Board and batten siding ranges in price from $4,000 to $43,600, depending on which material you choose—wood, vinyl, engineered wood—and the cost of labor.
Board and batten siding costs between $2.50 and $12.50 per square foot to install, including materials and labor costs. For the average home with 1,600 square feet of exterior walls, you can expect to spend between $4,000 and $43,600 on board and batten siding installation.
Be aware that materials make up a large portion of overall board and batten siding costs, and continued supply chain shortages mean siding prices have steadily risen in recent years. Even if you install the board and batten siding yourself, material costs alone will keep this project expensive.
Several factors impact the overall cost of board and batten siding, including the type of material you choose, local labor rates, and the size of your home.
Materials make up the largest portion of your overall board and batten siding costs. Depending on the type of material you choose—actual wood, fiber cement, metal, vinyl, or engineered wood—your costs may range from $0.75 to $10 or more per square foot.
In addition to the siding itself, you’ll need to purchase flashing, a moisture-resistant barrier, trim pieces, caulk, nails, and potentially paint or stain.
The total cost to install board and batten siding averages $2.25 to $12.50 per square foot. While professionals will likely give you one per square foot price that includes both materials and installation, their labor typically comes out to about $1.75 to $2.25 per square foot.
You can cut costs by installing the siding yourself, but it’s a challenging DIY project. If you’re up for the task, here’s how to install board and batten siding.
While you can install siding yourself, we recommend contacting a pro. Improper installation can decrease the life span of the siding and cost more money in the long run.
Siding replacement costs are understandably higher for larger homes simply because you need more materials, and it’s a larger time investment for your local siding contractor to finish the job. Having multiple stories requiring scaffolding can also increase the cost compared to, say, a ranch house with easier-to-access exterior walls.
| Square Feet | Average Cost for Siding | Average Cost for Brick or Stone |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | $1,000–$13.500 | $9,000–$50,000 |
| 1,500 | $1,500–$20,250 | $13,500–$75,000 |
| 2,000 | $2,000–$27,000 | $18,000–$100,000 |
| 2,500 | $2,500–$33,750 | $22,500–$125,000 |
| 3,000 | $3,000–$40,500 | $27,000–$150,000 |
A home with more windows and doors—as well as air vents, water spigots, and any other breaks in the siding—will require more special cuts in the siding, leading to wasted materials (and thus higher material costs). Windows and doors also require extra trim and flashing, and you’ll need to caulk around these openings to ensure everything is properly sealed.
Some board and batten siding materials may need to be painted or stained before installation, though you can also hire a painter near you to paint the siding after it’s been installed. You can cut costs by painting or staining the siding yourself (you’ll just need some basic tools and supplies), or you can purchase a material that doesn’t need to be painted or stained, such as metal.
Depending on the regulations of your local government, you could spend anywhere from $150 to $2,000 for a construction permit to replace the siding on your home. If it’s a minor repair that requires a few square feet of replacement, you may not even need to pay for a permit. However, large-scale jobs may require it, so it’s best to check with a local siding repair professional to see what your city requires for siding repairs in your area.
The main cost of installing board and batten siding is the type of material you choose for your project.
| Material | Average Cost Per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Cedar | $2.80–$3 |
| Cypress | $4–$21 |
| Other Wood | $3–$10 |
| Fiber Cement | $0.75–$5 |
| Metal | $3–$8 |
| Vinyl | $2–$7 |
| Engineered Wood | $2–$5.50 |
Cedar board and batten siding ranges between $2.80 and $3 per square foot. This material looks good, stains well, smells pleasant, and provides a welcoming look. It’s also a bit less expensive than other options.
Cypress averages between $4 and $21 per square foot. This is a popular choice because it’s a strong wood and holds up nicely against the elements. Cypress is in high demand because it’s easy to cut and long-lasting, so expect to shell out for this material.
Pine, redwood, and fir are three other popular types of wood siding for board and batten installations. These woods cost between $3 and $10 per square foot, but be forewarned: They require repainting, and you must watch them for rot and other damage that comes with age and exposure to the rain and extreme heat.
Fiber cement siding costs $0.75 to $5 per square foot. This material is made up of a mixture of sand, cement, and wood-cellulose. Homeowners often choose fiber cement because it’s tough, but it’s also heavy, which can make installation rough. Many fiber cement manufacturers also sell tool cuts to help those installing their boards, which can increase the cost of your project.
Hardie board is a popular brand-name, high-quality type of fiber cement siding. On average, Hardie board siding costs between $5 and $15 per square foot.
Aluminum and steel are the two most popular metal siding options for board and batten. These metal materials cost between $3 and $8 per square foot. Metal siding lasts a long time and is easy to care for. Sometimes metal siding can rust, but there are treatments available that can prevent that.
Vinyl siding costs for board and batten are between $2 to $7 per square foot. Vinyl can last for up to 25 years and come in a vast array of colors and textures. In fact, across the various types of vinyl siding, there are even some designed to look like natural wood.
Engineered wood is a material made of wood fragments and a bonding agent. Expect to pay between $2 and $5.50 per square foot for engineered wood board and batten siding.
You may encounter other costs when installing and maintaining board and batten siding, including:
Removing existing siding: If you’re installing board and batten siding on an existing home, you’ll first need to remove the old siding. You can do this yourself, or you can pay the contractor to handle this work. Even if you DIY the siding removal, you may need to budget for the cost of junk removal if you have no way of hauling the old siding yourself.
Permits: You may need to obtain a construction permit before you can replace the current siding on your home. Building permits cost an average of $471, but this varies depending on the size and type of project.
Tools and supplies: The material itself is the main cost of board and batten siding, but you’ll also need to budget for a waterproof barrier, metal flashing, nails, and any tools you don’t already own, if you’re DIYing the project.
Maintenance costs: Ongoing maintenance for board and batten siding depends on the material you choose. At a minimum, you’ll need to clean it once a year and keep foliage off the siding. You may also need to repaint or restain every few years.
The cost to install board and batten siding yourself ranges between $0.75 and $10 per square foot, or $1,200 to $16,000 for 1,600 feet of exterior walls. In addition to the siding materials, you’ll need to purchase nails, flashing, staples, lumber, caulk, and a water-resistant barrier. If you don’t already own essential tools—like a staple gun, miter saw, and chalk line—you’ll also need to purchase or rent those.
Installing board and batten siding yourself can cut labor costs (though your material and tool costs might be higher as a result). That said, you should only take on a board and batten siding project if you’re an experienced DIYer and have enough time on your hands.
It takes the average experienced homeowner roughly one day to complete a 500-square-foot board and batten siding project (with some help from a buddy). This is also on the more challenging end of siding projects you can tackle. If you don’t have the technical skills, tools, and time on your hands, we highly recommend working with a local siding professional on this project.
Some add-ons to your board and batten siding project can increase overall costs, including:
Some homeowners use board and batten siding as an accent wall on their home, pairing it with another type of siding, like brick veneer or cedar shakes. If you’re combining multiple types of siding, you’ll need to budget for the different materials and installation methods.
If you choose true wood board and batten siding, you should consider painting or staining it, ideally before installation. This will allow you to customize the look of the wood but also ensure it lasts longer—just two of the many benefits of exterior painting and staining.
The average board and batten cost may seem intimidating, but there are ways to save on this project and still come away with a fresh home exterior that you love. Here are a few tips for saving money:
Do it yourself: Labor only makes up a small portion of the total cost to install board and batten siding, but assuming you have the knowledge, tools, and time on your hands, you can save some money on board and batten siding by installing it on your own.
Choose a more affordable material: Cypress is a really hot material for board and batten siding, but it’s also more expensive. You can save money by going with an engineered wood or even vinyl siding designed to look like real wood.
Get multiple quotes: Get several quotes before hiring a contractor. Read reviews online, turn to friends and family for recommendations, and ask siding companies for examples of their work. Go with the company that offers the right mix of strong work, excellent customer satisfaction, and competitive pricing.
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Vinyl is one of the most popular choices for a reason. It’s lightweight, easy to install, durable and long-lasting. It can hold out against extreme weather conditions, and it doesn’t make a nice home for any sort of insects. Plus, vinyl is affordable and comes in a variety of looks and colors.
Before you buy your board and batten siding, you need to consider a few things, including your budget. Once you’ve established how much money you have available for the project, you should then start thinking about where you live and how the climate could affect the life span of the material you select for your board and batten siding.
While you’re having new siding installed, it’s a good time to evaluate what else your home may need. Apply a fresh coat of paint before you add new siding. Gutter maintenance is also a popular choice for people installing board and batten siding. Combining related outdoor tasks can save on labor costs by bundling services and hourly rates.
Board and batten siding refers to how the siding is installed rather than the material itself. You can install board and batten siding with vinyl, wood, and fiber cement. Among other popular siding styles to consider are clapboard siding, stucco, shake siding, and log cabin siding.
You can also go with a completely different look by choosing from the following siding types:
Metal siding, including aluminum
Brick and brick veneer siding
Stone veneer siding
