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DIY Playhouse - Is Plywood ok for outdoor use?

  • 01-06-2021 9:33pm
    #1
    Registered Users Posts: 15


    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


Comments

  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 47,974 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


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


  • Registered Users Posts: 24,647 ✭✭✭✭punisher5112


    Marine ply isn't it


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 47,974 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


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


  • Registered Users Posts: 24,647 ✭✭✭✭punisher5112


    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.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,861 ✭✭✭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


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  • Registered Users Posts: 4,504 ✭✭✭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.


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,828 ✭✭✭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


  • Registered Users Posts: 164 ✭✭blueskys


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


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,267 ✭✭✭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!


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