The Best Board and Batten Calculator - It's Honey Done (2024)

FAQs

How do I calculate how much board and batten I need? ›

The hardest part is measuring which is actually pretty easy with this formula: Number of battens x width of battens. Subtract your answer from the width of your wall. Take your new answer and divide that by how many spaces you'll have between battens.

The Best Paint Finish for Your Accent Wall: Eggshell, Satin Or Semi Gloss for Board And Batten.

What kind of wood do you use for board and batten walls? Both wood and MDF are common for board and batten installation. MDF is easier to work with, smoother, and more cost-effective.

It's best to space them evenly, about 10-12 inches apart, but they don't have to be exact. For example, if your wall is 100 inches wide, you'll install a 2-inch board on either side, then have 96 inches left to fill. Divide 96 by 12 (the number of inches between each batten, center to center) to get 8.

Total number of battens: Formula: Total Battens = Number of Spaces + 1. Simple Explanation: Add one to the number of spaces you calculated in step 3, because each space needs a batten on either side.

The cheapest way to do a DIY board and batten wall would be to use MDF purchased in 4′ x 8′ sheets, then have them ripped into perfectly straight boards for your lattice strips. You would need to know exactly how much you need, and what the thicknesses would be.

apart, battens should overlap by at least 1/2 in. With wider boards, increase batten overlap proportionately. While there are no set widths for board and batten siding, an attractive combination is 1×3 battens with 1×10 boards. Siding should be nailed to horizontal blocking lines or to furring strips.

Fiber cement is created using a unique blend of cellulose fibers, sand, cement, and water. This particular composition enables the final product to be significantly more durable and weather resistant. Here's the best part: fiber cement can be molded to look just like original wood board and batten siding.

Materials make up the largest portion of your overall board and batten siding costs. Depending on the type of material you choose—actual wood, fiber cement, metal, vinyl, or engineered wood—your costs may range from $0.75 to $10 or more per square foot.

Complex Installation

Unlike traditional lap siding that is installed using interlocking and overlapping mechanisms, board and batten siding is harder to install. It usually requires professional installation to ensure efficiency and the desired look.

What is the best height for board and batten? ›

While the height of board and batten is a matter of personal preference, a good rule of thumb is to place the height either above or below the center of the wall. For our eight-foot wall, we are installing board and batten at a height of five feet.

The most common arrangement uses 1x10 boards and 1x2 or 1x3 batten. You can also use 1x8 or 1x12 boards and 1x4 battens. To seal out moisture, the boards should be in sound condition and free of open knots, and the battens should lap at least 3/4 inch onto the boards on both sides.

Add 1 to your number of spaces to get the number of battens on the wall. Now multiply your batten width by the number of battens. Subtract that number from your total wall length. Divide that number by the number of spaces you calculated earlier, and THAT number will be your exact spacing between each batten.

Start from the exact middle of the wall and place a vertical batten board. Pick your spacing size (in this project, the spacing is 10 inches) and place your next boards to the left and right of the middle board. Work your way out from the middle until all vertical panels are attached to the wall.

The widths of battens are typically between 1.5”-3.5” (3.8-8.9 cm) with board widths of 6”-12” (15.2-30.5 cm). Board and batten siding is a timeless architectural design feature used for exterior cladding. It consists of wide boards vertically installed with narrow battens covering the seams between them.

The most common arrangement uses 1x10 boards and 1x2 or 1x3 batten. You can also use 1x8 or 1x12 boards and 1x4 battens. To seal out moisture, the boards should be in sound condition and free of open knots, and the battens should lap at least 3/4 inch onto the boards on both sides.

Setting Out up the roof (Gauge)

Measure the distance (A) from the first, eaves course batten to the top course batten. Divide this distance by the maximum tile gauge. Round the answer up to the nearest whole number (B) – this gives the number of tile courses required. Divide A by B to determine the actual batten gauge.

Use the square footage and divide that number by the square foot of each board. The square footage of each board can be found on each product page and on your packaging. Example: 120ft² / 3.08ft² = 39 boards.