Even spacing is the whole look
Wainscoting reads as intentional when every batten gap is identical and the pattern ends cleanly at corners and casings. The calculator divides your wall length into equal repeating units — board + gap + batten — adjusting the gap by fractions of an inch so nothing is cut to a sliver at the end.
Design constants worth knowing
Wainscot height lands at one-third of wall height (about 36 inches on 9-foot walls); the rail caps the boards and the gap rhythm continues below it. Batten width is a look: 2-inch battens over 5-inch boards is the classic farmhouse; 3-inch battens read more traditional.
Sources and standards
Where these figures come from
Every formula on this page is implemented from the published reference material below. Where a value depends on a regional code, the calculator lets you override it rather than assuming one jurisdiction.
- Brick Industry Association — brick counts per square foot and mortar coverage rates.
- Vinyl Siding Institute — installation standards and product performance certification.
Figures, formulas and reference tables last verified: 19 September 2026.