Pekka’s 10+1 tips for plywood installation in interior design

1. Use high-quality plywood

The best softwood plywood for interior design is UPM's WISA-Spruce Special – the kind you can find at hardware stores. UPM Plywood also offers fire-rated plywood, among other options. In addition to paneling walls and ceilings, you can use plywood to create all kinds of built-in furniture. We used 12mm plywood for the walls and ceiling, and 18mm for the furniture. These are made from 2.6mm veneers and thereby provide a slightly more aesthetic surface compared to those made from thicker veneers. 

2. Let the panels rest

Bring the plywood inside 24 hours before working with it. 

3. Use the right tools

The right tools make a huge difference! A quality hand-held circular saw and a sufficiently long guide are convenient on-site. A sharp blade ensures a clean cut. 

4. Leave a gap

We left a 2mm gap between the plywood panels. This is good to accommodate minimal expansion, but it also gives a good rhythm. No two pieces of plywood are identical, so it’s pointless to try to create a continuous look with end-to-end joints. A small gap also allows for slight variations in panel dimensions. We placed hockey tape behind the joints to prevent insulation fibre from spreading and to cover the framing. 

5. Plan the plywood layout

You can make window and door openings in two ways: with straight cuts or shaped cuts. We used the first method. Plan so that a maximum of three plywood panels meet at a joint. Otherwise, it is extremely difficult to get clean joints.

6. Place similar panels next to each other

Lay out the panels, so you can see them. This way, you can choose and place similar-looking panels next to each other.

7. Position the saw blade right

Set the saw blade just slightly deeper than the plywood.

8. Consider dimension variations

It’s useful to note that factory measurements and angles have tolerances. Plywood panels are exactly the same size when manufactured, but like all wood materials, their dimensions can change slightly as humidity varies. The panel dimensions can vary by up to 1mm per meter. 

9. Choose the right nails or screws

We attached the plywood with 16GA finish nails. If you would rather use screws, Hobau screws will give a clean finish. 

10. Buy enough surface treatment

You will need more surface treatment than the manufacturers suggest. 

11. Bonus tip for a neat finish

For a final touch that ensures a neat finish, lightly sand the panel edges before installation. This enhances the polished appearance of the installation!