What is better on exterior rough sawn plywood siding: stain or paint; latex or oil?
The answer depends on a large assortment of variable not included in the question.
First and foremost in any paint application question are geography, exposure to elements, previous surface condtion, previous coating(s) condition (if any) and desired results. Results that might be acceptable on a barn might be considered a failure on the walls of an urban restaurant. The "plywood" also needs to be clearly defned – there are a number of grades with different woods unsed in their assembly (plus different adhesives).
The previous answer staing stain as an ideal material due to "penetration" would be applicable only to semi-transparent stains, not film-forming opaque types (which, as mentioned, are essentially paint under another name.)
I realize this answer is slightly jumbled and unclear – that’s simply because there is not enough information provided in the question to give you a "correct" answer.
If you refine the question by breaking down the products according to the following list (or similar) we may be able to offer specific assistance; but as the question was stated answers could actually cause problems, although they may be "right" in some circumstances.
PRODUCT TYPES:
acrylic solid-color stain
alkyd solid-color stain
acrylic semi-transparent stain
alkyd semi-transparent stain
acrylic paint (and "do I need a primer?")
alkyd paint (same primer questions included)
…and then fully-describe the type of plywood – types of plies, thickness, mosture content and whether or not waterproofing/weatherproofing will be installed first. The be specific about the use of the wood – exterior walls in a marine environment, desert, temperate climate etc.
Then a qualified answer can be given…probably. 😉 There may still be be a few followup questions, as some products are only available in certin locations due to environmental regulations.
But as the question was stated there is no "better or worse" product. Each product type can perform fine – depending on expectations. Comparing different product types is very difficult as results can vary widely depending on exposure conditions; formulations may vary diely as well, and what may work fine from one manufacturer could be a dismal failure from another.
As far as definitions go, acrylic solid-color (opaque) "stain" made by one manufacturer may be a relabel of acrylic wall paint; although there are differences in definition in air quality regulations the reality is they are often exactly the same thing wth a different label.
When comparing "paint" and "stain" (opaque) performance on a surface you also need to consider the age of the wood; moisture content (very critical and measurable by most qualified contractors), the wood’s tannin content (a natural material in redwood and cedar, for example, that often discolors directly-applied finishes) and the manufacturer’s recommendations, which will include moisture content linits, preparation requirements, primer options (if any), film build (wood surfaces generally are no appropriate for thick film paints, which will tend to crack…on the other hand, too thin a film may result in a blotchy appearance and discoloration.
It boils down to comparisons between apples, oranges, pears and celery. Each one is best in a particular circumstance; each may be a terrible choice in other cases.
Sorry an answer was not provided, but perhaps the information given will be of some help!
Best regards,
Jim
Since plywood is made up of many layers of wood that expand and contract, coatings applied to it are prone to cracking and checking. Stain is an ideal coating for rough sawn siding since it is designed to provide a natural, rustic appearance. Use either an alkyd semi-transparent or an alkyd or latex solid color stain. If a less-natural finish is desired, an acrylic latex primer followed by an acrylic latex topcoat can also be used. These types of paint will protect the wood from the elements and be resistant to cracking and checking. Avoid using an alkyd primer and topcoat system, as it could lead to early paint failure and possible damage to the siding from moisture and sunlight.
Related Questions
- Is acrylic latex paint a good product for rough-sawn exterior grade plywood siding? Should the plywood siding be treated with a preservative before applying the primer and then topcoat?
- What is better on exterior rough sawn plywood siding: stain or paint; latex or oil?
- How Do You Stain Exterior Wood Siding?
