How to Install Board and Batten Siding: Tips and FAQs

Thinking about installing board and batten siding the old-fashioned way? There’s an easier option that can save a lot of time, money, and hassle — both during the installation process and into the future. Steel board and batten exterior siding can not only make installation easier but also give you the realistic look of wood without all the maintenance. 

This guide will show you what board and batten siding is and explain why steel board and batten siding is a great alternative to wood, vinyl, and other materials. We’ll also show you how to install board and batten siding, complete with tips and tricks to help the job go smoothly.

What Is Board and Batten Siding?

Board and batten siding is a type of vertical siding traditionally made from wood. It features vertical boards that cover the exterior of the building and narrow “batten” strips that cover the seams between the boards. 

This style of siding became popular in Europe and North America during the Victorian period because it was both easy to install and offered plenty of visual interest with the battens breaking up otherwise flat siding. In fact, it’s often referred to as “barn siding” because it’s one of the more popular ways to side barns in the United States.

These days, board and batten siding is experiencing a resurgence in popularity — and with good reason. It’s both stylish and traditional, and depending on the design and colors used, it can create a modern feel, a rustic vibe, or a mixture of the two in a barndominium or modern farmhouse design.

How Do You Install Board and Batten Siding?

TruLog steel board and batten siding installation is a relatively easy process! The guide below will show you the tools you’ll need, how to install board and batten siding, and some tips and tricks to make installation even easier.

Tools Needed

Installing TruLog steel board and batten siding doesn’t require an extensive toolkit. Most DIY or home improvement enthusiasts will have the majority of these tools already on hand. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Metal snips
• Circular saw or jigsaw plus ferrous blades
• Saw horses
• Pliers
• Claw hammer
• Drill, ferrous bits, and screw bits
• Chalk line
• Tape measure
• Measuring square
• Caulk

How to Install Board and Batten Siding: Step-by-Step Instructions

Crafted from high-quality steel, TruLog board and batten is fabricated in 9-inch panels, meaning the “board” and the “batten” are manufactured as a single piece of siding. The panels are designed to lock into each other, which hides the screws and provides a seamless, finished look while helping workers line the siding panels up quickly and easily.

TruLog’s ease of installation is a huge advantage whether you plan to hire a contractor or do the job yourself. If you hire contractors, TruLog board and batten siding will save labor costs compared to more labor-intensive materials like wood or fiber cement. 

To do the job yourself, get started by preparing the site. If your home already has siding on it, you’ll need to remove it and ensure that the home’s sheathing is intact so that you have a stable surface on which to install the new siding. You’ll also need to take basic safety precautions — gloves and safety glasses can help prevent cuts or other injuries.

Here’s how to install board and batten siding:

1. Start with the edges. Get the windows and doors framed and ready with TruLog’s J-channels. (Their name comes from the alphabet letter that this kind of channel looks like.) Make sure to also install J-channels and other types of edging along the tops of walls, the bottoms, and the corners.
2. Once you’ve finished all of the edging, trim your first board and batten panel to the correct length, then install it into one of your vertical J-channels. Use screws to secure it in place on the nailing strip. 
3. Continue installing the board and batten from left to right (or vice versa, depending on where you started). The second and all subsequent panels will fit over the edge of the previous one, disguising the nailing strips. This smart design ensures that each panel locks securely into place so that you know it’s in the right spot.
4. When you come to an obstacle, like a door or window, measure the panel against the area in question and remove that section of siding using metal snips.
5. Once finished, install both window and door trim and corner trim to create a finished appearance. You’ll need to drill small pilot holes in the trim and through the panels beneath so that you can fasten the trim pieces into place with screws.
6. After you’ve finished installing trim, you can touch up screw heads with a bit of paint. Also be sure to caulk around windows and doors for a watertight seal.

Tips, Tricks, and Best Practices

As you work through the process above for how to install board and batten siding, be sure to follow the tips and tricks below. They’ll help you ensure a clean, seamless installation.

• Center screws in the slots of the nail strips to ensure a good hold.
• When driving screws, take care not to drive them in too far. They should be tight, but they shouldn’t flex the nail strips or panels.
• After installing each panel, put a level on the vertical batten to make sure that the panel is properly aligned. 
• You can also cut a piece of wood to a 6¾-inch length. This is the correct distance between battens when panels are properly installed. Use this piece of wood as a spacer by running it down each board from top to bottom to ensure the battens are correctly spaced.
• If battens are misaligned, the problem is most likely that they aren’t correctly locked. Use the rubber handle of your claw hammer to tap panels into place and make sure each is fully locked into the previous panel from top to bottom.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During Installation

Want to make sure your installation job goes off without a hitch? The following are some common mistakes to avoid.

• Make sure to fully prepare all surfaces by removing the original siding and ensuring the home’s sheathing is sound. If need be, replace sheathing that has been damaged.
• Be sure to use chalk lines and a level to install J-channels. Ensure that the channels are level and plumb, which will help you make sure that the siding will also be level and plumb.
• Cut J-channels and trim a little long so that you can fold the ends inward to create a finished look.
• Use the right fasteners for a tight, long-lasting hold. Galvanized or anodized screws work best.

Frequently Asked Questions About Board and Batten Siding Installation

Still have questions? Read below for answers to some of the most common questions about board and batten siding installation.

What Is the Best Material for Board and Batten Siding?

TruLog’s steel board and batten siding is your best bet. Alternative siding options include wood, fiber cement, or vinyl siding — but each of these has major disadvantages compared to steel. 

For example, wood siding is susceptible to moisture and pest damage. Both wood and fiber cement will need to be repainted every few years. All three options — wood, fiber cement, and vinyl — both are flammable and have weaknesses to elemental damage like wind and impacts.

TruLog steel board and batten siding not only has a simplified installation process but also offers enhanced weather resistance and durability. It’s impervious to moisture, inflammable, and comes with a Class 4 impact resistance rating, which is the highest rating possible. On top of that, it offers a corrosion-resistant barrier and UV protectant coating, which means you won’t need to repaint it and the colors won’t fade with time.

Can Board and Batten Be Installed Over Existing Siding?

No, you should remove the original siding first. This is true for almost any type of siding. A smooth, stable surface is required not only to extend the lifespan of the new siding but also to ensure a seamless installation.

Is Steel Board and Batten Siding Easy to Maintain?

Yes, TruLog steel board and batten siding is virtually maintenance-free. It never needs to be repainted, and its durability means that the risk of elemental damage is minimal. You won’t have to make repairs due to moisture or pest damage. At most, you may want to rinse it with a garden hose a couple of times a year to remove dirt and dust that may build up.

How Do I Cut Steel Board and Batten?

It’s easy to make small cuts with metal snips. However, if you need to make long cuts along the length of a panel or if you need to cut batches of panels to a particular length, a circular saw or jigsaw with ferrous blades can make the job easier.

Does Installing Board and Batten Siding Require a Professional?

Professional expertise is always an advantage on construction sites, but TruLog board and batten siding is specifically designed for easy installation. Because of its intuitive lock-in design, most folks find installing board and batten siding very straightforward.

Find the Best Board and Batten With TruLog Siding

Board and batten features a truly unique and timeless aesthetic — and it’s a look that we’ve perfected using high-strength steel, stylish colors, and hyper-realistic woodgrain patterns. If you were wondering how to install board and batten siding, TruLog’s smart design makes it easy. It’s also a worry-free alternative to wood that comes with enhanced durability and low maintenance needs.

Ready to learn more? Download our free catalog for more details about TruLog steel board and batten siding.