plywood siding vs, "siding" siding for my coop

[Ravishaw]

Alo there, and "HI!" to everyone I've been reading for the past four months.

Building my coop to withstand an earthquake. I'm using SMITH metal connectors, 4x4 posts, I even used landscape fabric, chicken wire, gravel, and lastly sand in the pan of my chicken coop. All in all it looks rather loaded... But it has zero walls.

At this point I'm a bit timid about putting up plywood and painting it because I'm afraid the wood will look tacky or dorky. Siding, the heavier material, is ready to paint but quite a bit more expensive. There's a lumber shop not too far from where I live, (not a home depot but an actual lumber shop), and I was wondering if people have different takes on what to use. I live in HOT HOT Phoenix, so I don't really have to insulate. Just looking for ideas, thanks.

 

[gryeyes]

I'm cheap, I used exterior grade plywood and painted it.

 

[Ravishaw]

That's kind of what I'm leaning towards...

What thickness did you use?

 

[patandchickens]

If you are concerned about the aesthetics of painted plain-plywood walls, what about adding some thin strips of wood vertically, spaced every 6-8" apart, so that it looks like board and batten? That is an EXTREMELY common 'upgrade' for plywood siding

In fact if you are not overly concerned with longevity or the possible need for repairs to the battens in future, you can just stick 'em on with construction adhesive. Let dry well, then paint the whole thing.

You can use 1x2 furring strips, or whatever cheap furring or doorstop or trim strips you can find for cheap/free that look appropriate. Do use real wood not mdf though.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[teach1rusl]

Do you guys have T1-11 out there? It's cheaper than "siding" siding, but looks nicer than plywood... we bought a very thin version.

 

[elmo]

You could use plywood but stain it instead. That's what I did. There are pictures on my BYC page.

 

[gryeyes]

I went all out and used 3/4 inch plywood, for the floor AND for the walls. (It was "fun" putting the walls up, trust me, all by myself!! HEAVY!)

I think it turned out pretty darned good.

But I used the silver-shielded half-inch stuff for the ceiling, then covered that with the ripply, something-or-other rubber-ish roof panels. White, to further reflect the heat.

 

[CityChook]

Quote:
I used T1-11 on my coop, too. And plywood on the inside. I don't think it looks tacky at all.

 

[jeremy]

I can promise you whether you use plywood or siding, either way, your chickens aren't going to care.

 

[Backyard_Chicken_rancher]

Quote:
Agreed...................

It can even be painted to match the house or barn or anything.