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November 6, 2012 ·

How to Install Board and Batten

DIY

The computer room is right off our kitchen and is the hub of our home. It is where the kids do their homework and is also my home office. It was also one of the most chaotic, neglected and unappealing rooms in our home. The room was in need for a makeover. Ever since we installed board and batten in our downstairs powder room, I was hooked with this classic architectural feature. Today I want to show you How to Install Board and Batten with decorative trim. This project will walk you through basic board and batten installation and also show how to add trim to give it an extra special appearance.
DIY Board and Batten
 
How to Install Board and Batten by Sand & Sisal
But first things, first… let’s take a look at the awful Before Pictures!
Below are pictures of what my computer room looked like before hand. Yuck. It’s a total disaster. Piles of papers, completely unorganized, unfinished, a dump-and-stash zone, and not a room that you want to spend any amount of time in. Embarrassing! I had lost total control of the room. Time for a change! Let’s clean this mess up and install board and batten.
 
computer room- before pic

Before starting any project, make sure you have all your safety gear and tools in working order. Follow all your power tools’ manufacturer recommendations and safety precautions. I used all of the 3M Tekk Protection products you see below for this board and batten project and when I Installed Hardwood Floors, and when using any project that involves power tools.

3M Tekk Products
To Install Board and Batten with Decorative Trim you will need the following:

  • Air compressor and nail gun
  • Nail gun nails: 2 inch and finishing nails
  • Pre-primed 1” x 2.5” x 8’ boards
  • Vinyl cove molding
  • 3M Tekk Safety Eyewear
  • 3M Tekk Sanding & Fiberglass Respirator
  • 3M Tekk Ear Protection
  • 3M Pro Grade Sanding Sponge- Extra fine grit
  • Paintable Caulk
  • White semi-gloss latex paint
  • Paint brush and roller

Head out to your hardware store and gather your supplies. To secure my boards together safely for the trip home in my truck, I wrapped several board of trim together with 3M Scotch Blue tape. I keep a roll in my truck’s glove compartment. It really comes in handy for situations like this.

Scotch Blue Tape (800x533)

Decide on your desired height. I chose 3/4 the height of my wall. Have someone help you hold your 1” x 2.5” x 8’ boards to your desired height. Make sure the boards are perfectly level with your level tool and nail to the wall with 2 inch nails. Continue all the way around the room. Once that first step is done, then go ahead and paint everything (walls and baseboard) below the horizontal board in semi-gloss white paint.

Installing Board and batten

 
Time to install your vertical boards. Decide how wide you would like your boards to be placed. I chose 16”.  Measure the distance from your level horizontal board above, to the top of the base board below. Cut your boards to that measurement. Make a straight cut across the top and a 50 degree bevel cut on the bottom, leaving a tiny ledge for the board to sit on the baseboards. Only do this bevel cut if you choose to place it above existing baseboards. Or you may also remove your existing baseboards and replace them with straight, plain boards (no decorative beveled trim).
 

Installing Board & batten

Because I wanted my boards 16” apart, I cut a scrap piece of board to that length. This will be your spacer board. Nail your first board to the wall and check for plumb. Use your spacer board and align your next batten board on the other side of your spacer board.  Check for plumb (a level vertical) before nailing with your nail gun.

How to install board and batten

Continue this process all the way around the room. You can stop at this point if you choose. It took us a very short time to install basic board and batten (approximately a day and a half). This room is 13′ x 9′ and the board and batten cost just under $300.

Installing Board & Batten

But you know I’m just not satisfied with basic…. it’s a compulsion of mine. I need more detail! So let’s not stop there! Let’s add a decorative rectangle! Easy enough. We decided on a 10” rectangle and cut a 10” board as our spacer. This ensures that everything is square (muy-importante & uber-easy!). Cut several boards to 16” lengths. Place one board under your 10” spacer board to align it. Nail it in place with 2 inch nails.

How to install board & batten

This is how it will look after you have created little rectangles. Feel free to stop at this point (again) if you desire. But if you’re a sucker for detail like me, then keep going! Let’s add some decorative trim to the board and batten.

Installing board and batten

 
I like to use cove molding to frame out my board and batten. You can use a foam cove molding, wood, or vinyl cove molding like I used here. It is lightweight, strong, less expensive than wood, and already primed! You can find it in the pre-finished decorative molding section at Home Depot. Cut each end of your cove molding on a 45 degree angle, as you would for a picture frame. (The piece pictured on the left is what you want.)
 

How to add trim to board and batten

 
To ensure that you have perfectly square rectangles, line up the top and bottom trim, back to back to check for exact measurements. Repeat for the side trim and nail inside each board and batten rectangle with your pneumatic nail gun using finishing nails.
 

How to add trim to board and batten

 
If you want a ledge resting along the top, then cut and nail long lengths of 1 x 2.5” boards to the top. Nail with 2 inch nails.
 

How to install board and batten

At this point you can also add additional cove or decorative molding under the ledge with finishing nails (as seen below). Fill in the nail holes with wood putty and sand to a smooth finish when dry with your 3M sanding sponge. Caulk all the inside edges with paintable caulk. This step gives you a very seamless and professional finish.

How to install board and batten

Paint all the board and batten with the same white semi-gloss paint you used earlier for the walls. If you come paint with me then you better watch out, I’m sure to get paint on you!
 

Paint with Sand & Sisal !

When it’s finished you will absolutely be amazed at what a difference board and batten makes! I love it! The room is bright and cheerful and a gathering place the whole family enjoys using now.
 

How to Install Board and Batten

The top ledge is perfect spot to display a few leaning pictures and accessories.
 

How to install board and batten
How to Install Board and Batten

How to install Board and batten
How to install board and batten
 
I hope I was able to share a bit how to install board and batten and you are now motivated to give it a try! For beginners, I recommend starting with basic board and batten, but if you are more advanced in your DIY skills then try this trimmed out version! The trimmed out version did increase the cost by about $200, so take that into consideration. Remember you will be adding a ton of architectural interest and value to your home.
 

Pin it if you love it!

DIY Board and Batten
 
KIM

This post is a collaboration with 3M DIY. To learn more about safety and preparation, visit 3MDIY.com.

 
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Comments

  1. Stacey {steward of design} says

    November 6, 2012 at 5:57 pm

    I love the look of board and batten! Well done.
    I am just trying to figure out which room to install mine….

  2. ✿Gɪʀᴀғғᴇ-Lᴇɢs (✿◠‿◠) says

    November 6, 2012 at 6:10 pm

    Kim, looks awesome, clean, and fresh! I find the less I love a room, the less likely I am to keep it clean and organized. My master bath is THAT room right now. Good luck in keeping it so clean and neat. Your love for the room should help a ton!

  3. CK Mangold Threemangoseeds says

    November 6, 2012 at 6:10 pm

    I love it Kim! We are getting ready to do this in our dining room and I cannot wait. Yours looks so amazing! Thanks for sharing. 🙂

  4. Jenna, SAS Interiors says

    November 6, 2012 at 6:26 pm

    What a great office space Kim. You make it look way to easy! Thanks for sharing. xo Jenna

  5. Joy2Journey says

    November 6, 2012 at 6:30 pm

    Great job Kim! I posted it on Facebook and passed it on 🙂 I. Love. It!

  6. Karah @ thespacebetweenblog says

    November 6, 2012 at 6:42 pm

    The room looks so great!! I find all kinds of fan coral down here … now I want to spray paint some red. 🙂 Love those beach accents.

    • Kim Wilson says

      November 6, 2012 at 7:57 pm

      Thanks Karah! That coral is actually that color! I’m in search of black fan coral but the price on it is escalating. I’m thinking of spray painting some inexpensive red! I need to come and visit you I’m thinking!!!

  7. Dawn says

    November 6, 2012 at 7:13 pm

    Thank you so much for the tutorial! I am considering installing board and batten in my laundry room. I do have a question … What do you do when you have two walls that are different lengths … say a 9′ wall and a 10′ wall … how do you decide how far apart to place your boards? You chose 16″, but how do you make sure that everything stays even around the entire room? I hope that I am making sense.

    • Kim Wilson says

      November 6, 2012 at 7:54 pm

      Hi Dawn. You are making perfect sense! I recommend choosing a width, then take a piece of painters tape and mark that width all across the room. Some areas, especially around windows, might look odd, so feel free to adjust those individual walls and spacing. The eye will not distinguish a difference as long as you don’t vary more than an inch or two. Find a width that works well for your room. (you’ll be playing with a lot of tape… trust me!) 😉

  8. Meghan Grace says

    November 6, 2012 at 7:14 pm

    Wow, does that look great! Thanks for a great tutorial. I actually think that I might be able to handle it!

  9. Chris Nickel says

    November 6, 2012 at 7:43 pm

    We created board and batten in our bathroom several years ago but never sis the cove molding. I think I have a trip to Home Depot or Lowes in my future. The molding gives a nice finish to the project.

  10. Richella Parham says

    November 6, 2012 at 8:57 pm

    Kim, the extra details you added make a big difference. I like board and batten a lot, and a plain, unembellished style is pretty. But those extra rectangles, the ledge, and the cove molding at the top really make a big difference. That said, I do not particularly like a heavy decorative molding with board and batten. Your look is still simple enough to fit with the board-and-batten vernacular, I think! (Did I really just use the word “vernacular” in a comment? I may be a nerd.)

  11. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    November 6, 2012 at 9:24 pm

    Oh, Kim it is fabulous!

  12. Jessica @ FourGenerationsOneRoof says

    November 6, 2012 at 9:33 pm

    I love the extra 10″ detail at the top. Nicely done and what a gorgeous transformation!

  13. Leslie Stewart says

    November 6, 2012 at 10:22 pm

    I’m pinning because I love it! You did an awesome job and it totally transformed the look of the room!
    Leslie

  14. Shel says

    November 7, 2012 at 12:05 am

    Probably the best tutorial of how to do this that I have seen, thank you thank you thank you. I have already forwarded this to my husband so he can study up on doing this in our living and dining room (one large room). Can’t wait to do this, so excited!

  15. Lauren says

    November 7, 2012 at 11:05 am

    Gorgeous! I love your tutorial and pinning it for when we tackle our foyer.

  16. Karin K says

    November 7, 2012 at 3:51 pm

    It looks fantastic!!! Your extras make this look so much better than the others I have seen…. definitely worth your effort!

  17. Wende says

    November 7, 2012 at 4:18 pm

    STUNNING!!!! That little extra makes such a huge impact. Love it!

  18. Ann @ Not Just Signs says

    November 7, 2012 at 8:26 pm

    Absolutely gorgeous! It really opened up the room and I am a sucker for details, details, details! The ledge is lovely and great for leaning items! Looks great and I love your blog.

  19. Erin Spain says

    November 7, 2012 at 8:58 pm

    Looks great, Kim! What a pretty work space you have.

    -Erin @ DIY On the Cheap

  20. Bethany@http://thislittleestate.blogspot.ca/ says

    November 9, 2012 at 4:44 am

    Love this Kim! I just pinned and had to come over and see how to right away! We did a similar tecnique on our ceiling, your trim adds so much though! Love the little details that make this makeover even more special!

  21. Taryn @ Design, Dining + Diapers says

    November 9, 2012 at 5:20 am

    This is gorgeous! I absolutely love how it turned out! The room looks so much brighter.

  22. malia says

    November 11, 2012 at 3:16 pm

    Incredible! Thanks for the great tutorial!

  23. James says

    November 16, 2012 at 8:55 pm

    You make this seem so easy! But your clear instructions and photos help a lot! thanks for sharing with us

  24. James says

    November 28, 2012 at 8:58 pm

    Looks sensational! Thank you for those meticulous and clear instructions! Makes it a whole lot easier to follow and attempt!

  25. Cynthia Weber says

    February 6, 2013 at 8:43 pm

    Hi Kim,
    This is a fantastic tutorial! Thank you for letting me link to it so my readers can benefit from all your hard work!

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  27. Anonymous says

    March 6, 2013 at 3:56 pm

    Do you think the Dutch Boy paint would work here or would you recommend sticking with the higher end paint considering it is such a large area? I am also a paint snob and have only used Benjamin Moore, but I’m going to Shermin Williams to check out some of your suggestions!

  28. Dannie says

    August 10, 2013 at 2:13 pm

    Hi Kim,
    Thanks for this tutorial. I have read several others on pinterest, but yours has answered many lingering questions. It will be a while until I can get to this dining room project, but now I know what to consult when I get there. …Dannie

  29. Cindy says

    August 21, 2013 at 11:22 pm

    I love what you did by adding the squares at the top and the trim. This is just what I needed to show my husband for us to do in our family room and he usually needs a picture of exactly what I want. So glad I found you on Pinterest.

  30. Dan says

    September 18, 2013 at 10:14 pm

    This is terrific, but I’m stumped by one thing. After you attach the top rail, you say to attach the vertical strips by ‘nailing’ them to the wall. Since the wall studs are typically 16 inches on center, after the first board, you won’t be hitting any studs, which is a problem, isn’t it? I feel dumb, what am I missing?

    • Kim Wilson says

      September 20, 2013 at 9:23 am

      Hi Dan,
      Don’t feel dumb, you aren’t missing anything. Each vertical board has 6-8 nails in each of them, which is more than sufficient. Don’t worry, those boards aren’t coming off the walls any time soon! In fact, I had messed up one vertical board and had to attempt to pry it off the wall… it was not easy to remove and it wasn’t nailed into the studs at all. 😉 If you choose to not add the extra cove trim work you still need to caulk all the edges. That not only gives it a finished look, but acts much like an adhesive, securing the boards additionally.
      Hope that helps. Thanks!
      Kim

  31. theresa says

    January 3, 2014 at 8:41 pm

    I like what you did with the room, but feel you should add crown moulding to ceiling wall

    • Kim Wilson says

      January 3, 2014 at 8:49 pm

      Hi Theresa! I totally agree! Crown molding would look so nice, but it’s one project/budget at a time. Trust me, it’s in the plans! 😉
      Happy New Year!
      ~KIM

  32. Kim says

    January 28, 2014 at 3:37 pm

    Not sure if you’ll see this or not – but I’ll give it a try. First of all LOVE how it looks! That said, how high are your ceilings? I have only 8 ft ceilings in my living room, though at one end they are vaulted to the 2nd floor. We’re thinking of adding a board and batten treatment to the room to give it some umph 🙂 It’s a cape cod style house, not huge by any means, but open concept to the dining/kitchen. We just want to add the board and batten to the living area. Do you think 8 ft ceilings are too short for board and batten? Would it make the room “squatty”? Like I said, one end of the room opens to the roofline on the 2nd floor (slanted ceiling) Hard to explain without a picture. BUt anyway, just wondering what you think of the ceiling height for board and batten. I’d like to do white below and a blue on top. Thanks!

    • Kim Wilson says

      January 30, 2014 at 10:18 am

      Hi Kim,
      Thanks for the kind comments! My ceilings are 9 feet. I think board and batten would look absolutely great with your 8 ft. ceilings, especially if you place a ledge along the top and put pics or decorative items up there. This would draw the eye upward and give the illusion of a taller wall. If it was my house, I’d make the height at either 6 or 6.5 feet. That gives you 1.5 feet of color above and room to decorate. If you have crown molding then go with the 6″ height definitely.

      Hope that helps! Have a great week. ~KIM

  33. Christopher says

    April 3, 2014 at 1:58 am

    I’ve seen other DIY postings for board and batten design and installation, but this is the best one, yet! Your use of cove molding gives it a very polished and professional appearance and your techniques for installation are very well presented. I have long planned to do this for my daughter’s room and had the entire space visualized, but your photo blog has given me even greater inspiration to take the design just a bit further. If I can just get my wife to trust me enough to give it a shot, I’m confident the finished product will be quite the delight and our daughter will be thrilled. Thanks for sharing!

    • Kim Wilson says

      April 3, 2014 at 11:03 am

      Thank you Christopher! I have several board and batten installation posts, so if you get into a bind, be sure to check the others out for more tips.

  34. ed says

    November 3, 2014 at 9:40 pm

    looks great. you must have used about 3 tubes for caulk…lol 🙂

Trackbacks

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    […] is what my office looked like before. We installed the board and batten (click link for full tutorial) about 2 years ago and I love it. The gold color on the walls is […]

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    January 31, 2015 at 12:36 pm

    […] is too it. I love how the tulip heart valentines wreath looks in my office, nestled between the board and batten, though I might move it to the front door later this week.  I set up a little pink and gold themed […]

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Kim WilsonWelcome to Sand & Sisal: where love of home and sea meet! I share tutorials in DIY, decorating, crafts, gardening, & recipes.  [READ MORE]

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