Replies

1. 
   Jeff_Clarke | Jul 21, 2009 08:35am | #1

   Stucco with control joints.

   or

   Hardisoffit panels - http://www.jameshardie.com/homeowner/products_soffit_hardiesoffit.py

   Jeff

   
   

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   Edited 7/21/2009 1:39 am ET by Jeff_Clarke

2. 
   fingersandtoes | Jul 21, 2009 12:28pm | #2

   What about Medex? And rather than trying to hide the joints, what about playing them up? Cut the sheets into appropriately sized squares, bevel the edges with a router and fasten with stainless screws with show washers. Three coats of varethane and you are done for years.

1. 
   Jeff_Clarke | Jul 21, 2009 01:57pm | #4

   Medex is an interior-use product.

   Jeff

1. 
   fingersandtoes | Jul 21, 2009 08:09pm | #7

   Isn't Medex exterior grade Medite? Hence the "ex"?

3. 
   dedhed6b | Jul 21, 2009 01:51pm | #3

   Consider v-match pine, prime and paint before install. If it is not directly exposed to the weather it will last a life time

   "Shawdow boxing the appoclipse and wandering the land"
   Wier/Barlow

1. 
   wane | Jul 21, 2009 03:05pm | #5

   yup, 1 X 6 t&g, but I prefer western red cedar

1. 
   smllr | Jul 21, 2009 03:32pm | #6

   I too would prefer cedar if the budget allowed. I recently paid $0.45/lineal foot for 1x6 T&G v-groove white pine. Knotty for sure, but after priming with BIN and two coats of paint, it looks good to my eye.Steve

2. 
   CorvetteC6 | Jul 22, 2009 05:39pm | #8

   I looked up medex and it is for INTERIOR use. Medite is the higher quality product but the web site does not spell out its intended use vice interior vs exterior. I too would prefer the T & G look of wood - but Virginia (Northern part South of DC) is so humid that mold grows on virtually everything and I can't see that that would lead to ease of maintenance. Yep, I know the mold will also eventually get to a smooth surface but it is much easier to clean - plus this Buddhist Church is very modern, clean open surfaces unlike any Buddhist Church you may have seen or imagined - thus the need for a ceiling to this breezeway that has as clean a look as I can get it. Even thinking of leaving a 1" space between each sheet of whatever I end up using and putting some screen wire behind the open space to keep the bugs, wasps, birds from getting behind it, simply to make the installation easy, the maintenance would be easy (no joints to crack). A 4 x 8 sheet will fit across the 8' span so I will only have lateral joining edges. So my question is still un-resolved about what kind of material have you guys used that would fit my idea or at least come close. I will certainly do more digging to learn more about Medite.

1. 
   DaveRicheson | Jul 22, 2009 06:51pm | #9

   For a slick , clean look MDO would be my choice. Prime all sides before installation, and top coat after.

   We used it on several commercial buildings as soffit panels. It is very stable and if back primed will hold a finish coat of paint for many years.

   I like your screen wire/vent spacing idea to eliminate joints. I would install it with Pl premium adhesives and galv. finished nails to hold it while the glue sets, If your joist are 16" oc, a 3/8" thickness would work fine with no sagging. On 2' centers I would move up to 1/2".

2. 
   fingersandtoes | Jul 22, 2009 07:30pm | #11

   Medite is for interior use. Med - ex is exterior Medite. It is moisture resistant Medite. Although generally not recommended as a siding or for other areas where it is exposed to direct heavy rain, it is however used extensively for exterior signs which take a lot of weather and protected areas such as soffits and siding under cover. 

1. 
   CorvetteC6 | Jul 22, 2009 08:32pm | #13

   Think it will be MDO!! Saw a Bob Vila clip and the builder was using MDO for some extremely large soffits. It comes factory primed (don't ever get cement board siding without getting the factory primed version - that stuff is a sponge for paint.) Plus some other sources that made MDO seem like the winner. MEDEX - is for damp areas but the literature as found on the web states it is for interior use!! Perhaps for Kitchen and Bath built is?? Thanks much for everyone's input - I love this site and how easy it is to get some very sound and informed advice (don't get me wrong, there is some half baked advice - BUT, way out weighed by the good stuff.) Thanks again.

1. 
   fingersandtoes | Jul 23, 2009 01:16am | #14

   Sounds like you have solved your problem. Good luck, enjoy the summer.

2. 
   Piffin | Jul 23, 2009 02:41am | #15

   MDO would be worse than sheetrock for this, but MEDEX may do you fine.For years I used it in wet locations and it was sold as exterior product. but I think they may have had to change the ingredients and dumbed it down some for govmt low VOC rules, leading to the interior damp location rating instead of exterior.It will still move and swell with thermal changes though so don't install it tight at edges or it will pop itself loose and fall down. Gap for movement.And it is very dense and heavy, so you'll need help lifting it, you'll need dust masks for cutting it, and some patience might come in handy too.Other than that, I love the stuff for some things. used it for the base under my laminate on my countertops 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

4. 
   peteshlagor | Jul 22, 2009 07:09pm | #10

   Can't believe I'm saying this, but it IS having very good service on my house, under the deck of a raised covered screened in porch. 

   This porch - or better marketed as a "enclosed patio room" - has insulated ceiling panels (like SIPS) and fiberglass batts under, betwixt the floor joists, thus making this a dry area under the former raised deck.  (Walkout patio under, giving a 10' head clearance for down below.)  The contractor, simply put up a white perforated vinyl soffit underneath.  In rows so it covers the entire 12 x 14 area.  I've powerwashed it off once in the 8 years I've been in this place and it looks like new.  It simply doesn't get dirty.

    

5. 
   Piffin | Jul 22, 2009 08:31pm | #12

   There is an Azec T&G beaded board 7/16" thick thaat works great for this. Have not had a problem with expansion

    

    

   Welcome to the
   Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
    where ...
   Excellence is its own reward!