Read the sequence from the top before cutting, painting, or moving pieces.
Learn how to calculate well fitted board and batten spacing, even around doors, windows, and corners.
Then see how to install traditional board and batten and full-height floor to ceiling board and batten.
Figuring Out Board and Batten Spacing
I was in the middle of writing a walkthrough of how we did our living walls from our National Painting week project.
And I realized that I had a walkthrough within a walkthrough and one that needed to be addressed for board and batten style walls on it’s very own, so here I am.
One of the biggest signs that you are just learning how to Handmade your board and batten is problems with your spacing. You do not, and I repeat, you DO NOT want to have uneven spacing between the battens throughout and particularly on the opposite ends of the wall. That is a sign that you are a first-time, and that you might have a bit more to learn!
To explain what I mean about uneven spacing lets start a hypothetical project.
Let’s say you start the wall by installing one batten, and then just measure 24″ from the first molding and keep installing that way till you get to the other side.
But, at the end of the wall you are left with just 7 inches. That means one side is spaced and “24 inches and the other side is 7”, that looks uneven and not ideal
(By the way, this happens with tile too, I am clearly picky about this, look at my tiling tips here).
Instead you want the spacing to be even throughout the length of the wall, but one of the hardest parts is figuring out the spacing.
So let me give you two step by step ways to figure out how to accomplish the well fitted board and batten spacing!
well fitted Board and Batten Spacing walkthrough
Measure As You Install Version
(If you want to measure the spacing as you install each individual batten, follow these instructions)
A. Measure the length of the wall.
B. Decide how many battens you would like on that wall (this is the general spacing do you want them every 2 feet, every foot). Now divide the length of the wall by the general spacing. If you have a 10 foot wall and would like the battens about every 2 feet that equals 5 spaces.
C. Now in order to have 5 spaces you will need 6 battens, so 5 spaces + 1 equals the number of battens you will need. (*You cannot forget the origin point or the “0” if you will, see the diagram below)
D. You cannot forget the thickness of your batten’s themselves. Let’s say they are 3″ so multiply the number of battens (6) by the width of the battens (3″) which is 18″.
E. Subtract the width of the battens (18″) from the length of the wall (10′) which leave 8.5′.
F. Divide 8.5 (the length of the wall minus the width of the battens by the amount of spaces you would like (5). Which leaves you with a spacing of 20.4″ (so just under 20 1/2″ between each batten) This is the exact spacing between each batten.
G. Attach your first batten to the end of the wall. Now measure from the edge of the batten 20.4″ and mark that will be the beginning edge of your next batten. Install the second batten and measure from the edge and repeat installation. Continue your way down the wall.
Pre-Measured, Then Install Option
(If you want to measure out and mark the spacing on the wall of all battens before beginning, follow these instructions)
A. Measure the length of the wall.
B. Decide how many battens you would like on that wall (this is the general spacing do you want them every 2 feet, every foot). Now divide the length of the wall by the general spacing. If you have a 10 foot wall and would like the battens about every 2 feet that equals 5 spaces.
C. Now in order to have 5 spaces you will need 6 battens, so 5 spaces + 1 equals the number of battens you will need. (*You cannot forget the origin point or the “0” if you will, see the diagram above)
D. Subtract the 3″ for the “origin batten” from the length of the wall. (10′ – 3″)
E. Now divide the remaining length by 5 (the amount of spaces you would like).Which leaves 23.4″ or just under 23 and 1/2 inches
F. To begin, measure from the starting corner 23.4″ and mark the wall. This mark will be the start of your second batten. Measure from the first mark another 23.4″ inches, repeat this step all the way down to the end of the wall. You will be left with a 3″ space for the last and final batten. The marks will be the leading edge of your batten board (see below for instructions)
That is basically the walkthrough. I know it works and it makes all the difference in the final look of your board and batten wall to have everything spaced out nicely!
Now you’re ready for:
How to Install Handmade Board and Batten
Board and Batten Spacing Examples
Image from our first ever board and batten project 11 years ago, when we were in our first house during college. Notice how nice the spacing in all the way into the corner!
and from our Park House living room — the board and batten looked memorable with the Handmade interior columns (on the opposite walls) and built-in bookcases!
This is our most recent board and batten wall — this is a really thin board, installed floor to ceiling and we love it!
You can also use this same spacing calculation to put board on batten on a kitchen island (with beadboard or just on the original island like this).
Board and Batten Spacing FAQs
Can the spacing be different on walls in the same room?
Yes! It is okay if the spacing of the battens is slightly different on adjoining walls especially if you keep the spacing equal throughout the individual wall.
What do I do if a light switch or outlet is in the way of my board and batten?
If there’s an outlet or light switch in the way of your vertical battens, you can often adjust the spacing a little bit one way or the other for an straightforward fix.
OR, you can do like we did in our Park House living room when the light switches were RIGHT at the height of our top horizontal board. We notched the board and framed out the light switch.
(This does require a little extra electrical work, so be sure to consult a professional if you’re unsure about that part.)
Do I skip the corner or put a vertical batten in the corner?
This is probably just preference here — but we always start and end the wall with a batten. It gives the wall a really nice finished look on both inside and outside corners.
And on the outside corners, it’s also a nice way to dress them up and protect them from the inevitable dings and dents of everyday life (and kids).
If you look at our Park House living room, you can see how it looks with battens in the corners and around the corners.
Don’t miss the step by step walkthrough!
How to Install Handmade Board and Batten
More board and batten options:
- Board and Batten with a Built-in Entry Table
- Farmhouse Entry with Floor-to-Ceiling Board and Batten
- Bathroom Board and Batten How-To
- Board and Batten Wall with 3D Wall Panels
- 40 Decorative Wall Panel options
- plus 25+ More Handmade Wainscoting options
