The days of boring drywall may soon be gone, as plywood is starting to rise to the occasion of becoming another great option for attractive, yet functional, walls inside the home.
In fact, for a number of reasons, the popularity of plywood for walls is through the roof. Let us take a look at some of the reasons that this versatile material may be just what you should choose for your next project.
Benefits of Plywood for Walls
- Strength and Durability: Plywood is very much stronger compared to drywall. On the same note, bumps, dings, and general wear will take a toll on the multi-layered construction from day-to-day use. This is ideally an advantage, more so in areas with heavy traffic such as hallways and playrooms. It’s so easy to dent or puncture it, unlike drywall. The plywood shall make sure your wall is beautiful and free from blemishes for many years to come.
- Versatility: Veneer plywood comes in a bewildering range of veneer choices that actually allow for great versatility in personalizing your walls to suit your style. From rich and warm mahogany to the cooler, more modern birch—there’s a veneered plywood to suit almost any type of décor. Others go in for painted plywood for a sleek, modern feel.
- Soundproofing: The presence of different layers of plywood contributes greatly to the soundproofing. This is a great advantage to people living in an open floor design or even those who share living spaces. Actually, there are some types of plywood that show better qualities in sound absorption, such as thicker cores or denser plywood than many types of drywall, further adding to their more serene environment.
Choosing the Right Plywood for Your Walls
Factors to be considered
- Type of Veneer: As we already said, there is a huge choice of veneers. Veneers are available from many species of wood to match existing furniture or flooring that you have at home. Select light-colored veneers if you want your room to look bright and airy, or select a darker tone if you would like to make a dramatic statement.
- Gauge: Thickness of plywood is available in different gauges; for walls, it ranges from 1/4 inches to 3/4 inches. Thicker plywood gives greater strength and soundproofing, whereas, for an accent or to cover up wainscoting, a thinner panel of plywood is ideal.
- Fire resistance ratings: Though mostly all types of plywoods are are capable of offering some sort of resistance to fire, few of them are manufactured for an increase in safety from fire. One may consider fire-rated plywood in such places as kitchens or near fireplaces for added peace of mind.
Project-Specific Options:
- Accent walls: Plywood dominates the accent walls to bring out its splendor. Choose from any contrasting veneer or a boldly painted finish to bring the eyes of whoever is in its presence and give the accent wall a special place in the room.
- Wainscoting: Wainscoting made of plywood is possibly a very appealing and chic option for any room in the house. Choose between a raised panel design or a simple board and batten style for that perfect appeal.
- Feature Walls: Go experimental with your creativity and try out plywood feature walls. Either go for some geometric shapes or design your own with varied types of veneers or paint with different colors.
Conclusion
Plywood offers a wealth of benefits for your walls: strength, durability, stunning aesthetics, and even soundproofing properties. With a diverse range of veneer options and thicknesses available, you can create a truly customized look that reflects your unique style.
