
What is board and batten siding?
Board and batten, or board-and-batten siding, describes a type of exterior siding or interior paneling that has alternating wide boards and narrow wooden strips, called "battens." The boards are usually (but not always) one foot wide. The boards may be placed horizontally or vertically. The battens are usually (but not always) about 1/2-inch wide.
What are board and batten metal panels?
Board and batten metal panels will change the way you look at this classic siding. What Is Board And Batten? Historically speaking, board and batten originated as a type of siding, typically made out of wood. Board and batten creates an appearance of a layered façade, with narrow strips (batten) connecting wider boards.
What is the difference between board and batten?
The boards are usually (but not always) one foot wide. The boards may be placed horizontally or vertically. The battens are usually (but not always) about 1/2-inch wide. What Is Board and Batten? Board and batten is a siding and paneling style that uses narrow strips of wood placed over the joints of wide boards for a geometric, layered effect.
Is Steel Board and batten better than wood siding?
Unlike wood and fiber cement, steel board and batten is very easy to install and can often be accomplished quickly by a general contractor. Steel board and batten is also a better choice in terms of fire safety, since metal won’t go up in flames the way wood siding will.

What kind of wood is used for board and batten siding?
CedarCedar is a common choice for exterior board and batten siding, but other acceptable wood species include Cyprus, redwood, locust, white oak, and hemlock.
Is board and batten siding wood or vinyl?
No, since board and batten siding is made of wood and relatively complex to install, it's typically more expensive than horizontal vinyl siding. Board and batten can range anywhere between $5 and $12 per square foot while horizontal vinyl siding usually costs between $2 and $6 per square foot.
Is board and batten vinyl?
Make a bold statement with Board & Batten Vinyl Siding, available in striking colors that look like freshly painted wood—perfect for cottage or mountain retreat-style homes.
How durable is board and batten siding?
It's long-lasting – Board and batten siding is durable and long-lasting, provided that it is installed and maintained correctly. If properly installed and taken care of, board and batten can last several years or even decades. Board and bat will last a long time if you don't want to replace it very often.
Is board and batten weatherproof?
Yes, sealing the battens with cauls will weatherproof the house and is an essential part of the installation process.
Is board and batten siding more expensive than regular siding?
The siding that comes from board and batten is a more expensive option, but how much of a difference is it to purchase and install board and batten siding materials. Well, having this siding installed can cost between around $4,000 up to $14,000.
Does board and batten add value?
Board and batten is custom millwork. If done tastefully, it can add value to your home by giving it a more custom look. Adding board and batten to a home that has mostly builder-grade finishes can help the home stand out when it's time to sell.
How do you seal board and batten siding?
6:1710:07DIY Board and Batten Siding - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow we've finished installing the board-and-batten siding. This is what it will look like beforeMoreNow we've finished installing the board-and-batten siding. This is what it will look like before it's painted I first need to seal it up with some exterior. Caulking. I need to go around the window
Is Hardie board better than vinyl?
By contrast, Hardie® fiber cement siding is more durable and up to 5x thicker than vinyl siding. It easily stands up to the elements, resisting damage from wind, rain, freezing temperatures and hail, and gives homes years of protection with low maintenance.
What is the best wood to use for board and batten?
CedarCedar is a good lumber choice because it is soft; harder wood, such as pressure-treated pine, will not seal as well and is more likely to crack. Board and batten is commonly used in farmhouse style homes, but it also looks well with minimalist, modern, and transitional styles.
Is board and batten hard to maintain?
Maintenance. Unlike painted brick houses, painting board and batten siding isn't a one-and-done deal. The paint can be updated, changed, and redone with relative frequency to suit changing trends in exterior paint colors. And, with composite materials, maintenance is easy.
Should you caulk board batten siding?
Installing it can be more labor-intensive than installing comparable wooden sidings, and sealing the battens with caulk to weatherproof the house is an important part of the process.
What style is board and batten siding?
But you may be wondering, what is Board and Batten siding? Defined as a “siding and paneling style that uses narrow strips of wood placed over the joints of wide boards for a geometric”, board and batten delivers a stunning design with its layered effect.
Can you paint vinyl board and batten siding?
If your siding is looking faded or worn, or if you've just grown tired of the color, you might be wondering: “Can vinyl siding be painted?” The answer is: Yes, vinyl siding can indeed be painted! On homes in which siding covers most of the exterior, painting vinyl siding can be a large project.
What is board and batten inside?
You may not recognize the name, but board and batten is a classic type of wainscoting. It blends different sizes of plywood boards and molding to create a chic, textured look. True board-and-batten is made with vertically installed wide boards and narrow battens fastened over the gaps between the boards.
Does board and batten add value?
Board and batten is custom millwork. If done tastefully, it can add value to your home by giving it a more custom look. Adding board and batten to a home that has mostly builder-grade finishes can help the home stand out when it's time to sell.
What is board and batten siding made of?
Originally, board and batten siding was made from wood, but times have changed, and it can now be found in a variety of different materials. Each of these has its pros and cons like all materials, which can impact how your home looks and functions.
What is steel board and batten siding?
Steel board and batten siding is a unique way to get the look without a lot of the issues that the other materials have. Steel board and batten siding is produced into molded sections that are installed more quickly and easily than the separate boards and battens. This creates a much smoother and more energy-tight installation than the use of separate pieces, and can be done faster and with less manpower than a fiber cement installation.
What is board and batten used for?
Board and batten can be used to cover the entirety of a home, or it can be used with other materials such as log siding, lap siding, or shingles to create a unique and stylish look for a home.
Is wood siding good?
Wood is still one of the most frequently used materials for siding, mostly because it’s been around for a while and people understand it, and it’s often inexpensive to install. The problem with wood, however, is that it’s extremely expensive in the long term. It requires a great deal of maintenance and upkeep to look its best.
What Is Board and Batten Siding?
Board and batten siding is a type of siding that consists of thin strips of wood molding, called battens, alternated with wider boards or planks. Placing battens over boards creates an aesthetic, textured, and layered effect with chic and rustic vertical lines. Although decorative, the resulting siding can be durable and resistant to harsh weather conditions.
How much does a board and batten cost?
For vinyl material, you will typically see a board and batten siding cost of anywhere between 2 and 7 dollars per square foot. This comes out to about $10,500 for a home of 1,500 sq ft.
How much does steel board siding cost?
Steel board and batten siding can be installed for around $3.50 to $4.50 per sq ft. Some companies like Trulog Siding will give you free shipping on orders of over $1,000.
What is quality edge siding?
Quality Edge is a top manufacturer of steel board and batten siding. The advantages of purchasing Quality Edge products are the TruCedar Lifetime limited warranty, durability, lower installation costs than fiber cement, and a realistic cedar look. Keep in mind that steel is more expensive to purchase initially, and the warranty will be void if installed improperly.
How thick is barn siding?
The exact dimensions will depend on which material you choose and your builder. On average, the planks will be 1’ wide x 10’ long and ½” thick, and the strips will be 2 1/2 “ wide x 11’ long and ¾” thick.
How much does vinyl siding cost?
For vinyl material, you will typically see a board and batten siding cost of anywhere between 2 and 7 dollars per square foot. This comes out to about $10,500 for a home of 1,500 sq ft. Wood such as Cedar and others will cost about $3 per sq ft and can cost anywhere from $7,000 to $10,000 for a 1,500 sq ft home, depending on labor costs.
How much does it cost to install a batten?
Installing the board and batten will cost $2.50 – $13.00 in labor. Several factors contribute to this price, such as the size of the house, the unique features of your home, the pro you choose to install it, and the type of board and batten you select.
How long does batten siding last?
With a typical lifespan of 40-70 years, board and batten siding will easily resist damage from weather and other elements. Even in the toughest environments, this siding will outperform most others.
What Is Board And Batten?
Board and batten creates an appearance of a layered façade, with narrow strips (batten) connecting wider boards. The alternation between wide and narrow boards creates a paneling, geometric style that has been around for years and years.
What is a snap batten panel?
The versatile Snap Batten panel system is a modern way to achieve the board and batten look. With its flexible design and ability to use multiple coverages in one application, you can easily create a variegated look. Another amazing aspect of the Snap Batten panel is the seamless waterfall effect you can create from roofing to wall panels since the ribs can be aligned. You may want to know these facts about Snap Batten panels:
Why are board and batten panels so popular?
Board and batten metal panels are becoming increasingly popular because of the way they create the desired aesthetic without all of the maintenance wood requires. Metal panels will give your siding the performance and durability you need without sacrificing ...
What is the timeless look of board and batten?
The timeless board and batten look has been a popular trend for the exteriors of homes and other buildings for decades. While you used to only be able to achieve this look with wood, today, you can easily get the board and batten style with the strength and longevity of steel. Board and batten metal panels will change the way you look ...
Do metal siding panels need maintenance?
Low Maintenance — Perhaps one of the biggest advantages of these panels is that they require little to no maintenance. Unlike traditional wooden board and batten siding, metal will not need any annual maintenance other than a quick inspection to ensure it's still in great condition.
What is Siding?
Siding is a type of protective material that is installed on the outside walls of residential or commercial buildings. Also known as wall cladding, this can be made with different materials such as wood, metal, asphalt, cement, vinyl, aluminum, and steel.
Types of Siding
When people hear about the siding, they mostly think about the vinyl, wood, or fiber cement ones, but there are so many other types of siding available in the market.
What is Board and Batten Siding?
Board and batten, or board-and-batten siding, is one of the types of exterior siding or paneling. This siding is made of alternating wide boards (typically 8″-10″) and narrow wooden strips (typically 2-3″) joined together, and this is known as ‘battens.’
Cost of Board and Batten Siding
Costing is something that we all consider before we plan the upgrade process. So it’s important to know the pricing of the siding. The price range for the board and batten siding ranges from around $4,000 to $14,000.
Pros & Cons of Board and Batten Siding
Now the big question is: why prefer board and batten siding over other types of siding? Is this siding is better than other ones?
Give a Stunning Makeover to Your Home!
Siding is one of the essential parts of any building, including both residential and commercial. Siding not only protects the structure from harsh weather conditions but also makes the appearance look good. So, it’s important to take your time and carefully select the materials according to your requirements and budget.
Average cost for board and batten siding
The below prices are based on the cost to install board and batten siding to an average 1,500 square foot house
Board and Batten Siding Styles
There are three main styles when it comes to siding for houses, they are:
What Cost Factors Are There with Board and Batten Siding?
There are a number of factors that will determine how much you end up spending when installing board and batten siding on your house, among them:
What Is Board and Batten Siding?
Board and batten siding is a style of siding where large siding pieces known as boards are combined with thinner pieces known as battens to create a consistent and classic pattern.
Advantages of Board and Batten Siding
Board and batten shines when it comes to aesthetics. With the right combination of boards and battens, your home’s exterior will look modern and classy. You can even choose to use contrasting colors for the boards and battens for an even better and modern look.
Disadvantages of Board and Batten Siding
The main disadvantage with board and batten siding style is the limited number of materials you can use. Ideally, only wood is suitable for board and batten siding otherwise it may not look authentic. The only alternatives you can go for are synthetic materials that are made to look like wood such as vinyl.
DIY Or Hire A Pro?
It’s not easy to install board and batten siding as a DIY project. As mentioned above, you’ll need to be an expert in measuring and positioning the boards and battens when using this style. It’s best to get a professional to install it for you for the best results.
What is board and batten siding?
Traditionally, board and batten siding starts with wide vertical planks (boards), which are then joined together by thin vertical strips (battens) to cover the seams. Homesteaders and farmers would use sawmills to cut the long boards, and the battens were put in place to make the structure as airtight as possible.
Why did farmers build barns?
Farmers embraced the style when building barns because the technique was inexpensive, assembly was relatively simple, and the result was energy efficient. Today, wide panels are used as the primary siding and the batten strips are typically decorative, which gives home designers lots of creative license.
When did barns and houses become popular?
Barns and houses with board and batten siding were inspired by Nordic European buildings and gained popularity in America sometime around the middle of the 19th century.
Pros of Board and Batten Siding
Board and batten siding is a very popular choice for both new construction and renovations. For those thinking about selling or renting their home, investing in a trendy siding material is a great idea.
Cons of Board and Batten Siding
Wooden board and batten siding is installed one piece at a time. This detailed and labor-intensive process takes far longer than installing an alternative like shingles or lap siding.
Final Thoughts
There are countless ways to incorporate board and batten siding onto part or all of your home’s exterior. And if you opt for pre-molded vinyl or fiber cement, board and batten is a relatively cheap and easy way to boost curb appeal.
