Board and Batten Siding Calculator

Estimate boards, battens, fasteners, and trim needed for board-and-batten siding from wall area, board width, and batten spacing.

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Result

195 boards needed

Including 10% waste allowance for board-and-batten siding.

Battens needed
195
Linear ft of boards
1,754.85
Linear ft of battens
1,754.85
Net wall area
1,128 sq ft
Openings deducted
132 sq ft

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Siding Installation

Estimating board and batten siding materials

A board and batten siding calculator determines the number of wide boards, narrow battens, and fasteners needed to clad a wall from the wall area, board width, and batten width. This guide covers layout planning, material choices, and waste factors.

Board and batten layout math

Board and batten siding alternates wide boards with narrow battens that cover the gaps between boards. The repeat module is one board width plus one gap (or one batten width). The number of boards across a wall equals the wall width divided by the module width, rounded up.

Battens are one fewer than boards for an open-end layout, or equal to the board count for a wall that wraps battens at both edges. Board length equals the wall height, and waste should include 10 percent for cuts around windows and doors.

Boards = ceil(Wall width / (Board width + Gap))

Each board-plus-gap unit defines one repeat module across the wall face.

Material options

Traditional board and batten uses solid wood such as cedar or pine. Engineered wood, fibre cement, and vinyl alternatives offer lower maintenance at the cost of a different appearance and nailing pattern.

Frequently asked questions

How wide should battens be?

Battens are typically 1.5 to 3 inches wide. They must be wide enough to cover the gap between boards and overlap each board edge by at least half an inch on each side.

Can I install board and batten horizontally?

Board and batten is traditionally vertical, which allows water to run down the boards. Horizontal installation is possible but requires careful flashing and weather detailing.

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