interior vs exterior use of luan

[StandUpGuy]

Ok here is the deal. I have some sanded thin plywood. I am not sure what you would call it. I guess it is 1/4" thick. It originates from Equidor. Very light slightly yellow clean grain. Very much like luan but twice the price. I have enough of this to use on either the inside or the outside. If I get some regular luan and I have this and the plywood just discribed, which is better to use on the inside and which is better to use on the outside?

[George Taylor]

it realy depends on the glue that was used to hold the veners together. On our trailer after i hed the shell built and before I put on the alluminum skin I put on a thinck coat of spar varnish to keep ou any mosture.

[Artificer]

I would agree that the glue would be the biggest decision making factor for me. I'd clip a small sample from each, and soak them in water. Whichever peels first goes inside.

Saying that... it depends on how you intend to finish/protect the wood. Layer of fiberglass on the outside? Doesn't matter which you use. Spar varnish? It matters a little more.

If you're gong with natural wood for the interior, the color, grain pattern, niceness of the sheet would be the deciding factor.

I wasn't really happy with the Chi-ply luan that I picked up from Home Depot. I was in a hurry, and didn't have much choice, so I used it. $9/sheet vs. 2 sheets of $30 each 5x5 baltic birch. I soaked a corner piece in water for a couple of days, and it didn't delaminate. Once the trailers back from the bunny run I intend to fiberglass it anyway, so even less concern on having it on the outside.


Michael

[2bits]

If the stuff you have was twice the price, I would guess it is better quality and I would it on the exterior. It might have less voids too.