Home » How Much Does Board And Batten Siding Cost? (Price Chart)

How Much Does Board And Batten Siding Cost? (Price Chart)

A lot of people are considering board and batten siding. This is a construction material that will give your home a unique look. That being said, homeowners usually want to know what are the average board and batten siding costs before engaging in a full-scale project.

Unfortunately, while this is an incredible option for your exterior, the material has gone up almost 10% every year, in the past few years. This is what makes it really hard to estimate the precise budget for this kind of building endeavor.

What is board and batten siding?

Board and batten have been used for centuries since the first US settlers who wanted to add durability to their sheds and barns. This is why the style is still called “barn siding” in certain parts of the country. The strips were primarily utilized to cover the panel board seems. That way, farmers creating insulation protecting animals from harsh winter weather.

The durability of board and batten siding will vary based on the material that was used. In most cases, homeowners will rely on wood, but you can also utilize fiber cement, steel, or vinyl. Although wood remains the most popular material, you can get more durability with steel or engineered wood siding.

The price of board and batten siding can vary significantly based on several factors:

  • The size of the surface (not necessarily the house) is the main thing to be considered. Board and batten siding cost is usually calculated based on the number of square feet that need to be covered. Sometimes, homeowners will decide to cover the majority of their exterior which is why projects for smaller homes can sometimes be more expensive than the projects for larger houses.
  • The location also plays a major factor. The price of a project can vary from $5,000 to $10,000 depending on the state in which you reside.
  • Most board and batten sidings are pretty straightforward. But that doesn’t mean you cannot experiment with the design. There are various styles you can choose from, which is another major thing that needs to be considered when planning a project. Keep in mind that certain designs will require additional labor in the form of cutting, measuring, and installing.
  • Lastly, you should consider the material. Cheaper materials are usually less durable, and present a great alternative for people who want to save some money. However, this might force them to replace the siding relatively quickly.

What is the average cost of board and batten siding?

Whether you’re looking to replace the existing or install a completely new board and batten siding, you will have to expect between $4,000 to $14,000. On average, a homeowner will pay around $9,000, a price that can vary significantly depending on material and location.

If we’re talking about the price per square foot, you can expect to pay somewhere between $0.75 to $1 for the material alone. When including labor, installation of board and batten can go anywhere from $2.25 to $12.50. Although this variation might seem a bit extreme, you can easily calculate the costs if you know what you’re looking for. Certain materials, such as cypress, can cost up to $21 per square foot.

Prices based on material

Material Cost per square foot
Cedar $2.80

 

Cypress $3 – $21

 

Wood $3 – $10

 

Hardie Board/Fiber Cement

 

$0.75 – $5

 

Aluminum/Steel $3 – $8

 

Vinyl $2 – $7

 

Engineered Wood $2 – $5.50

 

 

Natural wooden materials tend to be much more expensive than artificially produced ones. For example, the cheapest thing you can utilize for board and batten siding is hardie board/fiber cement, while different types of wood will cost at least $3 up to $21.\

Prices based on city

Material Cost per square foot
Boston

 

$10,000
Baltimore

 

$8,000
Chicago

 

$8,500
Denver

 

$5,500
Houston

 

$6,000
Los Angeles

 

$11,000
Miami

 

$10,000
New York

 

$12,000
Seattle

 

$9,000

 

If we consider the states with a higher standard, you can get installation relatively cheap in Texas and Colorado. As you can presume, larger centers such as Los Angeles and New York will be the priciest ones.

Analyzing board and batten siding materials

The great thing about siding is that you can utilize almost anything as a protective cover. Here are some of the most popular materials and their main features:

Wood

Wood

When you see that board and batten siding is categorized as “wood,” this can refer to any type of wood. For example, a company can use pine, fir, redwood, and many other species for these products. Among others, they can utilize cedar and cypress, although they commonly placed in separate  categories. As a natural material, wood requires a lot of upkeep. You will have to pay attention to discoloration and rot if you wish to prolong its lifespan for as long as possible.

Cedar

Cedar

Cedar is a nice-looking material for siding. Most people get it because it provides that warm, rustic feeling and yet, it is very cheap and easy to install. Cedar is very resilient to insects and warping, unlike some other species. A homeowner can paint it rather easily.

Cypress

Cypress

You can get decent cypress board and batten siding for $4 to $10 per square foot. Some better alternatives will cost you up to $21. Although it is regarded as a somewhat luxurious product, it also has great natural properties. The wood is very resilient to insects and weather. It lasts for a very long time, which is why the investment will pay off. However, its installation cost tends to be higher compared to other materials on the list.

Aluminum and steel

Aluminum and steel

Metal materials are relatively affordable. They are especially popular among homeowners who don’t want to go deep into their budget and yet, they require a durable solution. Furthermore, once you put steel or aluminum siding, you won’t have to think about it in foreseeable future. There is also an option of coating metal board and batten with vinyl if you wish to alter its color and texture. The biggest issue with these metal materials is that you can’t pain them that easily. Dents can be a nasty problem and expect siding to rust if you don’t place a protective coating over it.

Fiber cement

Fiber cement

Fiber cement is the most affordable solution on the list, and you can get it for as low as $0.75 per square foot. However, its price is very deceiving as this is a very strong material that doesn’t require much maintenance. It is made by mixing cement, sand, and wood-cellulose. While fiber cement is really cheap, that doesn’t mean that the installation will also be cheap. It is a hard material to apply and the contractor will need special tools for this work. In some cases, the homeowners will also have to install support to hold this kind of siding.

Engineered wood

Engineered wood

Engineered wood is a mixture of bonding agents and wood chips. You can install it easily, it provides lots of protection, and it is very cheap. This is why most people prefer this material to natural wood. In fact, it can be really hard to tell that this material was made from leftovers as it will have all the same properties as the regular wood.

Vinyl

Vinyl

Vinyl is commonly used for various types of sidings. The syntenic material is very light and easy to install. You can choose between numerous colors and finishes. Oftentimes, manufacturers will create their siding products so they look like wood. On top of it all, the material can last for at least 25 years if installed properly.

Repairing and maintaining board and batten siding

Depending on the material that was used, your board and batten might require a lot of work. Wooden materials are especially troublesome as they will relatively quickly show signs of wear and tear.

All in all, homeowners will past somewhere between $400 to $1,000 for repairs. Like the roof, it is always recommended that you perform regular maintenance before autumn and winter. Here are some of the things that a repair and maintenance team will do for your siding:

  • Fixing loose boards prevents the accumulation of water and subsequent mold and rot.
  • By sealing battens, the repair team can prevent the gathering of water that causes deterioration of the material.
  • Fixing cracks and dents that allow moisture to penetrate the siding affecting the home’s appearance.
  • It is very important for homeowners to repaint once in a while. Cracked paint can lead to an increase in moisture and subsequent rotting. Furthermore, your home will look much worse with damaged paint.

Last thoughts

After installing board and batten siding, your home will have a completely new look. To make things even better, it will be protected against various weather conditions.

There are several things that a homeowner should consider before starting a project. Although you cannot do anything regarding the local prices, you can definitely reduce overall costs by picking a cheaper material.

Keep in mind that you can also install a board and batten yourself, whether for interior or exterior.

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