How to Cut an Access Door in a Board-and-Batten Sided Building

Stand inside the building facing the wall you have selected to cut for the access door. Select the location for the access door. The width of the door should span between the inside edges of two vertical framing boards. The height can be 24 inches for small animals or feed access or larger so that a person can access the outbuilding.

Drill a 1/2-inch hole through one of the siding boards in the selected area for the access door using a drill equipped with a 1/2-inch drill bit. The hole will allow the reciprocating saw blade to access the boards and battens that need to be cut out for the access door.

Measure and mark out the sides, top and bottom of the door on the interior side of the board and batten sided wall using a tape measure, straight edge and pencil.

Insert the reciprocating saw blade through the 1/2-inch diameter hole in the siding board and saw over to the first line of the access door. Saw along the line of the door. Continue to saw the other lines for the access door until you have completely cut away all sides of the access door opening. The board and batten sections will drop away from the side of the building as you cut through them. Set them aside so that they are out of your way while you operate the saw.

Sand the cut edges of the access door opening with a medium-grit sanding block to knock off any rough edges.