Is t1-11 hardboard or plywood?

[mm]

I've looked for a definition on the web and it seems that T1-11 is
hardboard. But I've also seen it called plywood. Which is it?

I thought they were very different. Plywood is iiuc 3 or more layers
of wood, where each layer comes from putting a log on a big lathe and
taking off a continuous strip of wood, each layer deeper into the log
for every rotation of the lathe. That's why one sees a repetitive
pattern on plywood, because if that part of the tree is 16 inches in
circumference, every 16 inches one sees a different level of the same
branches, etc.

Hardboard otoh in wikipedia is described "Hardboard, also called
high-density fiberboard, is a type of fiberboard, which is an
engineered wood product. It is similar to particleboard and
medium-density fiberboard, but is denser and much stronger and harder
because it is made out of exploded wood fibers that have been highly
compressed. Consequently, the density of hardboard is 31 lbs. or more
per cubic foot[1] and is usually about 50-65 lbs. per cubic foot. It
differs from particle board in that the bonding of the wood fibers
requires no additional materials,[2] although resin is often added.
Unlike particleboard, it will not split or crack. It is used in
construction and furniture."

I think T1-11 is heavier than plywood of the same thickness. It seems
to be hardboard. Right?

Thanks.

[Tony Hwang]

Post by mm
I've looked for a definition on the web and it seems that T1-11 is
hardboard. But I've also seen it called plywood. Which is it?
I thought they were very different. Plywood is iiuc 3 or more layers
of wood, where each layer comes from putting a log on a big lathe and
taking off a continuous strip of wood, each layer deeper into the log
for every rotation of the lathe. That's why one sees a repetitive
pattern on plywood, because if that part of the tree is 16 inches in
circumference, every 16 inches one sees a different level of the same
branches, etc.
Hardboard otoh in wikipedia is described "Hardboard, also called
high-density fiberboard, is a type of fiberboard, which is an
engineered wood product. It is similar to particleboard and
medium-density fiberboard, but is denser and much stronger and harder
because it is made out of exploded wood fibers that have been highly
compressed. Consequently, the density of hardboard is 31 lbs. or more
per cubic foot[1] and is usually about 50-65 lbs. per cubic foot. It
differs from particle board in that the bonding of the wood fibers
requires no additional materials,[2] although resin is often added.
Unlike particleboard, it will not split or crack. It is used in
construction and furniture."
I think T1-11 is heavier than plywood of the same thickness. It seems
to be hardboard. Right?
Thanks.

Hi,
My cabin built in '97 used this material as exterior horizontal sidng.
T1-11 is hardboard. Ours has natural wood color with grains Ver very
hard. Driving nail on it is not easy. I used screws when I had to hang
or attach something. It came with a 20 year warranty for color and still
it looks like just installed. Better fire resistant than plywood as well,

[Edwin Pawlowski]

Post by mm
I've looked for a definition on the web and it seems that T1-11 is
hardboard. But I've also seen it called plywood. Which is it?
I thought they were very different. Plywood is iiuc 3 or more layers
of wood, where each layer comes from putting a log on a big lathe and
taking off a continuous strip of wood, each layer deeper into the log
for every rotation of the lathe.

You are correct. Hardboard. I've never seen any plies so it can't be
plywood. Ignorant people often refer to man made wood as plywood or plywood
flooring as laminate even though it is not.

[aemeijers]

Post by Edwin Pawlowski

Post by mm
I've looked for a definition on the web and it seems that T1-11 is
hardboard. But I've also seen it called plywood. Which is it?
I thought they were very different. Plywood is iiuc 3 or more layers
of wood, where each layer comes from putting a log on a big lathe and
taking off a continuous strip of wood, each layer deeper into the log
for every rotation of the lathe.

You are correct. Hardboard. I've never seen any plies so it can't be
plywood. Ignorant people often refer to man made wood as plywood or plywood
flooring as laminate even though it is not.

MODERN t 1-11 is usually OSB with a layer of ply on the pretty side, or
sometimes even a 'prefinished' plastic skin. REAL t 1-11, like we used
back in the stone age, is indeed plywood. As a kid I humped plenty of
it, in full 1/2" and 5/8" thicknesses. No idea if the real stuff is
available any more, since I no longer swing a hammer for money.

--
aem sends...

[SteveBell]

Post by mm
I've looked for a definition on the web and it seems that T1-11 is
hardboard. But I've also seen it called plywood. Which is it?
I thought they were very different. Plywood is iiuc 3 or more layers
of wood, where each layer comes from putting a log on a big lathe and
taking off a continuous strip of wood, each layer deeper into the log
for every rotation of the lathe. That's why one sees a repetitive
pattern on plywood, because if that part of the tree is 16 inches in
circumference, every 16 inches one sees a different level of the same
branches, etc.
Hardboard otoh in wikipedia is described "Hardboard, also called
high-density fiberboard, is a type of fiberboard, which is an
engineered wood product. It is similar to particleboard and
medium-density fiberboard, but is denser and much stronger and harder
because it is made out of exploded wood fibers that have been highly
compressed. Consequently, the density of hardboard is 31 lbs. or more
per cubic foot[1] and is usually about 50-65 lbs. per cubic foot. It
differs from particle board in that the bonding of the wood fibers
requires no additional materials,[2] although resin is often added.
Unlike particleboard, it will not split or crack. It is used in
construction and furniture."
I think T1-11 is heavier than plywood of the same thickness. It seems
to be hardboard. Right?

T1-11 is either plywood or OSB (Oriented Strand Board) with grooves cut
vertically to simulate wood planks. The term "T1-11" apparently refers
to "Texture 1-11", a description of its appearance.

Plywood is, as you state, several layers of wood glued together. The
grain is perpendicular in alternating layers, making the sheet very
stable and resistant to size changes due to humidity.

OSB is "flakes" of wood glued together. The grain of the flakes is
alternated in different layers to make the panel stable, similarly to
plywood.

The T1-11 I've bought has been slightly lighter than the same thickness
plywood because of the missing wood in the grooves.

Hardboard siding is available with pressed-in textures that look a lot
like T1-11, but it's more fragile and more easily damaged by water. I
once had a house with this type of siding, and it's a lot of trouble.

Trivia:
Fiberboard comes in LDF (Low Density), MDF (Medium Density), and HDF
(High Density). Pegboard is typically LDF, painted or hidden parts of
cabinets is typically MDF, and Masonite is a common brand of HDF.

[Tony Hwang]

Post by SteveBell

Post by mm
I've looked for a definition on the web and it seems that T1-11 is
hardboard. But I've also seen it called plywood. Which is it?
I thought they were very different. Plywood is iiuc 3 or more layers
of wood, where each layer comes from putting a log on a big lathe and
taking off a continuous strip of wood, each layer deeper into the log
for every rotation of the lathe. That's why one sees a repetitive
pattern on plywood, because if that part of the tree is 16 inches in
circumference, every 16 inches one sees a different level of the same
branches, etc.
Hardboard otoh in wikipedia is described "Hardboard, also called
high-density fiberboard, is a type of fiberboard, which is an
engineered wood product. It is similar to particleboard and
medium-density fiberboard, but is denser and much stronger and harder
because it is made out of exploded wood fibers that have been highly
compressed. Consequently, the density of hardboard is 31 lbs. or more
per cubic foot[1] and is usually about 50-65 lbs. per cubic foot. It
differs from particle board in that the bonding of the wood fibers
requires no additional materials,[2] although resin is often added.
Unlike particleboard, it will not split or crack. It is used in
construction and furniture."
I think T1-11 is heavier than plywood of the same thickness. It seems
to be hardboard. Right?

T1-11 is either plywood or OSB (Oriented Strand Board) with grooves cut
vertically to simulate wood planks. The term "T1-11" apparently refers
to "Texture 1-11", a description of its appearance.
Plywood is, as you state, several layers of wood glued together. The
grain is perpendicular in alternating layers, making the sheet very
stable and resistant to size changes due to humidity.
OSB is "flakes" of wood glued together. The grain of the flakes is
alternated in different layers to make the panel stable, similarly to
plywood.
The T1-11 I've bought has been slightly lighter than the same thickness
plywood because of the missing wood in the grooves.
Hardboard siding is available with pressed-in textures that look a lot
like T1-11, but it's more fragile and more easily damaged by water. I
once had a house with this type of siding, and it's a lot of trouble.
Fiberboard comes in LDF (Low Density), MDF (Medium Density), and HDF
(High Density). Pegboard is typically LDF, painted or hidden parts of
cabinets is typically MDF, and Masonite is a common brand of HDF.

Hi,
Looking at my siding, there is no real wood in the material looking at
the cross section.

[Bob]

Post by Tony Hwang
Looking at my siding, there is no real wood in the material looking at
the cross section.

what's in there?

[mm]

Post by mm
I've looked for a definition on the web and it seems that T1-11 is
hardboard. But I've also seen it called plywood. Which is it?

Wow, there was a lot more to this question than I thought there was.
That's often the case. I'm glad I asked. Thanks, guys.

[bobmct]

Post by mm

Post by mm
I've looked for a definition on the web and it seems that T1-11 is
hardboard. But I've also seen it called plywood. Which is it?

Wow, there was a lot more to this question than I thought there was.
That's often the case. I'm glad I asked. Thanks, guys.

FYI - The botton of the door on my 25+ year old shed was rotted so I needed
to replace it. A few trips to the home centers showed 2 products that
looked similar. One was a hardboard but the other, the ONLY one actually
labeled T1-11, was plywood which is what was on my shed. I purchased the
latter. It is in fact plywood and matched the old one perfectly.

[willshak]

Post by mm

Post by mm
I've looked for a definition on the web and it seems that T1-11 is
hardboard. But I've also seen it called plywood. Which is it?

Wow, there was a lot more to this question than I thought there was.
That's often the case. I'm glad I asked. Thanks, guys.

Picture of T1-11
Loading Image...

[Robert Allison]

Post by mm
I've looked for a definition on the web and it seems that T1-11 is
hardboard. But I've also seen it called plywood. Which is it?
I thought they were very different. Plywood is iiuc 3 or more layers
of wood, where each layer comes from putting a log on a big lathe and
taking off a continuous strip of wood, each layer deeper into the log
for every rotation of the lathe. That's why one sees a repetitive
pattern on plywood, because if that part of the tree is 16 inches in
circumference, every 16 inches one sees a different level of the same
branches, etc.
Hardboard otoh in wikipedia is described "Hardboard, also called
high-density fiberboard, is a type of fiberboard, which is an
engineered wood product. It is similar to particleboard and
medium-density fiberboard, but is denser and much stronger and harder
because it is made out of exploded wood fibers that have been highly
compressed. Consequently, the density of hardboard is 31 lbs. or more
per cubic foot[1] and is usually about 50-65 lbs. per cubic foot. It
differs from particle board in that the bonding of the wood fibers
requires no additional materials,[2] although resin is often added.
Unlike particleboard, it will not split or crack. It is used in
construction and furniture."
I think T1-11 is heavier than plywood of the same thickness. It seems
to be hardboard. Right?
Thanks.

As others have said, T1-11 is plywood. It comes in 3/8" or 5/8"
thicknesses and either 4" or 8" wide options. Hardboard siding has
been manufactured to look like T1-11, but it is in fact, hardboard
siding with a finish "like" T1-11. Even Hardipanels come with a
T1-11 finish, although they call it Sierra 8. That doesn't make it
T1-11.

[Reed]

Post by Robert Allison

Post by mm
I've looked for a definition on the web and it seems that T1-11 is
hardboard. But I've also seen it called plywood. Which is it?
I thought they were very different. Plywood is iiuc 3 or more layers
of wood, where each layer comes from putting a log on a big lathe and
taking off a continuous strip of wood, each layer deeper into the log
for every rotation of the lathe. That's why one sees a repetitive
pattern on plywood, because if that part of the tree is 16 inches in
circumference, every 16 inches one sees a different level of the same
branches, etc.
Hardboard otoh in wikipedia is described "Hardboard, also called
high-density fiberboard, is a type of fiberboard, which is an
engineered wood product. It is similar to particleboard and
medium-density fiberboard, but is denser and much stronger and harder
because it is made out of exploded wood fibers that have been highly
compressed. Consequently, the density of hardboard is 31 lbs. or more
per cubic foot[1] and is usually about 50-65 lbs. per cubic foot. It
differs from particle board in that the bonding of the wood fibers
requires no additional materials,[2] although resin is often added.
Unlike particleboard, it will not split or crack. It is used in
construction and furniture."
I think T1-11 is heavier than plywood of the same thickness. It seems
to be hardboard. Right?
Thanks.

As others have said, T1-11 is plywood. It comes in 3/8" or 5/8"
thicknesses and either 4" or 8" wide options. Hardboard siding has been
manufactured to look like T1-11, but it is in fact, hardboard siding
with a finish "like" T1-11. Even Hardipanels come with a T1-11 finish,
although they call it Sierra 8. That doesn't make it T1-11.

OK. so what do you call the stuff on my house , a tract home built
in 1971, which has siding that "looks" like T-111 but is
definitely not plywood (like the other posters picture). It is
some kind of composition I would compare to thick cardboard. If
allowed to get wet, it swells like a roll of paper towels would.
And it does not hold a screw very well at all.

[ChairMan]

Post by Reed

Post by Robert Allison

Post by mm
I've looked for a definition on the web and it seems that T1-11 is
hardboard. But I've also seen it called plywood. Which is it?
I thought they were very different. Plywood is iiuc 3 or more
layers of wood, where each layer comes from putting a log on a big
lathe and taking off a continuous strip of wood, each layer deeper
into the log for every rotation of the lathe. That's why one sees
a repetitive pattern on plywood, because if that part of the tree
is 16 inches in circumference, every 16 inches one sees a different
level of the same branches, etc.
Hardboard otoh in wikipedia is described "Hardboard, also called
high-density fiberboard, is a type of fiberboard, which is an
engineered wood product. It is similar to particleboard and
medium-density fiberboard, but is denser and much stronger and
harder because it is made out of exploded wood fibers that have
been highly compressed. Consequently, the density of hardboard is
31 lbs. or more per cubic foot[1] and is usually about 50-65 lbs.
per cubic foot. It differs from particle board in that the bonding
of the wood fibers requires no additional materials,[2] although
resin is often added. Unlike particleboard, it will not split or
crack. It is used in construction and furniture."
I think T1-11 is heavier than plywood of the same thickness. It
seems to be hardboard. Right?
Thanks.

As others have said, T1-11 is plywood. It comes in 3/8" or 5/8"
thicknesses and either 4" or 8" wide options. Hardboard siding has
been manufactured to look like T1-11, but it is in fact, hardboard
siding with a finish "like" T1-11. Even Hardipanels come with a
T1-11 finish, although they call it Sierra 8. That doesn't make it
T1-11.

OK. so what do you call the stuff on my house , a tract home built
in 1971, which has siding that "looks" like T-111 but is
definitely not plywood (like the other posters picture). It is
some kind of composition I would compare to thick cardboard. If
allowed to get wet, it swells like a roll of paper towels would.
And it does not hold a screw very well at all.

Masonite

[David Nebenzahl]

Post by SteveBell

Post by Reed
OK. so what do you call the stuff on my house , a tract home built
in 1971, which has siding that "looks" like T-111 but is
definitely not plywood (like the other posters picture). It is
some kind of composition I would compare to thick cardboard. If
allowed to get wet, it swells like a roll of paper towels would.
And it does not hold a screw very well at all.

Masonite

Or, more generically, hardboard.

[Kirby]

Post by Robert Allison
As others have said, T1-11 is plywood. It comes in 3/8" or 5/8"
thicknesses and either 4" or 8" wide options.

Here they offer an additional option to the 4 & 8" O.C. grooves, they offer
it with a 12" O.C.

They also offer it in yellow pine, or fir, with fir being more expense.

24 years ago, I finished my place with 5/8", 8" O.C. fir. I have stained it
twice. It still looks fantastic.

[mm]

Post by Kirby

Post by Robert Allison
As others have said, T1-11 is plywood. It comes in 3/8" or 5/8"
thicknesses and either 4" or 8" wide options.

Here they offer an additional option to the 4 & 8" O.C. grooves, they offer
it with a 12" O.C.
They also offer it in yellow pine, or fir, with fir being more expense.
24 years ago, I finished my place with 5/8", 8" O.C. fir. I have stained it
twice. It still looks fantastic.

By stained, you mean a "clear" stain that you can see grain through?
if there is a grain.

Or do you mean pignmented stain, that these houses were done in, that
seems an awful lot like paint to me?

[Kirby]

Post by mm
By stained, you mean a "clear" stain that you can see grain through?
if there is a grain.
Or do you mean pignmented stain, that these houses were done in, that
seems an awful lot like paint to me?

The first time I stained, I used a colored transparent stain. The last
time, I used a solid stain. The transparent stain does not hold up to our
Midwest elements as well as the solid stain.

When you say : "Or do you mean pignmented stain, that these houses were
done in, that
seems an awful lot like paint to me?" You very well may have paint, and not
stain. I've seen pre-painted masonite, that's how it leaves the
manufacturer.

I will never use exterior paint again. Exterior stain is the way to go.
Stain will not peel or flake like paint, it appears to just weather.

[mm]

Post by Kirby

Post by mm
By stained, you mean a "clear" stain that you can see grain through?
if there is a grain.
Or do you mean pignmented stain, that these houses were done in, that
seems an awful lot like paint to me?

The first time I stained, I used a colored transparent stain. The last
time, I used a solid stain. The transparent stain does not hold up to our
Midwest elements as well as the solid stain.
When you say : "Or do you mean pignmented stain, that these houses were
done in, that
seems an awful lot like paint to me?" You very well may have paint, and not
stain.

I know what I have. I have bought and used 8 gallons of it. It's
called stain. I forget the rest of the name. It seems like paint in
that the pigment doesn't soak in afaict. It stays on top.

Post by Kirby
I've seen pre-painted masonite, that's how it leaves the
manufacturer.
I will never use exterior paint again. Exterior stain is the way to go.
Stain will not peel or flake like paint, it appears to just weather.

Yes, it doesn't peel or flake.

[Robert Allison]

Post by Kirby

Post by Robert Allison
As others have said, T1-11 is plywood. It comes in 3/8" or 5/8"
thicknesses and either 4" or 8" wide options.

Here they offer an additional option to the 4 & 8" O.C. grooves, they offer
it with a 12" O.C.
They also offer it in yellow pine, or fir, with fir being more expense.
24 years ago, I finished my place with 5/8", 8" O.C. fir. I have stained it
twice. It still looks fantastic.

If it is 12" OC, then it is not T1-11. That particular pattern is
called Reverse board and batten. It will look like T1-11, but the
spacing changes its designation. T1-11 is ONLY 4" or 8" OC. I am
not trying to nitpick here, just educate.

[PanHandler]

If it is 12" OC, then it is not T1-11. That particular pattern is called
Reverse board and batten. It will look like T1-11, but the spacing
changes its designation. T1-11 is ONLY 4" or 8" OC. I am not trying to
nitpick here, just educate.

You're about the only one to understand the properties and description of
T1-11

Here are two of my T1-11 'pet projects; :

http://flickr.com/photos/joearnold/158621674/sizes/o/

http://flickr.com/photos/joearnold/158339277/sizes/o/

[Robert Allison]

Post by PanHandler

If it is 12" OC, then it is not T1-11. That particular pattern is called
Reverse board and batten. It will look like T1-11, but the spacing
changes its designation. T1-11 is ONLY 4" or 8" OC. I am not trying to
nitpick here, just educate.

You're about the only one to understand the properties and description of
T1-11

Perhaps it comes from working with it for 35 years.

Post by PanHandler
http://flickr.com/photos/joearnold/158621674/sizes/o/
http://flickr.com/photos/joearnold/158339277/sizes/o/

Nice work.