Board and batten is a vertical siding profile that alternates wide boards with narrow strips called battens. Picture this: wide panels running vertically up your wall, then thin strips covering the seams between them. That's the classic board and batten look.

The way it works is simple. The wide boards (usually 7 to 8 inches) provide the main coverage, while the narrow battens (typically 1 to 2 inches) cover the joints. This creates natural shadow lines that add depth and visual interest to your exterior.

With vinyl board and batten, you get that same traditional appearance but with the durability and low maintenance vinyl provides. The boards and battens are manufactured as a complete system, so they lock together properly and maintain consistent spacing. No painting, no staining, no worrying about wood rot or insect damage.

The vertical orientation also helps water run off naturally, which matters during wet seasons and freeze‑thaw cycles. Vinyl handles weather changes without the expansion and contraction issues you get with wood materials.

Gable accents are probably the most popular application. Picture lap siding running across your main walls, then board and batten on the upper gables. It breaks up large wall sections and draws your eye upward, making the home feel taller and more proportioned.

Entry areas and bump‑outs are perfect for this too. You know that front entrance section that sticks out a bit? Or maybe a bay window area? Vertical siding helps these spots stand out as design features instead of just looking like add‑ons.

Full elevation coverage is where you really see the modern farmhouse influence. Instead of just accents, you're covering entire walls or even the whole house in vertical siding. This works especially well on simpler home styles where you want to add character without changing the basic architecture.

Narrow spacing around 4 inches between reveals creates more horizontal shadow lines and more visual rhythm. This fits traditional aesthetics and creates more seam lines — a busier appearance overall.

Wide spacing at 6 inches or more gives you a cleaner, calmer look with fewer seams showing. The boards themselves become more prominent, with larger unbroken sections of color. This tends to feel more contemporary and works well on modern farmhouse styles.

Smooth vs wood‑grain textures change the entire character of your siding. Smooth gives a clean, painted look that suits contemporary and transitional styles. Wood‑grain adds depth and catches light differently, creating a more authentic board‑and‑batten feel.

Dark colors need a bit more thought with vinyl. Darker siding absorbs more heat. Modern vinyl handles this better than older products, but choose product lines designed for darker shades.

High contrast vs subtle — likely the biggest choice you’ll make. Sharp contrast (dark siding + bright white trim) makes features pop. Near‑tone palettes (gray + darker gray, sage + cream) stay refined and understated.