Ask an Architect, Interior Design
Plywood As an Interior Finish Material
It's always a big debate among designers whether or not plywood looks great as an interior finish material. So what's that debate all about? And, what questions should you ask yourself (and your designer should ask) when you're considering it for your project?
February 15, 2012
The "Plywood as a Finish" Debate
I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with plywood. Yes, that’s a random way to start a blog post, but it is a popular building and finish material that can go oh-so-right or oh-so-very-very-wrong. I originally wrote this post back in 2012 when I felt pretty strongly about plywood (hint, I wasn’t a giant fan), but I’m updating it now in 2017 with some new insights. It can be done beautifully. And, while there are things in life that I love, and other design elements that I really can't stand (like 45-degree angled walls and glass blocks), plywood constantly pulls me back and forth between “love” and “can’t stand”. So, think of this as a cautionary tale of how to consider plywood for an interior finish.
plywood_as_an_interior_finish_material-stained_plywood_accent_wall
Here's an example of plywood done beautifully.
What Kind of House Are You Looking For?
Plywood, in my opinion, works best with contemporary homes or more rustic cabins. If you’re looking for a more traditional aesthetic, look the other way. Plywood has been a go-to material for a lot of designers angling to get into Dwell magazine. It is a "warm" material that is inexpensive. It can suit a modern interior if done properly (this is the hard part) but can ruin one that isn't. Plywood, when done right, can make your house feel warm and comfortable. If done wrong, it can make it feel cold like the inside of a pine coffin. Just try not to get too close to the 70's mountain lodge look (unless that actually IS what you're going for).
What Kind of Space Are You Trying to Finish?
Plywood is a great finish for garages, storage rooms, utility rooms, workshops, basically anywhere you're banging things up. But it doesn't necessarily clean well, it holds dirt, and can have some pretty rough edges unless cut carefully. If you're looking to use it as a finish for other spaces, think carefully about how to seal it (in which case it can work beautifully). Maybe you can cut it in 2' x 4' sections and install it in a running bond pattern (or even smaller sizes) for one accent wall. And remember that spaces that are going to be remodeled in a few years anyway may be more appropriate for materials that aren't so timeless if they’re not in the right environment. When finished beautifully they can work for decades and when installed in a rustic cabin they’ll always look great.
Plywood is Cheap!
Correction: SOME plywood is cheap. Plywood comes in different grades and different materials. Basically, the more towards 'A' the grade is, the better it'll look. Some plywoods are stunning and appropriate for wall panels and fine custom furniture. Others, the ones we mostly see in design magazines, tend to be in the 'B' range. At that point, the material cost is closer to drywall, for instance, but the labor to install will be much less. Like all materials, you get what you pay for.
It Looks Cool!
Think carefully here, really consider if it always looks great. Does it look beautiful? Like most architects, I'm paid to think and have some opinions. There are many instances where I'll consider plywood (we have two projects right now, for instance, where it was absolutely the right decision), but for the most part, I think plywood can be a challenging material solution. Architecture should be beautiful. Especially in a house, I want to be able to feel comfortable, relaxed, and surrounded by things I find aesthetically pleasing. So many homes trotted out these days slathered in plywood just make me gag. Quite frankly, what it makes me think is that this is a space that someone couldn't quite afford, but decided to go for it anyway, and then decided to slap some Home Depot plywood up. I KNOW that isn't the case, though, but that's the impression I get. All the academic writing about the quality of the industrial plywood aesthetic impacting the blah blah blah of the space doesn't do a thing for me. I'll just think it is ugly when it isn’t properly considered. I wish they'd write that sometimes instead of tripping over themselves about how innovative it is.
How about a follow up in ten years when the owner has painted it over and tried to disguise it? That's an article I'd read!
When To Use It?
Use it when it is the best material both visually and financially, period. Think about where it is going and how you’re going to finish it. That, of course, is the rule for ALL materials. Architecture should be something that is built to last. Permanence is a word that people need to remember. The more a space should last for years, the more a material should, too. So, a retail space can go for materials that may look fun now but not so great in ten years, whereas a living room may want to stick with something that'll look good and well-designed now and down the road. Think of plywood in that context and you're on your way to making a well-informed decision.
