Board and Batten Siding Maintenance

Of all vertical siding available in today's market, the board and batten siding is not alone in requiring ongoing maintenance. All siding will require some degree of care to keep it looking clean and attractive. However, all types of siding do not require the same type of maintenance. You can't assume there is a universal maintenance procedure you can apply to all siding systems. For the best maintenance on board and batten siding, for example, there are specific procedures and materials that will get the job done right. To perform the best maintenance on your board and batten siding, refer to the following information:

Tip 1 – Apply Protective Oil Finish

To help maintain the integrity of natural finish appearances, use a roller, brush, or small pressure sprayer, and apply frequent coats of a protective oil finish.

Tip 2 – Removing Peeling or Flaking Paint

On siding that has been painted and where the paint is now blistered or is peeling or flaking, use a hammer to drive popped nails back in place before removing peeling paint. This will make it easier to use your scraper without it getting blocked by protruding nail heads. Then, use your scraper or sander to remove the peeling paint. For paint that is harder to remove, use a heat gun to first heat the paint, then scrape it with a paint scraper. After scraping and removing old peeling paint, use wood putty to fill cracks. To finish, apply primer and paint. If the surface you're cleaning and painting is chalky or faded, you'll be better off repainting the entire surface. Otherwise, you're likely to have paint colors that don't match.

Tip 3 – Repairing Damaged or Loose Boards

Onboard and batten siding, you will typically find individual boards that have become loose, have cracks and breaks, are warped from drying or from expansion and contraction, or have become loose at the joints. If you find popped nails in these boards, remove these nails and replace them with new nails. Examine joints that are too tight or that have gaps that are too wide. Add caulking to wide gaps. If the siding is loose, re-fasten it by drilling screw holes, then insert and tighten screws until screw heads are sunk below the surface. Then, fill the depressions with putty.

Tip 4 – Repairing Split Boards

Repairing boards that have been split requires a different repair process than for repairing board cracks and peeling paint. To repair splits in your boards, use a putty knife or flat head screwdriver and gently pry the split sides apart. Be careful not to break pieces off. Apply exterior glue into the crack of the split, then squeeze the two sides together. If necessary to hold them together until dry, use a clamp. Another method of keeping the split sides together until the glue sets are to pre-drill a hole in each piece, then attach the piece with a galvanized wood screw driven into the board until its head is below the surface. Then, fill the hole above the head with putty.