Anyone use siding instead of plywood?

[fornesto]

While searching for 4 x 10 plywood, I was talking to the local lumber yard guy and he asked why I didn't just use 5/8" siding (T-1-11 without the grooves). He says its stronger, available in 4 x 10, more weather resistant and costs $61.56 a sheet, plus its a little bit thicker. Says its much better than CDX.

Anybody consider this?

[Woody]

If you like the look go for it, I wonder if the rough surface is hard to seal or paint though

[fornesto]

I'll be skinning in aluminum, so the look isn't as important.

[Big Guy with a Little Guy]

If your covering it with aluminum, you might try using OSB (waferboard). It's dang strong, cuts nicely, and is perfectly uniform. It's cheaper that plywood, and just as high quality. The only problem is it's not smooth, and it's kind of ugly. But if you're covering it up, who cares?

Back to siding... It's just plywood with a rough exterior surface. I wouldn't think it's any stronger than the same thickness of ACX, but if it's cheaper, then rock on. I wouldn't hesitate to use it as the exterior surface. It would look rustic, and it wouldn't be so critical to get a perfect finish on it. It will likely have lens shaped patches on it. I'm not afraid of a less-than-perfect look if it looks like it was supposed to look less-than-perfect. I would be very unhappy if I spent $45 per sheet on perfect oak plywood and then messed up on the finish.

Be careful what you buy. Some siding is simply textured Masonite. Get real answers from real experts, not the pimple-faced "I think so" kid at a pretend lumber store.

[Guest]

If you are going to be skinning with aluminum or stainless steel, just make sure that what ever you cover over with your sheet metal, is sealed. There will be an air space between the sheetmetal skin and whatever you end up using. That air space will be a condensation area.

[DANL]

Rough surface siding and rough-sawn boards finish out in an interesting way. I've used them on items to be kept outdoors. The first step was to sand it with a random orbital sander--not smooth--just knock the rough down a bit. Next, I coated it with a coat of thinned latex and when dry, sanded it lightly by hand. A couple of coats of unthinned latex and it came out with a neat texture.

Be sure to experiment on scrap to see if you like the look. Hides a multitude of "sins".