Board and Batten Spacing Tutorial

I was in the middle of writing a tutorial of how we did our living walls from our National Painting week project.   And I realized that I had a tutorial within a tutorial 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 DIY 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 beginner, 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 super picky about this, check out 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 steps ways to figure out how to accomplish the perfect board and batten spacing!

Perfect Board and Batten Spacing Tutorial

Measure As You Install Version (If you want to measure the spacing as you install each individual batter 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 tutorial.  I know it works and it makes all the difference int eh final look of your board and batten wall to have everything spaced out nicely!  p.s. 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.

Images 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!   Our more recent tutorial coming tomorrow. 

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