Clapboard Siding (follow-up to exterior repair question)

[Suzie-Q]

Is it necessary to use clapboard siding on the side of of house, or is it just a cosmetic thing. Could one use just a big piece (or pieces) of plywood?

No - seriously.

[m Ransley]

if you like plywood use plywood If you like saving all your old cars save them if you like tall grass dont cut it if you like the 4x8 look do it

I guess I havnt seen the 4x8 look is that what they call Shabby Sheek.

Or Shack Cheep. Or Crap Heep

[Suzie-Q]

I'm poor and in central Texas. I think I could get away with it!

Why not plywood with a faux finish?!!

[Dan Hartung]

The design of clapboard is intended to splash, or wick, water away from the building.

Of course there are other options such as vertical lap siding or board and batten, so the angle of attack isn't the only issue.

Normally plywood *is* used as what's called the underlayment, on top of which goes a vapor barrier such as homewrap, and then the siding. This multi-layer construction provides fewer routes for water to enter your home. If you just have one piece of plywood, and it's protected at the top by an eave or such, it might work -- but then you have the question of sealing at the joint between two plywood pieces, and that's a problem.

At any rate you should be using "exterior grade plywood" which is thicker and has a different composition intended to resist warping and leaking.

Clapboard really isn't that much more expensive, especially for a small project.

[m Ransley]

You will get water inbetween the seams , treated or marine grade is expensive , but im not sure for a comparison, The seams will never look good, better to just check siding prices.

[Charles Bishop]

^ shear panel?

Horizontal joints get Z-bar flashing, vertical joints use a lap joint built into the plywood.

5/8" usually, follow the nailing schedule. Plywood costs are way up here.

charles