Menu
Trends3 min

The Board and Batten Aesthetic Explained

If you're looking to create long-term curb appeal through a remodel, few home designs compare to the timeless aesthetic of board and batten. The design provides shadows and textures to the home's exterior, inspiring a custom-built look that gives the home's exterior depth and dimension.

Board and batten is a major design characteristic of the modern farmhouse, which has grown increasingly popular over the past few years. If you’re wondering if this trend might be slowing, don’t be. Zillow reports homes described as modern farmhouse sold for 10 percent more than expected over the past two years. And because of its timeless look, board and batten offers homeowners who are considering a renovation confidence that it will add value to their home for years to come.

For the latest board and batten tips and answers to siding questions, we followed contractors Jordan Smith of @jordansmithbuilds and Kyle Stumpenhorst of @rrbuildings as they began construction on a modern farmhouse in Bellville, Texas. 

I have siding questions—what is board and batten?

"You've likely seen many homes with this type of design," says Smith. "It's essentially a combination of wider siding with narrow strips placed along the seams. The siding is referred to as board and the strip is referred to as a batten."

Typically, board and batten installations use thin battens placed over the seams of panel boards. For the Texas build, Smith wanted to use LP® SmartSide® Vertical Siding because it provided an authentic aesthetic. “The 16-inch wide boards add depth and character to the building. The depth also adds to a bold aesthetic that looks strong and superior in quality.”

Can the board and batten look add visual appeal to my home?

According to Stumpenhorst, this type of design is popular because it adds dimension and visual interest to the build and can adapt to many different types of residential designs. He goes on, "The design gives off more of that handmade look, so it can add a more traditional feel to a contemporary home."

What are the benefits of using LP® SmartSide® products to create the board and batten design?  

Both Smith and Stumpenhorst prefer using LP SmartSide Vertical Siding versus fiber cement, especially for board and batten configurations. "Fiber cement must have a butt joint seam two-thirds up the wall. With 16-foot lengths, LP SmartSide Vertical Siding and smart design can drastically reduce the number of visible seams on the build," says Smith.

"LP SmartSide Vertical Siding sure makes me feel at home. The 16-foot length helps to avoid that horizontal trim line at 8 feet, so it makes for a crisper, cleaner design," says Stumpenhorst. "For anyone who is very attention-to-detail oriented like me, this makes a huge difference in how quality the home looks."

Want more ideas for your board and batten installation? Check out our inspiration gallery.

Continue Reading

Business Solutions

5 min

What's the Value of a Warranty?

Warranties are everywhere, from small consumer products to commercial machinery and everything in between. Sometimes it feels like you need a law degree to understand the terms of a warranty.

Continue Reading
Maintenance7 min
What Should Homeowners Prioritize in a Build?

Whether it's a new phone, clothes, or a family car, today we're often resigned to the fact that the new things we own won't last forever. However, there is one thing that we still expect to endure for the long haul, and that's our homes.

Renovation8 min
How to Approach Your Siding Project Like a Pro

Re-siding your home can completely transform its look and increase curb appeal exponentially, but completing a re-side is a big job and a significant investment. If you've never done it, it's hard to know what to expect and how to prepare for a siding replacement.

Trends7 min
Everything You Need to Know About Board & Batten Style Siding

Board and batten style siding is enjoying a resurgence as a way to create visual interest in an otherwise blank wall. Many believe board and batten style is a timeless look that can leave your home's exterior with major curb appeal for years to come.