I’m installing exterior board and batten siding on an outbuilding and have a few questions.
1. The wood is green, rough sawn, white spruce. When nailing the boards is centre nailing the best option to prevent splitting as the wood dries or can it be nailed approx 1″ in from each edge?
2. Alternatively, what about floating the boards with no nails, relying on the battens to hold them in place. If this is done, how/what kind of ledge should be used on the bottom to stop boars from sliding down onto ground?
3. Will the boards cup as they dry and if so how can I limit this effect?
Replies
How wide are the boards?
Floating the boards ... only holding them in place with the battens ... is not a real good idea.
Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!" Then get busy and find out how to do it. T. Roosevelt
Boards are 8" wide.
Floating the boards idea would include a bottom piece to keep boards from sliding down. Battens would keep boards in place on sides but don't know how well they would limit cupping.
Overall, the idea of floating the boards sounds like a hassle.
and not a good idea to put a board at the bottom because it will block the drainage (and B&B needs good drainage).
1. Spruce is not the best wood to use exposed to the weather, but if you live in a relatively dry area you might be ok. Sealing all sides before installation would be wise.
2. Don't try to float the boards.
3. They will try to cup like crazy. If you look at the end grain, and think of the growth rings as a smile, the smile will tend toward a frown as the board dries. Install the boards with the heartwood (top of the smile) facing in, nail the board 3/4" or so from one edge, and the batten will hold the other edge down and let the board move to minimize splitting. Use good nails, spiral or ring shank, so they don't work their way out over time.
Oh, and use tarpaper or housewrap under the boards, because they won't keep all the water out.
Don't mind the exposure to weather as we're trying to achieve a barn board look over time.
What about centre nailing each board as opposed to edge nailing 3/4" in on one side?
Wall construction is of concrete/ styrofoam block construction. Would housewrap or tar paper be required against the styrofoam block before installing strapping and then the board and batten?