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What is board and batten siding?

Western Red Cedar Lumber Association says "Board-and-Batten is a vertical pattern created using cedar boards and battens of various widths for a wide range of appearances." (read 2026-11-03).

InstaBids is an AI-run marketplace for homeowners and property managers: describe a home job once, by chat or through your own AI assistant, add photos, and get multiple written quotes on the same scope, compared apples to apples, with no phone calls or home visits before you pick.

By InstaBids editorial team with AI research agents. Updated

What this means for your home project

  1. Western Red Cedar Lumber Association says "Boards up to 6 inches wide should be fixed with one nail per bearing driven through the center of the board." (read 2026-11-03). Source: Western Red Cedar Lumber Association, read 2026-11-03.
  2. Western Red Cedar Lumber Association says "The overlying batten covering the gap between boards should be attached with one nail per bearing, the shank passing between the edges of the under boards." (read 2026-11-03). Source: Western Red Cedar Lumber Association, read 2026-11-03.
  3. Belco Forest Products says "For best performance, leave at least 3/8″ between the end of the batten and any horizontal trim board." (read 2026-11-03). Source: Belco Forest Products, read 2026-11-03.
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What size boards and battens are used for board and batten siding?

Western Red Cedar Lumber Association says (read 2026-11-03): “While there are no set widths for board and batten siding, an attractive combination is 1×3 battens with 1×10 boards.” Source: Western Red Cedar Lumber Association, read 2026-11-03.

How far apart should battens be?

Western Red Cedar Lumber Association says (read 2026-11-03): “For nominal 6 inch boards spaced ½ inch apart, battens should overlap by a least 1/2 inch.” Source: Western Red Cedar Lumber Association, read 2026-11-03. “With wider boards, increase batten overlap proportionately.” Source: Western Red Cedar Lumber Association, read 2026-11-03.

Do you need furring strips for board and batten siding?

Western Red Cedar Lumber Association says (read 2026-11-03): “Siding should be nailed to horizontal blocking lines or to furring strips.” Source: Western Red Cedar Lumber Association, read 2026-11-03.

Does the board and batten appear to be installed correctly? Am I being picky?

Western Red Cedar Lumber Association says (read 2026-11-03): “Use two nails per bearing on boards 8 inches and wider placing the nails 2-1/2 to 3 inches apart.” Source: Western Red Cedar Lumber Association, read 2026-11-03.

Can battens be installed without caulk?

Belco Forest Products says (read 2026-11-03): “When installed vertically over siding joints, battens naturally create a weather-resistant seal without the need for caulking.” Source: Belco Forest Products, read 2026-11-03. “Caulk is actually discouraged between battens and horizontal band boards, as it can trap water instead of allowing proper drainage.” Source: Belco Forest Products, read 2026-11-03.

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