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We are just about to start siding a garage with board and batten siding and we started talking about if we should use two nails in each strap or one to allow for expansion and contraction in the battens…
If replying to this message please explain…
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Neil,
If you mean two nails Horz. next to each other, then NO, you just want one.
The board and batten "system" is just a prctical solution to dealing with green lumber.
The battens are there to cover the gaps that result from the drying shrinkage (and seasonal movement for that matter) of the boards. Because the boards are porp. much wider, they will move much more than the battens. Even if you aren't actually using green lumber, you don't want to "trap" both sides of a wide pannel that way. That is what makes them want to split.
Don't know what material you are planning to use but a great way to cheat and make the job much easier and faster is to use 4x8 or 4x9' sheats of T1-11 as siding and then go back and cover the groves of the pannel with your battens. It will look real good, last longer, and will go much faster because you wont need to install a ton of blocking to nail your boards to.
Rough sawn ceader will work good for the battens and will look like the T1-11 when painted. Be sure to at least use galv. nails though SS. is better.
Good luck and BeWell. PB
*What PB said-For a more refined look I like to bevel the battens @ 60* - 2 1/4" strips are a nice dimensionEven tho you didn't ask, a couple of suggestions - plan the job around the windows and doors - full width boards beside the openings and fill in the space between makes the trim work better - I miter the board and the battens at the bottom to form a drip edge.If you use 3/4" or 7/8" board, consider using screws for the battens - I've had problems on the south and west walls with nails (galv spiral deck) popping -
*Neil, I would have to agree with what Phatboy said, within a year it will be splt all to hell. Dave
*Neil, You will stand a increased chance o splitting in your boards if you overnail your battens. How much will depend on wood used and its relative dryness. Also exposure will have some effect on the boards as well.I found one solution that works well is to do a reverse board and batten. You lay out your battens first and nail them off. Since they are usually 4" or less in width splitting is less of a problem. I then run my boards over the battens, leaving 1/4-3/8" gap between the board. A nail on each side of the board following your nailing pattern. I like using wider battens say 4" so I have room for my channel and still be able to nail 1-1/2" from the edge of my board. It is not a true board and batten look, but the 1/4" channel gives definition to the wall and it eliminates many potential problems with splitting boards.walk gooddavid
*T1-11 is an interesting idea the only thing that bugs me is the butt joint at 8'or 9'. Personly I would use pre-primed T&G pine. I used board and batten on a high end museum about three years ago with two horizontal nails. Here in the NEast it still looks great no cracks. I also agree that the vertical boards will expand and contract more than the battens. But battens will move more rappidly because there is more exposed grain and less surface area. Over all you will have more movement in the battens. Along with doors and windows you should consider even spacing on each corner when laying out.I used 8D galvanized box nails for the battens and snapped lines for a strait nailing pattern. just my opinion DGB
*I take the stack of boards on its side and rip a groove with a skilsaw at the nailing pattern, then I flip the stack around and do the same on the other side. That will allow the wood to expand and contract without cracking as the groove will slide back and forth on the nail. One nail for the battens between the boards.fv
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We are just about to start siding a garage with board and batten siding and we started talking about if we should use two nails in each strap or one to allow for expansion and contraction in the battens...
If replying to this message please explain...