Give your home the desirable modern farmhouse look with board-and-batten siding.
We’ll show you the right way to install vertical boards and battens.
True board-and-batten is made with vertically installed wide boards and narrow battens fastened over the gaps between the boards.
Credit:James Yochum
Perhaps the most common board-and-batten arrangement uses 1x10 boards and 1x2 or 1x3 batten.
it’s possible for you to also use 1x8 or 1x12 boards and 1x4 battens.
Before you begin, cover the sheathing with building wrap and install trim boards and flashings.
Credit: Werner Straube
Attach drip cap or Z-flashing over the water table.
Take into account both the width of the boards and the thickness of the gap between boards.
In some areas, it’s common to attach vertical 1x2 furring strips before installing board-and-batten siding.
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If your sheathing is not solid plywood or OSB, these strips are needed to provide a nailing surface.
Attach strips around windows and doors, then lay out and attach horizontal strips every 16 inches.
Nail the strips to framing members.
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Furring strips bring the siding out from the sheathing 3/4 inch.
Place The First Board
You may rip-cut the first board to achieve the desired layout.
Cut the length to fit or to a determined height if you will stack boards on top.
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Attach Next Boards
Attach the next boards in the same manner.
Use spacers (5/8-inch plywood is shown here) to maintain fairly consistent gaps.
Every third or fourth board, check for plumb and make adjustments as needed.
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(The battens will cover the most modest imperfections.)
Capture The Angle
Use a T-bevel to capture the angle at a rake end.
Cut and install Z-flashing over the boards and plant the upper pieces 1/4-inch above the flashing.
Install Battens
roll out the battens to cover the gaps.
Use a level to double-check the boards are plumb.
If a batten is crooked, stretch a string alongside it and force it straight as you nail.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
