Board & Batten Characteristics
Board and batten is a vertical design created using wide clear or knotty cedar boards spaced apart with narrower boards (battens) covering the joins. There are no set board or batten widths – various combinations are used to create different looks suitable for large or small scale applications. A frequent combination is 1″x3″ battens and 1″x10″ boards. This can also be reversed with boards installed over battens to create a deep channel effect.
Texture and Sizes
Rough sawn, unseasoned boards or boards surfaced on one side and two edges (S1S2E) are commonly used for board and batten cladding. Sizes are from 1″x 2″ to 1″x12″.
Board and Batten Grades
Clear Heart
The highest grade. Includes only pieces with heartwood on the exposed face. Many pieces completely clear, others have minor imperfections that do not detract from their fine appearance.
Grading Rule Paragraph
NLGA 200a
WCLIB 102-b
WWPA 20.11
A Clear
Permits somewhat more imperfections than Clear Heart but the grade is still restricted to pieces with excellent appearance. Common specifications are A and Better and A and Better with a percentage of B Clear allowed.
Grading Rule Paragraph
NLGA 200b
WCLIB 102-c
WWPA 20.12
C and Better Clear
High quality lumber for use where appearance is important. In addition to interior and exterior trim, lumber of this grade is used for cabinetry, doors, windows and similar applications.
* Common specifications are C and Better and C and Better with a percentage of D Clear allowed.
Grading Rule Paragraph
NLGA 202b / 202c / 202d
WCLIB 149-b / 149-c / 149-d
WWPA 10.11 / 10.12 / 10.13
Select Knotty
Knots are sound and tight. Other characteristics are limited so they do not detract from the end use intended. Common specification is select Knotty with percentage of quality Knotty allowed. Typically available commercially as Select allowing 10%-15% Quality Knotty in rough or surfaced products.
Grading Rule Paragraph
NLGA 204a / 204b
WCLIB 111-e / 111-f
WWPA N/A
Proprietary
Graded to the manufacturer’s specifications to meet the intended end use. Boards often represent good value in the no-hole product range. Consult manufacturers for grade descriptions and nomenclature.
Grading Rule Paragraph
NLGA N/A
WCLIB N/A
WWPA N/A
Standard and Better
Suitable for exterior construction. Occasional pieces may require trimming to yield suitable quality for the intended end use. Typically supplies as S1S2E products. S4S products may require special ordering.
Grading Rule Paragraph
NLGA 114a / 114b / 114c
WCLIB 118-a / 118-b / 118-c
NLGA – National Lumber Grades Authority
WCLIB – West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau
WWPA – Western Wood Products Association
BOARD AND BATTEN Sizes
| Thickness (in.) | Width (in.) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominal | Actual | Nominal | Actual | ||
| Dry | Green | Dry | Green | ||
| Rough | |||||
| 1 | 3/4 | 3/4 | 2 | 1-3/4 | 2 |
| 13/16 | 13/16 | 3 | 2-3/4 | 3 | |
| 7/8 | 7/8 | 4 | 3-3/4 | 4 | |
| 5/4 | 1-1/8 | 1-1/8 | 6 | 5-3/4 | 6 |
| 8 | 7-3/4 | 8 | |||
| 10 | 9-3/4 | 10 | |||
| 12 | 11-3/4 | 12 | |||
| Surfaced One Side, Two Edges (S1S2E) | |||||
| 1 | 11/16 | 11/16 | 2 | 1-1/2 | 1-9/16 |
| 7/8 | 3/4 | 3 | 2-1/2 | 2-9/16 | |
| 13/16 | 4 | 3-1/2 | 3-9/16 | ||
| 7/8 | 6 | 5-1/2 | 5-9/16 | ||
| 5/4 | 1 | 1-1/32 | 8 | 7-1/4 | 7-3/8 |
| 2 | 1-1/2 | 1-1/2 | 10 | 9-1/4 | 9-3/8 |
| 12 | 11-1/4 | 11-3/8 | |||
| Surfaced Four Sides (S4S) | |||||
| 1 | 11/16 | 11/16 | 2 | 1-1/2 | 1-9/16 |
| 7/8 | 3/4 | 3 | 2-1/2 | 2-9/16 | |
| 13/16 | 4 | 3-1/2 | 3-9/16 | ||
| 7/8 | 6 | 5-1/2 | 5-9/16 | ||
| 5/4 | 1 | 1-1/32 | 8 | 7-1/4 | 7-3/8 |
| 2 | 1-1/2 | 1-9/16 | 10 | 9-1/4 | 9-3/8 |
| 12 | 11-1/4 | 11-3/8 | |||
Board and Batten Coverage
| Nominal Width (in.) | Dressed Width (in.) | Exposed Face Width (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1-9/16 | Varies with width of board selected |
| 4 | 3-9/16 | |
| 6 | 5-9/16 | |
| 8 | 7-3/8 | |
| 10 | 9-3/8 | |
| 12 | 11-3/8 |
Board and Batten Specifications
| Specification Information Required | Sample Specification |
|---|---|
| Species: Western Red Cedar | WRCLA Western Red Cedar |
| Product Pattern and Intended Use: Cladding is used as an exterior cladding to provide both weather protection and architectural style. The designed may choose from clear or knotty, kiln dried or green (unseasoned), rough sawn or surfaced on one side and two edges (S1S2E). | S1S2E Boards |
| Size: Specify the nominal size of the product. | 1″x 3″ Battens 1″x10″ Boards |
| Grade: The grade of the product governs its overall quality. Refer to WRCLA specification literature or grading agency rule books for available grades. | A and Better |
| Grading Agency Paragraph: To ensure that the product meets a written standard, an agency grade paragraph should be referenced. | NLGA para. 200a, b |
| Moisture Content: Specify if the product is to be green (unseasoned) or kiln-dried. | Kiln dried |
| Surface to be exposed: Noting the application orientation will assist the supplier in shipping the right product for the job. | Resawn face |
| Quantity: Express in linear feet | 10,000 linear feet 1″x3″ 10,000 linear feet 1″x10″ |
