People see images of wood accent walls and different board and batten designs and think they look amazing, but they could never do it in their own spaces. False. You can and it’s not that difficult. This month’s blog post I wanted to dedicate to a DIY board and batten wall to give you step-by-step instructions that are far less intimidating than most would think.
Step 1 is to pick which pattern you are going with. Traditional board and batten are going to be horizontal and vertical panels to create a square or rectangular look and can be found in hallways, staircases, etc. There are so many other patterns out there that are the same concept as board and batten but can be on an angle, can be different shapes, various measurements, etc. I will post a few photos of various options to choose from as well as traditional board and batten.
Step 2 is to purchase all the needed materials and tools. Here is a list of items you will need to purchase and/or rent for this project:
§ Wood panels (Recommend 1x4s)
§ Table saw
§ Nails and Nail gun
§ Wood filler
§ Caulk
§ Rag
§ Painters tape
§ Level
§ Measuring tape
§ Paint
§ Paintbrush or roller
Step 3 is to measure out your wall and make your cuts. Make sure to be precise here. If you are doing a horizontal pattern, pay attention to the level. Remember that not all walls are level and that to the eye things will look off even if it’s only a quarter of an inch. Map out your pattern with a pencil or painter's tape so that you can take a step back and make sure you are happy with the design before making it permanent.
Step 4 is to fix the wood panels to the wall. Depending on the material of the wall you have and if you are ever possibly going to need to take the paneling down or not, you can use a nail gun only or use a glue and nail method for a complete permanent affix. For the simple grid look, we went for we nailed the 4 border panels first, then went in with the other vertical panels, then the horizontal panels. Again a reminder to MEASURE MEASURE MEASURE before you affix anything permanently.
Step 5 is to fill in the holes and gaps. The wood filler is super simple but it dries fast. You can use a spackle knife or simply just your finger. Put a small dab of the filler in each nail hole and smooth it so it is flush with the wood surface. Then go around all of the panels and use the caulk to fill any gaps between the wood and your wall. This will help to account for a seamless finished look, especially if you are painting the panels to match your wall color. If you have any residue visible after it is completely dry, go in with a piece of sandpaper and smooth.
Step 6 is to tape and paint. The options here are also endless. You can get natural wood panels and leave them natural. You can get white and have them white over the color of your wall. You can paint the wood to match your wall or even paint it a different color. Whichever you decide, you will want to tape off any areas you do not want your paint on, then get to rolling. Roll the long panels and use an angle trim paintbrush for the sides of each panel or any other small areas you need to cover.
Step 7 is to enjoy!
Reach out if you have any questions or concerns but remember, you’ve got this! It’s going to turn out great and you’ll want to have this look in more than 1 spot in your home! Cheers till next time!
-Devvon
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