How to Create a Board-and-Batten Look With James Hardie® Siding

In the East Bay, homes are exposed to a wide range of conditions making durable, well-designed exterior materials especially important. Board-and-batten siding works beautifully in this environment, offering both visual impact and long-term performance. The vertical lines help refresh ranch-style homes with a clean, modern update, add timeless character to Craftsman and farmhouse-inspired designs, and enhance contemporary architecture by creating depth and shadow. On two-story homes, the vertical orientation also helps visually balance height and proportion, giving the exterior a more cohesive look.

‍Board-and-batten is also an excellent choice for feature areas such as front-facing elevations, entry walls, and gables, where architectural detail can make the biggest impression. Used strategically, it creates a focal point that elevates curb appeal without overwhelming the overall design of the home. Corner boards help define the edges of your home and give the exterior a clean, structured appearance. Hardie® corner boards add depth and visual strength to each elevation, creating sharp lines that enhance architectural detail. Beyond aesthetics, they also provide added durability at key transition points where siding meets and weather exposure is greatest. Hardie® Soffit Panels provide a smooth, uniform finish that complements both classic and contemporary Bay Area architecture. They integrate seamlessly with other fiber-cement siding products for a cohesive, high-end exterior look.
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Creating a true board-and-batten look with James Hardie® siding starts with using Hardie® Panel as the “board.” These vertical panels form the clean, flat surface that defines the style, while the battens are installed over the seams. Proper panel layout is critical, as it establishes the rhythm and symmetry of the entire design. If seams aren’t carefully planned, the spacing can feel uneven and the finished look loses its crisp, intentional appearance.

‍The battens themselves are typically made from Hardie® trim boards, installed vertically over the panel seams—and sometimes between seams for a tighter, more detailed pattern. Narrower battens in the 2" to 3" range create a refined, modern feel, while wider 3.5" to 5.5" battens deliver a bolder, more traditional farmhouse look. Spacing is where this style is truly won or lost. From the street, board-and-batten should appear balanced, aligned, and consistent, which means batten placement must work in harmony with window and door locations, corners, gables, rooflines, and transitions between materials. This level of coordination is especially important for East Bay homes that often combine stucco, siding, and varied architectural elements.

Many homeowners choose not to wrap their entire home in board-and-batten, opting instead for a mix-and-match approach that adds visual interest while keeping the design balanced and cost-effective. Popular combinations include board-and-batten in front-facing gables paired with Hardie® Lap Siding on the main walls, vertical accents around entryways to create a focal point, or second-story board-and-batten to visually lighten the upper portion of the home. No matter how it’s used, the final step is finishing the look with trim details that add depth and definition. Corner boards, window and door trim, horizontal band boards, and cleanly finished fascia and rake boards all play a role in transforming board-and-batten from a nice idea into a polished, high-end exterior—where experienced installation makes all the difference.