What boards do you use for board and batten?
Emma Newman
Updated on May 26, 2026
- 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.
Also, what wood do you use for board and batten?
Cedar is a good lumber choice because it is soft; harder wood, such as pressure-treated pine, will not seal as well and is more likely to crack. Board and batten is commonly used in farmhouse style homes, but it also looks well with minimalist, modern, and transitional styles.
Beside above, what size boards do you use for board and batten siding? The board size arrangements that can be used for board and batten siding include 1×10 boards with 1×2 or 1×3 battens as well as 1×8 or 1×12 boards with 1×4 battens. Battens should lap at least ¾ inch onto the boards on both sides to keep out moisture. Boards should be in good condition.
Likewise, people ask, what do you use for board and batten siding?
Cedar is a good lumber choice because it is soft; harder wood, such as pressure-treated pine, will not seal as well and is more likely to crack. 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.
Does board and batten have to go into studs?
You'll need to attach along the center of your batten, too, but it's a waste of time to measure every few inches to do this. However, you can't rely on the batten to lie perfectly straight, either.
Related Question Answers
How high should board and batten be in dining?
The traditional rule of thumb is that wainscoting height should be a third of the wall's height, including the cap or any moldings. So if you have 9-foot walls, then 3-foot (or 36-inch) wainscoting will look great. Scale down to about 32 inches for rooms with 8-foot walls.How do you fake a batten board?
How to fake board and batten- Measure the wall to figure out how many boards you need. Measure your wall and determine how far apart you want the boards to be placed.
- Trim and paint the boards. Trim the boards to size (if needed) and paint.
- Position the boards.
- Keep going!