Plywood cladding – surface checking
Listed under: Exterior, timber and wood-based, plywood, cladding, walls, moisture, wall cladding, plywood sheets or planks
Cause
Thermal movement of timber
Repair
- if checking is only to the top layer of the ply (approximately 1.5 mm) in 5 ply or thicker, the checking is not a problem; re-apply paint or stain using a lighter rather than a darker colour to reduce the likelihood of further checking
- if checking is deeper than the exterior layer of ply, replace damaged sheets
Cause
Effect of weathering or UV deterioration
Repair
- if checking is only to the top layer of the ply (approximately 1.5 mm) in 5 ply or thicker, the checking is not a problem; re-apply paint or stain using a lighter rather than a darker colour to reduce the likelihood of further checking
- if checking is deeper than the exterior layer of ply, replace damaged sheets
Cause
Swelling/shrinkage due to moisture absorption
Repair
- if checking is only to the top layer of the ply (approximately 1.5 mm) in 5 ply or thicker, the checking is not a problem; re-apply paint or stain using a lighter rather than a darker colour to reduce the likelihood of further checking
- if checking is deeper than the exterior layer of ply, replace damaged sheets
Cause
Coating failure
Repair
- if checking is only to the top layer of the ply (approximately 1.5 mm) in 5 ply or thicker, the checking is not a problem; re-apply paint or stain using a lighter rather than a darker colour to reduce the likelihood of further checking
- if checking is deeper than the exterior layer of ply, replace damaged sheets