Subsitute for exterior plywood for coop

[DennisS]

I have finished the hen hideout skeleton, but I cannot find 1/4" or 3/8" or 11/32" exterior plywood. Need a substitute, any suggestions?

Thank, Dennis

 

[Bear1978]

Can you locate some used pallets and reuse the wood from that? I have the sides of my coop constructed from the 1x6 pieces from pallets.

 

[DennisS]

I am trying to keep it light. My last one was two heavy.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[Bear1978]

Due the lack of material availability you may be limited in what ‘light’ material you can use.

But MDF, OSB and particle board are the only plywood alternatives that come to mind. But I would not use particle board for a coop.

 

[BuckeyeAmy69]

Metal Barn siding. I asked around and got it free from a coworker.

 

[CluckerFamily]

I contacted a sawmill down the road for cheap lumber. Not sure if you have any in your area or in the countryside.

 

[MrFluffyandGirls]

Corrugated steel roofing panels are pretty cheap , light and rot resistant. Home depot or Lowes has sheets for around 20. bucks each

 

[Punkybrewster]

I use cedar or pine 1x6x7 fencing boards. You can get them at lowes for as little as $1.20 each. Depending on where you live, this could work.
Im in the south where we have mild winters so i dont worry about drafts as much as someone in colder climates.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I like the fence board idea.

If buying new shrink them FIRST or you will have big gaps unless you overlap them.

To shrink them lay them in the hot sun for a week no more than 3-4 per stack.

We just put up a new section of fence and in a week that 1/4" gap became 1/2".

With a little planning it could be done like board and batton siding.

So you see what it can look like....

https://sebringdesignbuild.com/24-board-and-batten-siding-ideas/

 

[DennisS]

Thank you for all your suggestions. I have a plan, just got to see if it will work. If all goes well, I will save the $130 I had allocated for the wood.

Again, thanks for all the helps.