The early builders might not have understood exactly why wood moved but they knew how to compensate for it.
Board and batten siding barn.
Board and batten siding is sometimes called barn siding because many barns in north america are constructed this way.
The boards run vertically with narrow strips to seal the cracks that form as the wood dries and shrinks.
Board and batten barn.
Board and batten shutters which use the batten as a horizontal brace are also considered less formal and more provincial than louvered shutters.
Barns and houses with board and batten siding were inspired by nordic european buildings and gained popularity in america sometime around the middle of the 19th century.
Board and batten is a fairly simple exterior siding system of gapped wide vertical siding boards with narrow overlying vertical battens to cover the gaps.
So what exactly is board and batten siding.
You can cover the whole exterior of your house with board and batten siding incorporate board and batten ideas within your interior décor or even add small accents with board and batten shutters or ceilings.
Today board and batten siding has regained popularity in the united states do in part to the rise of modern rustic barn modern architecture.
This added batten gives the siding some depth and dimensions as it catches shadows.
Board and batten siding is very similar to the plain barn siding shown above but board and batten has the addition of a narrow strip of wood called a batten covering the joints where vertical boards meet.
Even today this type of siding on a house exudes a comfortable informality.
Traditionally board and batten siding starts with wide vertical planks boards which are then joined together by thin vertical strips battens to cover the seams.
The technique is time tested durable easy to repair and allows for the natural expansion and contraction of the siding material.