Cheap Renter Board and Batten

We got back from Tofino five days ago and immediately we got started on the cheap renter board and batten in our master bedroom.

I had this vision for our bedroom and I wanted it to feel like a beach bungalow.

This board and batten method is so simple and anyone can do it – best yet, it costs 43 dollars in boards and a can of paint!

Shop List For Board and Batten:

• Level
• Measuring Tape
• Wall Putty
• Paint
• Casings – I buy These
• Nail Gun – Here’s ours.
• Paint Brush + Roller

Prepping your Walls

As much as I love to finish a project as fast as possible ( HELLO LACK OF PATIENCE ) prep work makes projects not only go faster, but they make the finished result a heck of a lot better!

I like to fill any holes on the wall prior to doing anything, I also like to give me walls a wipe done prior to painting too. Nothing is more frustrating than dust or hairs showing up in your paint Or boogers that your kids hid on your wall. Anyone else?

Once it’s clean and you can’t see any imperfections, it’s time to start painting!

Painting

Our board and batten is 56″ high. We took a pencil and marked off where I needed to paint to. I’ve done board and batten both ways. Without painting first and with painting first. Let me tell you, painting first will make your life WAY easier.

I did two coats of paint on the wall up to the 56″. Once dry, it’s time to start installing the casings!

The paint we used is from Cloverdale Paint and is called . It’s an eggshell and I love how it goes on and super durable. I did mix my quart of paint with 2 quarts of plain white paint. So if you get this paint made, ask them to lighten it by 50%

I should put a disclaimer on here, if at any point you’re confused by this process and you need to so a visual, head on over to my Instagram and click on the highlight called “Board and Batten”. I videoed the entire process.

Installing The Board and Batten

We always install the horizontal piece first. If you have a wall longer than the boards are, you will need to join two boards. But if you fill the crack with wall putty, you will not even be able to see it isn’t one board!

For this step, you NEED to make sure the piece is level, so having two people is key.

For the next step, add all the vertical casings. Measure twice and cut once. You can always go back and cut again.. but you can’t make a board longer once cut.

we like to knock our boards into place to insure a really tight fit and then we brad nail 5 nails into each board.

Once your vertical boards are hung, it’s time to fill all the cracks and holes. This ensures the boards look like they’re all once piece. This step can’t be skipped if you want beautiful results.

Once the putty has dried and has been completely sanded, it’s time to paint the panels on your wall. I like to use a brush to get in the cracks and a roller to roll over to get a flawless finish.

The colour is a really pretty seafoam colour. It is actually a bit lighter in real life – for some reason by edit darkens it slightly.

Also, please forgive my crappy photography. Our home is ultra dark and my tripod was left at my moms. So I’m free handing it all and it wasn’t working out too well. HA!

I’d love to hear what you think of our easy renter board and batten and if it inspires you, please feel free to share!