Plywood vs. Masonite?
Randy Clarke
Sorry if this is in a faq somewhere, but I looked and the
house-faq was
unavailable.
My girlfriend and I are currently shopping for a new home in the
central
Texas area. As it stands now, we looking for a fully bricked, 1
story home.
It seems that the vast majority of builders that we have looked
at use
Masonite(tm) as the sheeting material on the sides and roof of the
home.
We have also found a couple of builders that use plywood
exclusively.
Which is better in terms of long term maintenance? Does it even
matter
what material we use if it's going to be covered by brick anyway?
If you ask the builder, they (very obviously) prefer whatever
material
they happen to be using...what's the *real* scoop?
Thanks,
Randy
Grego
>
> It seems that the vast majority of builders that we have looked
> at use
> Masonite(tm) as the sheeting material on the sides and roof of the
> home.
> We have also found a couple of builders that use plywood
> exclusively.
>
> Which is better in terms of long term maintenance? Does it even
> matter
> what material we use if it's going to be covered by brick anyway?
>
> If you ask the builder, they (very obviously) prefer whatever
> material
> they happen to be using...what's the *real* scoop?
> Thanks,
> Randy
Sometimes the names of products become generic terms used to describe
similar products from other manufacturers. So its hard to tell if we are
talking about the same thing. Masonite as I have known it comes in the
form of a laminated cardboard-like product that has a tough plastic
coating on the exterior face. As I remember, it came either as lap siding,
or as sheet panels like plywood. When I started as a helper, one of my
first jobs was replacing the masonite sheeting of an entire condo
community, as a result of a class action lawsuit against the developer.
Just last week the CEO of Louisiana Pacific Corp. was kicked out of his
job as a result of major class actions from all over the US regarding
their masonite siding (among other things). I've been told that it has
since been improved and that it is now a good product, but I still would
steer clear of it myself.
Plywood, on the other hand, is a tried and true value. Something of a
miracle product from the fifties. Its hard to go wrong with plywood.
P.S. I am not affiliated with with any Plywood manufacturing concern!
--
*********************************************************************
Mark
>
>
> Sorry if this is in a faq somewhere, but I looked and the
> house-faq was
> unavailable.
>
> My girlfriend and I are currently shopping for a new home in the
> central
> Texas area. As it stands now, we looking for a fully bricked, 1
> story home.
>
> at use
> Masonite(tm) as the sheeting material on the sides and roof of the
> home.
> We have also found a couple of builders that use plywood
> exclusively.
>
> Which is better in terms of long term maintenance? Does it even
> matter
> what material we use if it's going to be covered by brick anyway?
>
> If you ask the builder, they (very obviously) prefer whatever
> material
> they happen to be using...what's the *real* scoop?
>
> Thanks,
> Randy
Randy,
In response to your post. Plywood is generally a stronger product.
Plywood is manufactured using water-resistant glue (standard) or
water-proof glue (type X). Masonite is an inexpensive building
material which deteriorates if it is not protected from water.
Brick veneer does not protect from water. Paint does offer limited
protection from water damage.
If you are looking for an alternative exposed siding product, try
vinyl siding or fiberglass reinforced cement siding (Hardi-Siding
by Hardi building products).
If you are planning to install a brick veneer over the siding
product,you are needing 2 thins: 1) a barrier to water penetration
and 2) support for the brick veneer (actually support for the brick
ties).
Plywood will offer some strength, but i would reccommendd using a
water-vapor barrier such as Dupont's Tyvek House Wrap with the
plywood. There are other solutions, especially if the brick ties
are attached through the sheathing to the wall studs.
Seymour Dupa
: In response to your post. Plywood is generally a stronger product.
: Plywood is manufactured using water-resistant glue (standard) or
I take it that's what the 'X' stands for as in 'CDX' plywood?
--
*************************************************************
What's the difference between a dog and a fox?
- About 6 beers.
*************************************************************
Diane Carlson
the exterior - plywood is better and comes in exterior grade quality.
Masonite is fine for interior however...
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Diane Carlson
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Steve Holzworth
>Mark (pp...@ppis9.tamu.edu) wrote:
>: In response to your post. Plywood is generally a stronger product.
>: Plywood is manufactured using water-resistant glue (standard) or
>: water-proof glue (type X). . . . . . .
> I take it that's what the 'X' stands for as in 'CDX' plywood?
C grade on one face, D grade on the other, eXterior glue.
Sometimes it also says "Underlayment" meaning there are no voids in the
internal ply layers, making it suitable (required) for subflooring.
--
Steve Holzworth
s...@unx.sas.com "Do not attribute to poor spelling
SAS Institute x6872 That which is actually poor typing..."
SAS/Macintosh Development Team - me
Cary, N.C.