Calculated result
29boards
Boards to buy
Formula
EXT-BNB-001boards = ceil(width ÷ face) × ceil(height ÷ stock) × (1 + waste); battens use boards + 1
30 battens
Battens to buy
26 courses
Courses across the wall
160 ft²
Net wall area
Exterior calculator
Board and batten
Board count and batten count from wall width, the exposed board face and a batten at each joint including the ends.
Reviewed formula · v1.0.0
Project inputs
Enter field measurements. Imperial lengths take feet and inches. Unit conversion happens before the reviewed formula is applied.
All values can be refined when you edit the estimate. This tool does not replace field verification or local requirements.
Transparent cost view
Planning rates only. Pick a currency — badges, inputs, and totals follow. Material is a rate. Labour is hours × a planning hourly rate. Equipment and delivery are this-job amounts.
Planning defaults are office figures, not a bid. US ready-mix in 2026 often lands around $125–165 per cubic yard delivered; place-and-finish commonly $2–4 per square foot. Replace every rate with a supplier or crew quote before you send the letter.
Indicative FX as of Aug 2026. Planning conversion, not a live bank rate.
Material costUSD 2,465
Labour (8 h)USD 280
Direct costUSD 2,855
Overhead + contingencyUSD 286
Markup + taxUSD 377
Estimated project totalUSD 3,517
How this calculator works
A transparent board and batten takeoff.
Boards equal wall width divided by board face, rounded up. Battens equal boards plus one so each joint and both ends get a batten. Height and stock length set pieces per column, then waste applies.
Worked example. Example: a 20 × 8 ft wall of 9.25 in boards and 8 ft stock with 10% waste rounds to 29 boards and 30 battens.
- 1. Measure the wall width the boards cover.
- 2. Enter the actual board face, not nominal 1×10.
- 3. Battens cover joints. The extra batten is for both ends — dry-fit a corner before you order a whole elevation.
Need the broader workflow? Read the exterior planning guide.
Questions
Questions about board and batten
Do battens sit on every joint?
Yes in this takeoff, plus the two ends. If your detail skips the corner board, drop waste rather than inventing a negative batten.
Interior feature wall?
Same math. Use the interior board thickness you will buy.
What is the formula ID?
This calculator publishes formula EXT-BNB-001, version 1.0.0. The ID stays on the result and on the estimate line.
Is this engineering advice?
No. Construclytic is a planning website, not a registered engineering or contracting firm. Field checks, codes and product data still sit with you.
Does Construclytic fetch live supplier prices?
No. Costs use the rate you enter. Construclytic does not fetch live supplier prices.