How Much Are Board and Batten Siding Prices?
3 pros!
Installing new board and batten siding can cost as little as $4,000 or as much as $21,000, with the average cost around $9,000. That makes this type of siding competitive with others on the market.
How Much Does Board and Batten Vinyl Siding Cost?
Vinyl board and batten siding costs between $2 and $7 per square foot. Including labor, it runs to an average $10,500 for a 1,500 square foot home.
“The cost to install Board and Batten siding depends on the type of product the customer is considering for their home,” says Keith Vigil, owner of GS Exterior Experts in Littleton, Colo. “The most common types for a typical 2,000 square-foot home – wood, cedar, engineered wood and fiber cement – can range anywhere from $16,000 to $30,000.”
It's one of the more durable choices for siding. Vinyl resists rain, snow and hail. A whole-house job should last up to 25 years with no major issues.
How Much Does Cedar Board and Batten Siding Cost?
Cedar board and batten siding comes in at around $2.80 per square foot. That means a normal 1,500-square-foot house should run $4,200 for materials.
Cedar installs can be tricky, though. Quality labor costs $80 per hour, averaging over $3,000 total for a home that size.
How Much Does Hardie Board Siding Cost?
Hardie Board siding runs from $0.75 to $5 per square foot for material. Labor costs from $2 to $5 per square foot. The total expense for a 1,500 square foot home could range from $4,125 to as high as $15,000.
It’s so pricey because of the nature of the siding and the process of installing it. Hardie Board is a trade name for fiber-cement, or cement-infused wood pulp. It looks much like natural wood, but resists fire and bad weather well.
It’s also heavier than other kinds of siding, and tougher to work with. Not every contractor is set up to install this material. It can come with a higher labor cost because of that.
“Cedar requires the most maintenance, and typically needs to be stained or repainted ever three to six years,” says Keith of GS Exterior Experts. “James Hardie and CertainTeed have roughly the same cost and warranty. We have had no issues with James Hardie products.”
You also have a lot of options with Hardie Board’s look and feel. You can choose whether to paint or finish it.
How Much Does CertainTeed Board and Batten Cost?
The CertainTeed siding brand comes in vinyl, fiber cement and other variants.
- Labor costs to install run from $1.50 to $2.50 per square foot.
- Material costs range from $4 to $9 per square foot.
- Materials and labor combined can cost from $8,300 to as much as $17,260 for a 1,500 square foot home.
CertainTeed is one of the best-known siding manufacturers in the United States and Canada. Their vertical siding carries a Class 1(A) fire rating and a lifetime warranty.
Why Board and Batten?
"Lately, Board and Batten siding is becoming more popular,” says Keith of GS Exterior Experts. “We are performing more of these types of installs versus previous years. The advantages of using Board and Batten siding are mainly appearance and cost. Some contractors may charge less to install Board and Batten siding than traditional lap (vinyl) siding based on the style of the home – as well as on the install process.”
What Are Board and Batten Installation Cost Factors?
This siding style is a unique design choice. It calls for attention to a pattern, and the skill it takes to properly install leads to higher labor prices. There are other labor cost factors:
- The price goes up if you live outside the provider's service area.
- It costs more if your house is hard to get to with a truck full of siding. That can apply to remote rural locales or high-traffic urban areas.
- Oddities in the shape of the house can make the job tougher.
- Jobs that involve high walls and safety rigging can get pricey.
- Workers with better skills need higher pay.
Other install cost factors include:
- Time of year: Expect to see pricing discounts on quotes in fall or early winter. This is the off season for home projects.
- Material Type: Materials for a 1,500-square-foot house can vary from $1,125 - $31,000 with Hardie Board falling on the lower end and cypress wood on the high end.
- Board size: Varying the board size changes the space between battens. This is usually around 20.5-inch but can differ for a distinct style and higher price.
Board and Batten Siding Cost Comparison
Material costs for this type of siding range from $0.75 up to $9 per square foot. Labor can cost anywhere from $1.50 to $5 per square foot. The cost of a 1,500-square-foot install can range as low as $4,000 to as high as $21,000.
How does this compare with some other forms of siding? With both material and labor included, here’s how three other popular options stack up for a 1,500-square-foot install:
- Shiplap siding - $2,250 to $14,600
- Shake or shingle siding - $9,750 to $21,000
- Clapboard siding - $7,000 to $15,000
“People should ask what types of siding are on the market and what holds up best in their climate,” says Keith of GS Exterior Experts. “If they live in a fire danger area, ask if the product is resistant. If they see hail every few years, be sure to ask if the product is hail resistant.”
Despite being a little more complex to install, board and batten can compete with other kinds of siding for savings. It can also run high in expense depending on the material.
Many brands such as CertainTeed come precut and pretreated. When siding is ready to slide into place straight off the truck, you can save on labor.
Hire a Pro for Installation
The board and batten design has rows of 7- or 8-inch boards offset by indented or extending battens. It can be hard to work with for amateurs on a DIY job. It's best to hire a pro.
When hiring a professional, always check to make sure the contractor’s license is valid in your state. It’s also good to spend some time reading customer reviews before choosing a siding contractor.
When you find a pro you like, ask for written cost and time estimates. Get a written warranty. If your siding has a lifetime warranty, ask whether it transfers if you sell the house later.
Work with your pro right from the start of the process, before you buy materials. Don't be shy about asking them for information, or to explain terms you don't understand.