what grade plywood do you use

Fiver · 06-30-2010, 05:26 PM

What grade of plywood do you use to board your windows? I'm about to buy some sheets and go ahead and cut my boards. True marine plywood is super expensive...as a cheaper option, I've read that 5/8 inch CDX plywood is recommended by some. Is OSB an option? It's about half the price as CDX. As of right now, I'm probably leaning towards buying 5/8 inch X 4 X 8 sheets of CDX. 13 of those sheets would run me just over $220 dollars. Anyone know where I can get CDX for less than $17 per 5/8" x 4' x 8' sheet?

Let me know what has worked for you in the past.

jjam · 06-30-2010, 05:46 PM

Hey Fiver,

How will you secure boards to window openings? If with those clips, ensure CDX sheets are compatible

Just a thought.

Jimmy

wld1985 · 06-30-2010, 06:20 PM

I'd just Buy OSB, Either one Might not last too long after getting Wet... CDX warps after getting yet, But yet OSB will also... Buy OSB and then put some paint on it... I'd say just get 1/2 all your doing is Blocking things from hitting it, and most of the window.. Your windows are rated for around 100MPH or more... So you got 120mph wind the board is taking most of it if not all of it..

Big B · 06-30-2010, 07:36 PM

I personally would use CDX. I am not a fan of OSB. You call also paint the OSB with same results. I got 1/2 treated about 8 years ago. I have used them numerous times. I have had them since 2004. Besides a little fading they are still good. I store them in a shed.

Sea-r-cy · 06-30-2010, 10:47 PM

Spend a few $'s more and get 3/4" plywood. Much stronger than osb, not near as many splinters etc. CD is ok, you might want to spend a bit more for a nicer bc grade. Make sure that whatever you use has exterior glue.
Sea-r-cy

Fiver · 07-01-2010, 10:56 AM

alright, so i found some 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch CDX sheets at southeast salvage in Mobile for much cheaper than lowes, home depot, etc....I'll cut them, paint them, and put them in storage...thanks for the feedback everyone.

joebuck · 07-03-2010, 11:15 PM

1/2" cdx should be fine ... not much need for much more than that, especially if you got many windows to cover .... you'll be wore out!!!!

ACTIONJACKSON · 07-10-2010, 10:46 PM

yes, 3/4" cdx

MACPA · 07-11-2010, 08:44 AM

I'd call "Window World" and get their "Storm Shutter System." More expensive than plywood but a lot lighter and less mess. They were about 1/2 the price of others I was quoting when I got mine.

If not, then back to your original question I'd go with the plywood and be sure the hurricane clips worked on them with your windows. Number the sheets so you don't have to try and figure it out when there's a storm brewing.

mdejoie2 · 10-01-2010, 01:08 PM

not a fan of OSB it swells up after getting wet, if I was going as far as marine paywood i'd look at the ploy panels. For me a cheap 3/8 plywood is fine. I've only boarded up once in 20 years and that was Ivan keeping the wood was not an option

06-30-2010, 05:26 PM	#1
Fiver Senior Member Snapper Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 488	what grade plywood do you use What grade of plywood do you use to board your windows? I'm about to buy some sheets and go ahead and cut my boards. True marine plywood is super expensive...as a cheaper option, I've read that 5/8 inch CDX plywood is recommended by some. Is OSB an option? It's about half the price as CDX. As of right now, I'm probably leaning towards buying 5/8 inch X 4 X 8 sheets of CDX. 13 of those sheets would run me just over $220 dollars. Anyone know where I can get CDX for less than $17 per 5/8" x 4' x 8' sheet? Let me know what has worked for you in the past. Last edited by Fiver; 06-30-2010 at 05:33 PM.

06-30-2010, 10:47 PM	#5
Sea-r-cy Senior Member Grouper Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,072	plywood Spend a few $'s more and get 3/4" plywood. Much stronger than osb, not near as many splinters etc. CD is ok, you might want to spend a bit more for a nicer bc grade. Make sure that whatever you use has exterior glue. Sea-r-cy

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06-30-2010, 05:46 PM	#2
jjam Senior Member Sailfish Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,448	Hey Fiver, How will you secure boards to window openings? If with those clips, ensure CDX sheets are compatible Just a thought. Jimmy

06-30-2010, 06:20 PM	#3
wld1985 Senior Member White Marlin Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Pensacola Posts: 3,586	I'd just Buy OSB, Either one Might not last too long after getting Wet... CDX warps after getting yet, But yet OSB will also... Buy OSB and then put some paint on it... I'd say just get 1/2 all your doing is Blocking things from hitting it, and most of the window.. Your windows are rated for around 100MPH or more... So you got 120mph wind the board is taking most of it if not all of it..

06-30-2010, 07:36 PM	#4
Big B Senior Member Grouper Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 612	I personally would use CDX. I am not a fan of OSB. You call also paint the OSB with same results. I got 1/2 treated about 8 years ago. I have used them numerous times. I have had them since 2004. Besides a little fading they are still good. I store them in a shed.

07-01-2010, 10:56 AM	#6
Fiver Senior Member Snapper Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 488	alright, so i found some 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch CDX sheets at southeast salvage in Mobile for much cheaper than lowes, home depot, etc....I'll cut them, paint them, and put them in storage...thanks for the feedback everyone.

07-03-2010, 11:15 PM	#7
joebuck Senior Member Sailfish Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Pensacola Posts: 1,272	1/2" cdx should be fine ... not much need for much more than that, especially if you got many windows to cover .... you'll be wore out!!!!

07-10-2010, 10:46 PM	#8
ACTIONJACKSON Senior Member Trigger Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 384	yes, 3/4" cdx

07-11-2010, 08:44 AM	#9
MACPA Member Ruby Red Lip Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 86	I'd call "Window World" and get their "Storm Shutter System." More expensive than plywood but a lot lighter and less mess. They were about 1/2 the price of others I was quoting when I got mine. If not, then back to your original question I'd go with the plywood and be sure the hurricane clips worked on them with your windows. Number the sheets so you don't have to try and figure it out when there's a storm brewing.

10-01-2010, 01:08 PM	#10
mdejoie2 Member Ruby Red Lip Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Fort Walton Beach Posts: 45	not a fan of OSB it swells up after getting wet, if I was going as far as marine paywood i'd look at the ploy panels. For me a cheap 3/8 plywood is fine. I've only boarded up once in 20 years and that was Ivan keeping the wood was not an option

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