Hi, folks, I’m one of the Knots crowd. I’ve got a problem and would like your advice.
I’ve got to replace all of the soffit ends on our house. I was intending to paint the trim this summer/spring and when I climbed up to look at it, discovered that the soffit ends were just about shot. It’s not only delaminating, but has been for a while, the previous owner (who has now dropped below moron level in my opinion) painted over the delaminating plys instead of replacing them.
I’d like your recommendation on what sort of plywood to use — I’m thinking that an exterior marine grade with a high ply count would likely be the best one for the job.
Some details: three of the four soffit ends take heavy sun exposure. Current set — what’s left of them — appears to be ¾-inch. They’ll be painted rather than stained. I’m thinking of sealing the exposed edges with some sort of epoxy prior to painting them.
Thanks in advance for your time and trouble,
Replies
most around here use cedar. I myself use pressure plywood with sheetmetal covering it. The big mistake I see around here , is people chaulking all the seams before painting. It looks real good but if the roof leaks , the water will set on top of the soffitt rotting out the soffit and rafter tails. I rather have a telltale drip telling me the roof leaking.
I don`t know that marine grade is necessary.
I often use MDO ply with a good primer and several finish coats.
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Use Hardie board and vent strips.
The Morphine s eems to do no good at all..I'd run all the way if I would not fall...
Sphere,
Not sure if you've tried them but Hardie also makes Hardie Soffit. Basically 1/4" Hardie Plank with perforations. About 5 sq inches NFA I think. We are using them for the first time. I think they look a little better than vent strips and it's less cutting if you are going to be nipping the fiber cement anyway. The look is a matter of preference though.
Thanks, I have not used it yet but Greencu informed me of it just a couple weeks ago.
I think for my application 2 pcs. of siding and a 2" vent might fit perfectly. If not, the perf sounds real neat. Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
The Morphine s eems to do no good at all..I'd run all the way if I would not fall...