What is a board and batten
William Taylor
Published Mar 16, 2026
But you may be wondering, what is Board and Batten siding? Defined as a “siding and paneling style that uses narrow strips of wood placed over the joints of wide boards for a geometric”, board and batten delivers a stunning design with its layered effect.
What is the purpose of board and batten?
Board and batten is a siding or paneling style that pairs vertical planks of wood (the boards) with smaller strips of wood (the batten), which cover the joints between each plank to prevent leaking.
What material is board and batten?
What material is used for board and batten siding? The materials you can choose from for board and batten siding include wood, vinyl, steel, and fiber cement. Each has its own pros and cons. Wood is typically for homeowners who want a rustic look.
What is a board and batten wall?
You may not recognize the name, but board and batten is a classic type of wainscoting. It blends different sizes of plywood boards and molding to create a chic, textured look. True board-and-batten is made with vertically installed wide boards and narrow battens fastened over the gaps between the boards.What is the difference between board and batten and wainscoting?
Wainscoting is a protective barrier applied to the lower half or lower third of a room, usually on all the walls. Board and batten refers to a specific design that can be used to create this protective barrier.
Can board and batten look modern?
While an old technique, board and batten siding has a modern feel, especially in the context of the last 40-50 years. Many new-build neighborhoods have featured either brick or lap siding homes. Therefore, board and batten siding is gaining popularity as a trendy, modern exterior design option.
What kind of wood do you use for board and batten?
Cedar is a common choice for exterior board and batten siding, but other acceptable wood species include Cyprus, redwood, locust, white oak, and hemlock.
What style is board and batten considered?
Board and batten is a type of wainscoting, that has grown in popularity recently with the farmhouse decor and cottage trends. I love it, because it instantly adds character to any room, without looking too fussy.Does board and batten make a room look smaller?
Use things like board and batten to make a small entryway or bathroom look larger. We had a very small entryway with a dropped ceiling in our last house, but when we installed extra tall board and batten, it made the space feel WAY bigger, and more open!
How thick should wood be for board and batten?How thick should board and batten be? If you’re dealing with a smaller bedroom in a house with 8 ft ceilings, you’ll want to use something in the 2.5” to 3.5” width range for the trim work.
Article first time published onWhat is the difference between shiplap and board and batten?
Shiplap and Board and Batten are two different wooden wall treatments. Shiplap refers to wooden boards of the same width with grooves that help each board fit together tightly, while board and batten refers to boards of different widths installed with space between, usually vertically.
How thick should battens be?
Batten Sizes A true batten is 2-inches in width or smaller, but you can use larger widths by installing trim in place of a batten if you want a thicker appearance. They’re installed directly over the vertical panels to get the traditional look.
Can you use plywood for board and batten?
Board-and-batten can be installed onto solid plywood or OSB sheathing. If your sheathing is not solid, you will need to first attach horizontal furring strips.
Can you mix wainscoting and board and batten?
Adding wainscoting or board and batten is a great way to add character to your home for a relatively small cost!
What's the difference between board and batten and beadboard?
Beadboard: Vertically grooved panels that have a traditional style. Shiplap: Horizontal siding boards often used indoors as a design element. Tongue and Groove: A way of attaching two boards with a tongue inserted into a groove. Board and Batten: Battens are wide vertical molding pieces installed on larger boards.
What is the point of wainscoting?
Today, the term wainscot — and the more common wainscoting — simply refers to some type of wall paneling that is used on the interior of a space and covers the lower portion of the wall. While it has a protective function of adding a layer over the wall material and paint, wainscoting’s main purpose is decorative.
What is reverse board and batten?
Reverse Board & Batten siding features an extra thick panel that is reinforced with a foam backer to create the rigidity and durability of hardboard cladding. It is lighter, easier to handle, and more weather-resistant than real wood, fiber cement, and wood composite siding.
How do you remove board and batten?
- Step 1: Score Your Trim. Your first step is to break the seal between your wall and the wainscoting. …
- Step 2: Gently Pry Away Your Trim. …
- Step 3: Scrape Away Lingering Caulk. …
- Step 4: Patch Your Walls. …
- Step 5: Sand and Repeat. …
- Step 6: Paint Your Walls and Rejoice!
How far apart should board and batten be?
But how far apart should each batten be? Typically, batten are spaced anywhere from 12” to 24” apart.
When was board and batten popular?
BOARD AND BATTEN was popular as a wooden siding for houses in America between 1845 and about 865.
Does board and batten go with shiplap?
And anything shiplap can do, board and batten can do, too. (Better is subjective.) Like shiplap and other siding styles—think beadboard and tongue-and-groove—board and batten is a relatively simple wood construction that can be added to any preexisting wall (good news for remodelers and renovators).
How often do you have to paint board and batten?
Wood siding needs to be sealed with either paint, stain, or a sealer. Here’s the difference: Paint. Needs to be done about every five years, or as soon as you see it deteriorate.
Can you put board and batten in every room?
It depends on what ‘look’ you’re going for, in your home. If it’s very rustic or cottage style, you could do it in the living room. If not, maybe keep it for the laundry room. … I like a cottage style, so I’d probably use it in the living room or dining area.
Is board and batten wall timeless?
Board and batten walls are a timeless addition to any home! Get inspired by these creative board and batten wall ideas for every style and room! Board and batten walls are the latest trend in home decor. They aren’t new by any means.
Should you paint board before batten?
Paint everything at once Some tutorials suggested painting your “board” part (your wall) prior to attaching your battens while others said to wait until after the boards were attached. … Three it is 100% necessary to wait until after you attach the battens, spackle, and sand them to paint the battens.
Does board and batten go out of style?
Board and batten accent walls will never, EVER, go out of style. Neither will gray paint colors, which makes this painted master bedroom wall a DIY double threat!
Is board and batten farmhouse style?
A stunning farmhouse dining room gets a bright and airy look with board and batten. Basically, board and batten includes side boards separated by narrow wood strips called battens.
Is vertical siding a fad?
Fast forward to the 21st century – where vertical siding is a trendy, versatile, and popular design feature that gives traditional homes a contemporary, stylish look as well as depth to the home’s exterior.
Is board and batten hard?
Is DIY board and batten hard to install yourself? This is a fairly easy beginner to intermediate project. … If you’re also a beginner, I suggest choosing a small room or accent wall so the project is manageable. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be ready to tackle a huge space!
How much does a board and batten wall cost?
Board and Batten CostsZip CodeSq. ft.BasicBetterBoard and Batten – Installation Cost$210.00 – $320.00$300.00 – $430.00Board and Batten – Total$710.00 – $880.00$940.00 – $1160.00Board and Batten – Total Average Cost per square foot$7.95$10.50
How do you do board and batten without removing baseboards?
Use very thin battens or bead board paneling that fits on top of the existing baseboard. The top edge of most baseboards is no more than 1/4″ thick. This option results in a pretty flat wall treatment without a lot of dimension. Keep the existing baseboards and create an optical illusion of sorts.