A house is not dazzling unless it has board and batten siding on the exterior. Board and batten bring a fascinating appearance from the entrance. Guests are introduced to the inner beauty by the board and batten protruding from the wall.
Indeed, board and batten provide an alluring look.
Boards and batten siding last for 25 to 30 years when well maintained though the materials used for construction determine the lifespan. Board and batten siding are made to be durable and improve the beauty of the home. Out of all board and batten materials, wood is the best bet and lovers’ choice.
The article has well-researched topics on how to care for board and batten siding, lifespan, the best materials for designing board and batten, benefits and drawbacks of wood board and batten, and the best color for painting board and batten siding.
What is the best material for board and batten?
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For robust board and batten siding, the best material is red cedarwood. Since red cedar is a hardwood, it is not possible to be affected by insects.
The red cedar is treated with chemicals that expel flying insects such as moths and termites.
On top of being hardwood, red cedar has a buddy-buddy color and an affectionate look for welcoming guests. Red cedar does not require regular maintenance since it does not rot because of resins and oil in the succulent.
If red cedar is not available, pine, redwood, and white oak can be used.
Can I paint the board and batten siding?
Board and batten, when painted, have a fascinating look from the entrance and mesmerizing elegance towards the porch and inside the house. Before painting them, it is advisable to clean, fix loose nails and caulk them.
Because beauty is the priority, the battens are painted white while the battens look good with a solid color.
What is board and batten siding?
In ancient times, board and batten siding provided heat to carpet seams and barns during the winter season. Nowadays, they are used for different purposes. They are used for beauty purposes by today’s generation.
Board and batten siding are fixed in horizontal and vertical styles though most homeowners prefer horizontal to vertical styles. Board and battens are nothing else other than wood. It may seem to be sophisticated terms, but they are obvious things.
Battens are slips of wood installed on walls and alternated with boards. The board and battens are placed horizontally and vertically. The battens are fixed over the boards, thus creating an aesthetic look.
When a house is decorated with board and batten siding, the house resists extreme weather conditions. Other than external wall mounting, board and batten siding is also used to cover floors to retain heat, siding metals to double the durability, and siding interior walls.
Though wood is most preferred for siding, other materials used for siding are; vinyl, steel, and fiber cement. The measurements for a typical wood board are 1 inch wide by 10 inches long by 0.5 inches thick, and the batten is 10.5 inches wide by 11 inches long by 0.75 inches thick.
What are the benefits of wood board and batten siding?
Board and batten siding has benefits that outshine other siding materials such as vinyl, steel, and fiber cement. The following are the benefits of board and batten siding;
1. Durability
Board and batten siding made of wood have a long life when properly installed and maintained.
2. Low maintenance
Board and batten siding made from wood is easy to maintain. When painted with dull color, they get easy to wash and leave without stains.
3. Versatility
Board and batten can be modeled to fit different houses and walls. When it comes to vertical or horizontal fitting, they suit one and/ or both styles.
4. Aesthetic value
Talk of aesthetic! Board and batten have aesthetic value and are appealing.
5. Compliment other colors
Wood board and battens are classic materials and ideal for complimenting colors of the roof, fisher boards, and porch.
6. Affordable
Board and batten siding is cheaper than steel, vinyl, and fiber cement. Despite having much labor, it is the cheapest siding material in the market.
What are the drawbacks of wood board and batten?
Board and batten siding have underlying drawbacks that make it unsuitable for some places.
1. Affected by termites
Since it is mere wood, they are susceptible to termites and take advantage when not well treated. Termites pose a challenge of regular inspection and maintenance.
2. Expensive to get some woods
Getting red cedar may be a challenge because of demand and cost since it is the best wood.
How can I install wood board and batten siding?
If you are a tenacious person, you can undertake the whole process and install it yourself. However, when you are running short of skills, Do It Yourself is not the option, and hiring a professional is the best way to go.
Installing board and batten siding requires the following tools;
- Hammer
- Spirit level
- Saw
- Caulking gun
- Paintbrush
- Scaffolding
- Tape measure
- Prybar
- Ladder
- Nail gun
- Blade
Materials required
- Boards and battens
- Paint
- Laser level
- Caulk
- Primmer
- Siding nails
Installation process
Once the tools and materials are gathered, here is the process to go.
- Set a skirting board at the bottom level of the wall using a laser level
- Set the board vertically and upright from one corner
- Nail the board to the stud finder
- Set the interval between the boards
- Cut the board to fit the windows
- Set the top trim
- Set the battens
- Start from one corner and set the battens
- Fix the battens at the desired interval
- Center the battens between the boards.
- Repeat steps 1 to 10 until the process ends
Dark or light color for siding?
Both light and dark colors are suitable for board and siding. However, there are underlying pros and cons for both.
Light colors have a good-looking appearance; very non-offensive, and do not interfere with existing colors. The best thing with light color is that it is easy to paint other colors without straining. It is best for homes that are planned to be sold in the near future.
On the contrary, light colors are easy to get dirt, making a home look drab and less inspired. Light colors such as beige is the most common light colors used by homeowners and pose a challenge of cleaning. The worst drawback of light colors is that it reflects light thus making the house cold. In Polar Regions, light colors are not widely used.
Dark colors are gray, blue, and black. These colors are ideal for keeping the house warm because they absorb heat. However, these colors are gloomy, and in most cases, they are painted on houses in Polar Regions.
Dark colors make the house seem smaller than it is. As opposed to white colors, dark colors do not show dirt. They are suitable for homes with children and dogs that dirty the walls.
Dark colors do not show stains when washed, and repainting can be done after a long time.
Is vinyl suitable for board and batten siding?
Vinyl has a classic outward appearance when installed. It is cheap and aesthetic and attracts lower maintenance than wood boards and battens. If the budget is tight, vinyl boards and battens can retain the color they are sold with.
However, vinyl boards and battens do not guarantee a long lifespan, the same as wood. Again, they are affected by flying objects such as stones.
