We own a couple of unrestricted wooded lots. I am a contractor and want to build a couple of 700 s.f. cottages on them for rental. I am going to side them with stained plywood with batten strips. I am thinking of using plywood inside with a polyshade finish. My goal is to keep cost as low as possible, eliminate painting, and make the cottage easy on the eye. What can I do to plywood to create some interest? Is there an alternative to the plywood that would be comparable in cost and be more interesting?
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story

New devices showcased at the Builders' Show make it easy to measure glass performance, u-factor, SHGC, window thickness, and more.
Featured Video
How to Install Exterior Window TrimHighlights
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
- Home Group
- Antique Trader
- Arts & Crafts Homes
- Bank Note Reporter
- Cabin Life
- Cuisine at Home
- Fine Gardening
- Fine Woodworking
- Green Building Advisor
- Garden Gate
- Horticulture
- Keep Craft Alive
- Log Home Living
- Military Trader/Vehicles
- Numismatic News
- Numismaster
- Old Cars Weekly
- Old House Journal
- Period Homes
- Popular Woodworking
- Script
- ShopNotes
- Sports Collectors Digest
- Threads
- Timber Home Living
- Traditional Building
- Woodsmith
- World Coin News
- Writer's Digest
Replies
FWIW, we used to make plywood table-tops by applying an oil paint to it using a rag. If you rub down the finish you get an interesting grain effect. Some really dramatic effects can be made by rubbing in a second coat in a different colour; but, you have to experiment to find out what will work on your wood. Then it can be sealed with spar, poly, or a two-part.
Phill Giles
The Unionville Woodwright
Unionville, Ontario