While it may be a classic choice, board and batten siding has actually seen great advancements in terms of product design and material use. Today, innovative new board and batten products offer a great aesthetic without the risk of rot, pests, or repairs. Products like TruLog’s steel board and batten siding offer better energy efficiency, virtually no maintenance, and easier installation compared to most other types of siding available.
Not sure where to start when it comes to board and batten siding? Take a look at our extensive guide below. Discover the pros and cons of this siding style, the costs you can anticipate, and other key considerations that will help you plan your new siding project.
What Is Board and Batten Siding?
Board and batten siding features vertical panels — the boards — that cover the exterior of the structure. Each seam between the boards is covered with a batten, which is a thin, narrow strip designed to protect the seams between boards against weather conditions like wind and rain. Historically, this design created a more energy-efficient structure that prevented not only moisture infiltration in between each board but also drafts.
These days, however, the decision to use board and batten siding is almost always a stylistic choice. While this type of siding was traditionally made with wood, nowadays, the textured effect of the board and batten design can be achieved using larger, seamless panels that recreate the battened look without all the unnecessary seams.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Board and Batten Siding?
Board and batten siding has been around for a long time — and for good reason. Let’s explore a few of the pros and cons of board and batten siding, starting with some of the advantages:
- Increased resale value: Board and batten siding has a charming look that appeals to many, which can make it more valuable among certain types of buyers.
- Versatility: This type of siding has a timeless aesthetic that looks just as nice on suburban homes as it does on countryside cottages.
- Protection against the elements: With battens covering the seams between boards to keep out moisture and drafts, traditional board and batten siding offers good weather resistance and energy efficiency. With molded battens and fewer seams, modern steel board and batten provides even greater protection and energy efficiency.
And what about the cons of board and batten siding? Here are a couple of the downsides (and workarounds to them):
- Possible labor needs: Traditional wood board and batten siding can be more labor-intensive to install than vinyl siding or panels, but easier to install than traditional lap, shingle, or shake siding. But if you choose steel board and batten or lap siding, you can make siding installation easy because you’ll be putting up seamless panels rather than working board by board.
- Painting: It can be tough to paint around the battens — though this task isn’t quite as difficult as painting shakes or laps. On top of that, you can get around this by using TruLog board and batten siding, which doesn’t require painting at all. Plus, it comes with a 30-year paint coat warranty.
Is Steel Board and Batten Siding Better Than Wood?
Yes — steel board and batten siding offers a lot of advantages over wood and, for that matter, over other types of materials too. Below, we’ll compare steel board and batten siding to other materials that you can use to get this look.
Steel
Steel board and batten siding is the most dependable option for homeowners who value long-lasting performance and little maintenance.
- Steel board and batten is very easy to install, making it a quick job for a general contractor.
- It’s also a better choice in terms of fire safety, since metal won’t go up in flames the way wood siding or other materials will.
- Heavy-gauge steel is also water-resistant, impact-resistant, and capable of protecting the home better.
- It’s designed to keep its original color consistency regardless of the elements, so steel board and batten siding does not need to be repainted as often as wood or fiber cement siding — if at all.
Wood
It’s no surprise that wood is the most traditional building material used for this exterior style. Though wood is still used today, it is not highly recommended for the following reasons:
- Wood is susceptible to moisture and insect damage.
- It’s also flammable, so it won’t offer protection against fires.
- Wood has a tendency to warp and sag due to changes in temperature.
- Wood board and batten siding requires constant upkeep to maintain its strength and appearance.
Engineered Wood
Engineered wood board and batten siding is another option to consider for homeowners looking for a lower-maintenance alternative to wood siding. This type of siding is made from a combination of wood fibers, resin, and wax, creating a durable and moisture-resistant material. It’s often designed to mimic the natural look of wood, and you can find it in a variety of textures and finishes, which allows for a wide range of customized looks.
Where ease of installation is concerned, it depends on the type of engineered wood product that you choose. Some siding materials are available as boards and battens. Since these products install the same way as regular wood, they won’t make the process easier.
Other engineered wood products are available as panels with an interlocking system that provides a seamless appearance while preventing water infiltration. These tend to be easier to install since each panel covers a larger amount of surface area.
Here’s how engineered wood compares to steel:
- Engineered wood offers greater rot and pest resistance than regular wood, but unlike steel, it’s not impervious to this type of damage.
- While it’s low maintenance, it’s not maintenance-free. You may need to paint or make repairs as the siding ages.
- Many engineered wood products offer better fire protection than wood, but it’s still not as good as steel.
Fiber Cement
Fiber cement is considered an upgrade from wood board and batten siding. Though it can be significantly more expensive, the cement component enhances the strength of the siding, allowing it to hold up better against the elements.
Compared to steel, however, fiber cement siding does have some downsides:
- Fiber cement board and batten siding still requires repainting to maintain the original color consistency.
- Fiber cement siding is more difficult to cut and fasten. It typically requires a licensed professional with specialized tools, which can be costly.
- While most fiber cement siding products are highly rated against fire, pest and moisture damage, the elements will still eventually take their toll. Aging fiber cement siding is prone to cracking or crumbling.
Vinyl Siding
Board and batten vinyl siding is a popular choice for homeowners who want a low-maintenance and cost-effective option for their home’s exterior. This type of siding is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin, making it lightweight, durable, and resistant to rot, insects, and moisture.
You’ll find vinyl in a range of colors and finishes, including wood grain patterns. The interlocking panels of vertical vinyl siding are designed to provide a seamless appearance while helping to prevent water infiltration, making vinyl board and batten style siding a reliable and long-lasting option for homeowners.
Here are the drawbacks compared to steel:
- Vinyl siding doesn’t offer much in the way of fire resistance.
- While it won’t rot or sustain pest damage, it isn’t as durable as steel. High winds, hail, or even stones thrown by your lawnmower will damage it, and extreme temperature fluctuations can cause it to warp.
- Vinyl siding offers decent color consistency, but it will fade with time. This can be particularly problematic if part of the siding becomes damaged since it will be impossible to match new replacement pieces with the original, faded siding.
How Much Does Board and Batten Siding Cost?
When it comes to cost comparisons, there are three main factors to consider:
- Material costs
- Installation costs
- Long-term maintenance costs
We’ll explore each of these factors below not only for steel board and batten siding but for other materials too.
Material Costs
Where material costs are concerned, steel board and batten siding falls somewhere in the middle of the range. Here’s a cost breakdown per square foot:
- Fiber cement siding costs between $0.75 and $5 per square foot
- Engineered wood costs between $2 and $5.50 per square foot
- Vinyl board and batten costs between $2 and $7 per square foot
- Metal board and batten — including TruLog products — costs between $3 and $8 per square foot
- Basic wood board and batten, like cedar or pine, costs between $3 and $10 per square foot.
- High-end wood siding like cypress can cost between $4 and $21 per square foot.
As you can see, steel board and batten siding only costs a little bit more than some materials, and it’s a lot less expensive than others. For an affordable price, you’ll get a great look plus performance, durability, and longevity that other materials simply can’t match.
Installation Costs
Installation costs depend largely on whether you’re installing boards individually or larger panel products. Traditional boards and battens are more labor intensive since contractors need to line up and install each board individually. Then they have to install the bats along the seams between the boards.
You can save a lot of money on labor by installing a product like TruLog’s steel board and batten panels. These require you to nail each panel along one side, then lock it into place on the other side — just one row of nails for each board and batten as opposed to three or more. It makes installation much quicker and easier compared to traditional board and batten installation techniques.
Weight and workability can also play a role. Heavier siding materials, like fiber cement, often require multiple people to lift boards into place, and you’ll need specialized tools for cutting and fastening.
Maintenance Costs
Long-term maintenance costs for board and batten siding depend almost entirely on the material selected. In this regard, steel almost always comes out on top.
For example, TruLog board and batten siding doesn’t need to be repainted. It’s also incredibly durable against all types of damage, from moisture and pests to high winds and hail, which makes repairs quite rare. In most cases, all you need to do is rinse the siding off with a hose to remove the dirt and dust that accumulates throughout the year.
Meanwhile, wood board and batten siding is particularly needy when it comes to maintenance. You’ll have to be on constant lookout for signs of pest or moisture damage, and when damage does occur, it should be fixed immediately before it can spread. Wood should also be refinished every few years, not only to keep it looking nice but to give it maximum protection against the elements.
Engineered wood and fiber cement siding have lower maintenance costs — but like wood, they still need occasional repainting. They’ll also take on elemental damage over time, which leads to eventual repairs and replacement.
Vinyl siding is among the lowest maintenance options. A yearly powerwashing will remove grime, algae, and mildew stains, and while vinyl can be repainted, it often isn’t recommended since the material’s flexibility leads to cracked and peeling paint.
Still, this lower maintenance is offset by a lack of overall durability: Vinyl siding can easily be damaged by high winds, hail, or a rock from your lawnmower, and there isn’t much you can do to fix cracks or holes once they appear. Replacing damaged panels is usually the best option, but if the siding is on the older side, fading means that the new panels won’t match the color of the old panels.
Board and Batten Siding Trends: A Historic Look With Modern Appeal
Board and batten siding first became popular when sawmills started popping up in small towns. Cut from local timber, milled boards were often very long, reaching from the foundation to the roof without the need for a horizontal seam in the middle. Because of this, vertical siding replaced horizontal log and beam structures as a smart way to build a good exterior relatively quickly.
It also had another advantage. Since every seam was essentially covered with an overlapping batten, the board and batten (sometimes colloquially referred to as “bat and board siding”) offered less opportunity for air to escape through the home’s exterior. In other words, board and batten siding proved to be a more energy-efficient way of building structures.
Today, board and batten siding is trending not only because of its historical value but also because new materials like steel offer homeowners a chance to get this classic look along with improved durability and even greater energy efficiency.
That’s the big reason why board and batten siding is trending today — but let’s explore some of the other reasons why homeowners are loving this look.
Has Rustic Farmhouse Appeal
Like most architectural innovations, the board and batten siding style quickly became an iconic look. What began as a popular siding option for frontier-style structures turned into the standard for farmhouses.
Today, this trend continues with the modern farmhouse style, which consistently uses board and batten siding as a key component of exterior layouts. Board and batten siding can be seen in contemporary barndominiums and farmhouse revival homes too.
Sets Modern Trends
The white farmhouse trend isn’t the only place that board and batten siding is making an appearance. It’s being featured more in modern home designs too. You’ll often see board and batten in natural wood-grain colors on mid-century modern and contemporary homes. It’s also commonly used as an accent wall in transitional and contemporary architectural styles.
In fact, it’s no longer seen as an antiquated or outdated siding choice. Rather, board and batten has become popular because it is so versatile.
Creates Architectural Interest
Another way that modern designers are using board and batten siding is to create architectural interest. For one thing, the vertical panels establish a vastly different look compared to the traditional lap siding that homes have most prominently featured in recent decades.
Additionally, board and batten can be used as a visual aid in helping a structure appear taller, wider, or more expansive, depending on how the board and batten pieces are arranged.
Finally, the dimensional texture that is created with board and batten siding can create lovely light and shadow effects, which some find appealing.
Offers a Variety of Colors for Different Home Styles
Choosing the right color options truly depends on the design style that the homeowner is trying to achieve. White board and batten siding is a fantastic choice for both classic farmhouse styles and modern farmhouse revival homes, barndominiums, or minimalist styles.
Natural wood colors are also quite popular. You’ll find these shades appearing on Craftsman homes, mid-century modern homes, and as an updated look for cabin-inspired homes. Walnut, ash, cherry, and cedar are consistent favorites, and the wood-grain patterning can add extra character and visual texture to the home’s exterior.
When the goal is to create architectural interest, the trend is to choose trim and accent colors that contrast the board and batten siding. For example, board and batten in light brown or taupe shades look great with trim, shutters, and doors in dark chocolate shades.
Get the Perfect Aesthetic With Steel Board and Batten Siding
Board and batten siding is showing no signs of slowing down when it comes to desirability and use in new design styles. In particular, steel board and batten siding is an affordable, durable option that offers a great look, energy efficiency, and other benefits.
Where trends are concerned, this type of siding is making a huge comeback — and not just on traditional home styles but among modern homes too.
Ready to explore the options that TruLog can offer? Download our free catalog today to explore the different colors and designs that are available.
