What Is Board & Batten?
Walls just got interesting.
If you’re looking to bring traditional charm to your home, consider incorporating board and batten into your design. This common type of wall paneling is the perfect way to spruce up your space and add dimension to your walls. Keep reading to discover exactly what board and batten is and how this simple design feature will elevate your home with timeless elegance.
What Is Board & Batten?
Board and batten is a type of wall paneling that uses layers of flat boards and narrow strips of wood – called battens – to create a geometric pattern on a wall. It is a classic type of wainscoting, or the use of paneling on the lower part of a wall.
Board and batten, like other types of wainscoting, was originally used to protect walls in high-traffic areas from dents and scratches. Traditionally, thin pieces of wood were used to cover the seams in wood wall panels, creating the classic board and batten paneling method. These days, some people choose to recreate board and batten style by adding boards directly to their drywall for a faux paneled look.
Tip!
Read our guide What Is Wainscoting? to learn more about the various types and uses of wainscoting.
Board and batten wainscoting consists of two main parts: boards – the wide, flat wall panels – and battens – the thin, raised planks used to create the pattern of vertical and horizontal lines and cover seams between the boards. Other common parts of board and batten paneling include the baseboard and topboard that frame the panels and top railing (or top board) to finish the edge. Using molding as a top railing is optional in board and batten designs, but it adds a decorative flair to this simple paneling method.
Though board and batten allows for variance in designs based on personal preference, there are some standard rules when it comes to spacing and sizing of the panels. In general, battens are made of planks that are 1 in. thick and 2–4 in. wide. Battens are generally placed 12–20 in. apart on boards that are between 8–12 in. wide. The height of your boards and battens will vary based on the height of your walls and the style you are trying to accomplish, though standard heights range between 36–72 in.
Tip!
Ready to bring wall panels to your home? Check out our guide How to Install Wainscoting for tips to help your DIY project.
Types of Board & Batten
The different types of board and batten designs vary in terms of height, placement, and pattern. Deciding which type to incorporate into your home depends mostly on personal preference, but wall height and room function can help inform your decision too.
Height: In general, taller wall panels fit best in spaces with high ceilings while shorter panels can make a small space feel more open. Common board and batten heights include full floor-to-ceiling coverage, two-thirds of the wall, or a half wall. While personal preference is the deciding factor in panel height, take into consideration the height of your furniture, windowsills, and other fixtures in the room to find a design that works best in your space.
Placement: Board and batten paneling can be a beautiful addition to your living room, bedroom, dining room, bathroom, or hallway – anywhere you’re looking to add charm to your home. When installing wall panels, you can choose to place them on every wall in the room or opt for only one to create an accent wall.
Pattern: The most traditional board and batten pattern uses only vertical battens that stretch between the baseboard and topboard. To add dimension to your design, place one horizontal batten three-quarters of the way up the panels. A more modern style choice is to use both horizontal and vertical battens to create a square pattern. Other patterns such as chevrons or diamonds can showcase your creativity, but they are untraditional and more difficult to install.
Tip!
Although board and batten is a form of wainscoting, it’s easily confused with other types of decorative molding and wall paneling like beadboard or shiplap. To learn more about the differences, read our related guides:
Types of Molding
Types of Wall Panels
What is Shiplap?