How Much Does Batten Board Siding Cost in 2025?
Typical Range:
$4,000 - $43,600
Cost data is based on research by HomeAdvisor.
Updated December 13, 2024
Written by HomeAdvisor.Highlights
Board and batten siding costs about $10,600 to install, ranging from $4,000 to $43,600.
High costs typically reflect premium materials, high regional rates, and complex installations.
Material costs average $1 to $10 per square foot, but some can cost up to $27 per square foot or more.
Hiring a siding contractor costs $0.75 to $2.50 per square foot.
Installing new board and batten siding costs between $4,000 and $43,600, but most homeowners pay about $10,600. Board and batten siding is a type of siding containing a series of alternating board sizes that allow for the natural expansion and contraction of your home, which can reduce cracking and other age-related deterioration.
Average Batten Board Siding Cost
| Average Cost | High Cost | Low Cost |
|---|---|---|
| $10,600 | $43,600 | $4,000 |
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Batten Board Installation Cost Factors
Many factors affect the price of board and batten installation projects, including the size of your home, the installation’s complexity, and labor needs.
Home Size and Design
The size of your home is one of the main cost drivers for board and batten siding projects. The larger the home, the more materials and labor involved, and vice versa. Likewise, board and batten projects usually cost more for homes with multiple stories since contractors may need to employ scaffolding or a larger team.
Complex or unusual exterior designs also contribute to overall expenses. Intricate architectural features, such as multiple angles or non-standard window places, require more time and skill to install siding properly. Each window, door, air vent, and other external features necessitate custom cuts, which result in wasted material and additional labor.
Cost Per Square Foot
Material boards cost between $1 and $10 per square foot. Including labor, installing board and batten siding averages $2.50 to $12.50 per square foot. Here’s a breakdown based on the size of your home:
| Home Size (Sq. Ft.) | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 1,000 | $2,500–$12,000 |
| 1,500 | $3,750–$18,750 |
| 2,000 | $5,000–$25,000 |
| 2,500 | $6,250–$31,250 |
Type of Installation
There are three main methods for installing board and batten siding:
New installation: Applying board and batten siding to a prepared substrate on a new build, such as sheathing or studs.
Replacement: Removing old siding and residing your home.
Overlay: Installing new board and batten siding directly over the existing siding.
New installation is typically straightforward since its application surface is usually in good or new condition, and it doesn’t require the removal and disposal of old materials. Replacement involves the same costs as a new installation, plus additional expenses for removing and disposing of old siding and repairing underlying issues. The overlay is the least expensive but limits the ability to repair underlying problems or add insulation.
Labor
Hiring a contractor for board and batten installations ranges from $0.75 and $2.50 per square foot. Most contractors include these labor costs along with applicable permit fees in their total estimate for the project, but final labor prices can fluctuate depending on the installation’s complexity. Custom designs, accessibility challenges, and removal of old siding all increase the amount of labor needed, raising the overall cost.
Additional services may be billed separately, such as:
Siding painting
Staining
Sealing
Add-On Costs
Potential repairs, upkeep, insulation upgrades, and other add-ons contribute to total batten board siding installation costs.
Repairs
Most homeowners pay between $300 and $1,000 to repair home siding or an average of $500, depending on the type and severity of the damage.
Structural Repairs
When replacing new siding, it’s important to ensure the underlying structure is in good condition. If you’re replacing existing siding that’s suffered water damage or similar problems, the framing, sheathing, and other structural components may also reveal related damage. Water damage restoration costs $450 to $16,000. Some homeowners also take new siding installations as an opportunity to make framing adjustments.
Asbestos and Mold Remediation
Removing existing siding may reveal hazardous materials that, according to most building codes, must be addressed before your installation can proceed. For example, mold often coincides with water-damaged siding, and remediation ranges from $375 to $7,000. Older homes may have disturbed asbestos behind siding, which ranges from $450 to $6,000 to remove. Hiring a professional is essential for these concerns since they have the appropriate safety skills and equipment.
Loose or Cracked Board Repairs
Loose boards are between $100 to $150 to repair, and most board and batten crack repairs cost $100 or less. Left unaddressed, this damage allows water behind your siding and causes rot and mold growth.
Sealing Battens
Sealing board and batten siding costs between $5 to $15 per linear foot and protects your siding from moisture and UV radiation damage. Without sealing, water can gather behind and deteriorate loose battens. Most professionals recommend resealing every two years to ensure your siding’s longevity.
Insulation
Siding offers insulating qualities, but external insulation beneath the siding offers superior comfort and energy efficiency. As such, many homeowners replace their insulation at the same time as siding to maximize cost-effectiveness—removing and replacing insulation costs about $2.50 to $8 per square foot, but bundling this task with siding can save about $1 per square foot.
High-End Finishes
Replacing other decorative finishes can maximize the appeal and impact of new siding, especially if opting for high-end materials. Replacing the fascia, soffit, and trim ranges from $9 to $34 per linear foot.
Board and Batten Siding Cost by Material
Board and batten materials cost between $1 and $10 per square foot. Premium materials, such as high-quality or specialty wood, can cost $12 per square foot or more. Lower-quality materials cost less to purchase, but they may be less durable than high-end options and require more upkeep. High-end materials generally come with superior durability and longevity, although replacing small sections through the siding’s lifetime will likely cost more than lower-end materials.
Review cost ranges by material below—keep in mind that these types of construction materials are prone to significant price fluctuations.
| Material | Cost per Square Foot |
|---|---|
| Cedar | $6–$16 |
| Cypress | $4–$21 |
| Generic wood | $3–$27 |
| Hardie board/fiber cement | $6–$22 |
| Aluminum | $6–$17.50 |
| Steel | $14–$26 |
| Vinyl | $5–$18 |
| Engineered wood/composite | $7–$24 |
Cedar
Cedar siding boards average $6 to $16 per square foot. Cedar’s warm looks and simple installation make it a popular siding option. The material is also easy to stain, naturally resistant to insects and warping, and has more budget-friendly pricing compared to other wood.
Cypress
Cypress wood siding averages between $4 and $21 per square foot. This type of siding is known for its natural resistance to weather and insects, longevity, and ease of use, but these qualities often reflect high demand and costs for cypress.
Generic or Alternative Wood
Popular for its aesthetics and long lifespan, wood siding costs between $3 and $27 per square foot and is an easy material to use to fit the shape of your home. Most types of wood require regular upkeep to avoid rot, discoloration, and peeling paint. In addition to cedar and cypress, pine, redwood, and fir are popular choices.
Fiber Cement
Fiber cement materials cost $6 to $22 per square foot. This material is a mixture of sand, cement, and wood cellulose. It's strong, durable, and low maintenance but heavy and difficult to install. Contractors employ specialized tools and skills to work with fiber cement. Some installations require additional structural support to prevent excessive strain on your home’s framing. Hardie Board is a popular brand that’s costlier than other fiber cement, but it may offer superior appeal and durability.
Aluminum
Aluminum averages $6 to $17.50 per square foot. Aluminum’s low maintenance makes it a popular budget-friendly choice, but it’s prone to dents and difficult to paint. It may require periodic sealing and upkeep to remediate and prevent rust.
Steel
Steel siding costs between $14 and $26 per square foot. Compared to aluminum, steel carries a higher price due to its durability and greater resistance to denting and warping. Steel also requires regular upkeep to prevent corrosion.
Vinyl
Board and batten vinyl siding costs $5 to $15 per square foot and is lightweight, easy to install, and available in a variety of colors and finishes. Many manufacturers mold their siding to resemble wood. Vinyl board and batten lasts 30 years or more.
Engineered Wood
Engineered wood siding costs between $7 and $24 per square foot on average. This type of siding is made from wood chips and a bonding agent. Affordability, simple installation, and durability make it a popular option among homeowners.
Does Installing Batten Board Siding Increase Home Value?
Return on investment varies, but board and batten siding can potentially increase the value of your home, particularly if you opt for high-quality materials. Board and batten siding replacements for deteriorated, damaged, or outdated siding typically offer the best return, up to about 85%. In general, board and batten offers versatile curb appeal, durability, low maintenance, and energy efficiency that appeals to potential homebuyers.
Budgeting for Batten Board Siding
Batten board siding installations can be major projects, but these strategies help streamline your costs:
Choose siding materials that balance affordability with aesthetic appeal and functionality.
Get multiple contractor estimates, review included services and rates, and negotiate costs if possible.
Research tax rebates and other incentives for installing energy-efficient siding.
Limit high-end finishes and complicated designs that add cost without proportionate return potential.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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FAQs
Is board and batten siding expensive?
Board and batten siding is considered affordable. It's important to note that home design and materials are important factors in determining your overall costs. Expensive materials and unusual home designs increase the costs of installation.
Is batten trim expensive?
Batten trim or molding is generally cheaper because trim doesn’t require base planks. You can simply pay for the batten trimming and apply it directly to the drywall rather than install it on top of the boards. Another contributing factor to the lower price is that you can use lower-quality materials for an interior batten trim since it won’t need to withstand a harsher outdoor environment.
How much does CertainTeed board and batten siding cost?
CertainTeed board and batten range between $5 and $20 per square foot. The size of your home, material quality, and installation are the primary drivers of your costs. Vinyl tends to be the most affordable, while fiber cement is usually more costly for its additional durability and wood-like appearance.
What is standard vs. reverse board and batten siding?
There are two styles of board and batten siding: standard and reverse. Standard board and batten utilize larger boards and smaller battens for a traditional look. Reverse board and batten siding uses smaller boards and larger battens, and it’s typically found in modern designs. Aesthetics are the primary difference—installation, labor, and upkeep prices are similar.
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