How to Board & Batten Around an Existing Toilet

Preparation

• 1

  Measure the room. Choose the height your board and batten paneling should reach on your bathroom wall. Determine the spacing of each batten. Compare the batten spacing to your measurements to determine how many battens you need.

• 2

  Cut your battens to size with a table saw.

• 3

  Draw a line on the wall marking the top edge of your board and batten paneling with a pencil. Your existing bathroom wall serves as the background for your new paneling. Paint the wall the desired color of your board and batten paneling up to the line. Leave the wall above the line its current color.

• 4

  Paint the battens the desired color. Paint your bathroom baseboards, if you have them, the same color as the battens. Let the wall, baseboards and battens dry.

• 5

  Draw a line around the room marking the top edge of your framing batten with a pencil. Use a level and measuring tape to ensure that the line is perfectly straight and even.

Installation

• 6

  Align the top edge of your framing battens with the horizontal line on the wall. Nail the framing batten into place every 12 inches. If your framing batten falls behind, rather than above, your toilet, slide the framing batten behind the toilet and nail it at the edges.

• 7

  Use the measuring tape and a level to determine the location for each batten. Mark vertical lines on the walls noting each batten's intended location.

• 8

  Nail the battens to the walls using the pencil marks as a guide. When you reach the toilet, slide the battens behind the toilet and nail them into place.

• 9

  Scoop a small amount of wood putty onto your finger. Wipe the wood putty over each exposed nail head in the battens and smooth it out. Let the wood putty dry for the amount of time recommended by the manufacturer.

• 10

  Paint the wood putty the same color as your battens with a small paintbrush.