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When it comes to interior decor, you’ve got plenty of opportunities. Bare concrete walls, bricks, coating – everything is possible and available for every budget. On the other hand, board and batten siding remains the most popular in the USA and other Western countries. Today, we’ll consider the pros and cons of this siding, its average cost, and your advantages as a house owner. 

Board and Batten Siding – What is It?

As it follows from the name, this kind of siding implies the installation of wooden boards (in most cases). There are two kinds: wide and thick panels that form the main body of siding and so-called battens – thin panels used for decoration and covering the joints between the mainboards. The principle works vise versa – with trim boards and wide battens (called reversed siding). This siding comes in several forms and materials. They affect the board and batten siding cost and appearance:

• Cedar – simple wood that is easy to install. Experts from Legacy Service USA LLC say that it is one of the most affordable variants.
• Cypress – it is pretty expensive but very long-lasting wood. Though it is easy to cut, you’ll have a high price for the whole house siding. 
• Fiber cement siding is solid and long-lasting. It is not that expensive as wood, but you’ll need a true artisan to install it. 
• Aluminum and steel sidings are very long-lasting and easy to upkeep. However, it is not the best idea from an aesthetic point of view. 
• Vinyl siding is a simple average between the price, aesthetics, maintenance, and installation. 

Things to consider when you pick a siding material:

• Weather and other possible jeopardy factors. For instance, a Florida citizen must think about bare wood twice, as it absorbs moisture and tends to rot. Insects are another risk: termites will eat wood without protection very fast. 
• House size and budget: siding the whole house can be expensive. You need to consider the materials and the installation costs. Sometimes installation cheap and quick siding right now than waiting and sparing money with a naked house.

Let’s consider the main advantages of board and batten siding.

Board and Batten Siding: Advantages, Tips, And Costs

First of all, the price does not matter if the siding is beautiful. Both natural wood and synthetic materials are beautiful as they are, and they are customizable: you can cover them with paint, putting, etc. 

• As the material is quite popular, you are likely to meet this siding in most neighborhoods. It means that with board and batten siding, you will not spoil the typical architectural style. 
• Depending on the material, such siding lasts for a long time. With adequate maintenance, the terms reach 30-35 years. 
• In most cases, the boards are easy to install and process.
• Such siding is easy to replace in case of damage. 
• Do not forget that wood is the best material for keeping warm. Due to its temperature inactivity, the house will be warm in winter and cold in summer.

However, let’s not forget about demerits:

• Siding is not a good idea in regions with high humidity and lots of different insects. Such siding is a decoration. It will not stand hurricanes and tornadoes. 
• Depending on the material, the installation can be easy or difficult. You might need professional assistance. 

The cost range is wide. Let’s dip into details.

Board and Batten Siding Prices

As we mentioned, the house size and materials are the main factors that affect the price (per square foot):

• Cedar – from $2.50 to $3.00.
• Cypress – from $4 to $20.
• Fiber cement – $0.50 to $5.
• Steel – from $3 to $7.
• Vinyl – from $2 to $7.

Include the labor cost that can vary from $1.50 to $5 per square foot depending on the materials. In total, you will pay about $1500 on average for every 100 square feet of your house. 

Despite the cost, the advantages of board and batten siding are beyond discussion. Make your choice to make your house looking great.

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A neat façade says a lot about the house but also the owner. Yet, over time and due to various factors, the house exterior begins to lose its beauty and splendor. To avoid making your home look outdated, you need to notice signs of siding worn out in time. A timely replacement will make your home look as good as new, though it does need some investment and time spent. But the use of modern materials greatly eases and speeds up this house renovation work.

As seen on aplusroofinggutters.com, hiring professionals to do the work for you is a wise investment. Although DIY siding does not require special skills and tools, it can take a long time, especially if weather conditions are not favorable. Professional siding contractors finish this job quickly. You don’t have to do anything, and that’s not the only benefit.

Right Siding Boost Value of Your Property

If you are planning to sell a house in the future, you will need to do some renovation. Only that way, you’ll get a desired price on the market. In this respect, re-siding is a very hefty investment, even if you opt for middle-class material such as vinyl or metal. New siding makes your home look attractive, but it’s also excellent protection against weather conditions. A polished exterior of your home will give potential buyers the impression that the seller takes good care of the house. People looking to buy a house always give advantage to real estate that doesn’t require initial investments. They are even ready to pay more for the real estate in excellent condition.

Siding Contractors Know Better

Re-siding is a long process as it involves many steps that must be followed in order to make everything look as you imagined. DIY-ers who choose to do this project on their own can skip some of these steps, finding them unnecessary and time-consuming. Professionals approach business thoroughly, and every step is essential to them. From the removal of the damaged exterior cover, thorough preparation of the walls for new material to final polishing – each of these actions has its purpose. During work, contractors will do their best not to leave behind garbage and to keep the environment safe from potential health hazards.

Photo By: Vinyl Siding Institute

Knowledge of Materials

Siding contractors will probably come up with some ideas. They are willing to suggest what would be the best solution for your exterior, but they are hired to meet your home improvement requirements. They are trained to handle all types of materials used to cover the outside walls. Also, they know the features of all types of siding, so as their energy efficiency, durability, maintenance requirements, etc.

Maybe you thought that concrete covers would look great on your country-style house. After discussing with contractors, you opt for wood, to keep that rustic look. Lately, vinyl covers have become popular for the reasons you can find on this site. Also, these renovation experts use professional tools that ease the work with materials such as wood, metal, or stucco. Since the average household does not have professional tools, a standalone siding work may not look as good as when done by professionals.

Besides their expertise, contractors will help you get quality exterior covers. They cooperate with a network of distributors and manufacturers. You would probably wander around warehouses and stores looking for materials and tools you need. If you hire them to get you what you want, you can save yourself a lot of time.

No Hassle with Bureaucracy

In most countries, all homework requires a permit from a competent city institution. This is just a standard procedure, but due to the vast number of requests, it may take a while. If you are in a hurry to do re-siding as soon as possible, this deadlock may spoil your plans. When it’s the right time to install or repair new house exterior, find out here.

Starting any house renovation work without a permit can put you in trouble, even if you are still in the project design phase. Professional contractors will give you great peace of mind on this step. They will get all the necessary permits and complete this procedure very quickly. There’s no need for touring institutions and wasting your time waiting in lines. People want to create a living space to feel comfortable and enjoy every day. Modern siding not only attracts the views, but it’s functional too. It has to preserve the structure of the house and then to ensure the energy efficiency of the whole building.