When considering siding options, you may have heard about a new favorite among homeowners: board and batten siding. But hearing about it isn’t enough. If you’re considering this siding option, you might want to know what it is, its history, and why you should choose it for your home. Our team has taken a comprehensive look at board and batten so you can feel confident choosing this siding option for your home.
What Is Board And Batten Siding?
Board and Batten is the name of the siding style. The siding consists of vertical siding boards between 6 and 12 inches wide, placed side by side. Once the vertical boards are installed, narrow strips of wood between 2 and 3 inches wide, called batten, are installed over the seams between the boards.
The History Of Board And Batten
Board and batten siding originated in Northern European countries, including Norway and Sweden. It was popular among these Scandinavian homeowners because it effectively protected their homes from harsh weather.
Board and batten made its way to the United States and gained popularity in the 19th century. When it first came to the United States, it was a popular siding for outbuildings, including barns and sheds. Some parts of the country still refer to board and batten as barn siding because it was a popular choice of siding to keep farm animals warm through winter.
Why Choose Board And Batten For Your Home
Board and batten siding faded out of popularity because more weather-resistant siding options, like stucco, stone, and brick, became the prevalent choice. However, board and batten has come back in popularity as siding companies have begun to produce composite options that are more resilient. This composite material is made of engineered wood siding that mimics the appearance of wood without fragility.
There are many reasons to consider installing board and batten siding on your home, but it’s important to understand why homeowners are deciding this for themselves. Board and batten is an excellent choice for your home, and you should consider choosing it for the following reasons:
- It Is Water And Termite Proof: As we’ve already discussed, board and batten faded out of popularity because it wasn’t the most weather-resistant. New board and batten options are made of vinyl, making them waterproof. This improvement also means homes with board and batten don’t need to worry about damage caused by a termite infestation.
- It Increases Your Home’s Curb Appeal: Board and batten siding has become a popular choice among homeowners and for good reason. Board and batten create a beautiful texture on your home’s facade, helping to improve your home’s overall curb appeal.
- It Is Versatile: A massive appeal of board and batten siding is the versatility it provides. While it is a popular siding option among homeowners looking for a rustic exterior appearance, it also matches many different home styles.
Hesitations Around Board And Batten
There are certainly some hesitations that homeowners experience before getting board and batten siding installed on their homes. These common hesitations experienced by homeowners include the following:
- It Is Time-Consuming To Install: While siding installation is never an especially quick experience, installing board and batten can be especially time-consuming. Once the boards are installed, your installation team will need to go back through and add the batten, which is installed closely together.
- It Is Hard To Find The Siding You’re Looking For: Sometimes, finding the right color and texture of siding is more complicated than it seems. While this isn’t exclusive to board and batten siding, it is important to consider.
- It Might Not Look Right On Your Home: Board and batten might look different from what you expect it to on your home. The long boards might not look proportionate against the building if your home is small.
- It Is Expensive: Board and batten certainly is not going to be an inexpensive option. The cost will vary depending on your home and design; however, the longevity it provides you with makes it an excellent investment.
Maintaining Board And Batten
If you decide to purchase board and batten for your home, you will need to know how to properly care for this siding option. This siding shouldn’t require too much maintenance. To clean it, you should only need a mild detergent and a soft brush, sponge, or cloth. Once it’s been washed, the siding just needs to be rinsed with clean water.
Getting Board And Batten Siding With Unlimited Siding
If you’re considering investing in board and batten siding for your home, it’s essential that you get it installed by a reliable team of professionals. At Unlimited Siding, our team has years of experience and many happy customers that make us confident we can help you achieve the house of your dreams. In addition to board and batten installation, we provide soffit and fascia installation. If you’re interested in getting board and batten siding installed on your home or would like to speak with our team, contact us today.
