"Downsizing from our large family home, we imagined something flexible that could work as a sleepout for grandchildren, a guest room, a hobby room or even storage while we spend a few years caravanning around New Zealand," says Joanne Bedford.

Initially, she and her husband planned to line one of the 6- x 12-m bays with plywood and paint it themselves, until realising this would entail multiple coats, polyurethane sealing and days spent up ladders. "It just didn’t appeal," says Joanne. "So we started looking into pre-finished alternatives and that’s when we discovered PlyPlay through the Bates website."

How PlyPlay cuts time on site

After contacting Bates Surfaces over the Christmas period, Joanne was surprised when Andre Bates contacted her personally to recommend they visit Carter’s in Auckland to collect some samples.

"As soon as we brought the samples home, we knew it was exactly what we were looking for. It gave us that beautiful, whitewashed timber look we’d always loved. Something with texture and warmth, but still simple and clean. It wasn’t bland, yet it also wasn’t visually busy."

After choosing PlyPlay Naturally Naked for the ceiling and PlyPlay Blond Ambition for the walls, the couple worked closely with Wayne Whitham, Project Manager at Versatile Hamilton, to install the panels in a structure that usually doesn’t incorporate interior lining.

"The PlyPlay really made it easier," says Wayne. "At first, I was hesitant because it was a new product for us, but once my team started using it we realised how great it was. It was easy to work with, offering a stable and strong surface. Unlike plasterboard, which can crack or warp with this style of pole construction, this plywood sat nicely with small movement joints and had a nice finish that saved us a lot of time and effort."

"Wayne and his team did an amazing job installing the PlyPlay," says Joanne. "They even managed to wrap it neatly into the window coves around the ranch sliders, which looks fantastic. We later extended the same white PlyPlay Blond Ambition finish into the laundry as well, and it works beautifully alongside the dark Ironsand corrugated iron walls."

A warm and durable finish, with a potential 25 - 30% cost saving

Complete with carpet, a floating privacy wall and bifold doors opening onto a large deck, the finished space has far exceeded the couple’s expectations. "Every time my husband and I walk into it, we just stop and think, 'This is lovely.' It has such a calm, simple and clean feeling," says Joanne.

For Wayne, using PlyPlay for the first time was a great outcome, both in the finished look and the efficiency and cost-savings in using pre-finished PlyPlay panelling compared with a plaster-and-paint finish.

"With the pre-finished product, we likely saved about 25 - 30% on the linings cost, especially considering the scaffolding, labour and time that would have been needed for traditional finishes. It was easy to install, and once it was up, it was done. No sanding, painting, or multiple coats needed."