Absolute musts when installing tongue and groove

[waligators]

It has been beat to death on here I know, but what is the absolute best way to install tongue and groove boards in a fish house without ever having them warp/buckle over time? Most houses have studs 16" on center, do you splice the boards on the studs or let the boards "float" in between the studs? Is 5/16" thick enough or should a guy go with 3/4" and have the extra weight compared to 5/16". Any face nailing? Use a finish gun or use actual finish nails with a hammer? Leave expansion gaps or get it as tight as you can? Lets hear how to install it correctly with no fixing down the road in a couple years.

[leechlake]

you need to "splice" on studs not floating. You may need to add some studs in the corners so you have something to nail into also. I'd go 3/4 for a few reasons; it won't split as easy and cedar is light anyway and will provide more R value. Since you're not a pro I'd bet you will split the thin stuff and then you'll be stuck looking at your handiwork all the time.

you nail on the tongues. Starting from bottom of house you should face nail the first piece and then nail just below tongue so next piece covers the nail. No more face nailing until you get to the ceiling where you will have to. You may want to put a moulding or ripped piece up at ceiling to cover the inevitable gap you will have. If it was a house you'd do that and a base piece at bottom and at the corners to cover up the gaps.

[JRB fishing]

I put the 5/16 notty pine in my house and have no problems. This what i did when i installed mine. 1) I sprayed the back of all the boards with one coat of marine grade varnish. 2)Sprayed 1 coat on the front. 3)Face nailed it on every stud and all seams are on studs. 4)I filled all the nail holes and brushed on the last coat. Like i said i have had no problems after 6 years. It was a lot of extra work up front but hopefully i wont have to redo anything for a long time.