Measure the room carefully and plan the layout on paper first. That way you will know how much material to buy and how to install it.

Cutting Plywood

Plywood is normally sold in sheets measuring 4 feet by 8 feet, which is perfect for rooms with 8-foot-high ceilings. Unless you are very lucky, however, chances are good that you will need to cut some plywood. If you have a table saw, cutting big sheets is a breeze. But a circular saw or even a jigsaw can be used. To make accurate cuts with one of these hand tools, mark a line on the plywood as a visual guide or clamp a long straightedge to the plywood to serve as a guide for the base of the tool. To cut smaller holes in the interior of the plywood to allow access to electrical boxes, first carefully measure and mark the plywood. Drill small holes in the corners of the intended cut, then use a jigsaw or keyhole saw to finish the cuts.

Keep in mind that the plywood sheets do not have to fit right next to each other. Since you will be covering the joints with strips of wood or plywood, you can leave gaps between each sheet, as Vern did in the show. This approach may even save you from having to buy an extra sheet or two.

What to Look Out For

Adding a new surface to your walls or ceiling can create some additional chores that you will want to consider and plan for carefully. On almost any wall that you cover there will be electrical switches and receptacles (outlets) to contend with. If you simply remove the cover plates, add the new plywood and try to reattach the cover plates, you will discover that the electrical boxes are now recessed into the wall too far. The electrical boxes themselves can sometimes be adjusted to bring them out flush with the new surface, but more often than not they will require the addition of extenders. Extenders are inexpensive and can be used on either metal or plastic boxes. You can find them at a home-improvement center or an electrical supply store.

If you want to do the work yourself, the first thing to do before touching any boxes is to shut off the power at the service panel (see the section on electrical safety below). Check all switches and receptacles with a voltage tester to confirm that the power is off. Note that you may need to shut off power to more than one circuit in the room. If you are not comfortable doing electrical work, however, plan to hire an electrician or a remodeling contractor to tackle this small job for you.