How to do board and batten walls and siding

DIY board and batten siding is an essential part of cottage country decor, not just because of its iconic look, but also because it's just so easy to do.

Why do so many sawyers love board and batten? It's hardy, adds character, looks great and can be made using fresh, green material, meaning you can mill your lumber and be building with it on the same day. It's also budget friendly, since you don't have to spend time and money drying lumber.

Lots of sawyers in the Woodland Mills Product Owners and Community Facebook Group have done batten walls for their sawmill sheds, storage sheds and even most walls in their cottages. Sawyers like Austin say, "board and batten is the way to go" for projects like saw sheds.

So here's a few tips on how to make your own board and batten walls:

A historic example of a board and batten house. - Courtesy Nye Historic Property Survey

• • Easy installation, just measure and cut your boards to size and you can start building right away

  • No need to wait for lumber to dry, since the battens cover up the spacing between your boards as the wood shrinks

  • Easy to paint any color you want, letting it blend in with your existing decor

  • You can use construction adhesive or liquid nails for a firmer bond, but it’s not necessary

  • You can use rough sawn lumber for a low-effort rustic, country aesthetic

  • Using a stud finder to locate studs ensures a secure installation and a professional finish

• • All the battens must be wide enough to cover up the gaps created by your shrinking boards

  • You must be careful where you nail your boards, as shrinking wood could potentially cause splitting where you've nailed

  • Not necessarily a disadvantage, but some sawyers prefer to install the boards and then raise the battens later, giving the boards time to dry and shrink. This means you may have to come back to the project after a year to install your battens

An example of a board and batten structure with an exposed section of the structure behind it.

To create a board and batten wall, you will need several materials, including:

• • Wood or MDF boards

  • A brad nailer

  • Wood filler

  • Construction adhesive (optional)

  • Paint (optional)

You will also need a measuring tape, a level, and a hammer to ensure that your boards are straight and securely attached to the wall. Additionally, you may need liquid nails and a caulk gun to fill in any gaps or seams between the boards.

The cost of the materials will depend on the size of the wall and the type of materials you choose, but on average, a DIY board and batten wall can be completed for under $300. Gathering all these materials beforehand will ensure a smooth and efficient installation process.

Before you start attaching the boards to the wall, you will need to prepare the space by removing any existing baseboards and cleaning the wall to ensure that it is free of dust and debris.

You will also need to determine the width the boards, which can usually range from 5 to 12 inches, depending on the look you want to achieve.

It’s also important to consider the texture of the wall, as a smooth surface will be easier to work with than a textured one. If you have a textured wall, you may need to attach a 1/8” panel board to create a smooth surface. Proper preparation will set the foundation for a successful board and batten installation.

Any type of wooden framed structure can be built with board and batten walls, as long as it has top boards and base boards.

Start by measuring the length of wall and cutting bottom and top ledges which will be used to install your vertical walls.

• • Your top and baseboards don’t have to be very wide, but a few inches should be enough to give you space to nail the vertical boards in and provide good grip

  • You don’t need to bother planing or finishing these boards as they will eventually be hidden

  • Ensure your horizontal boards are screwed in securely to your wall or the building’s structure, since all the other boards will be be installed on top of them

Mark a level line to ensure accurate placement of the horizontal boards, which is crucial for achieving a polished and professional appearance.

With the horizontal bottom and top ledges installed you are ready to mill and place your vertical boards.

This initial layer of boards will form most of the material of your wall. Just follow these steps:

Nail Placement: When nailing your vertical boards to the top and bottom boards, place two nails in the center third of each board. This allows the outer edges to shrink and move without cracking

Hiding your nails: If you plan on covering up your nails, make sure you've nailed your boards in places where they can be covered up by future top boards or baseboards

Board Placement: Generally you will want to install your boards so they are flush with no gaps between them. Over time the boards will shrink and a gap will be created but this will be covered up by all the battens

Be aware of wood tension: Before installing your board, look at the end grain and ensure that the outward side of the rings is facing your wall. Over time your wood will want to bow into the shape of these rings, but attaching the boards in this way will ensure they won't buckle outwards and push out their nails

• • Spacing isn't a concern, just press the boards up against each other and let the battens cover it up

  • You don't have to draw out the project and can complete it in one go, as opposed to coming back to it in a year to install the battens

  • Any growing gaps will be covered by battens anyway

  • The battens will shrink into the gap created by the interior boards, filling any spaces

• • If you wait a year or more for the wood to shrink, you will know exactly what size of battens you'll need to cover the gaps

  • With the wood shrinking and cupping, you can re-nail your boards back in and ensure they're secure in the longterm

• Ultimately it's up to you to decide whether to put your battens straight up or hold off, but lots of sawyers have their own preferences.

  Ethan from the Woodland Mills Facebook group says "big thick battens" account for that shrinkage so you shouldn't have to worry about it and can erect your battens right away.

  Though Matt says as his boards dried they bowed outward and pulled out the battens.

  Meanwhile Austin says he's thankful he waited to put up his battens since he had significant shrinkage in his boards the year after he installed them.

See how there's a gap in between the boards when viewed from behind (look at the door) but the gap is covered up seamlessly by the exterior batten? Batten will cover up the shrinkage of the wood over time.

This part is up to you, but another step you can do to really bring out the beauty of your board and batten wall is to install baseboards and molding, thus framing your wall on all sides.

This can be effective indoors, especially if your wall has doors and windows which can also be framed to highlight the straight lines of your batten wall. But it can also be a great idea for outdoor structures, especially with well cornered base and top boards.

However, it's not necessary to do top and baseboards. If you have an exterior board and batten wall and the top is covered by the overhang from the roof then that should be sufficient in keeping in heat while keeping pests out.

Here are some pros for installing your baseboards and molding:

• • You can reuse the dimensions you used for the top and bottom ledges which are now hidden behind your boards and batten, taking into account any cornering you need to do

  • The width of the baseboard and molding can cover up any seams or nails

  • It will also help cover up any shrinkage in the wood along the top or bottom of the boards

With your structure built, your boards installed, your battens raised and your bottom boards and molding complete, you now have a fully finished board and batten wall.

Over the next year the materials will continue to age and dry and the wood will settle into a structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing design.

In the meantime here are some things to consider:

• • Using a varnish or stain to color the wood

  • Painting the wood, including painting the boards one color and the battens another

  • Check in on your wall every few months to ensure no cracks or seams are visible

If there are any gaps, you can use a little bit of caulking to fill them. If you waited to install your battens, you can re-hammer your nails in to ensure they're securely fit. You should also fill any cracks with wood glue or another construction adhesive to maintain the structural integrity of your board and batten wall.

With all that done, your board and batten siding will now provide some much needed texture to your home, shed or barn, enhancing the rustic charm of your property and raising eyebrows from your neighbors.

So, what's next on the agenda for improving the appeal of your property?