Choose an accent wall or board and batten siding, enter the wall size and your board sizes, and get the number of battens, the exact gap, the linear feet and the lumber to buy.
Board names are nominal: a 1×4 is about 3½ in wide, a 1×3 about 2½ in and a 1×10 about 9¼ in. Enter the actual width.
Two kinds of board and batten
- Accent wall: narrow battens nailed over a painted wall in a grid or vertical pattern. The calculator spaces them evenly with one at each end.
- Siding: wide boards hung vertically with small gaps, and a narrow batten covering each gap.
Accent wall spacing
- Battens = (wall width + largest gap) ÷ (batten width + largest gap), rounded up
- Actual gap = (wall width − battens × batten width) ÷ (battens − 1)
Example: a wall 12 ft wide and 8 ft tall with 1×4 battens (3½ in) and gaps up to 16 inches needs 9 battens with gaps of 14 1/16 inches. With a rail along the top and bottom, that’s about 91 linear feet, or 13 pieces of 8 ft lumber.
Board and batten siding
- Boards = wall width ÷ (board width + gap), rounded up
- Battens = boards − 1, one over each gap
Example: a wall 12 ft wide and 8 ft tall with 1×10 boards (9¼ in) and ½ inch gaps needs 15 boards and 14 battens. In 8 ft lengths, that’s 29 pieces and 232 linear feet.
Common sizes
| Lumber | Actual width | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| 1×2 | 1½ in | Thin battens for a subtle grid |
| 1×3 | 2½ in | Battens on siding |
| 1×4 | 3½ in | Battens on accent walls |
| 1×8 | 7¼ in | Siding boards |
| 1×10 | 9¼ in | Siding boards |
| 1×12 | 11¼ in | Wide siding boards |
Accent wall spacing is a design choice. Many people choose gaps of 12 to 24 inches. Try a few spacings in the calculator to see how even the gaps come out.
Tips
- Nail into studs where you can, and use construction adhesive between them.
- Plan around outlets and switches before you cut.
- On siding, leave the gaps between boards so the wood can move with the weather. The battens hide them.
- Caulk the joints and paint for a clean finish.
Frequently asked questions
How far apart should board and batten be?
For accent walls, often 12 to 24 inches between battens. For siding, boards are usually spaced about ½ inch apart with a batten over each gap.
How many battens do I need for a 12 ft wall?
With 1×4 battens and gaps up to 16 inches, 9 vertical battens.
How do I calculate board and batten spacing?
Choose the number of battens, multiply by the batten width, take that from the wall width, and divide what’s left by the number of gaps.
What size boards are used for board and batten siding?
Usually 1×8 to 1×12 boards with 1×2 to 1×3 battens.
Do I need horizontal rails on an accent wall?
Not always, but a top and bottom rail gives a finished look. Add more rails for a grid pattern.
Results are exact for the sizes you enter. See How We Calculate for the formulas we use.
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