How to Make Plywood Floors Look Like Plank Floor

Remove any dirt, dust or other loose debris from the plywood with a dust mop or broom. Take your time, and thoroughly clean the flooring ensuring that no dust or other particles remain.

Fill in any cracks, holes or other imperfections with a clear plastic wood resin. Load the resin onto a plastic putty knife and drag it across the crack or flaw. Wipe away excess product immediately with a damp cloth. Let the wood resin cure for at least eight hours before sanding the product with fine-grit sandpaper until it’s flush with the surrounding plywood.

Wipe away the sanding dust with a tack cloth and apply a single layer of wood primer/sealer. This provides a protective coating over the plywood while hiding grain or discolorations. Let the product dry for at least three to four hours.

Apply a layer of light- or medium-brown oil-based paint to the plywood with a roller or paintbrush. Using even, back-and-forth motions, apply the paint creating a color base for the flooring. Choose a brown tone that corresponds with the room’s overall look. Let the first coat dry to the touch before applying a second even layer. Let the second layer dry at least three to four hours.

Create the appearance of planks with painter’s tape. Determine the plank’s width you wish to create and cover the plywood accordingly. For instance, if you wish to create 3-inch planks, apply a line of one-eighth inch width painter’s tape every 3 inches vertically across the plywood.

Create a mixture of one-half gallon off-white oil-based paint and one-half gallon clear acrylic glaze. Stir the ingredients thoroughly with a wooden stirring stick and apply the mixture to the flooring with a paint roller, one plank at a time.

Holding the wood-graining tool at a 45-degree angle, carefully pull it toward you creating the faux plank appearance. Start at the plywood’s top and work downward towards you in one fluid motion.

Repeat this process on every plank until the entire plywood piece is transformed. Allow the newly created faux-wood grain to dry completely, at least 12 hours, before removing the painter’s tape and applying a thin coating of clear urethane to the flooring. The urethane creates a protective coating without altering the flooring’s appearance.

Let the urethane cure for 24 hours before using the flooring.