Siding material, ventilation, and other coop questions.

[black_cat]

Yes that is exactly what I used, easy to work with too!

Perfect!

 

[black_cat]

Aaaaaaaaaaaand here's the stage where I question if I'll actally be able to successfully build this thing without it falling apart. I've never built anything before and I'm really worried that I won't have enough support on something, or I won't attach it properly, or I won't be able to make it structurally sound, or it'll let drafts in, or it won't be predator proof, or-

 

[PuurveenM]

I have an A frame coop with plywood roof. It last quite a long time.. Especially if you use a good barn paint.

 

[RiverRanch]

When building a coop, can you just use plywood for siding? I mentioned it and was told that plywood wasn't meant to be used for things like that because it will not hold up well. Is this true? Is there something that you need to treat the wood with? Would painting it first help? How does this work?

My experience (in Florida) that T1-11 lasts about 5 years, painted or not. I have found a siding at Home Depot they call a Handi-panel. It looks like t-11 except it is thinner. It is made out of wood flakes held together in an epoxy. It has lasted me over 20 years without degradation. Cheaper and lighter to work with. My second choice would be Hardee Board;. It is harder, heavier, and costs more. Also more difficult to cut and secure.

 

[3KillerBs]

I just finished building a coop for my wife. I did decide to go with the t1-11 siding. I sealed it with two good coats of Barn Red paint and trimmed with barn white. ...

Lovely, classic look.

For the all-in-one barn paint, do I have to prime the material first? I believe it was @3KillerBs who suggested it?

Barn paint is designed to be put on rough wood without having to prep or prime it. Great stuff -- as long as you like the available colors.

 

[clucknpecker]

When building a coop, can you just use plywood for siding? I mentioned it and was told that plywood wasn't meant to be used for things like that because it will not hold up well. Is this true? Is there something that you need to treat the wood with? Would painting it first help? How does this work?

Im just completing my coop made from 3/4" exterior 'extreme weather' plywood. Ustabe called pressure treated, but no longer same quality. I built a box out of 5 sheets 4x8, bottom, top, front, back full sheets, 2 ends half sheets. I painted 2 coats kilz primer, will finish with regular latex paint. I covered exposed edges with 1x4 trim on corners, black rubber sealant on all up facing edges.
My idea was to use this thick ply structurally as well as covering, instead of typical framed and sheated construction. Few 2x4s were used.
So far, 3 months outside, mostly unpainted til now, no issues. And btw, t111 actually is plywood. Its laminated wood sheets. Only thing is, has grooves or other outer layer cosmetics added, and is often textured. You still need to paint, seal etc to prevent delamination.
One day ill be done, post some pics.
Cnp

 

[Brannon77]

Aaaaaaaaaaaand here's the stage where I question if I'll actally be able to successfully build this thing without it falling apart. I've never built anything before and I'm really worried that I won't have enough support on something, or I won't attach it properly, or I won't be able to make it structurally sound, or it'll let drafts in, or it won't be predator proof, or-

I felt the same way. I had never built anything larger than a dog house. I credit some very good framing videos on YouTube with the success in building our coop.

 

[HodgesHappyHens]

I haven’t read all the comments so sorry if I am repeating advice from another post.

I used 1/2 inch particle board for my walls and put on a metal roof with a large overhang to shield the walls from weather. I built this coop almost seven years ago, and have had no issues with rot or predators penetrations through the coop walls. My coop is three feet off the ground so the bottom doesn’t have ground moisture issues either

Living in upstate NY I have wind rain snow humidity and an occasional hot summer week and but the structure has held up very well.

Now particle board is not an particularly attractive option but I was less concerned with the look and more about functionality. I have frequently considered overlapping the particle board with board and battening but had other priorities.

 

[HodgesHappyHens]

Oh and Olives personally think plywood would be fine but I had the particle board and like to use up what I have instead of buying new. I did however put in a 3/4 inch Plywood floor covered with linoleum for strength and easy cleaning.

 

[black_cat]

I haven’t read all the comments so sorry if I am repeating advice from another post.

I used 1/2 inch particle board for my walls and put on a metal roof with a large overhang to shield the walls from weather. I built this coop almost seven years ago, and have had no issues with rot or predators penetrations through the coop walls. My coop is three feet off the ground so the bottom doesn’t have ground moisture issues either

Living in upstate NY I have wind rain snow humidity and an occasional hot summer week and but the structure has held up very well.

Now particle board is not an particularly attractive option but I was less concerned with the look and more about functionality. I have frequently considered overlapping the particle board with board and battening but had other priorities.

It's fine! It's a pretty long thread to read through. My parents do care about looks, so I'm expecting that we'll probably use something like T1-11 over particle board, but I am almost definitely going to do a metal roof! I'm either going to use corrugated metal or plastic. Only an occasional hot summer week? Lucky! We have a lot of heat in the summer so I think that I am going to put in some windows to add more ventilation when needed.