Need DIY friendly material for carport ceiling

Hello Everyone! I have a 2-car carport with an attached 4' x 60' front overhang/porch that has severely cracked and alligatored paint on the ceiling. The substrate is plywood, which is in good shape, but sanding this down is out of the question!

I'm looking for good, economical options to cover these ceilings. In a perfect world, something thin and lightweight that I could use to just 'skin' the ceilings, but that will be stable enough not to swell or warp in this central FL heat and humidity.

I've considered solid vinyl soffit, but I'd rather have something with a flat surface if possible. Perhaps a thin flat PVC or other composite sheet that could be screwed/glued to the existing plywood and trimmed out - but I haven't seen anything like that.

Any ideas?

 

What about FRPs, the panels you often see on the walls in big box store restrooms? They are recommended for use in pool enclosures, so heat and humidity should not be an issue. I'd do a little research before going the route, but something to consider.

 

I suggest solid vinyl soffit. You have a choice of double-5 or triple-4. I personally prefer double 5 for a large area such as yours. Double-5 is made in 12 foot lengths and triple-4 is made in 10 foot lengths. Good luck with your project.

Sheet goods will be difficult to fasten to peeling paint. I would go with something that nails or screws to the joists.

 

Does vinyl work ok in fla? 30 yrs ago I painted for a builder in central fla that started using vinyl and the heat made it warp so bad he stopped using it. I assume today's vinyl is better than what they had back then ??

 

If you go to a lumber yard (not big box store) ask for a price on MDO. Its plywood with an engineered facing that paints up nicer than sanded plywood. Also available in 4x10 sheets. Course, sanded plywood is always an option. I'm guessing you will want to knock off the screen moulding and scrape it down as best as you can to get it flat. I'd recommend a 1/4" crown stapler along with construction adhesive to install, nailing right to the existing, assuming it's still fastened well.

Renting a drywall lift to put the panels up would be money well spent and would make it a breeze.

 

Want the cheapest way or the best looking way?
If it was mine I'be be going with vinyl beaded soffit and cove molding as the trim.
Both of which your not going to find at the box stores.
Need to go to a real siding supply house.
Soffit - Vinyl Siding & Polymer Shakes - CertainTeed
Wall and Soffit Transitions - Wall and Soffit Transitions - Vinyl Carpentry Trim - Vinyl Siding & Polymer Shakes - CertainTeed

 

Since it is not in the sun, or exposed to weather, perhaps one of those Deck covering paints would be an option. (Deckover, Restore 4x, etc) You would likely have to pressure wash to get the existing loose paint off.

 

That is one of the few applications where I'd approve of using a 'deck restore' type coating.

 

Thanks for the replies. I'll definitely price those options. I do want it to look nice, but I don't want to break the bank either. Using a product that doesn't have to be painted would be worth some difference in price.

I think the deck restore is out for me - trying to avoid the whole labor intensive scraping and overhead painting routine. If we go with another plywood product, I'm thinking I'd paint it before the install then just touch up where needed.

The existing plywood is 4x10 sheets, very solid and well fastened so it should make a good base for whatever we put up. I'd definitely glue and screw any kind of sheet good.

Thanks again for the suggestions.