How Fiber Cement Siding & Trim Help Meet Demand for Board and Batten Exteriors

Board-and-batten siding looks are one of the biggest trends in exterior home design. But while it's hot right now, the style actually dates back nearly 200 years. And that may be part of its appeal to homeowners.

One of the biggest things for dealers to know about board-and-batten siding is that it's not just siding-it's typically created with a combination of siding and trim. Working with a siding manufacturer that can offer both products in the same material can make it easier for you to sell and more straightforward for your customers to install and maintain.

What Is Board-and-Batten Siding?

The board-and-batten style evolved in the U.S. as a more efficient alternative to the log cabin. Barns and houses with board-and-batten siding were inspired by Nordic European buildings and gained popularity in America sometime around the middle of the 19th century.

Traditionally, board-and-batten started with wide vertical planks (boards), which were then joined together by thin vertical strips (battens) to cover the seams. Homesteaders and farmers would use sawmills to cut the long boards, and the battens were put in place to make the structure as airtight as possible.

Today, wide panels are used as the primary siding and the batten strips are typically decorative, which gives home designers lots of creative license.

Hardie^® Panel Siding and Hardie^® Trim Batten Boards offer the following benefits:

• Aesthetic appeal: Board-and-batten siding adds a touch of traditional warmth and rustic character to any home. Its vertical lines produce an eye-catching texture that goes well with farmhouses and modern kinds of architecture.

• Design versatility: With options for wider panels and decorative battens, homeowners and designers can play with spacing, colors, and siding profiles to achieve a personalized and unique look.

• Durability and longevity: Board-and-batten made with Hardie^® fiber cement siding and trim boasts exceptional durability. It can withstand the harshest weather conditions, including heavy rain, snow, and UV rays. Its ability to resist warping, cracking, and shrinking adds to its longevity.

• Low maintenance: Unlike wood siding that may require more frequent upkeep, fiber cement board-and-batten needs minimal maintenance, and it is resistant to rot, pests, and weather.

How to Get the Board-and-Batten Look with Hardie^® Products

Board-and-batten siding was traditionally made of wood. But wood siding is vulnerable to moisture and fire damage, is appealing to insects like termites, and can require more ongoing maintenance.

Modern building products, like fiber cement siding, make it possible to achieve an authentic aesthetic with more durable materials for a lower-maintenance solution. Hardie^® fiber cement siding is Engineered for Climate^® to stand up beautifully, whatever the elements, and comes with the option for an authentic woodgrain finish.

To achieve the look, customers can use Hardie^® Panel siding as the base material. They'll be able to choose from a variety of colors and textures to achieve a precise aesthetic that reflects their personal taste. Then, they'll complete the look with Hardie^® Trim Batten Boards, which are decorative 3/4-inch-thick strips available in a smooth or rustic grain finish.

The final design is limited only by the imagination. Board-and-batten provides unique exteriors to houses across the country, with a classic design style that can help your customers' homes deliver curb appeal for years to come.

This article was repurposed from the James Hardie blog. Weyerhaeuser Distribution is committed to delivering the reliable, consistent products you can rely on. Connect with your Weyerhaeuser representative today about exterior cladding solutions available in your market.

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