Creating a board and batten wall treatment is easy and doable by any do it yourselfer. This step by step tutorial will help you add beauty and architectural interest to a blank wall on the tightest of budgets. Beyond style points, you can use the finished board and batten treatment as a picture ledge or for towel or coat hooks.
Preparation
Per 8 feet of wall space, boards spaced every 12" and more than 48" in height, you will need . . .
1 - 1x3 @ 8 feet long
10 - 1x2 @ 8 feet long
1 - 1x4 @ 8 feet long (if you need to replace moulding)
Liquid Nails Adhesive
I choose to use pine boards for my Board and Batten project because it is formaldehyde free. You can treat your walls with Board and Batten cut from MDF as well.
Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. It is also advisable to review the Getting Started Section. Take all necessary precautions to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each step. Always predrill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain. Be safe, have fun, and ask for help if you need it. Good luck!
Instructions
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Now cut to fit 1x2s to fit between the baseboard and the top board. Attach with nails and glue, to the studs in the wall. Use a level.
Now of course you should be aware of the finished design, and if a board just doesn't work, or your wall wasn't built to code, don't feel like you must attach a board to every stud.
Step 6
It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.
Comments
Brittany I (not verified)
Wed, 07/13/2011 - 14:51
Bad Walls
I've been thinking about doing this in my hallway for a very long time, but my main concern is that I have lathe and plaster walls and I don’t think it will be as simple to install. Do you have any suggestions to ensure it’s done correctly on that type of surface?
redhead_61
Thu, 07/14/2011 - 12:52
There you go again. I have
There you go again. I have had a bead board project for my master bedroom in mind for months now. I have just been putting it off because lets face it, the master is ALWAYS the last room to get done right? I was at a friends house this weekend and they had this done. I have seen it before, but now that I have been building and using these materials I looked at this and realized how CHEAP this would be to do instead of bead board. It will now be happening a lot sooner. Thanks for a tutorial on it.
I hope you are happy to know that because of you, I now look at EVERYTHING around me and think through the process and cost of how I could make it. :)
Guest (not verified)
Fri, 07/15/2011 - 17:14
Mind-Reader
Ana, you somehow always read my mind! I saw an episode of DIY Disaster (I think that's what it's called) where a man was supposed to do board and batten to the outside of his house but never finished it, so Brian (the main guy) came and helped him finish it... and I thought how wonderful that would be INSIDE our house in WHITE... this was about 6 months ago... and here you have it done in YOUR house! We're totally on the same wave length :)
OH and PS - the curtain is almost the most important part! Great find on that super chic curtain!
usmcwyfe46
Mon, 12/05/2011 - 11:47
I wish there was some way to
I wish there was some way to make these sort of things (think chair rail) temporary. I live in military housing (UGLY and very dated) and miss having these little touches that make things a home.
RhondaC
Tue, 12/06/2011 - 08:12
I wonder?
I'm going to do my guest bathroom with the board and batten, however, I want to give the room a rustic, manly look. Has anyone put the room color (besides black) on the board and batten and maybe use a white on the top? Also, if I use the lattice, wonder what I could to to maybe stain or just varnish the strips and wood, and maybe have a paint color created to match?? I'm in the process of remodeling an entire house, and would love to do things different. Any suggestions would be wonderful and very much appreciated! By the way, your bathroom is absolutely gorgeous!
Guest (not verified)
Mon, 02/06/2012 - 09:59
is there another layer on the wall?
Hi-
I just wanted to confirm that the parts of the wall that are painted white are the original wall just being re-painted. At times when i look at the photo, it looks like there is another layer on top of the original wall, aside from the dividers. We are in escrow for a new house and would love to do this!
Thank you so much, and love your site-- Im constantly telling my friends to check it out :)
Guest (not verified)
Mon, 02/06/2012 - 21:07
Textured drywall
What do you do if your dry wall is textured?
Hannah Johnson (not verified)
Thu, 03/08/2012 - 10:36
Orange Peel Walls
Hi Ana,
We are updating our bathroom and will be doing B&B project on the walls. We have the yucky Orange Peel wall texture on our walls. What kind of board backing would you recommend?
Nicole R (not verified)
Tue, 05/15/2012 - 15:18
So, how did you do behind the
So, how did you do behind the toilet? Did you remove the whole toilet or just the tank? This might be obvious to some people, but I wasn't sure how to go about doing behind my toilet. Thanks! :)
shannon lang (not verified)
Fri, 05/25/2012 - 05:35
old a** house=old a** fixtures...
i love love love this idea. i live in an old bungalow. old bungalow=tiny bathroom+ugly plaster damaged walls. this would be perfect to spruce up my water closet errr...bathroom, if u can call it that. however, i have a pedestal sink...any suggestions? i guess i could always just do it on one wall???