Board and batten is a vertical profile: wide boards with narrower battens covering the joints. Originally a wood technique, it now comes in fiber cement, engineered wood, steel, and vinyl as well, so you can get the look with very different performance and price points behind it.
At GS Exterior Experts, we install board and batten across the Denver metro and will help you choose the material that suits your exposure and budget.
Board and batten works in several materials, and which one you choose determines how it performs. That matters most in wildfire-prone areas, where non-combustible cladding may be required.
Board and batten siding adds charm and character, boosting your curb appeal. The versatility of the design allows you to create a modern farmhouse, craftsman, or even a coastal look.
Performance depends entirely on what the profile is made from. Fiber cement is non-combustible under ASTM E136 and carries a 30-year non-prorated warranty. Steel is also non-combustible. Engineered wood and real wood are combustible and need a maintained finish.
In fiber cement, steel, or engineered wood, board and batten needs little more than periodic washing. In real wood it needs the same re-staining cycle any wood cladding does, so if low upkeep is the priority we would steer you away from timber.
We offer a range of design options to suit your home.
Board and batten lives or dies on layout. Batten spacing has to be set out across the whole elevation before the first board goes up, so the rhythm stays even and the battens land where they should at corners, windows, and gable ends. Uneven spacing is the first thing the eye catches on a vertical facade.
We plan that layout in advance, and we will show you the setting-out before we start rather than after.
We back our installation with a written workmanship warranty, and your material carries its own manufacturer warranty. We provide the terms of both before work begins.
Batten spacing typically ranges from 12 to 16 inches on-center, but the correct layout depends on the siding system you choose, the manufacturer’s requirements, and your elevation’s design. It’s as much a design decision as a technical one, and we’ll mock it up in your home before committing to a final layout.
Fiber cement suits projects prioritizing non-combustibility and longer warranty terms. Steel provides a modern appearance with similar non-combustible construction. Engineered wood offers a lower initial cost. Cedar provides authentic wood character but requires more maintenance. We’ll walk you through the cost difference for your square footage.
Frequently, and it often looks better that way. Gables, entry walls, and dormers are common places to use it against a horizontal lap on the main elevations.
