Installation guide

PlyPlay™ comes with a protective plastic film. We recommend the film is left in place during manufacture and transportation to site to protect the finish right until installation on site.

Trimming

PlyPlay comes with a factory edge – we recommend edges are trimmed with a router or edge planer.

Finishing raw edges

When you need to seal the edges – when detailed with exposed edges, for example – we recommend using Cabot’s stains and finishes. Download our technical guide for colour matching and how to finish the edges.

Edge preparation

It is best cut on site using a Festool TS55R Plunge Circular Saw, 160 diameter, 48 alternate bevel tungsten-tip teeth.

Care instructions

We recommend cleaning the PlyPlay panels when required with a warm damp cloth and a mild detergent. Avoid any solvents or abrasive cleaners.

Handling and storage

PlyPlay requires care in storage and handling. The following suggestions will help keep PlyPlay in good condition before use and after installation.

The storage area should be protected from sun, rain and wind that would otherwise bring about rapid changes in temperature and humidity.

Support for the sheets should be provided at both ends and middle to avoid distortion. Ensure bearers in packs above are aligned over bearers below (to avoid inducing curves in sheets).

The stack should be kept dry and clear of ground contact, and placed so that it will not be exposed to mechanical damage.

The sheets should be stacked flat, NOT on edge.

To avoid staining, fading and surface checking, the sheets should not be exposed to the weather while awaiting installation.

Preferably panels should be installed by qualified tradesmen and handled with care. Panels are supplied with a protective self-adhesive film that should be removed after installations.

PlyPlay can be installed using a variety of fastening and fixing methods depending on the degree of fastener concealment desired.

General fixing techniques include:

  • Nailing (including panel pins), screw and gluing

  • Use of scotia/ dado & skirtings to hide joints and fixings

  • Battens and rafters to hide joints

  • Creating design features of mechanical fasteners (such as use of rose head fasteners)

  • Negative detailing between panel edges

Fixing options

  • Nails: Use 40 mm panel pins at 150 mm centres at sheet edges and 300 mm centres on intermediate supports. Daubs of a polyurethane based adhesive such as Soudal Gorilla 240FC at 300 mm centres is recommended on all framing members.

    Where back nailing over rafters use galvanised flat head nails 40 x 2.5 mm.

    Screws: Use 8g x 40 mm screws and adhesive as per nail specifications.

    Adhesives Only

    (Not suitable for ceiling applications)

    Panels may be fixed with a bead of MS Polymer based adhesive on all frame supports. We do not recommend polyurethane adhesive as this type of adhesive does not work well on prefinished panels. Sheets must be supported by applying pressure during the adhesive curing process in accordance with the adhesive manufacturer specifications or with mechanical fasteners such as nails, panel pins or screws at 300 mm centres on all supporting framing.

  • Soudal has developed an installation method for Ecoply appearance plywood when used for internal wall linings (not suitable for use in ceiling applications). The system uses a two stage process utilising Gorilla 240FC and Gator VHB double sided tape. The Gator tape provides initial fixing support for panels while a permanent bond is established using the Gorilla 240FC.

    When installed according to Soudal technical specifications this system can eliminate the need for mechanical fasteners and/or bracing support during the adhesive curing process. Download the Soudal interior walls and interior ceiling installation instructions. For technical support regarding this system, contact Soudal.

  • For concealed fixing please specify stepped slots which give a landing at the end of the slot through which to fix screw. For surface screw fixing use countersunk stainless screws 7 gauge x 25mm long minimum.

  • Use countersunk stainless screws with a head size slightly larger than the hole size and drive in until flush with the surface.

PlyPlay installation instruction videos

Installation videos

  • We show you the set of tools you need to install PlyPlay prefinished plywood panels —view video

  • Watch an efficient way to set out PlyPlay panel joints to get a negative detail —view video

  • We show you how to fix PlyPlay plywood panels for a neat negative detail —view video

  • View a time-lapse video of a garage reline using PlyPlay panels

Prefinished, UV-coated plywood for speed on site.