Pros and Cons of Board and Batten Siding

Board and batten siding is a type of exterior cladding that has been around for centuries.

It was originally used to cover the seams where boards were joined together, but now it’s used as an accent on many types of buildings. Board and batten siding offers many benefits, but also some disadvantages.

In this article, we’ll explore what those are so that you can decide if board and batten is right for your home or business.

Board and Batten Siding

Board and batten is a type of siding currently popular in the United States. There are many different styles of siding for a home’s exterior.

Barn siding is a type of material that was originally used on barns but has now become popular for home construction. Some of the most popular roofing styles are traditional lap, horizontal panels, dutch lap, board and batten.

Board and batten siding is a type of exterior wall cladding that is made out of strips. A batten is a long, narrow piece of wood that alternates with wider boards to create a layered effect on your home.

Board and Batten style is weathertight and resistant to harsh winds. Board and batten is a type of exterior siding that has unique aesthetics.

Board and batten is a type of construction in which the boards are attached horizontally to the wall, with a small vertical strip in between.

Board and batten is a type of siding that consists of boards attached vertically to the building’s exterior. The seams are covered with thin strips called “battens”.

Board and batten was originally used for practical reasons, but it has become increasingly popular because it offers benefits not found in other types of siding materials. It can be used in a variety of homes, both new and old.

Board and batten siding is installed horizontally, but it can be made vertically as well. It’s a good option for businesses that need to match existing vertical siding or create an added accent of interest on their office walls.

Board and batten is a unique type of exterior cladding that has many benefits, but it’s also not the right choice for every home.

It can be expensive to install on your commercial or residential building if you have issues with its shape or other problems.

Board and Batton Siding doesn’t match all types of siding materials either, so it might not provide the look that you want for your home.

What are Sidings?

Sidings are the exterior cladding of a building, and they offer many different benefits. They protect against weather elements such as wind, rain, sun and snow.

In addition to protection from those elements, sidings can provide homes with added insulation during cold months – which reduces heating costs – as well as offering comfort by acting like an air conditioner during hot months.

When it comes to siding materials, the three most common are brick, vinyl and wood. Each has its own benefits and disadvantages, which we’ll discuss in more detail below.

Board and batten is not a very common type of exterior cladding because it’s generally reserved for older homes that have simpler architectural features. It is, however, considered to be a classic look.

What are the Benefits of Board and Batten Siding?

Board and batten siding provides homes with many benefits that include:  

Ability to resist strong winds – Every so often you may see board and battens being torn off older buildings due to high wind speeds. 

Since they are made of board, the wind has a tendency to catch them and cause their fasteners to come loose.

This isn’t always the case though – if strong winds do occur, it’s recommended that you find out why your board and batten siding is coming undone rather than just removing it all together.

Cost Effective Upgrades – Board and batten siding can be an affordable upgrade to your home or business.

Durable, Lasting Exterior Cladding – Because board and battens are made of wood, they have a high durability factor that makes them long-lasting exterior claddings for buildings.

Unique Look – Board and batten siding is also known for its unique look. It’s different from other types of exterior cladding that are used on homes today, so it can help give your place a distinctive feel or style.

Excellent Sound Absorption – It’s also known for its excellent sound absorption qualities. This insulates the building which helps keep heating and cooling costs down.

Versatile – This piece of siding is very versatile, and can be used in a variety of applications. Boards can be installed on top of each other with spaces in between them. It is easy to replace individual pieces in light fixtures, reducing maintenance costs.

Vinyl board and batten siding is durable, attractive, and easy to maintain.

Board and batten siding is known for its durability. This makes it popular on commercial buildings that are exposed to the elements since board and batten can stand up well against wind, rain, snow, ice, sun damage ,etc.

What are the Disadvantages of Board and Batten Siding?

There are also some disadvantages of board and batten siding that include:  

Scaling – Board and battens can be susceptible to scaling. This is when moisture penetrates the exterior cladding, which leads to splitting or warping boards. 

They’re not as resistant to water penetration as other materials such as brick or vinyl.

Periodic Maintenance – Board and battens require regular maintenance in order to keep them looking their best. 

They need to be repainted every few years, which can get costly if you let it go too long. If you do not want the hassle of painting your board and batten siding regularly, you may want to choose a different material.

Heavy Snow – Because board and batten siding is not as thick as some other types of exterior cladding, it can come undone during heavy snow seasons if the fasteners are not properly installed or maintained. 

If you live in an area that gets a lot of snowfall every year, you may want to consider a different type of exterior cladding for your building.

Cost – One potential disadvantage to board and batten siding is the cost. Board and Batton Siding has become increasingly popular, so the supply and demand have made prices higher than other types of siding materials.

Installation Issues – A high number of board and batens need to be installed with this type of siding, which is why it needs to be properly installed. If done right, installation of siding can take longer than the usual process.

There are also some installation issues that can come up when board and batten is used on your home’s exterior. Since it has to be laid horizontally, this means you’ll need a flat surface with no dips or ruts for proper adhesion.

A building that has any type of exterior damage will require expensive repairs before board and batten can be installed.

Another potential issue with using this type of siding is the aesthetic appeal. Board and Batton Siding isn’t as popular as other types, so it might not match your home’s style or look like what you want in a great exterior.

Board and batten siding is a time-consuming siding for a higher price.

Is Board and Batten Siding Right For You?

Board and battens are not the most popular form of siding due in large part because they require more maintenance than other types of sidings. They’re also less durable, which poses an issue when it comes to inclement weather.

If you are interested in adding board and battens to your home or business, make sure that you can handle the maintenance they require on a regular basis.

If you don’t mind doing the work and like the look of board and battens, they can be a great addition to your exterior cladding.

Materials Use for Board and Batten Siding

A homeowner needs to decide what type of siding they want before choosing which material. The main options for board and batten include:

Fiber Cement – Fiber cement board and batten is made primarily of sand, Portland cement, cellulose fibers or wood flour, and mineral fillers.

Fiber Cement boards are easy to work with due to the lack of nails for installation compared to other materials, they can be cut with a circular saw.

One popular choice for board and batten siding is fiber cement which can be installed like wood but lasts longer, does not need painting or staining, has excellent insulation properties, and is naturally resistant to rot, rust, termites, and fire.

Fiber cement board can last 40 years or more under harsh conditions .

Wood – Wood board and batten siding is a popular option, but a homeowner needs to consider the pros and cons before committing.

Although they look great on Victorian homes, wood board and batten siding is not well suited to areas with high humidity or subject to moisture such as coastal regions.

Stucco – Stucco is also a popular choice for board and batten siding, but is not well suited to climates with heavy rainfall because stucco creates an undesirable environment for mold and mildew.

Aluminum – Aluminum board and batten is a water resistant material that can be used in coastal areas, although it will corrode in salt-rich environments without proper maintenance.

Vinyl – Vinyl board and batten siding is also much lighter than other materials, making them easy to install. They come in many different styles and colors with the benefit of being water resistant.

Steel – There are some homeowner that choose steel board and batten siding, although it lacks the aesthetics of wood and requires more maintenance.

Slate – Slate is a material commonly used for roofing and can also be used as board and batten siding. Slate provides better insulation than other materials.

Fiberglass – Fiberglass board and batten is ideal for DIY projects because it has no nails or screws, but its long-term durability leaves something to be desired.

Cedar – Board and batten made from cedar may be a popular choice for homeowners who want the look of wood board and batten siding without worrying about rot. It has the added benefit of being naturally resistant to insects, fungus and moisture.

Cedar is ideal for coastal environments because of its resistance to rot. Other cedar benefits include increased home value, natural pest resistance and stability that results in less warping over time than other manufactured materials.

Modified Bitumen – There are also modified bitumen board and battens available which are made up of large sheets which are cut to size. These materials can last 20 years in some conditions, but require professional installation.

Glass – Glass board and batten is another material that provides personality along with superior insulation compared to other options. It does have a price premium compared to other materials, however.

Whether you want wood or fiber cement, stucco or cedar, the experts withBoard and batten siding is made with wood.

What Affects Cost for a Board and Batten Siding?

The cost of board and batten siding is largely determined by the type of wood, the overall dimensions, and the level of difficulty in installation.

The manufacturer or supplier can help determine factors that affect cost for a board and batten siding surface.

Some exterior factors will also affect pricing for this type of project. Key components include:

Size: Boards and battens come in a variety of widths and lengths. The wider the boards and battens, the more expensive they will be.

For most homeowners, it is recommended for standard size siding to order 2×8″ planks (most commonly referred to as “2-by-8’s”). This refers to the width of the siding.

Height: Boards and battens should measure from 1-1/2 to 2 -inches tall, depending on the desired look and feel for a project. A full height board or a half height board will be proportionally more expensive than a three-quarter height piece.

Project Difficulty: Though not all board and batten projects are the same, some regions or areas of a home face more difficulty than others.

For example, installing board and batten siding on an exterior door wall is considerably different than installing it around windows or other nooks and crannies of a home.

Type & Quality of Wood: Although certain types of wood are easier to work with than others, they will also cost more.

Cedar and redwood, for example, are both popular choices that are more expensive than other types of wood. The overall quality of the boards themselves can also determine how much one should expect to pay for materials.

How Much Does Board and Batten Siding Cost?

There are different prices for board and batten siding depending on the size of your house. Vinyl costs between $2 and $7 per square foot, depending on whether it’s insulated or not.

A price range is calculated depending on the needs of each customer. Board and batten is a type of siding where boards are nailed at the top and bottom with a vertical board in-between.

The siding is generally 5/8″ thick, with either a 1-5/8″ or 2″ gap between boards. This style is usually more expensive than vinyl siding because it requires more work to install and maintain.

Some considerations for this type of siding include:

Board and batten siding requires a 4×12 or 5×12 common board to be nailed on the top and bottom of the siding.

At least two types of nails are required, one for the boards themselves and another for attaching them to the house.

Staining is sometimes recommended between each coat of paint to help keep the vibrancy in color.

This type of siding is different than vinyl in the following ways:

Vinyl siding is more difficult to cut and shape. It can sometimes be installed with a power saw, but it will likely need to be cut by hand for best results.

Vinyl does not require a finishing step after installation, although painting or staining is an option if desired.

Board and batten siding is cheaper than other types of siding, such as synthetic stucco. It’s also easier to install than some forms of wood siding. On the downside, it requires more maintenance than vinyl and takes more time to install.

This type of siding is less expensive than aluminum or fiber cement for the same reasons that it’s less expensive than vinyl. It also requires maintenance, unlike aluminum or fiber cement siding, which can cut costs over time.

Board and batten siding is typically only used on the front of homes. It’s not offered as often as other types of siding for the sides or back of houses.

The manufacturers are different for vinyl and board and batten siding.

Factors that Decrease Cost for Board and Batten Siding

These factors can increase or decrease the cost of board and batten siding:

• The dimensions that need to be covered. The length and width of the boards will affect the price, as well as how many pieces are needed to cover a house.

• When looking at the height (thickness) of the boards and battens, 1-5/8″ boards are thinner than 2″, which also affects the price.

• The number of gables and dormers on a house can affect how much board and batten siding is needed and, therefore, how much it costs to install.

When looking at this type of siding in comparison to other products, such as vinyl or aluminum, there are less details to take into account when determining cost.

The number of sides on the house. A house with four sides will obviously require more siding than a house with two sides.

On average, board and batten siding costs between $2-$7 per square foot. It requires more labor than vinyl or metal siding, but it’s less expensive to install than other types of wood siding.

In general, board and batten siding costs more per square foot than vinyl or metal.

It also requires a lot of work to install because the boards must be nailed every 4-6 inches. Board and batten is not offered in as many styles and colors as these other types.

More Information on Board and Batten Siding

Board and batten siding is a type of wood siding that’s nailed to the house with boards that overlap vertically.

The gaps between the boards are often filled in with white paint, but sometimes they’re left uncovered for a more rustic look. This type of siding is usually 5/8″ thick and either 1-5/8″ or 2″ in width.

Board and batten siding has been used since the 19th century, when it was very common due to its affordability and ease of installation.

It’s often installed on homes with gables or dormers because there are more nailing points for the boards to adhere to.

In some cases board and batten siding is used on the front of a home, typically where it can be seen from the street. In other places, such as in backyards or areas that aren’t visible to passersby, vinyl siding may be more appropriate.

By now, we hope you understand more about board and batten siding and what its benefits and problems are.

If this type of exterior cladding seems like a good fit for your place, give us a call to discuss how we can help with installation! We’ll be happy to help you with any questions or concerns you have.