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How to Install Board and Batten

Written by Cassity

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Simple Board And Batten Wall Tutorial @remodelaholic

Learn how to install a Board and Batten wall. We’re here to help you do it yourself with professional-looking results!

Come see how to build the bright yellow Swedish Mora Clock and the Dutch Barn Door / Baby Gate, too!

Board And Batten Wainscot Tutorial From Remodelaholic

DIY Board and Batten Wall Tutorial

Materials for Installing a Board and Batten Wall:

  • Boards for Base Molding: We chose 1×8 MDF
  • Boards for Crown Molding: We opted for a simple rather than ornate look and chose 1×4 MDF.  We ran one on the wall and one on the ceiling to create a wrapped-corner look.
  • Battens (vertical boards): In the past we have used 1×4 or 1×2’s that are the same thickness as the upper and lower molding, but this time I wanted the battens to be small and insignificant to create a light texture. At our local Home Depot they had some 3 3/4″ x 1/4″ thick unpainted MDF strips called MDF Bender boards. They were in the lumber isle near the plywood and NOT with the moldings.  They were a great price and just wide enough to be ripped (cut length-wise) in half to create the subtle look I was going for.
  • Table Saw
  • Nail gun and nails
  • Caulk and Hole Patching Compound
  • Paint
Be sure to check out this tutorial for perfect board and batten spacing!

Board and Batten Step 1: Install Base Molding

Measure, cut, and install the base molding.

Base molding for board and batten wall on Remodelaholic

The stair used to be wrapped with carpet, but we wanted to avoid that and clean up the look.  We built out the stair a bit and then wrapped it with the MDF.  We got lucky and the MDF was the exact same height as the stair!

Board and batten wall tutorial, simple texture remodelaholic (27)

Board and Batten Step 2: Install Crown Molding

Measure and cut your crown molding pieces. Using the ceiling piece as a spacer, push the wall piece up to the ceiling piece (you will need a helper to do this, which is why we didn’t get any pictures) and nail in place.

Crown molding for Board and batten wall, simple texture remodelaholic (16)

Next install your ceiling piece.

Crown moulding for Board and batten wall tutorial, simple texture remodelaholic (22)

*TIP*  We didn’t have joists to nail the crown  molding to on this portion of the ceiling. You can use anchor bolts for a LOT of extra work or you can do what we did: to keep the board in place, put in 2 nails at a 45 degree angle to the right and then immediately turn your nailer the other direction and add two more in a 45 degree angle to the left. The “v” created by the nails acts like an anchor. I wouldn’t do this with heavy beams, but for a lightweight molding, it works well.

Crown molding for a Board and batten wall tutorial, simple texture remodelaholic (25)

Board and Batten Step 3: Rip the Battens (if needed)

Our battens needed ripped in half, remember.

What do I use for the battens Board and batten wall tutorial, simple texture remodelaholic (33)

 

Board and batten wall tutorial, simple texture remodelaholic (32) Board and batten wall tutorial, simple texture remodelaholic (35)

And because we cut ours, we took the time to sand down the top two edges of the board to ensure that the edges were clean and that all imperfections were sanded down.

*TIP* Cut edges of MDF always need sanding.  Because MDF is so smooth, the imperfections will be very apparent once you paint. Don’t skip sanding!

Board and Batten Step 4: Install the Battens

Be sure to make your spacing perfect.  Follow this board and batten spacing tutorial and you will end up with the professional-looking results you want!

1. Mark out the spacing.

How to ensure even spacing when doing Board and batten from remodelaholic (36)

2. Measure the height you will need for that batten in that place. Cut your batten. (Do this for each batten, as ceilings and floors are not as level as you think!)

3. Place the bottom of the batten at your spacing mark and nail once near the bottom of the board to hold it in place according to your spacing mark.

4. Place a level on the side of the batten board and adjust the board until it is perfectly vertical.

How to diy a professional looking board and batten wall from Remodelaholic

5. Nail once near the top then secure it to the wall with a few more nails in the middle.

Follow this tutorial for installing board and batten floor to ceiling. From Remodelaholic.

6. Repeat the process with each batten.

Board and Batten Step 5: Patch the nail holes and caulk all the seams

Patch the nail holes and caulk between the boards and the wall to fill the gaps.

Board and batten wall tutorial, simple texture remodelaholic (48)

Board and Batten Step 6: Paint

We chose Sherwin Williams High Reflective White, and, oh, the difference the paint makes! Make sure to inspect your paint job from the left and right to ensure every inch of the battens is covered in paint. It’s easy to miss the thin side next to the wall!

Board and batten wall tutorial, simple texture remodelaholic (56)

For painting the molding next to the floor, I used heavyweight scrapbook paper as a “drop cloth” of sorts. It moved along easily and slid under the gap of the base molding perfectly with no taping required!
How to paint baseboards the easy way. Board and batten wall tutorial, simple texture remodelaholic (60)

And we’re done! See how the battens just sort of melt into the wall? They offer a slight texture and pattern but they are not the focal point — exactly the subtlety we wanted!

Board and batten wall tutorial, simple texture remodelaholic (65)

If you’d like to see more of our projects at the Canyon House, browse through them here and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more inspiration and tutorials.

More DIY wall treatment tutorials:

  • How to Build a Pallet Wood Wall
  •  How to DIY an Elegant Paneled Wall
  •  How to build a Shiplap Plank Wall

Simple Board And Batten Wall Tutorial @remodelaholic

 

This post originally published 05.04.2013 // Updated 03.06.2020

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Remodelaholic is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Please see our full disclosure here.

Published: March 9, 2020Filed Under: *Our Projects, $20 to $250, Beginner, Build, By Level, By Material, By Style, By Tool, Canyon House, Farmhouse, Intermediate, Miter Saw, Nailer, Rustic, Table Saw, Tutorials, Wood and Plywoods Etc. Tagged: Board and Batten, Canyon House, Canyon House Living Room, DIY wainscoting, Moldings, Tutorials, Wainscoting, Wall Treatments, walls

About Cassity

Cassity started Remodelaholic with her husband, Justin, to share their love for knocking out walls together. She is an interior designer, wife, and mother of two. She and Justin have remodeled three homes from top to bottom and are working on their fourth. Making a house a home is her favorite hobby.


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Comments

  1. Mel says

    May 4, 2013 at 6:15 am

    Great tutorial. I like the smaller size of the battens. The tip on using scrapbook paper to paint the trim is worth it’s weight in gold; I was dreading having to tape.

    I love those two paintings, do you have a source for them?

    Reply
    • Cassity says

      May 4, 2013 at 10:14 am

      Mel!

      Thanks I am glad the scrap book paper tip was helpful! I HATE taping for projects too!! Anywho, I got the paintings about a month ago at Target. Hope you can find them too! They were about 39.00 bucks I think (each)

      Reply
      • JohnnY says

        April 30, 2019 at 2:07 pm

        Hi. I was wondering. Did you use any back board, to cover the existing wall? Or did you just lay the slats on the existing wall?

        Reply
        • Justin says

          May 9, 2019 at 10:24 pm

          We just glued and nailed the batten boards on the existing wall.

          Reply
  2. Pine Tree Home says

    May 4, 2013 at 7:35 pm

    So classic. I like how you carried it all the way to the ceiling. I’ve done it about a third of the way up my walls, but really like how this looks. Need to find a room to copy this to.

    Reply
    • Cassity says

      May 5, 2013 at 6:24 pm

      Thanks! I think it is a nice change too! I’ve done the wainscoting versions too but wanted a slight change! If you try it i would LOVE to see pictures!

      Reply
  3. Susan says

    May 5, 2013 at 5:36 am

    I think it’s perfect! Love it!

    Reply
    • Cassity says

      May 5, 2013 at 6:22 pm

      Thank you Susan!

      Reply
  4. Jemma says

    May 7, 2013 at 1:36 am

    i love this rustic look, i come from the countryplace and miss these patterns of walls all around me, Great post..

    Reply
  5. [email protected] says

    May 7, 2013 at 1:47 am

    Love the look! It looks so finished and gorgeous now. You two sure are a heck of a team.

    Reply
    • Cassity says

      May 7, 2013 at 8:43 am

      Thanks Marianne! I love how if I can dream it he can build it. (I miss the building part a bit too, but with “the littles” running around it is just not my time to build, when they get a bit older! Hopefully I can do more!) Zie je later!

      Reply
  6. Lauren H says

    May 8, 2013 at 5:34 pm

    Oh. My. Word. That clock! I want one! Of course, the b&b is beautiful, too. 😉 Saw you have a tutorial for the clock- now I just need to find a friend with heavy duty tools.

    Reply
    • Cassity says

      May 8, 2013 at 9:12 pm

      I know there are quite a bit of tools involved, but it is SO worth it! i truly LOVE my clock! I am we made it!

      Reply
      • Greg says

        June 24, 2013 at 8:32 am

        Curious, did you wind up using a Brad Nailer or a Finish Nailer for the larger base boards? I’m currently working on my own board & batten project and am using 11/16″ thick boards and not sure if a Brad Nailer will support the boards.

        Thanks!

        Reply
        • Justin says

          July 4, 2013 at 2:53 pm

          I did use a brad nailer on all of it. I think I used 2 1/2″ brad nails and tried to hit the studs behind the wall. One thing that I also noticed, if you can’s find a stud shoot at an angle one way then the other, and that will help hold the MDF to the wall.

          Reply
  7. Greg says

    June 24, 2013 at 8:47 am

    Curious, did you wind up using a Brad Nailer or a Finish Nailer for your trim work? My wife and I are doing this same project for our nursery and I can’t determine which nailer is appropriate. The boards we are using are 11/16″ MDF. I planned on putting a bead of liquid nails on the backs of each piece but am not sure if a 18 gauge brad nail will be sufficient enough to hold the larger base board and top horizontal board.

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Justin says

      July 4, 2013 at 2:54 pm

      If you use both liquid nails and brads you should be fine. Just try to hit the studs if you can.

      Reply
  8. Terry Moore says

    November 19, 2015 at 8:53 am

    Fantastic walls and awesome barn door = stunning transformation!

    Reply
  9. Suzie Lampson says

    August 7, 2017 at 2:18 pm

    I know this tutorial was done several years ago, but I just stumbled across it while searching for board and batten ideas. I love the spacing you used between battens on your living room wall. Do you happen to know the measurement of wall space between battens? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Cassity says

      September 5, 2017 at 12:08 pm

      Susie! I’m not totally sure because were not living in that house anymore but if you’re asking about the full height board and batten in the living room it was somewhere between 8 to 10 inches we kept it kind of close and tight!

      Reply
  10. Carroll says

    August 14, 2017 at 9:56 am

    The board and batten is awesome but your door to the left looks kind of out of place next to the barn door style on the right. Just my opinion so feel free to ignore the comment.

    Reply
  11. Lacey Moon says

    December 27, 2017 at 12:02 pm

    Do you sand the wall before painting the white for the board and batten? Ours has an orange peel and I don’t really know what to do with it so it doesn’t look like a white wall with boards on it.

    Reply
    • Peter II says

      October 10, 2018 at 5:12 am

      I think the best choice is to put a thin wallboard on the entire wall before applying the board and batten.

      Reply
  12. Jennifer says

    November 27, 2018 at 5:35 pm

    Your wall looks beautiful, I’ve installed wainscoting in several rooms. I love the top piece above the crown molding. I can’t tell from the pictures if you calked the space between the MDF and the ceiling. I have textured ceilings and can’t decide what to do with the “space” created by the textures. Thanks in advance.

    Reply
    • Justin says

      September 26, 2019 at 12:29 pm

      Caulk the gaps for sure.

      Reply
  13. Sandra a. says

    August 27, 2019 at 11:07 am

    We’re about to remodel a small home and was wondering what you think of the idea of floor-to-ceiling board & batten throughout the house … living room, dining room and bedrooms. We’re planning on using lattice strips to keep it as low profile as possible. Is it too much?

    Reply
    • Justin says

      September 1, 2019 at 9:33 pm

      If it were my house I would put it in the space that I want it the most and let it be a special feature. If overtime I feel like there are a couple more spots that I can add it to my might but I think I would avoid doing it everywhere because then you’ll get bored of it faster.

      Reply
  14. Phyllis lane says

    March 12, 2020 at 7:22 am

    I’m thinking of doing this only 5 feet high on two 8-foot adjoining walls in my kitchen where the table and chairs sit, thus leaving the upper 3 feet for hanging artwork. Would this look okay in your opinion?

    Reply
    • Cass says

      March 12, 2020 at 12:17 pm

      Yes! Most people typically use board and batten as a type of wainscoting on just one part of the wall — I think that will look great! You can see some examples of where we did just what you are describing in this post: https://www.remodelaholic.com/board-and-batten-spacing-tutorial/

      Reply
  15. walter d. says

    July 17, 2020 at 5:42 pm

    Wow, seemed a little overwhelming at first but this was presented in a really easy to follow way, thanks for the tutorial. The final look is rustic and nice.

    Reply

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Hey there, I am Cassity! Nice to virtually meet you!

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