I recently built a new workshop and I sheathed it with 1×6 boards joined with galvanized splines. I like this method because it gets the most out of the width of a board, and the splines can often be scrounged for next to nothing. I used 2-in. wide galvanized steel that is commonly used here in Australia for strapping together large shipments of bulky goods. Thin strips of nylon or plastic could also be used.
My wall framing consists of 4x4s on 8-ft. centers, with plates at top and bottom and a midrail. I ran each piece of siding over my table saw to cut a 1-in. deep kerf in each edge. Once I had a board in place, I inserted a full-length spline into the kerf, as shown in the drawing. The neighboring board accepts the protruding spline, and so forth. I kept the nails away from the splines, and left a little play between adjacent boards to allow for expansion of the wood.
Jonathan Davies, Queensland, None
Edited and Illustrated by Charles Miller
From Fine Homebuilding #29
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I like the spline, however, can you paint galvanized metal? If yes, without failing, please list paint. Thanks
Use zinc chromate primer on galvanized steel that is clean and free of oil and dirt and then use a suitable top coat of your choice.