This Spring I am building an extensive trellis in Idaho. I want to use halfround gusset plates (8×16″) to connect various struts and overhead members; since the loads will be minor, these will serve mostly an esthetic function. I was going to cut them (need 32) out of 3/4″ marine ply or MDO and paint them an accent color. I’m concerned about delamination and how the plywood will hold up in that climate (hot/dry to below freezing; not a lot of moisture) and what kind of primer/paint to use. I read various posts about marine v/s MDO but nothing conclusive. Preferences/suggestions?
Ben
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I'd use MDO. I have scraps that have never been painted laying around here for years that haven't suffered.
But you should design this in such a way that you are not trapping water in those joints.
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MDO will work quite well. It is designed as a sign board for outdoor advertising, and takes paint well.
Another option would be the phenolic overlay / phenolic glued plywood used for concrete forms. It is more durable, but paint adhesion could be problematic.
If it's just aesthetic, could you use Komax, or TuffBoard, or Azek?
Forrest
Several gussets will carry enough load to warrant 3/4" ply. I am not familiar with the products you mentioned, Forrest; I suspect they are either vinyl or cementboard. I would prefer more of a "wood" product, seems like MDO has the upper hand sofar.
Ben