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    Home » Home Reno » Board and Batten Back Splash

    Board and Batten Back Splash

    Published by Gail | Published January 18, 2011 | Updated May 14, 2021
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    I took the easy way out, (and cheap). The funny thing is I decided on board and batten last Thursday while I was looking at some magazines. I found a really pretty bathroom and I thought to myself, I could do this for my backsplash. I did a google image search and look what I found:

    IMG_0916[1]Click the picture, I’ll wait while you check it out. Did you see whose blog it is from? Did you check out how many followers there were? I was so shocked when I saw that it was Donna’s original blog. Isn’t that funny! And, Donna is doing a series on “copy me”.

    100_9945
    I did some dry fitting and a lot of measuring with a couple of scrap pieces of 1x4 before I made my list of what to buy. This is under the kitchen window. I can see that the trim is going to be a problem.

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    The trim was very easily removed. That’s a lot better.

    *this post contains affiliate links*

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    I went to Home Depot and purchased my 1x4’s. I used my small compound miter saw because it was easier to get out of the garage. Because this length of lumber was 12 ft, I cut it on the driveway. (yep, that’s snow in the background)

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    I brought the length in to check it out. See the level. The board is level, but there is a huge gap under the board right behind the faucet.

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    See it? Not good!

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    note: old ugly faucet!

    board and batten backsplash
    You can see here that there is also a gap on the right side. This is all just a dry fit here. I used my rasp to scrape off some of the wood between the two outlets to try to get the board to lay flat. It helped some.

     

    board and batten backsplash

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    I pre-painted my boards with my Purdy Paint Brush.

     

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    I used these little triangles to hold the boards off the counter.

     

    painting small boards
    I’m sure these home made pieces have a real name. They are great for holding boards for painting. I gathered some old drawer pieces and used my nailerto shoot some nails through the board.

     

    board & batten backsplash

    I made my vertical boards fit very tight to try to help hold the horizontal board down.

    easy back splash
    This is still the dry fit stage. I spaced my boards about 16 inches apart. I really liked the way that spaced them under the window.

     

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    I used Liquid Nails to hold my horizontal board in place.

     

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    When I use liquid nails, I apply it to the board, stick the board to the wall briefly, then pull the board away from the wall, and then smash it back on for good.

    101_0002
    Working very quickly, I started putting in my vertical pieces. Because of the tight fit, sometimes I had to pull the horizontal board away from the wall slightly. If my board was not quite level, I tapped the level with my hammer to get it straight. You can also use a scrap piece of wood. Do NOT hammer on your painted board.

     

    easy back splash
    As soon as I got the vertical boards in the right place, I started nailing the horizontal board into place. Those lines behind the sink are not really there, they are an optical illusion, possibly some kind of reflection from the shiny sink.

    101_0006

    101_0007

    This is before I caulked. Painter's caulk really is one of my best secrets! It gives your work a real finished appearance.

    101_0008

    You can see here that I have caulked on top of the horizontal board, but not where it meets the counter.

     

    101_0012

    I used the hair dryer set on cool to help set the caulk. Because there was such a huge gap, I had to use several applications of Kitchen and bath caulk.

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    Voila! It’s finished. (note to self, get a new paper towel holder)

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    100_9207
    Do you see that Ipod? A gift from jamie! See the Ipod dock? A gift from Uprinting.com. I won a $100.00 gift card for my Thanksgiving post. I got the Ipod dock and some new flatware.

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    See that new faucet? Love it with the new back splash!

    This board and batten may be a temporary fix, but I really do love how it looks.
    Do you have board and batten in your home? I’m thinking about doing it in the bathroom, not chair rail height. You know the board and batten that is a little higher with a ledge? That’s what I originally saw in a magazine last week that inspired me to do this back splash. Any thoughts?

    Related content :  How to prepare for a new back splash

    gail

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    1. Christi

      February 05, 2011 at 5:23 pm

      WOW... so much better!!!! I have to admit that upon opening my emailed post update I saw the before and thought that was your finished, thinking that you were CRAZY to paint your backsplash pink! But alas, THE REAL FINISHED PROJECT IS B E A U T I F U L !!!!!!! I will be doing this with my never ending coat rack project that just never seems to look right, even though I've painted it three different colors and keep adding to it. I'm sure creating this effect will be just as beautiful as yours is!!

      Reply
    2. Michelle@ A Full Cottage

      February 05, 2011 at 2:40 pm

      Looks great! Thanks so much for the link to Donna's old blog....I guess everyone has to start someplace! This really makes your kitchen have a custom look, and for such little $.
      Please stop by my blog for a visit I am having a big giveaway.

      🙂 Michelle

      Reply
    3. Funky Junk Interiors

      February 05, 2011 at 4:21 am

      Gorgeous! I like your beefier trim for your larger area as well. What a difference it makes and so price efficient as well!

      Nicely done Gail!

      Donna
      http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

      Reply
    4. Bonita

      February 05, 2011 at 3:21 am

      Wow! That's quite a project and it looks great!

      Reply
    5. Rachel {BubblyNatureCreations.com}

      February 03, 2011 at 2:37 am

      This is so nice!!! It really looks great! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    6. Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming

      January 25, 2011 at 1:31 pm

      Gail - What a fabulsou idea to use the B&B as a backsplash - brillant! Looks wonderful - fantastic job! Thanks so much for linking to the Sunday Showcase - I greatly appreciate it. I'll be featuring this today. Hope you have a wonderful week ~ Stephanie Lynn

      Reply
    7. Michelle@Somedaycrafts

      January 23, 2011 at 1:01 am

      Gail, I LOVE the board and batten there! So classy! Great job! I'm a little jealous!

      Reply
    8. Holly

      January 22, 2011 at 12:22 pm

      I know everyone is telling you how great this looks but come on!!! This is amazing! My style! I love it!! This is a lot of exclamation points!! I'm going to totally copy you. (By the way, did I tell you I love it?) !!!!!!!!!!

      Reply
    9. Jenni

      January 22, 2011 at 3:09 am

      Oh, you did such a beautiful job on it. 🙂 This is actually the first time I have seen board and batten used for a back splash and I love it!!! I would have never thought of this. Great job!

      I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

      Blessings,
      Jenni
      belle & sparrow/{Beautiful Nest}

      Reply
    10. Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence

      January 21, 2011 at 5:45 pm

      Beautiful Gail, must be so satisfying to know you have done it yourself! Thanks for sharing at Beyond the Picket Fence.

      Reply
    11. Kathie

      January 21, 2011 at 1:31 am

      oh my goodness! You just solved a 10 year old question: "what can I do with that blah backsplash?" I live in an 1870's gothic victorian house that I've been pulling back from the brink of disaster since 2000. The outside of the house is entirely board and batten! The backsplash hasn't risen to anywhere near the top of "the list"... but I am almost ready to replace the tired countertops and now I know what to do with the backsplash... Thank you!

      Reply
    12. Rachael

      January 20, 2011 at 2:40 pm

      LOVE IT! I'm about to do some b&b in my dining room. Such a classic look.

      Reply
    13. Melanie Beth

      January 19, 2011 at 8:00 pm

      Wow, this looks really great! Love it!

      Reply
    14. Bonnie@Creative Decorating

      January 19, 2011 at 6:44 pm

      Love how it turned out and it complements everything you have done in the kitchen. Great job!

      Reply
    15. junkgarden

      January 19, 2011 at 4:52 pm

      Great job! Looks fabulous!
      Angie

      Reply
    16. {Bellamere Cottage}

      January 19, 2011 at 7:04 am

      Sooooo clever! I love the crisp, cottage-y look of it... You did a great.....no GREAT job!

      Warm blessings,
      Spencer

      Reply
    17. sweet european dreams

      January 19, 2011 at 6:47 am

      That was a lot of work, but absolutely worth the finished product. Clean & crisp! Love it. -diane

      Reply
    18. Nana's Fun Stuff

      January 19, 2011 at 5:25 am

      Looks fabulous!! Nope, I don't have any in my house but you make it look so simple 🙂

      Reply
    19. Benn's Wife

      January 19, 2011 at 3:51 am

      I don't think I have ever seen board and batten used on a backsplash, but I really like it! You did a great job!

      Reply
    20. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.

      January 19, 2011 at 3:15 am

      What a great look!

      Reply
    21. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.

      January 19, 2011 at 3:15 am

      What a great look!

      Reply
    22. Tammy

      January 19, 2011 at 2:45 am

      Looks great - we are in the process of doing that in the mud room.
      Can't wait to do mine.
      tammy

      Reply
    23. Pam

      January 19, 2011 at 1:48 am

      I have been seeing this method all over blog world and really trying to decide where I would want to do it.....back splash looks like a great place.

      Reply
    24. Home Made Quilts By Granny

      January 19, 2011 at 1:01 am

      Girl that is sharp! Trish

      Reply
    25. Baye

      January 18, 2011 at 7:35 pm

      Great job!

      Reply
    26. Heidi@TheCraftMonkey

      January 18, 2011 at 6:27 pm

      looks fantastic!

      Reply
    27. Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking

      January 18, 2011 at 6:17 pm

      What a brilliant idea Gail! I adore board & batten, but never thought of adding it to the kitchen... just brilliant!

      Reply
    28. Shannon

      January 18, 2011 at 5:26 pm

      I love it! It looks great!

      The day we discovered painter's caulk, we were in heaven! We smoothed over every project we've ever done 🙂

      Reply
    29. Suzanne@Meridian Road

      January 18, 2011 at 5:02 pm

      I love how this looks! It's such a good idea~I think it's better than what you would have used originally.

      I also like your home made painting thingys. Those would be handy as heck.

      Reply
    30. SANDI

      January 18, 2011 at 4:51 pm

      Great idea...This looks easy enough that I may give it a try...LOL Thanks for the tutorial.
      sandraallen260@centurytel.net

      Reply
    31. Corn in my Coffee-Pot

      January 18, 2011 at 4:06 pm

      Very Nice!
      We recently did board and batten in my living room... I love it!
      Yours turned out great. Thanks for showing a wonderful tutorial.

      Pat
      corninmycoffee-pot.blogspot.com

      Reply
    32. Debilou~Mississippi Mama

      January 18, 2011 at 3:14 pm

      looking good,,your kitchen is gonna be BEAUTIFUL when you're through.

      Reply
    33. Anita

      January 18, 2011 at 2:56 pm

      Oh I love it!! You did such a great job and I love seeing it step by step!! I have some old beadboard from an old house I'd love to try on my backsplash. You have inspired me!!

      Reply
    34. Cassie @ Primitive & Proper

      January 18, 2011 at 1:56 pm

      that was a GREAT idea, gail!!!! it looks wonderful and was totally affordable!

      Reply
    35. Cassie @ Primitive & Proper

      January 18, 2011 at 1:56 pm

      that was a GREAT idea, gail!!!! it looks wonderful and was totally affordable!

      Reply
    36. SherriBenson1

      January 18, 2011 at 1:31 pm

      Found your website and so enjoying it. I'm a girl who loves all the power tools and love doing stuff like this. Thanks for inspiration.

      Reply
    37. Suzanne

      January 18, 2011 at 12:50 pm

      It's beautiful. I think I have decided to board and batten my bedroom and bathroom when we start the overhaul next month! Love it!

      Reply
    38. Dawn

      January 18, 2011 at 12:47 pm

      My favorite part of this post.... "easy peasy board and batten"..... hahaha woah! Your idea of easy peasy and mine are soooo different! 😉

      You did an amazing job Gail, it is just gorgeous, I love the clean lines, the symmetry - very, very nice!

      Reply
    39. I Play Outside The Box

      January 18, 2011 at 12:07 pm

      Wow...I really like this!! Had to be a lot cheaper than those tiles too....I always love that too.

      Reply
    40. freckled laundry

      January 18, 2011 at 10:21 am

      I really like it a lot too, Gail! Bravo my dear! I like how the vertical line of the base of the batten compliments the vertical strip on the edge of the counter top. Looks very polished. (Isn't painter's caulk great?) Can't wait to see it all finished up!

      Hugs,
      Jami

      Reply

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    Hi, there! I’m Gail Wilson, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

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