Can you do board and batten on brick/plastered walls?

[micra]

I have double brick walls that are plastered. I want to add board and batten to my hallway but will a Brad nailer gun go into plaster? I have read many articles and watched videos but they are always done on plaster board walls. Can anyone help?

[EricL]

Hello @micra 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about installing board and batten on your brick/plastered wall.

Here is a general description of how it could be done. To attach a timber batten frame to a rendered brick wall, you need to ensure a secure, level and moisture-considerate installation that won’t compromise the render or brickwork. 

First, start by marking the layout of your battens directly onto the rendered wall. Use a level and chalk line to map out where the vertical and horizontal battens will go. Spacing will depend on what you're fixing to the frame, but for general cladding or screening, 450 mm to 600 mm centres are common.

Next, drill through the timber battens at the marked fixing points using a drill bit suitable for timber. Then hold the batten in place against the wall and, using the same holes as a guide, drill into the rendered brick with a masonry bit. Be sure to drill slowly through the render to avoid cracking or chipping. If the render is thick, you may need to drill through it first with a slightly smaller masonry bit before using the final size.

Insert nylon wall plugs into the holes in the brickwork. Tap them in gently so they sit flush with the render. Then fix the batten using galvanised or stainless-steel screws that are long enough to penetrate well into the brick, usually at least 50 mm into solid material behind the render. Avoid screwing into the mortar joints; aim for the brick faces for better grip. Use a screw washer or a countersink if the batten needs to sit flat. If you're working with particularly uneven render, pack behind the batten where needed using treated timber packers or plastic spacers to ensure it sits flush.

Once the first batten is fixed securely and plumb, you can use it as a reference for the others. Double-check level and spacing throughout to ensure the frame is square. When finished, you’ll have a stable timber frame ready for cladding, screening, or supporting other elements. Can you please tell us what kind of board were you planning to install?

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric