Board and Batten Siding

6 years ago

I am currently in the beginning stages of building a house and will be going with a mix of brick and board and batten siding for the exterior. I am going to attach a photo of my exterior inspiration home that has the look I’m going for. My question is... the board and batten shown looked wood in the picture of the house before it was painted/finished... What kind of board and batten should I ask my builder for? When I’ve talked to him before he was telling me about board and batten that’s already colored and there is only one stark white option. I was hoping for a more off white kind like the photo.

Featured Answer

houssaon

6 years ago

This is a gorgeous house.

Most siding is wood of some type. But there are also fiber cement products and manufacturers like James Hardie will pre-finish their siding or install it primed with customer providing the final colors choice.

Generally board and batten is just what it sounds like a broad board the thin battens nailed to it at intervals and at the ends there the boards meet.

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Comments (9)

Lindsey Carney
Original Author
6 years ago
Do you think it’s James Hardie shown in the photos? My builder mentioned James Hardie and when I looked it up I only saw the prefinished options and was worried it wasn’t what I was looking for.
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PRO
Flo Mangan
6 years ago
James Harden is a brand name for a “cementuous” product shaped to look like wood siding. I have had it as regular siding with our last home and brick. It is a great product but it is tricky to install but if done right it lasts a long time. We lived 12 years in that home and it was like new when we sold. Never faded or had any problems. There are competitors now that make similar products for lower price points. So research or ask your builder. I would use it any day over regular wood. No comparison in durability and insect resistance etc. nice home and good luck.
a1eventing
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
They also have board and batten in vinyl
Trish Walter
6 years ago
we have the LP Smartside. It was painted onsite.
houssaon
6 years ago
Please don't get vinyl. Wood or fiber cement.

I have seen that can be underlayment rotting problems if the Hardie siding is not installed correctly, so make sure your builder is certified by them.
HU-598208514
last year
Trish, could you please tell me how far apart your battens are installed? I am trying to decide between 8" intervals or 12" intervals. Thanks so much!
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last year
The spacing is not random but determined by the elevation of your home.

Sometimes the window sizes affect the spacing.

How wide is the batten?

Is it a one or two storey home?
HU-598208514
last year
Hi there! One story and we will be using Hardie. The battens are 2.5” and the boards are 48” wide. So that would mean either 8” or 12” intervals to catch the seams. Correct?