DIY Playhouse - Is Plywood ok for outdoor use?

omega99

Hi All,

I'm going to build a DIY kids playhouse from plans I got online.
Everything on the plans is fine, standard size treated and stud timbers with the exception of the side panels of the house. Its a US design and they are using some form a sheet laminate / composite material.
As we all know timber prices have gone through the roof here in the last few months so I hope to try and keep the costs down if I can. With that, would it be ok to use plywood or OSB board on the sides of the play house?
(I will also use it on the roof but cover with felt)
Would waterproof paint be enough to protect plywood from our damp weather or is plywood a NO NO for all external projects?

All replies appreciated!

B

magicbastarder

i think WBP is what you'd be looking for - ply with waterproof glue IIRC.

punisher5112

Marine ply isn't it

magicbastarder

i once asked for marine ply in a builders providers and was told no, WBP is what it is now.

punisher5112

magicbastarder wrote: »

i once asked for marine ply in a builders providers and was told no, WBP is what it is now.

Oh ok sorry always knew it as that, I hear pressure treated a lot these days.

Dr Turk Turkelton

I done one last year with plans from some American guy.
I tweaked them a little re heights and lengths.
Here is my attempt:
https://touch.boards.ie/thread/2058088760/1/#post113796599

maestroamado

https://tjomahony.ie/08mply8412n.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwtdeFBhBAEiwAKOIy56I26YO7eX1BfYHRjYRO1tixMrLMSqQ2dCFP71-CIMV_O90mLrsg1hoCPdMQAvD_BwE

SpitfireIV

Marine ply, WBP, hard faced ply etc etc.....personally I find it all junk these days, I call it 'chinese ply', they last no lenght outdoors and before long delaminate. Hell, I remember in the not too distant past even shutter ply held up a heck of a lot longer outdoors than most current 'outdoor' rated plys.

Ask around, see what the quality is like and if you do go this route just make sure and seal up all the ends with a decent oil based paint. Or better still, like Dr Turk, go the ship lap route.

tabby aspreme

To get good plywood, you probably need to go to the specialist timber suppliers, like Strahans or Woodworkers, they have all the different grades

blueskys

Paint it with a good exterior sealer like zinsser and then paint over that you should be fine

phormium

I see in a local garden centre where they have an oudoor play area with some very nice wood built play houses/things the plywood is all starting to delaminate at edges. They are well painted and maintained and I imagine built from the proper stuff as it's a top end sort of place but the weather still got to them!