How Much Does Board and Batten Siding Cost? [2025 Data]

Board and batten siding costs an average of $12,800 for a standard, 2,000-square-foot home. You could pay as little as $3,000 to install vinyl board and batten siding on a smaller, 1,000-square-foot home or as much as $42,000 for high-end cypress siding in the board and batten style on an oversized home.

Materials

Materials make up the largest portion of your overall board and batten siding costs, accounting for between 40% and 90% of the total. Depending on the type of material you choose—actual wood, fiber cement, metal, vinyl, or engineered wood—your costs may range from $1 to $10 per square foot, excluding installation labor. Some high-end materials like copper or cypress wood can cost as much as $20 per square foot for the materials only.

In addition to the siding itself, you’ll need to purchase flashing, a moisture-resistant barrier, trim pieces, caulk, nails, and, in some cases, paint or stain.

Home Size

Siding replacement costs are higher for larger homes simply because you need more materials, and it’s a larger time investment for your local siding contractor to finish the job. Having multiple stories requiring scaffolding can also increase the cost compared to, say, a ranch-style house with exterior walls that are easier to access from the ground.

You can use the table below to get rough estimates for board and batten siding costs based on your home’s square footage, or you can measure your exterior walls and use the average cost range of $2.50 to $12.50 per square foot for a more accurate estimate.

Location

Where you live has a major impact on labor costs, which fluctuate based on the local cost of living. Prices in high-cost states like California can be up to 50% higher, while you may pay below the national average in states where the cost of living is below average.

Additional Cost Factors

You may encounter other costs when installing and maintaining board and batten siding, and budgeting for them upfront can help avoid surprises during installation or down the road.

Labor

The total cost to install board and batten siding ranges from $2.50 to $12.50 per square foot. While professionals will likely give you one per square foot price that includes both materials and installation, their labor typically comes out to between $1.75 and $2.50 per square foot. Labor costs can increase by up to 10% for homes with multiple stories that require the use of ladders and safety equipment, or for complex designs that complicate the installation.

Removing Existing Siding

If you’re installing board and batten siding on an existing home, you’ll first need to remove the old siding, which will cost between $1,000 and $3,000 if you hire a siding pro. You can do this yourself, but you may need to budget for the cost of junk removal if you have no way of hauling the old siding yourself.

This part of the process can sometimes cost significantly more if your contractor discovers water damage or pest damage that was hidden by your siding. Replacing moldy materials and repairing wood rot can add thousands more to your total.

Windows and Doors

A home with more windows and doors—as well as air vents, water spigots, and any other breaks in the siding—will require more special cuts in the material, leading to longer installation times and wasted materials that drive up your costs. Windows and doors also require extra trim and flashing, and you’ll need to caulk around these openings to ensure everything is sealed. Basically, the more complex the installation is made by breaks in the siding, the more expensive the installation will be.

Painting or Staining

Some board and batten siding materials may require painting or staining before or after installation. Hiring a local painter for this work will cost $2,000 to $5,000, depending on your siding material and home size. You can cut costs by painting or staining the siding yourself before your contractor installs it, or you can purchase a material that doesn’t need to be painted or stained, such as metal.

Permits

Some municipalities won’t require a permit for siding replacement, but if yours does, you could pay anywhere between $150 and $500 for a construction permit to replace the siding on your home. Ask your siding contractor or contact your local building department to see if you’ll need a permit for your project.

Maintenance

Ongoing maintenance for board and batten siding depends on the material you choose. At a minimum, you should budget $310 per year for power washing. You may also need to repaint or restain every few years, which can cost between $2,000 and $5,000, depending on your siding material.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

On average, you’ll save between $3,000 and $4,300 by installing board and batten siding yourself on a 2,000-square-foot home, excluding the cost of the tools you’ll need to get the job done.

While DIY might be tempting, especially given the savings, it’s usually not a good idea. Siding is one of the first lines of defense against the elements for your home, and mistakes can lead to leaks, mold growth, and wood rot, and repairs can quickly eat up the initial savings of DIYing.

Siding also contributes significantly to your home’s curb appeal, and with board and batten siding, it’s easy to mess up the long, vertical battens, leaving the siding looking less professional. It’s best to hire a professional who specializes in the siding material you’re choosing and the board and batten design. For example, hire a local fiber cement siding pro if you want fiber cement siding in the board and batten style.

Board and Batten Siding Replacement vs. Repair

If you already have board and batten siding installed but are experiencing leaks or aging siding that no longer provides maximum curb appeal, you’ll need to decide whether it’s best to replace your siding or repair what’s there. It’s best to replace if the repairs are significant and total 50% or more of the replacement cost. You should also replace if you’re experiencing leaks in different sections of the siding, or if you have wood board and batten siding that is severely discolored or rotted.

On the other hand, if a single panel or batten is cracked or damaged from extreme weather, or you have just a single area that’s leaking, repairs are likely a better option and will save you money. Repairing siding costs between $2 and $50 per square foot, so speak with a siding pro first to gauge total repair costs, and have them provide an estimate for replacing the siding, too. They can weigh in on which is best given your siding condition and expected lifespan.

Does Board and Batten Siding Add Value to Your Home

Yes, board and batten siding adds value to your home, just like any new siding will. You can expect a return on investment (ROI) of between 70% and 80%, depending on the siding material you choose. Most types of metal and wood will provide an ROI closer to the lower end of that range, while engineered wood, fiber cement, and vinyl siding will all offer an average ROI of 80%. Given the average board and batten siding costs, that’s an average value bump of $9,600.

Ways to Save Money

The average cost of board and batten siding may seem intimidating at first, but there are ways to save on this project and still come away with a fresh home exterior that you love. Here are a few tips for saving money when it’s time to replace your siding.

• DIY what you can. It’s not a good idea to install siding yourself since a lot can go wrong, but you can save money by tackling related projects. For example, you can remove your old siding yourself or paint the new siding before it goes up to save a few thousand dollars.

• Choose a more affordable material. Cypress is a popular and long-lasting material for board and batten siding, but it can also cost almost twice as much as some other materials. You can save money by going with an engineered wood or even vinyl siding designed to look like real wood.

• Get multiple quotes. Get several quotes before hiring a contractor. Read reviews online, turn to friends and family for recommendations, and ask siding companies for examples of their work. Go with the company that offers the right mix of strong work, excellent customer satisfaction, and competitive pricing.

• Wait until the off-season. The best season for affordable siding replacement is usually fall. Most homeowners aim for the spring to replace siding, which means contractors are busiest and may charge more during. You may see minimal savings by getting the work done in the fall or early winter.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on 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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