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Install Board and Batten Siding

Board-and-batten refers to an exterior siding option that uses a vertical design created with wide clear or knotty cedar boards spaced apart with narrower boards (battens) covering the joins.

There are no set board or batten widths – various combinations are used to create different looks suitable for large or small scale applications. Although for good appearance most builders strive for the widest boards and narrowest battens, the battens must be sufficiently wide to adequately overlap boards. 

For nominal 6″ boards spaced 1/2″ in. apart, battens should overlap by at least 1/2 in. With wider boards, increase batten overlap proportionately. 

While there are no set widths for board and batten siding, an attractive combination is 1×3 battens with 1×10 boards. Siding should be nailed to horizontal blocking lines or to furring strips. Rough sawn, unseasoned boards or boards surfaced on one side and two edges (S1S2E) are commonly used for board-and-batten siding. Sizes are from 1 x 2 in. to 1 x 12 in.

Boards up to 6 in. wide should be fixed with one nail per bearing driven through the center of the board. The overlying batten covering the gap between boards should be attached with one nail per bearing, the shank passing between the edges of the underboards.

Use two nails per bearing on boards 8 in. and wider placing the nails approximately 3 in. apart (see Figure 7).

Western Red Cedar Board and Batt Siding In Application

Shown below is board and batt siding in application. For technical information on Western Red Cedar for exterior board and batten siding, see the cedar specification page, or the WRC species page for more general info.

Board and Batten Coverage Table

Nominal Width (inches) Dressed Width (inches) Exposed Face Width (inches)
2 1-9/16 Varies with width of board selected
4 3-9/16
6 5-9/16
8 7-3/8
10 9-3/8
12 11-3/8

How To Install Board and Batten Exterior Siding Video

Watch the step by step instructions below on how to install board and batten siding as an exterior natural wood option for your new construction or remodel.

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