Board and batten siding is a great option if you enjoy the rustic charm of country design. However, a new innovative approach has flipped the script on conventional board and batten designs to let you make new patterns and visual effects. Let’s explore a few design ideas that use reverse board and batten siding.
What Is Reverse Board and Batten Siding?
With traditional board and batten siding, the boards are wide and the battens are narrow. Reverse board and batten siding is the exact opposite, with narrow boards and wider battens.
The installation process for reverse board and batten siding is similar to its traditional counterpart. The boards attach directly to your home’s sheathing or over existing siding, and the battens go over the seams to make a layered effect. This can give your home’s exterior some nice depth, as well as give it extra protection against the elements.
Idea 1: Sophisticated Matte Black
If you’re having trouble deciding between standard board-and-batten siding and its reverse counterpart, a black-colored configuration in either style can satisfy your taste.
The contrast between the narrow boards and wider battens becomes more pronounced with darker colors. This can make a small home feel larger and more imposing. To enhance the effect, you can use bright exterior lighting to highlight the texture or soften the look with natural wood and stone.
Remember that dark colors absorb more heat, which can potentially lead to warped siding or other issues in extreme temperatures. Regular cleanings and inspections can help you maintain your siding’s appearance and integrity.
Idea 2: Timeless Multi-Color Siding
You can install reverse board and batten siding as a dominant design for your exterior wall or use it as an accent. Either way, you should use more than one color for the best appeal.
Here are a few popular combinations you can consider:
- Subtle and classic: Light gray boards with white battens
- Nautical feel: Navy blue boards with crisp white battens
- Natural and earthy: Sage gree boards with cream battens
Bolder colors can help you accentuate architectural features like gables and the space around entryways. The right focal points in the right places will improve your home’s curb appeal and raise its property value in turn.
Idea 3: Elegant White Siding
White reverse board and batten siding offers a clean, timeless look suitable for traditional homes, contemporary designs, and everything in between. It also creates an eye-catching contrast against dark-colored roofs.
To make the most of the look, add darker trim around windows and doors, incorporate colorful landscaping for a vibrant contrast, and add natural stone or brick around the bottom of the walls. You can also use wide battens to give the house more visual breadth without sacrificing a cozy feel.
White siding can brighten up a home’s exterior, but remember that it shows dirt and grime more easily. Regular cleaning and maintenance will keep it looking fresh and pristine.
Idea 4: Contemporary House Design
Reverse board and batten siding has clean lines that align well with modern architecture. However, you don’t need it on every wall to get a unique and cozy-looking contemporary home.
Be creative and pick an accent wall design that highlights the siding color. Dark-colored stone walls and roofs can complement any white-colored siding. You can also use metal panels, large glass surfaces, and concrete elements for something that exudes contemporary.
Idea 5: Alternating Siding Design
If you can’t decide between traditional or reverse board and batten siding, you can alternate the two styles together.
This design works best when you consider what you already have. For traditional homes with brick exteriors, it’s best to choose white siding or another classic color. If you have vertically aligned siding on your house and want to add some stone accents, consider using horizontally aligned stones instead to add more variation to the pattern.
Idea 6: Modern Farmhouse
Reverse board and batten siding is an excellent choice for modern farmhouse designs with a relaxing atmosphere.
For best results, use different shades under a warm earth-tone palette. This commonly includes inviting and warm whites and creams, soft grays for depth, and black accents for contrast. The goal is to highlight your windows, draw attention away from the front door, and add extra character to your exterior.
Adding some rustic outdoor elements like antique lanterns or a porch swing can reinforce the welcoming nature of this siding design.
Idea 7: Majestic Pale Beige
Pale beige reverse board and batten siding is subtle and sophisticated, and its neutral hue gives you great creative freedom to style homes on larger lots. To help your home stand out, use bold-colored shutters and trim, natural brick accents, and colorful landscaping.
One of the reasons why this design is so inviting is that beige can help reflect natural light. That can be beneficial if you live in an area with less sunlight. At night, soft outdoor lights can emphasize the siding’s beauty.d if you’re looking to add some extra character to your home, this type of siding is worth considering.
