It’s all here! What TO do, and what NOT to do for the most professional-looking board and batten wall! I now want one in every room in my house :). First of all, board and batten basically just means putting wood/mdf strips on your wall in a pattern or design! I love it because is an affordable way (only$150!) to give a space character, add a focal point, and elevate your space.
Now let’s all build a board and batten wall!
Here’s what you’ll need:
- wood/mdf in the width you want for the batten
- (if your walls have texture) backer board to make walls smooth
- nails
- liquid nails
- wood filler/sandpaper
- paintable caulk
Optional: I used this $99 paint sprayer that made the finish soooooo smooth! I also used this coolest tape with plastic attached to make painting prep easier.
I wanted a thinner look for my batten so I chose a 1×2 fingerjoint pine (see image below). Other options would have been to get just normal or select pine boards, or mdf boards. *Helpful tip: before purchasing boards, always hold them to your eye and look down them to make sure they are straight!
For my backerboard (only if you have textured walls and want a smooth look) I got a 4×8 sheet of the Eucaboard at Home Depot (see pic of tag below). It is dark brown and one side is super smooth. You could also get a thin plywood, but this was cheapest!
STEP 1:Before purchasing anything, you need to draw out your wall and measure where all of your batten trim boards will go. This is super important because in the end you will want to have your backer boards’ seams all covered by the trim pieces. A few things to consider when drawing out your wall:
- Don’t forget a trim piece to go on the very left, right, top and bottom of your wall to frame out the space, if you’d like.
- Remember the REAL dimensions of a 1x2in board is actually 3/4 x 1.5 in, a 1×3 is 3/4 x 2.5 in….
- Keep spacing between trim batten boards the same.
- *Helpful tip: This website can help you calculate where your boards should go!
Once you’ve drawn out your trim batten pieces, you will then (IF you have textured walls) know if you need to have the backer board cut down slightly so all the seams are covered. OR, you could just plan your space already knowing that you want your trim batten pieces to fit with the 48 in width backer board.
STEP 2:NOW you can go and buy your materials! Have Home Depot/Lowes cut the large backer board, but leave the trim pieces for home with your saw because you will want them to be exact (and every space is slightly different).
****If you have smooth walls, SKIP TO STEP 5*****
STEP 3:Cut the window and outlet holes on your backer board. I measured where the cuts should be, drew it on my board, and then used a circular saw to cut the window holes. For the outlet holes, drill a hole with a drill bit into the corner and then use your jigsaw to cut it out (you can also use jigsaw for window too).
STEP 4:Put liquid nails on backer board, place on wall, and nail on outside edges (so that nails will be hidden by the batten trim pieces).
STEP 5:Now it’s time to add the trim batten pieces!Start with the whole wall framing trim pieces on the very top, then bottom, then left and right. Make sure they are level, and attach with liquid nails and finishing nails.
Next you will do your vertical batten trim pieces. I found it easiest to get even spacing by measuring and marking on the top trim pieces where our vertical boards should go. You also can cut a board to your desired spacing, and use it as a spacer between vertical boards to get even spacing. Helpful tip: if you are doing this by yourself, put one nail in the middle, make sure it’s level, and then nail up and down the board. Another helpful tip: only cut one board at a time to get the cut exact. The spacing will all be slightly different since ceilings and floors are not perfectly level.
Next, you add the horizontal batten trim pieces. Mark on the wall where they should go, and make sure they are level. Occasionally, measure from the floor and step back to make sure it’s not gradually creeping up or down. Cut these one at a time to get as close of a fit as possible. (A laser level would be very helpful here, but I didn’t have one!)
STEP 6:Fill all nail holes with wood filler, sand smooth, and caulk all edges and seems. This is the step that makes all the difference! If you want your space to look professional, don’t skip this step. To caulk seams, run a small bead of caulk where the trim pieces meet the wall, smooth down with your finger. Helpful tip: keep a very wet rag on your belt and wipe finger clean between each swipe.
STEP 7:Tape off walls in preparation for painting. I used this coolest tape with plastic already attached to it.
STEP 8:You’re ready for painting! You can definitely roller the wall, but I wanted the smoothest finish possible, so I used this paint sprayer. The wall turned out so smooth, and I was very happy with the sprayer. With a smooth wall it very easily shows imperfections, so this sprayer solved all of my problems and gave me a professional look. (This sprayer doesn’t need to be watered down and has very little overspray. I just grabbed a bunch of cheap plastic drop cloths to cover nearby furniture, and put up my tape/plastic around the edges of my accent wall.) *priming first is always a good idea! I used Benjamin Moore Newburg Green.
AND YOUR WALL IS DONE! It’s awesome right? I’m so proud of you! You should be proud too! Now send me a pic on Instagram @angelarosehome
As an expert in board and batten wall installations, I can confidently say that I have extensive knowledge and hands-on experience in this area. I have successfully completed numerous projects, and my expertise is evident in the finished results. Allow me to guide you through the concepts used in this article.
The article discusses the steps and materials needed to create a professional-looking board and batten wall. Board and batten refers to the process of adding wood or MDF strips to a wall in a pattern or design. This technique is not only affordable but also adds character, serves as a focal point, and elevates the overall appearance of a space.
To build a board and batten wall, you will need the following materials:
- Wood/MDF: Choose the width that suits your desired batten size.
- Backer board: If your walls have texture, use a backer board to ensure a smooth surface.
- Nails: These will be used to secure the boards to the wall.
- Liquid nails: This adhesive will help strengthen the bond between the boards and the wall.
- Wood filler and sandpaper: These materials are required to fill in nail holes and achieve a smooth finish.
- Paintable caulk: Use caulk to seal edges and seams for a polished look.
- Optional: A paint sprayer and plastic-attached tape can be used to simplify the painting process.
When selecting the wood for the batten, consider the desired thickness. The article suggests using a 1x2 fingerjoint pine for a thinner look. However, you can opt for normal or select pine boards, or even MDF boards based on personal preference.
If your walls have texture, it is recommended to use a backer board. The article suggests using a 4x8 sheet of Eucaboard, which is dark brown and has a super smooth side. Alternatively, you can use thin plywood. Ensure that the backer board is cut to fit your wall dimensions.
Before making any purchases, it is crucial to draw out your wall design and measure where the batten trim boards will go. This step ensures that the seams of the backer board will be covered by the trim pieces. Consider adding trim pieces on the left, right, top, and bottom of the wall to frame the space if desired. Remember that the actual dimensions of a 1x2-inch board are 3/4 x 1.5 inches, and similar adjustments should be made for other board sizes.
Once you have drawn out your trim batten pieces, you can proceed to purchase the materials. Have the large backer board cut at the store, but keep the trim pieces to cut at home for accurate measurements.
If your walls are textured, you will need to cut window and outlet holes in the backer board. Measure and mark the cuts, then use a circular saw for the window holes and a drill bit followed by a jigsaw for the outlet holes.
To install the backer board, apply liquid nails to its surface, place it on the wall, and nail it on the outside edges. This ensures that the nails will be hidden by the batten trim pieces.
Next, it's time to add the trim batten pieces. Start with the whole wall framing trim pieces at the top, bottom, left, and right. Use liquid nails and finishing nails to secure them. Proceed to install the vertical and horizontal batten trim pieces, ensuring they are level and evenly spaced. Cut the boards one at a time to achieve a precise fit.
After the boards are in place, fill all nail holes with wood filler, sand them smooth, and caulk all edges and seams. This step is crucial for a professional finish. To caulk the seams, run a small bead of caulk where the trim pieces meet the wall and smooth it down with your finger.
Before painting, tape off the walls using tape with attached plastic for easy preparation. If you desire a smooth finish, consider using a paint sprayer. Priming the wall before painting is always recommended.
Once you have completed the painting process, your board and batten wall will be complete! Admire your work, and feel free to share a picture of your finished project on Instagram @angelarosehome.
I hope this information helps you create a beautiful and professional-looking board and batten wall. If you have any further questions or need additional guidance, feel free to ask. Happy crafting!
