Did you just finish building your bar frame? Now that your bar frame has been completed, the next step is to cover is in plywood. We’ve got you covered with detailed tips on how to wrap a bar in plywood.
Wrapping a bar frame in plywood is a relatively easy project, but there are a few things to be mindful of. We will walk you through the entire plywood project so there is no confusion when attaching plywood the exterior of your home bar.
Tips to Wrapping a Bar in Plywood
This sheet of plywood will be visible if you aren’t planning on adding something like shiplap, stone, or another design to the front of your bar. So, keep this in mind before selecting your exterior plywood.
If you plan on leaving the plywood exposed on the outside of your bar then I recommend selecting a better quality plywood. I went with a grainy piece of pine for my own bar that didn’t have too many imperfections.
The plywood should not be taller than the frame of your bar. It should not stick up higher than the frame at any point. There will also be gaps on nearly all edges, but that will be covered by trim pieces.
Exterior Plywood Cut List:
Total: 2 – 3/4 plywood at 4×8 feet. (If cut right, you can use the scrap for 2 bar shelves).
- 1- 3/4 inch plywood at 54″ x 40 3/4″
- 1- 3/4 inch plywood at 84.25″ x 40 3/4″
- 1- 3/4 inch plywood at 24.25″ x 40 3/4″
How to Wrap a Bar in Plywood – Exterior
When wrapping a bar in plywood keep in mind that these measurements may not be 100% exact to your own home bar specs. There may be variables that could impact your measurements, so make sure to measure and cut as you go to ensure accuracy.
These are the measurements for our home bar that can be used as a bar guide for your own project.
Cut #1- 54″ x 40 3/4″ for the Left Frame: Cut your first 3/4 inch sheet of plywood to 54″ x 40 3/4″ then attach it to the left bar frame with wood glue and screws. The screws should only go around the perimeter, which will be covered by trim pieces, otherwise the screws will be visible.
Cut #2- 84.25″ x 40 3/4″ for the Front Frame: Cut your second 3/4 inch sheet of plywood to 84.25″ x 40 3/4″ and attach it to the front of the bar frame with wood glue and screws. The screws should only go around the perimeter, which will be covered by trim pieces, otherwise the screws will be visible.
Note: There may be a gap on each corner where the plywood meets, but this is okay because it will be covered by the trim pieces.
Cut #3- 24.25″ x 40 3/4″ for the Right Frame: Cut your third 3/4 sheet of plywood to 24.25″ x 40 3/4″ then attach to the right bar frame with wood glue and wood screws. The screws should only go around the perimeter, which will be covered by trim pieces.
At this point the entire exterior of your home bar will be wrapped in plywood. Your bar is starting to look like a real bar now, so start to envision the final design of the bar.
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Exterior Bar Design Ideas
Now that you have wrapped the exterior of your bar in plywood, you have a blank canvas to design however you prefer. We chose to add molding on the exterior of our home bar for a traditional pub style bar.
If you prefer a different style for the exterior of your bar, you could go with beadboard, stones, shiplap, or one of these other basement bar ideas. You could even leave the bar design as at this point until you decide on the style of the plywood bar top.
Interior Plywood Cut List:
- 1- 3/4 inch plywood at 17.75″ x 40.75″ (Right Interior)
- 1- 3/4 inch plywood at 72.5″ x 40.75″ (Front Interior)
- 1- 3/4 inch plywood at 47.75″ x 40.75 (Left Interior)
How to Wrap a Bar in Plywood – Interior
Wrapping the interior bar frame is a similar process to the exterior of the bar, but the cuts will vary a bit.
Cut #1- 17.75″ x 40.75″ for the Right Frame: One 3/4 inch piece of plywood is attached to the interior right frame, measuring roughly 17.75 x40.75 inches. It is attached with wood glue and wood screws.
Cut #2- 72.5″ x 40.75″ for the Front Frame: One 3/4 inch piece of plywood is attached to the interior center frame, measuring 72.5″ x 40.75″. It is attached with wood glue and wood screws on the perimeter, so they will be covered with the trim.
The trim on the back of the bar is optional as you won’t see this area from the exterior, but it is a nice finishing touch.
Cut #3- 47.75″ x 40.75″ for the Left Frame: Another piece of 3/4 inch plywood, measuring roughly 47.75 x 40.75 inches, goes over the interior of the left frame.
Wood glue and wood screws were used throughout, but only until about 31 inches from the bottom. Above 31 inches will be adhered with finish nails because the shelving goes in this area, so the screws would be visible. All screws/nails were only used on the perimeter.
Conclusion
Wrapping a bar in plywood is the fun part of building a bar because the project starts to come together. Your bar starts to take shape and look like an actual bar. The projects gets more motivating to finish once you can envision the finished product!