Converting your Caravan
If you are considering converting your caravan for a #vanlife experience, plywood may just be your best friend. In recent years, with a growing sector of campervan users in Australia, we have been fortunate enough to see some spectacular conversions using our plywood.
Whether you value a high-end luxurious finish, or are seeking a cozy coastal vibe, plywood can transform the interior of your van into a home on wheels. Though plywood has been a popular material for such fit-outs for a while now – due to its relatively low cost, visual variety and lightweight nature – we understand that it may still be a daunting task to choose which plywood is best for you. Whether you’re a newbie to the game, or you’ve mastered the art of van makeovers (and as such, have conquered the tetris-like challenges of van renos), this guide will give you information and inspiration for your project.
Pinterest Inspiration
What plywood do we recommend?
Walls & Ceilings
First and foremost, there are a number of plywood options suited to fitting out a van’s interior. For walls and ceilings, we recommend our A/C Hoop Pine (beautiful blonde colour). What makes the Hoop Pine the front running contender for walls & ceilings? Other than its aesthetic appeal and high-quality finish, the Hoop Pine is a lightweight ply – perfect for a mini home. We can’t talk about the benefits of Hoop Pine and not mention its friendly cost. Alternatively, our Birch Multiply (white in colour) is another great alternative for wall & ceiling lining. Between both options, we are sure that your desired aesthetic can be achieved.
With various colour options, our pre-finished Polyester Plywood is perfect for wall & ceiling linings. We also supply white & grey h-moulds and end caps. Alternatively, if you’re after a ply that you can paint, our BB/CC Hardwood or B/B Hoop Pine are both affordable alternatives.
If you’re after a plank look for your ceilings or walls, we recommend checking out VJ Plus.
Areas Exposed to Moisture
Inevitably, there will be areas of the van that will be exposed to some level of moisture. Irrespective of whether you plan a luxe kitchen and bathroom, or are satisfied with a trusty little sink, the longevity of these areas will depend on the plywood you use. Our Marine Plywood – specifically designed to withstand long-term full exposure to wet or damp conditions – is the perfect answer to ensure that no moisture related issues occur (such as warping). What sets this product apart is its solid grade core, ensuring no core gaps that water can seep into. Furthermore, Marine plywood has an A-bond glue line that protects the sheets from moisture.
Flooring
Our CD Structural Hardwood is a durable plywood that is suitable for flooring applications. It is structurally rates and suitable for indoor or semi-exposed applications. With both tongue and grooved options available, it is the perfect option for your caravan flooring needs.
Our CD Structural H3 ACQ pine is a total veneer preservation treated plywood that is designed to withstand exposure to periodic moderate wetting, making it suitable for exterior applications.
Hopefully this guide has given you the answers you need to complete your van transformation. If you’re reading to start, feel free to come in store and check out our range.
07/02/2023
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Harsh Exterior Applications
For applications such as bus or trailer floors, exterior walls or situations with exposure to high humidity, look no further than our CD Structural Treated Pine Plywood. This particular ply is ACQ H3 treated which provides the same level of protection as plywood which is used for trench covers by Energex. Although this ply is not CCA treated, it is ACQ treated to the H3 level which is in line with the requirement from Energex.
Suited for a multitude of applications, our CD Structural Exterior Plywood is manufactured from responsibly harvested pine and is intended for use in harsh exterior applications that will be exposed to insect attacks, periodic moderate wetting, leaching and the consequent rot & moderate decay.
See our Specification Sheet for more information.
06/02/2023
Paints & Stains
Not only is plywood extremely versatile, but it is also an easy material to work with, especially when DIY-ing. Painting & staining plywood is great way to prevent against weathering and wood decay, but it is also a great way to achieve your desired finish.
What do we recommend?
We strongly recommend opting for water-based products (irrespective of whether you are painting, coating or staining) as oil-based products can react with glue lines and lead to delamination.
For interior stains, we recommend Cabot’s Water Based Stain & Varnish. This product is easy to use, has a durable finish, and is available in both Satin and Gloss – perfect to achieve any aesthetic. Cabot’s Water Based Interior Stain is a similar product that can transform the colour of the ply.
What about semi-exposed or exterior applications?
As with any interior applications, water-based products should be used in semi-exposed or exterior applications. Cabot’s Water Based Exterior range are our top recommendation in such applications. In exposed applications, a mould preventer is also non-negotiable. For prevention, we recommend Protite Mould Defender Paint Additive, which can be purchased at Bunnings.
If mould does develop, we recommend Intergrain Mould Killer.
For more information on interior or exterior staining options, including colour choices, check out Cabot’s useful guides here.
How do I Paint/ Stain my Plywood?
Bunning’s Guide to painting plywood shows how easy the DIY process is.
06/02/2023
Shopping Centre Makeover
We would like to highlight the crafty makeover completed at Indooroopilly Shopping Centre. To achieve this transformation, plywood noggins were first used to provide stability. Plywood is a great choice for such an application due its uniform strength – making it a durable and economical choice.
MDF boards were then CNC milled and used as templates for curved plasterboard ceilings. MDF is a perfect candidate for CNC Milling due to its uniformity. Given its smooth surface, consistent structure, and ease of processing, we recommend considering the product for applications of this sort. The images below speak for themselves and illustrate the visual versatility achievable when using MDF.
30/01/2023
Warm & Earthy Retail Spaces
It is no surprise that plywood, lauded for its versatility, has become a go-to material that retailers are using to revamp their spaces due to the material’s unique visual capabilities.
One transformation, which highlights that a “multitude of custom applications” is achievable when using plywood can be seen below. A crucial aspect that heroes this transformation is the visual variety that can be achieved, even though a singular material was utilised. From cabinetry to built-in seating, this project captures the wide range of possibilities when using plywood.
For more inspiration and ideas on giving your space a natural warmth and earthy feel, view the gallery below.
30/01/2023
Versatility of Austral Hoop Pine
The versatility of Austral Hoop Pine is showcased in its wide range of possible applications. From campervans to guitars and box drums to entire room renos, Austral Hoop Pine is a great fit for many projects.
A/C Grade Hoop Pine is the answer where a high-quality aesthetic finish is desired. This product, fit for clear water-based finishing, exhibits a warm appearance and can add that extra ambience to any space. For a more natural aesthetic, where individual characteristics are highlighted such as colour variation and swirling grain, we recommend our B/B Grade Hoop Pine.
So why should you consider Hoop Pine for your next project?
Australia Grown, Australian Certified and Australian Made, Austral’s Hoop Pine appearance grade plywood is manufactured using the highest quality hoop pine, sourced from plantation forests in Southeast Queensland. Austral champions sustainable forests, and we back this 100% here at Plywood & Panel Supplies.
Austral Hoop Pine is an affordable, sustainable, and versatile product that can revive any space – securing its position as one of our most popular products. To realise these qualities for yourself, or to find some inspiration on how you can transform your space, check out our Pinterest gallery below:
25/01/2023
Stylish Shadowclad
A stylish shadowclad feature wall is a perfect way to add street appeal to the exterior of your home. Shadowclad provides a warm, natural wood exterior that is well suited to many architectural styles. Furthermore, Shadowclad’s ability to withstand the elements makes it a perfect choice for decorative exterior cladding projects in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.
Wide design flexibility can be achieved with our range of grooved or ungrooved finishes and natural or primed options available. So, to add an affordable flair to your next project, look no further than our Shadowclad range.
It is a pleasure to feature Sustainable’s Kingfisher House Build which captured the beauty that shadowclad can bring to a space. If wanting to learn more about this individual build, please see the video below:
For more inspiration on what can be achieved using shadowclad, see our Pinterest Board below:
25/01/2023
DIY Plywood Accent Wall
A DIY plywood accent wall is an easy and affordable option to breathe some new life into a space. The perks of such a project go beyond ease and affordability in that plywood is an easy medium to work with, allowing for complete customisation and individuality. We recommend our Hardwood range for such a project.
For easy how-to steps on how to complete a DIY Plywood Accent Wall, please visit this article from Better Homes and Gardens.
If looking for inspiration into how to transform your space using the how-to guide, see our Pinterest board below:
24/01/2023
PEFC Forest Certified
“Wood is one of the most sustainable raw materials on the planet”. In the mini documentary below, PEFC Forest Certified explain the importance of safeguarding our forests globally. Learn more about the impact of certified products with the quick clip below.
29/11/2022
CD Hardwood Plywood In Situ
Customer spotlight: BFB Scaffolding using our CD Hardwood Plywood for their hoardings. This is another great example of the possibilities of plywood.
08/09/2022