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The Daily Insight

What does board batten mean

Author

John Thompson

Updated on April 30, 2026

Board and batten is a siding and paneling style that uses narrow strips of wood placed over the joints of wide boards for a geometric, layered effect. Historically and traditionally, a wooden batten would be placed over a seam between the wide boards, creating a stronger and more energy-efficient siding.

What is board and batten for?

Cedar is a common choice for exterior board and batten siding, but other acceptable wood species include Cyprus, redwood, locust, white oak, and hemlock.

What is a wood batten?

batten, term used in joinery for a board 4 to 7 inches (10 to 17.8 cm) wide and not more than 3 inches (7.6 cm) thick employed for various purposes. In sailing the word is applied to a strip of wood nailed to a mast to prevent rubbing or to fix down a tarpaulin over a hatchway in rough weather.

Why is it called board and batten?

After the frame of a house was built, the boards would be nailed to it. In order to seal these gaps, wooden strips a few inches wide were nails to the outside of the house where the boards met. … The wooden strips were known as battens, and this style of siding became known as board and batten.

What is a board and batten wall?

You may not recognize the name, but board and batten is a classic type of wainscoting. It blends different sizes of plywood boards and molding to create a chic, textured look. True board-and-batten is made with vertically installed wide boards and narrow battens fastened over the gaps between the boards.

When was board and batten used?

BOARD AND BATTEN was popular as a wooden siding for houses in America between 1845 and about 865.

How long does board and batten last?

How long does board and batten last? The material you choose will have an effect on the lifespan of your board and batten siding, but on average, you can expect this style to last about 25 years, especially if you choose vinyl, which is the most popular type.

What style is board and batten considered?

Board and batten is a type of wainscoting, that has grown in popularity recently with the farmhouse decor and cottage trends. I love it, because it instantly adds character to any room, without looking too fussy.

Why is board and batten so popular?

A striking dimensional finishing treatment, board and batten, is enjoying renewed popularity, with homeowners installing it both on the exterior and indoors. … As an exterior cladding, board and batten manages to impart a rustic, handmade quality even to new homes built in unmistakably contemporary styles.

Why is it called a batten?

These wooden planks or boards were about twelve inches or more wide and an inch or so thick and could be twenty-five feet or longer. … So, they would nail a small wooded strip of wood a couple inches wide, called a ‘batten‘ over the cracks to make it more airtight. Hence the name ‘board and batten’.

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What does a batten look like?

Board and batten, or board-and-batten siding, describes a type of exterior siding or interior paneling that has alternating wide boards and narrow wooden strips, called “battens.” The boards are usually (but not always) one foot wide. … The battens are usually (but not always) about 1/2-inch wide.

What is a Type A batten?

These Green Treated Battens are Type A and are ideal for a wide range of construction applications. Green wood is freshly cut and will have a high moisture content compared to seasoned timber. The green treated battens are flexible and soft making them a great choice for lathe and chisel work.

How thick should battens be?

Batten Sizes A true batten is 2-inches in width or smaller, but you can use larger widths by installing trim in place of a batten if you want a thicker appearance. They’re installed directly over the vertical panels to get the traditional look.

What kind of paint do you use on board and batten?

Eggshell Paint Finish-Best Paint Finish for Board and Batten Eggshell is called eggshell finish because it’s appearance most represents the look of an eggshell! It’s a low luster finish with a subtle sheen to it.

Does board and batten make a room look smaller?

In some circumstances, it is possible to use a board and batten that sits as high as two-thirds of the ceiling height. This usually makes the room appear smaller. That’s because the pattern of the board and batten will make the ceiling appear lower than it actually is.

How thick should wood be for board and batten?

How thick should board and batten be? If you’re dealing with a smaller bedroom in a house with 8 ft ceilings, you’ll want to use something in the 2.5” to 3.5” width range for the trim work.

Is board and batten hard to maintain?

Unlike painted brick houses, painting board and batten siding isn’t a one-and-done deal. The paint can be updated, changed, and redone with relative frequency to suit changing trends in exterior paint colors. And, with composite materials, maintenance is easy.

Does board and batten add value to home?

Having a sound exterior is a crucial investment that should be tended to before cosmetic repairs! Crown moulding, board and batten, plank walls, beadboard, and trim all add character and charm to a home and give it a custom, “high-end” look.

How much does a board and batten wall cost?

Board and Batten CostsZip CodeSq. ft.BasicBetterBoard and Batten – Installation Cost$210.00 – $320.00$300.00 – $430.00Board and Batten – Total$710.00 – $880.00$940.00 – $1160.00Board and Batten – Total Average Cost per square foot$7.95$10.50

Is board and batten modern?

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.

What is the difference between shiplap and board and batten?

Shiplap and Board and Batten are two different wooden wall treatments. Shiplap refers to wooden boards of the same width with grooves that help each board fit together tightly, while board and batten refers to boards of different widths installed with space between, usually vertically.

What's the difference between board and batten and beadboard?

Beadboard: Vertically grooved panels that have a traditional style. Shiplap: Horizontal siding boards often used indoors as a design element. Tongue and Groove: A way of attaching two boards with a tongue inserted into a groove. Board and Batten: Battens are wide vertical molding pieces installed on larger boards.

Why do you need battens?

Roofing battens or battening, also called roofing lath, are used to provide the fixing point for roofing materials such as shingles or tiles. The spacing of the battens depend on the type of roofing material and are applied horizontally.

What do you mean by Batten?

A batten is a long strip of wood that is fixed to something to strengthen it or to hold it firm. … If something is battened in place, it is made secure by having battens fixed across it or being closed firmly.

What is the difference between wainscoting and board and batten?

Wainscoting is a protective barrier applied to the lower half or lower third of a room, usually on all the walls. Board and batten refers to a specific design that can be used to create this protective barrier.

Should battens be treated?

Treatment – Roofing battens should be preservative treated to Use Class 2 in accordance with BS 8417. Different manufacturers use their own types of preservative treatment and may offer different guarantees as a result.

Why are wood battens blue?

For fixing Roof Tiles, Slates, and sheets, Batten colour may vary. The battens are blue in colour indicating that each individual batten has been assessed, graded and complies with the strength requirements of BS 5534 : 2003 + A1 : 2010.

What are timber battens used for?

A batten is generally a strip of timber (although it can also be steel or plastic) which is used in the construction of buildings. They are typically used as spacers to raise the surface of a material, or as a secondary framework onto which a surface may be fixed.

How far apart should board and batten be?

But how far apart should each batten be? Typically, batten are spaced anywhere from 12” to 24” apart.

What size is a batten?

What timber batten sizes are typically supplied? Timber battens compliant with BS 5534 typically come in two basic dimensions: 25x38mm and 25x50mm, with the ±3mm tolerance. These measurements should be taken with a reference moisture level of 20%.

Which paint sheen hides imperfections?

Flat paint has a velvety, matte look and is the best choice to hide any wall imperfections.