types of plywood for exterior use
Exterior plywood is commonly used for siding. For this application it should have a rough sawn surface (textured) or be overlaid with a stabilized, resin treated paper called medium density paper overlay (MDO). Smooth sanded plywood is not recommended for siding, but it may be used for soffits.
In some cases, painting of plywood is required or desirable. Top quality acrylic latex paints are the best choice for exterior surfaces. For best performance, use MDO plywood if it is to be painted. Paint on MDO will not fail from checking of the wood or from peeling because of the wide dark bands of summerwood.