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Plywood board and batten – how to – opinions

billybob111 | Posted in Construction Techniques on March 7, 2013 02:26am

Howdy,

I’m building a 14′ by 16′ cabin in western Wisconsin in a river valley. Summers are wet and humid and the winters dry and cold. It will have a wood burning stove but no running water or electricity.

I’m interested in using plywood for the siding, simulating board and batten.  I’ve found conflicting information on how to attach it.  One is to sheath the framing with plywood or osb, then building wrap or tar paper,  a rain screen and then attach the siding.  The other is to attach tar paper to the framing and the siding over this – directly to the studs.  Is one method superior to the other?  

When attaching the battens can I nail them directly to the plywood or do I need to add blocking?  If I can attach the battens without blocking, is a 3d or 4d nail OK for this?  I’m trying to keep from penetrating the plywood.

Thanks for any advice/help.

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  1. DanH | Mar 07, 2013 07:27am | #1

    Tradidionally, a setup like this was lucky if it got the tarpaper.

    I'd be tempted to cover the frame with housewrap (much better wind barrier than tarpaper) and just put the plywood over that, assuming the plywood you use is at least 1/2".  The battens should be spaced to fall over studs, so nail to the studs.

    You could, instead, first sheath with an insulating sheathing (foam or brownboard), then the wrap, then the plywood.  Not much point in two layers of plywood/OSB unless the siding will be thin or you want the place to be (more or less literally) bullet-proof.

    Are you planning to insulate?  How would you finish the inside?

  2. seeyou | Mar 07, 2013 07:35am | #2

    Sheath with a moisture barrier 1st. Rainscreen would be good. B&B is notoriuosly leaky. Make sure the doors and windows are flashed properly.

    1. DanH | Mar 07, 2013 08:14am | #4

      B&B is notoriuosly

      B&B is notoriuosly leaky.

      But this isn't really B&B.

      1. seeyou | Mar 08, 2013 08:20am | #6

        Actually, it is - just 4' wide boards.

  3. calvin | Mar 07, 2013 07:38am | #3

    bb

    You're going to want to lay a batten on the ply seams, so layout your wall frame so the battens look good but fall on a stud.  Nail length not a problem then, with 16" centered battens.  With your ply thick enough-at least 5/8", I don't think this cabin will suffer not being sheeted prior.

    I'd understand a rain screen if you sheeted first with ply or foam.

    Seal the plywood VERY WELL on the bottom (all edges wouldn't be overkill), maybe a water table and metal flashing to it.  Make sure you're up off the ground enough.

    Are you building this to some day "improve" the building?

    Plywood will move-ring shank, ardox or a barbed siding nail like Maze stormguard might keep everything tight.  A 3 or 4d nail is pretty small.  Battens to ply need to penetrate through the ply-hence the framing and 16" centers on the battens.  Go through and into the studs.

    1. billybob111 | Mar 09, 2013 05:46pm | #7

      No - this building will never be improved.  It's meant to be a weekend cabin and nothing more. 

      Could BC plywood, if sealed on all sides, be used or is that a dumb idea?

      1. DanH | Mar 09, 2013 06:23pm | #8

        You should use exterior plywood, or at least "exposure 1".  And, of course, a decent coat of paint, in addition to sealing the edges (and perhaps any plugs and knotholes).

  4. oldhand | Mar 08, 2013 07:53am | #5

    another option...

    My first thought would be 7/16 osb or plywood sheathing , 15# felt, then plywood siding.

    The right batt with the right fastener could be nailed or stapled anywhere you wanted .  

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