Board and batten siding uses wide vertical boards installed with narrower strips, or battens, covering the seams between them. Originally a barn and farmhouse construction method, it's become a popular accent and full-house siding style for its clean vertical lines and strong shadow pattern.
It works well for homeowners looking for a farmhouse, craftsman, or modern exterior look, whether as the full siding material or as an accent on gables, porches, and entry features paired with horizontal lap siding elsewhere on the home. It's available in vinyl, fiber cement, and wood, each with different maintenance implications.
The look is defined by the vertical lines and board spacing, but the material underneath determines maintenance and longevity. Vinyl board and batten needs no painting but has a more uniform, less textured appearance; fiber cement holds paint and a crisper edge but costs more; real wood offers the most authentic texture but requires the most upkeep on Long Island's humid coastal climate.
Board and batten used across the entire exterior for a distinctly modern-farmhouse look, most common in new builds or full exterior renovations.
Vertical board and batten used on gables, dormers, or a porch feature while horizontal siding covers the main walls — a common way to add texture without full-house commitment.
Formed vinyl panels that replicate the board and batten look with no painting required, a lower-maintenance option that still delivers the vertical-line aesthetic.
Individual fiber cement boards and battens installed and painted on site, giving the crispest, most authentic version of the look with better paint retention than wood.
Wider boards with more spacing give a bolder, more modern rhythm, while narrower, tighter spacing reads closer to a traditional farmhouse look.
We discuss whether board and batten will be full-house or an accent feature, along with material choice and board spacing, to match your home's overall design.
Vertical siding needs horizontal furring strips or blocking behind it for proper fastening, so we prepare the wall accordingly before any boards go up.
House wrap and flashing are installed and detailed at window and door openings, adjusted as needed for the vertical board orientation.
Wide boards are set first with consistent spacing, checked for plumb, and fastened according to the chosen material's requirements.
Battens are installed over the board seams, aligned and fastened to cover joints cleanly and give the siding its signature vertical shadow line.
Corner and transition trim is fitted, and if using fiber cement or wood, finish painting or sealing is coordinated before a final walkthrough.
Cost depends on whether it's applied to the full house or as an accent area, the material chosen, and the substrate prep needed for vertical fastening. Because board and batten typically requires furring strips that horizontal siding doesn't, labor considerations differ even at the same square footage. We measure the specific area and material before quoting.
Get an EstimateVertical siding depends on solid backing and consistent board spacing to look right and drain properly — both are easy to get wrong without the right prep, so we build that into the plan up front.
Tell us about your home and we’ll come out, measure, and give you a written price with the scope spelled out. Prefer to talk it through? Call (631) 972-0873.
(631) 972-0873No obligation. We usually get back to you within one business day.