Board & Batten Siding Calculator
Board and batten siding coverage depends on the width of your boards and the spacing of your battens, which vary by design. This calculator lets you set your own board coverage for an accurate estimate.
Project type
Wall measurements
Enter each wall's length and height in feet and inches. Wall area = length × height.
Gable ends
No gables added. Gable area = base × rise ÷ 2.
Windows & doors
No openings added. Each opening's area is subtracted from your gross siding area.
Siding material
Waste factor
Waste accounts for cuts at corners and openings, gable angles, damaged pieces, and pattern matching. 10% is a common starting point for a simple rectangular home; complex roof lines or diagonal cuts often need more.
Trim & accessories
Actual accessory requirements vary by installation method and manufacturer — use these as a starting checklist, not a final order.
08Cost estimateOptional
Applied to area including waste — what you'll actually buy.
Applied to net wall area — what installers actually cover, before waste.
Enter your own prices for the most accurate estimate for your area. Leave fields blank or at 0 to exclude them.
Preview
Estimated siding needed
Net area
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Waste added
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Total area (w/ waste)
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Siding squares
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Board & Batten units
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Est. total cost
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How we calculated this
Trim & accessories
Want professional installation?
Bring this estimate to local siding contractors when comparing quotes, or reach out with questions.
Contact usHow it's calculated
- 1. Net siding area = gross wall and gable area minus openings.
- 2. Required area = net area plus your waste allowance (12% is a common starting point).
- 3. Board coverage defaults to 16 sq ft per board — edit this to match your board width and length.
- 4. Boards needed = required area ÷ board coverage, rounded up.
Worked example
A home with 950 sq ft of net wall area and a 12% waste factor:
| Net area | 950 sq ft |
| Plus 12% waste | +114 sq ft |
| Required area | 1,064 sq ft |
| Siding squares | 10.64 squares |
| Boards to order | 67 boards |
Board width and batten spacing are design choices — adjust coverage to match your specific layout.
Assumptions
- • Board and batten coverage depends on board width and spacing between battens, which are design decisions, not fixed specifications.
- • This estimate covers the wide boards only — battens themselves are a separate trim quantity.
- • A 10–15% waste factor is typical, depending on layout complexity.
Tips
- • Plan your batten spacing before ordering — it directly changes how much board coverage you actually need.
- • Vertical board and batten often shows more visible seams than horizontal lap siding — plan board placement around focal areas.
Boards, battens, and the linear feet nobody remembers to order
This calculator counts the wide boards. The battens, the narrow strips covering the seams, are a separate purchase, and they’re often forgotten. A quick way to estimate: at a 12 in on-center spacing, each board gets roughly one batten of the same length, so batten linear feet ≈ board linear feet. For other spacings, scale it: batten linear feet ≈ board linear feet × (12 ÷ spacing in inches). At 16 in spacing you need about 75% as many batten feet; at 8 in spacing, about 150%.
Board and batten is a vertical pattern, so the nailing surface runs the wrong way. Vertical boards normally need horizontal blocking or furring strips behind them to nail into between the studs. Confirm your wall framing spacing before you order, and have the strips ready before the first board goes up.
Because the boards run vertically, cutting waste happens mostly at the gable peaks and where the bottom edge meets a sloped grade. Trapezoid-shaped gable walls are the most waste-prone part of a job, so measure them carefully with the gable measuring guide. If you have several, lean toward the high end of the 10–15% waste range. For typical prices, see board and batten siding cost.
This is a planning estimate
Frequently asked questions
How is board and batten siding measured?
Coverage depends on the width of your wide boards and the spacing of narrow battens over the seams — enter your specific board width for an accurate count.
What waste factor should I use?
10–15% is typical, similar to other lap-style sidings, though vertical installations can require more cutting at gables.
How many battens do I need for board and batten siding?
At 12 in on-center spacing, batten length ≈ board length. Scale by 12 ÷ your spacing for other layouts, and add a few extra for cuts.
Do I need furring strips for vertical siding?
Usually yes. Vertical boards need horizontal nailing surfaces between studs, so blocking or furring is typically installed first. Check your product’s installation instructions.
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Related guides
How to Measure a House for Siding
Walls, gables, openings and trim, step by step.
How Much Does Siding Cost?
Typical installed prices and what moves a quote.
Siding for Gables, Garages and Sheds
Area formulas and worked examples for gables and outbuildings.
Siding Waste Factor Explained
How much waste to add and how it changes your order.