Board and Batten Wood Siding Options & Alternatives (2024)

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Board and Batten Wood Siding Options & Alternatives (1)

With fantastic texture and an iconic appearance, board and batten wood siding can create a beautiful aesthetic. The biggest problem: it doesn’t last! By switching to an alternative material, homeowners can enjoy gorgeous board and batten siding that looks like wood, but lasts much longer.

Before you remodel your home’s exterior with traditional wooden board and batten siding, be sure you’re in the know about all the hidden headaches that come with real wood siding. Most homeowners are switching to a better alternative – one that offers better durability and gorgeous color quality.

The Origins of Board and Batten Siding

Board and batten siding was originally invented as a way to increase energy efficiency and cut down on drafts. Each vertical seam was fitted with a thin batten that would help create a tighter seal between the interior and exterior of the home. What was originally designed as a practical way to add siding to homes and barns quickly shifted into a stylistic choice.

Today, board and batten remains one of the most popular siding styles for residential homes. One of the appeals of this type of siding is its incredible texture. The vertical grooves and segmented appearance really create a unique charm that works well on all types of homes. Board and batten siding is often used to create a coastal or nautical aesthetic or barn-inspired look. It can also be used as an accent style to draw attention to dormers or other architectural features of the exterior.

Homeowners continue to express love for the original board and batten style, and with modern fabrication, it’s possible to enjoy the wood board and batten style much easier.

Why Wood Board and Batten Siding is a Thing of the Past

Wood is naturally susceptible to deterioration and damage, even with everyday exposure to the elements. Moisture, heat, and ice can all cause significant deterioration, including sagging boards, a wavy appearance, rotting, and mold growth. Consistent sun exposure often causes wood board and batten siding to crack and fade in appearance.

Other risks with board and batten wood siding include pest damage, flammability, and maintenance costs. While it is possible to maintain the original appearance of wood board and batten siding, it requires a lot of time and energy. Homeowners should prepare to treat, stain, or repaint wood board and batten siding every 2-3 years to keep up a nice appearance. Plus, holes, cracks and other signs of damage will need to be repaired immediately to avoid bigger issues.

Wood board and batten siding is considered extremely high-maintenance, which is why homeowners often opt for a better alternative that lasts longer and performs better.

Fiber Cement Siding Offers Modern Durability

Fiber cement is created using a unique blend of cellulose fibers, sand, cement, and water. This particular composition enables the final product to be significantly more durable and weather resistant. Here’s the best part: fiber cement can be molded to look just like original wood board and batten siding.

Board and Batten Wood Siding Options & Alternatives (2)

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This means homeowners can enjoy the original allure of board and batten – even with detailed wood grain patterns and textures – without all the headaches of damage-prone wood siding. Fiber cement siding often comes with a 30-year warranty, and that’s with very little maintenance required. Most fiber cement siding products can be cleaned with a simple spray with a garden hose from time to time.

Intentionally designed to deliver better durability than wood board and batten siding, fiber cement board and batten is the easy choice for a modern, low-maintenance home.

Allura Makes Gorgeous Colors That Actually Last

A leader in fiber cement siding fabrication, Allura specializes in crafting beautiful siding products that homeowners love. Allura board and batten siding is designed to maintain its original appearance year after year – with little to no maintenance! Unlike wood board and batten siding that can chip, peel, and fade, fiber cement siding maintains its original charm and protects your home’s curb appeal.

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Plus, the color selection is absolutely stunning. Allura siding and trim is pre-finished, meaning the color is infused in the product during the fabrication process. This unique approach to color enables Allura siding to express exceptional color quality with consistency in tone.

It also delivers a more durable and longer lasting appearance. Treated with a specially formulated primer and precision applied industrial strength exterior paint, Allura board and batten siding is better equipped to stand up to the elements and resist everyday wear and tear that so often compromises the look of natural wood siding.

With 25 exciting colors, like Alabaster, Toile Red and Olive Grove, it’s easy to find the perfect shade for your home. Whether you’re creating a modern oasis, traditional chalet, or farmhouse-chic aesthetic, you can enjoy a long lasting exterior with exceptional charm using Allura board and batten.

Contact Allura today to explore an exciting selection of fiber cement siding products that outperform traditional wood board and batten siding!

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Board and Batten Wood Siding Options & Alternatives (2024)

FAQs

What is an alternative to board and batten? ›

If you love the look of board and batten – after all, it's an awesome stylistic choice – there's no need to give up on your design dreams of having a board and batten house exterior. Instead, consider fiber cement, the best modern alternative to vinyl siding board and batten.

What is the cheapest way to do board and batten exterior? ›

Fiber cement is the cheapest material for board and batten siding. It costs around $0.75 to $5 per square foot only. Fiber cement is a mixture of three different materials. Essentially, it is made by combining wood cellulose, sand, and cement.

What is the best siding to use for board and batten? ›

Vinyl and steel board and batten sidings, for example, are better in terms of durability and cost while wood is a great option aesthetic-wise. There are, however, more than ten types of board and batten siding materials that are available in the market today.

What is the best siding to replace wood siding? ›

For homeowners that want those classic looks that wood can bring, but without the maintenance and durability issues, there is an alternative – fiber cement siding. Fiber Cement siding comes closest to duplicating the look of natural wood siding without some of the potential issues.

What are the disadvantages of board and batten siding? ›

Drawbacks of Board and Batten Siding

One major drawback of board and batten siding is the cost. It can be more expensive than other siding styles, like traditional lap siding. However, many homeowners find that the durability and timeless appeal of board and batten siding justify the higher upfront investment.

Why is board and batten so expensive? ›

At $4 to $21 per square foot, cypress is the most expensive board and batten siding material. This is because it's in such high demand. It's a strong wood in the face of the elements and has a 40-year lifespan when properly maintained, but it's also very easy to cut and install.

What is the life expectancy of board and batten siding? ›

While the material you choose will affect the lifespan of your board and batten siding, on average, this style should last approximately 25 years, especially if you choose vinyl, which is the most popular option. It could last longer if you use a more durable material such as fiber cement.

Do board and batten increase home value? ›

Enhancement of Property Value: The aesthetic appeal and durability of James Hardie Board and Batten can increase a property's market value, making it an attractive choice for future buyers. Longevity and Warranty: The product's robust construction ensures longevity, often lasting for decades with minimal maintenance.

What is another name for board and batten siding? ›

Board-and-batten siding is sometimes called barn siding because many barns in North America are constructed this way.

What is the new siding that looks like wood? ›

RusticSeries™ RusticSeries™ is the original two-tone composite woodgrain siding option, giving you an alternative to traditional solid-color siding. Enjoy the natural warmth and beauty of wood in products made of strong fiber cement or engineered wood.

What is the cheapest wood siding option? ›

Plywood is the most affordable wood siding. $3.50 to $7.20 per square foot installed. The most common type of wood siding is Cedar lap siding and ranges from $5 to $10 per square foot installed. Cedar shingles are the most expensive type of wood siding.

What is the newest type of siding for houses? ›

Fiber Cement Siding

It's a high-quality, durable siding type that can mimic the look of wood and other materials. One of the most popular brands of fiber cement siding is James Hardie board. Fiber cement siding may not be your best bet if you're on a budget, as it's more expensive to install than other types.

Is board and batten going to go out of style? ›

Is board and batten an outdated style for a home? Board and batten is a classic, timeless look for both exterior and interiors. What type of wood is board and batten made with? You can use many types of wood for board and batten, including cedar, pine, oak, and redwood for interior or exterior installations.

What is the opposite of board and batten? ›

The batten is placed over the board's seams. On the contrary, reverse board and batten gets its name because it is literally the opposite of board and batten. The boards are narrow and the batten that is installed on the boards is wider.

What is the alternative to timber batten? ›

Realistic wood finish aluminium battens

Wood Finish is the most realistic fire-rated alternative to natural timber, requiring little to no maintenance.

Is board and batten worth it? ›

It's long-lasting – When installed and taken care of properly, board and batten can last for many years if not decades. This long-lasting siding is perfect if you want to replace it as little as possible. It's visually-appealing – Just because the siding is durable doesn't mean it's unattractive.

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