If you leave a gap between the sheets it will become a dust trap,
there will be enough flex in the timber to account for any expansion.

I know you said you have the ply on hand, but if it's just being used
as lining I'd be inclined to save it for something worthwhile - any
brackets and mounts you put up will go in to the studs, so I'd be
getting some 1/8 ply just for wall lining.
Cheers
Paul




On 16 Jan 2005 09:25:24 -0800, wrote:

Hello, I am finishing up my shop walls tommorrow and I plan on using
3/8 inch plywood (already on hand). Do I but them up on each other or
should I leave some space between sheets for expansion? I'm not sure
how much plywood expands/contracts but I'm thinking that since I am
screwing the ply to studs spacing shouldn't matter since the screws
will inhibit movement anyhow. My ceilings are 8 feet and change so I
plan on using them vertically and trimming the edges so I can center
the edges on studs. Insulation is already up and I have the ceiling in
( 1/4 inch ply). Once all is in I am painting the whole thing white.
Any opinions, comments? Thanks in advance, Guy



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