Vertical Siding Types

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There are several types of vertical siding. The vertical approach to siding usually lends a more traditional look to the house, the most common being board and batten, although that is often replaced by newer composite or concrete products that mimic the look of true wood vertical siding.

Board & Batten

This classic approach consists of wood boards (typically 1'x12') nailed vertically onto the subsiding. Each board is butt-jointed together and then that joint is covered with a strip of wood (batten, typically 1'x2'). This style creates a sense of cabin or rustic living.

T1-11

T1-11 is a plywood panel that is designed to mimic board and batten siding. It comes in 4'x8' sheets and, because of its shear quality, can be fastened directly to the studs (with house wrap between). T1-11 comes pre-primed and ready to paint. It is much cheaper to produce and easy and fast to install. Thus it has replaced true board and batten in most situations.

Fiber Cement Siding

Concrete composite panels can also be used to mimic board and batten vertical siding. James Hardie is the most common manufacturer of fiber cement siding (hence you'll commonly hear concrete siding referred to as HardiePanel). Fiber cement siding may also come as horizontal, lap siding. Vertical cement siding comes in 4'x8' panels and ready to paint. It has the advantage of being more durable than wood or wood composite products.

Vinyl and Aluminum

Sticking with that board and batten motif, you may also enjoy the lightweight mimicry of vertical vinyl or aluminum siding. Vinyl siding is manufactured to mimic wood grain but requires very little maintenance (an occasional rinsing with water should suffice). Vinyl siding comes in a wide range of colors, but they are limited to brighter, reflective shades because vinyl reacts negatively to excessive heat.

Vinyl siding has in many ways replaced aluminum siding in today's marketplace; the price and durability can't be beat. Both aluminum and vinyl vertical siding have similar installation procedures and are often grouped together (as now) for instructional purposes. Many companies and experts say that these types of siding are easy to install and any homeowner can do it. Bear in mind that any type of siding is at least somewhat complex to install and it is much easier to make mistakes than some salesmen would have you think. Siding is a large project and typically best left for professionals.

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