Wall Batten Strips
Remove those dated vertical strips and give your mobile home a smoother, more modern look. A guide to removal, finishing, and replacement options.
See the Difference: Before & After
Here’s what the change looks like: rooms with the wall batten strips removed and the walls finished smooth.
Example 1
Before
After
Example 2: Walls + New Flooring
Walls Done
+ New Floors
What Are Wall Batten Strips?
Wall batten strips are the vertical strips running up and down your mobile home walls, usually every 4 to 8 feet. They cover the seams where wall panels meet. Usually made of lightweight plastic or thin wood, these strips were installed at the factory to speed up production.
Typical wall batten strips found in mobile homes — ready for removal.
Mobile home manufacturers use these strips because they eliminate the need for taping and mudding seams, which saves labor at the factory. The downside? They make your home look dated and scream “mobile home” to anyone who walks in.
The good news? Removing wall batten strips is one of the easier and more affordable ways to modernize a mobile home interior. For many rooms it’s a weekend DIY project, and smooth walls can make the home more appealing to buyers.
Why Remove Wall Batten Strips?
Removing batten strips moves your mobile home’s interior from “manufactured” toward “modern.” Here’s what you gain:
- A more site-built look
- Smooth walls for painting
- A clean, modern look
- A better first impression for buyers
Once those strips are gone and the seams are finished smooth, the walls look much more like a site-built home. If you’re thinking about painting stripes on walls or any decorative finish, you’ll want smooth walls first.
Cost Comparison
| Option | Cost Per Room | DIY Friendly? |
|---|---|---|
| DIY Removal + Finish | $150–300 | Yes |
| Replace with Faux Battens | $200–400 | Yes |
| Professional Service | $500–800 | No DIY needed |
Costs are rough estimates and vary with room size, materials, and local labor rates.
Tools You’ll Need
Before you start, gather these tools. Having everything ready makes the job go much faster.
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Removal Tools
Finishing Supplies
Safety Gear
Step-by-Step Batten Strip Removal
Removing wall batten strips is straightforward. Work one room at a time — don’t strip the whole house at once or you’ll have a mess everywhere.
Prep the Room
Lay down drop cloths to protect flooring. If you have carpet, this is especially important — drywall dust and wood slivers are nearly impossible to vacuum out completely.
Start at the Bottom
Use your putty knife to gently pry the strip away from the wall at the bottom. Work slowly to avoid damaging the panels on either side. The strips are usually held with small nails or staples.
Pull Up Slowly
Once the bottom is loose, work your way up. Most plastic strips pop off easily. Wood strips may splinter — go slow and catch any pieces before they fall into carpet.
Remove Fasteners
Check the seam for remaining nails, staples, or tacks. Remove everything — you don’t want to snag your hand later or have bumps under your finish.
Cut Any Torn Paper
If you accidentally peel up the panel’s surface paper or vinyl, don’t pull it — use your utility knife to cut it clean. You’ll fix this when you mud the seam.
Finishing the Seams
Once the strips are removed, you have two options for finishing the exposed seams.
Option 1: Caulk Method (Quick & Easy)
This is the fastest approach and works well if you plan to wallpaper or install paneling over the walls.
- Apply paintable caulk along the seam
- Wet your finger and run it down the seam to smooth
- Use a credit card or straight edge to level with the wall
- Let dry and apply a second coat if needed
A caulk gun makes quick work of seam filling.
Option 2: Drywall Mud Method (Smoothest Finish)
This takes longer but gives you smooth, paintable walls that look like site-built construction.
Check Your Level
Before starting, make sure your mobile home is level. An unlevel home causes cracks in finished seams. If needed, see the guide on mobile home leveling first.
Apply First Coat
Spread drywall compound about 1 inch wider than your tape on both sides. Press drywall tape into the wet mud, then apply a thin coat over the tape.
Fix Any Bubbles
If tape bubbles or lifts, cut out the loose section with a utility knife and re-embed a new piece of tape in fresh compound. Bubbles usually mean there wasn’t enough compound under the tape.
Sand Smooth
Once dry, sand lightly with 120- to 150-grit paper. Wear your dust mask and safety glasses. Wipe dust off with a slightly damp cloth before the next coat.
Second Coat
Apply a wider, thinner second coat to feather the edges. Sand again once dry. Most seams need two or three coats for a smooth finish.
A finished wall — no trace of the old batten strips.
Once your walls are smooth, you can prime and paint any color you want. You could even try mounting a TV to a mobile home wall now that you have a clean surface to work with.
Alternative: Faux Wall Batten Strips
Don’t want to remove your strips? You can lean into the look with modern faux batten strips. These decorative strips create a board-and-batten style that’s popular right now.
Decorative Batten Strips
Modern faux battens in various styles — PVC, MDF, and foam options that are lightweight and easy to install
Shop Batten StripsFaux battens are made from lightweight materials like PVC or foam, making them DIY-friendly. They come pre-cut and attach with adhesive or small nails. You can paint them any color to match your decor.
This option works great if you want to add character to a single accent wall without doing a full removal project throughout the house.
Thinking About Selling Instead?
If updating the walls is just one of many projects on your list, selling the home as-is is one option to compare. I buy mobile homes with dated interiors, and you don’t have to fix or update anything first.
Related Wall Projects
Once you’ve tackled your wall batten strips, you might want to keep improving your walls. Here are some related projects:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between batten and furring strips?
Batten strips are decorative and cover wall seams. Furring strips are structural — they create a level surface for attaching drywall or siding. Battens are visible, while furring strips are hidden behind finished walls.
What materials can I use for batten strips?
You can use wood (pine or cedar), PVC, MDF, or foam. PVC and foam are lightweight and moisture-resistant. Wood gives a more traditional look but needs painting or staining.
How do you attach battens to a wall?
Measure and mark your spacing, cut strips to size, and secure with finishing nails or construction adhesive. Use a level to make sure strips are straight. Pre-paint strips before installation for easier finishing.
Do board and batten walls require drywall taping?
No. Board and batten is a design style where the battens cover the seams intentionally. You don’t need to tape or mud underneath since the battens hide the joints. This is one reason the style is popular for DIY projects.
Will removing batten strips increase my home’s value?
It can help. Smooth, finished walls give a mobile home a more site-built look that many buyers prefer. How much it affects the sale price depends on the home, the market, and the quality of the finish work.
How long does it take to remove batten strips from one room?
Removal takes about 1–2 hours per room. Finishing the seams with drywall mud adds another day or two, including drying time between coats. A typical bedroom can be completed in a weekend.