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Board and batten calculator

Board and batten takes one board per board width plus gap, and one batten over each gap. A 20 ft wall of 1x12 boards (11-1/4 in) with 1/2 in gaps needs 21 boards and 20 battens; at 9 ft tall that is 189 and 180 linear feet.

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Calculator

Board and batten calculator

Boards, battens, linear feet and stock lengths for one wall.

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Type lengths the way you read a tape: 8' 9", 7 3/4 or 7.75. Metric: 2667 mm or 2.667 m.

20′ 0″
Boards2121 × 10′ 0″ stock
Battens2020 × 10′ 0″ stock
Board spacing11-3/4″centre to centre

Material

Boards, linear
189′ 0″
Battens, linear
180′ 0″

Add trim for corners and openings, and extra for cutting around windows.

How it works. Boards = (wall width + gap) ÷ (board width + gap), rounded up. Battens = boards − 1 (one over each gap). Panel style: battens = wall width ÷ spacing, rounded up, + 1. Stock = pieces ÷ pieces cut from each stock length.

How board and batten is counted

Traditional board and batten is wide vertical boards with a small gap between them and a narrow batten nailed over each gap. Count the boards across the wall at board width plus gap; there is one batten fewer than boards (add one for each outside corner if you cap the edges). The batten must be wider than the gap with room to nail on each side.

Boards and battens per 10 ft of wall (1/2 in gaps)
Board (actual)BoardsBattens
1x6 (5-1/2″)2120
1x8 (7-1/4″)1615
1x10 (9-1/4″)1312
1x12 (11-1/4″)1110

Board widths are actual dressed sizes: a 1x12 is 11-1/4 in and a 1x3 batten 2-1/2 in. The lumber calculator lists the others.

Battens over panels or drywall

The modern look puts battens on a flat surface (panel siding outside, drywall inside) at a fixed spacing, often 12, 16 or 24 in on centre. Choose that style and the calculator counts battens as wall width ÷ spacing + 1. Line the battens up with studs or blocking so every nail lands in framing; the stud calculator shows the stud layout marks.

Stock lengths and joints

  • When the wall is shorter than the stock, several pieces come from one board; the calculator counts whole stock pieces.
  • When the wall is taller, plan a horizontal joint: a lapped or flashed joint on exterior work, or a mid-wall trim band.
  • Exterior board and batten needs a water-resistive barrier behind it; the siding calculator totals the wall area and trim.

Frequently asked questions

How many battens do I need for board and batten?

One fewer than the boards, one over every gap. For battens on panels, wall width ÷ spacing + 1.

What is the best spacing for board and batten?

For battens over panels, 12 to 24 in on centre; match the framing so each batten nails into studs.

What size boards are used for board and batten?

Commonly 1x8 to 1x12 boards with 1x2 or 1x3 battens. A 1x12 is 11-1/4 in wide actual.

How wide should the gap be between boards?

Small enough that the batten covers it with room to nail each side: a 1/2 in gap under a 2-1/2 in batten leaves 1 in each side.