My wood shop is what used to be a functioning barn. I guess it still functions, but the barn is now my wood shop! The original 1800's barn was struck by lightning in the 1950's, and the current barn with block walls up to the 8' height replaced it. The owner at the time of construction was a timber man, so the hay loft and interior structure were properly replaced with 12x12 oak beams, with the cribbing and floor made of proper oak 2 x 10's. But I digress . . .
It is colder than the dickens in the winter, and draws moisture like no tomorrow this time of the year. I am currently sealing all the block walls, and will be framing up stud walls against the blocks to allow for proper insulation. I haven't bought the framing lumber yet, but will be going either 2x6 or 2x8 to get the most insulation possible.
I have been reading all the past threads on whether to use plywood, OSB, or sheetrock, but we have had a few silver maples fall on the property this spring, and I've set the logs aside, end sealed, to be sawn up by a custom sawyer with a Woodmizer.
So, here's my plan and questions: I hope to have the lumber rough sawn to about 1 x 4 (actual 1 x 4), ship lap the edges with a rabbet bit on the router, and nail the boards to the studs horizontally using Tremonton cut nails. I plan on nailing the boards up fairly green--stickered for about a month or so before using. I think it should make for a pretty nice, strong, rustic looking workshop wall.
(1) Does anyone have any general thoughts, good or bad, about this plan?
(2) Do you think I could get away with having the boards ripped to 6" wide without too much problem with shrinking? (the logs are 24" to 32" in diameter, and I'll likely save the pith for some other rough project)
(3) I'd like to get away without rabbeting each board, but I don't want to provide hiding spots for vermin, and I don't think I want to mess with doing this Board and Batten style. Any ideas?
(4) Would you leave the walls natural, do a light wash with white milk paint, and/or poly the walls with a light sanding afterwards? I want to maximize the light, but would really like to keep a rustic barn feel.
The next step after insulating will be to think about insulating the concrete floor and pouring a pad with PEX embedded underneath. I think that's next year's project.
Thanks for your thoughts!