We are getting ready to remodel our existing coop that was already on our property when we bought our house. Currently it has corrugated metal sheets for the roof and siding. My dh would like to just reuse those. I don't mind the metal for the roof, but I find them extremely ugly to have it on all sides Do we have to put siding up, or can I just pain the plywood and call it good?
If you're tight for cash plywood would be fine. A thin pressure treated ply would be better. IF you put the plywood up and then rip down cheap 2x4's into strips you could tack those up for faux battens. Paint it up and call it done.. Gives the look of this, for much less of $$$. Be VERY careful when ripping thin material. Often times it's with thin cuts that something can go wrong on the table saw and end up getting bit. But so long as you're mindful and use the proper safety precautions it's fine.
Plywood is *fine*. The thicker it is, the longer it'll last (and I wouldn't use anything thinner than 3/8", and I'd be leery of using even that, on account of you'd be surprised what dogs and raccoons can do if they find any part they can get a good grip on). Prime and paint it well (thin not thick coats). As an alternative to faux battens, you can just paint thin stripes down it, can get all fancy and do a light line next to a dark line if you want extra realism. Suggest measuring, and pencilling guide lines if you have a very steady hand with a brush or (much better) using painters' tape on both sides of each line. Or paint it however else strikes your fancy You can often get a good selection of small volume, various colors paint remnants for cheap or free if you check around. Have fun, Pat
Just paint the metal siding. It will look good, and it is a lot cheaper and less work. Wash it with vinegar first, that way the paid will adhere better. Rufus
Chipboard, blandex, OSB and about 100 other names for the same thing, are not plywood. They won't work. The material separates into a thousand little flakes after it gets wet. Even painted it is poor material for any exterior work. I wouldn't recommend plywood either, as most isn't meant for exterior use. Check the one you intend to buy for "exposure rating". If it isn't marked for exterior application it will likely fail quickly. On the other hand, the old pole barn I converted to a coop was sided with ply and painted. It was pretty rough, but held up for 12 years on one coat of paint. I'm replacing the ply bit by bit with cement board (hardiboard).
