Board and Batten Siding Where to set the Bottom

[tstaude]

On the barn project I bought 1x12 rough sawn pine which will be installed as board and batten. The building is post frame but still has OSB on the outside.

I am wondering if I should just run the battens down past the level of the OSB or have something below with some flashing or maybe a Z channel at the bottom.

I have a picture of the two options below, represents the bottom 4 feet of the wall, not to scale

 

[lilredex]

We thought about B+B but went with channel siding instead, for a smoother look. More work but worth it in my opinion. Installed the "Z" flashing, because the foundation was there. That was about twenty years ago.

 

[billconner]

I think either will work if you keep the b&b 8 to 12" above the ground. I slightly prefer the one without the flashing.

If however you are close to ground, A pressure treated (for ground contact!) skirt board and flashing would be my choice.

 

[nadogail]

I think either will work if you keep the b&b 8 to 12" above the ground. I slightly prefer the one without the flashing.

If however you are close to ground, A pressure treated (for ground contact!) skirt board and flashing would be my choice.

Amen

 

[tstaude]

It will be about 6" from the dirt/grass.

I would like to run it without the skirt board, but may end up going that route so I have something to set each board on and make sure it's all straight. Still undecided

 

[Zeke]

There are many ways to keep the boards straight at the bottom. If you choose the Z-bar you don't want to rest the bottom of the boards on it, you should keep a 3/16 to 1/4" gap To allow for moisture to not be trapped and/or wicked up into the siding.

Not using the Z-bar solves that problem. But IDK, I like both.

 

[tstaude]

There are many ways to keep the boards straight at the bottom. If you choose the Z-bar you don't want to rest the bottom of the boards on it, you should keep a 3/16 to 1/4" gap To allow for moisture to not be trapped and/or wicked up into the siding.

Not using the Z-bar solves that problem. But IDK, I like both.

gotcha, so if I do use a Z-bar then definitely use a shim to keep the gap.

So you think the option on the left looks good?

 

[KenC]

I like the LH version. With a couple of caveats. 1..bevel the bottoms of the 1x12 outside longer to help water drip off, not stick to the bottom edge and soak in. 2..Paint/seal/treat that edge before installation to repel water. Boards rot most quickly at end grain as it is like a sponge.

#2 applies no matter what the final choice may be.

I would also want a rain screen between the pine and house wrap. That allows the pine to dry from the back rather that trapping any seepage between the board and wrap.

 

[billconner]

The rain screen is a good design - horizontal furring strips to space the boards out from the OSB. I support the beveled bottom edges. If you could, soak the ends for at least a few minutes of each board in whatever preservative coating you'll apply.

 

[PoorUB]

Six inches from the ground and the lower part of the siding will never dry out. I would put in a skirt board, PVC prefered, or treated, the Z flashing and leave a gap from the bottom of the siding to the flashing. Better yet if the flashing does not have 90 degree bends, but a 45 degree angle so water runs off.

 

[Kaizen]

you definitley want a rain screen for an air gap. The build show just did something simliar and talked a lot about the why.
i'd prime both sides before install. The rain screen will help so both sides dry at the same rate. Agree pvc up to a foot. I used pvc and then a piece that is pvc and kind of like an L with a drip edge. Acts like flashing.

 

[rayra]

seconding the bottom support and Z flashing. Particularly in parts of the country where that weird white stuff piles up against structures for weeks at a time.

 

[tstaude]

The rain screen is a good design - horizontal furring strips to space the boards out from the OSB. I support the beveled bottom edges. If you could, soak the ends for at least a few minutes of each board in whatever preservative coating you'll apply.

So is rain screen literally the furring strips?

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

I think either will work if you keep the b&b 8 to 12" above the ground. I slightly prefer the one without the flashing.

If however you are close to ground, A pressure treated (for ground contact!) skirt board and flashing would be my choice.

If that's the case- the grade is wrong! Fix the grade- don't Band-aid with different material- it to will eventually rot.

 

[billconner]

So is rain screen literally the furring strips?

Yes. With clapboards, vertical. With b&b horizontal. Screening (ss) or other material (that 3m scotch pad like stuff) at bottom to prevent insects, though maybe the horizontal furring will do it. Honestly have not done it with b&b.

 

[KenC]

Using horizontal battens for rain screen behind B&B is not best practice. The horizontal boards block drainage. Better to use one of the sheet materials available, like this:

 

[mejhaha]

Also second the rainscreen with battens running vertical - battens normally can be any material, do not have to be pressure treated.

Cor-A-Vent makes a great product for the bottom of the rainscreen; to let air and water move but keeps everything else out. Is reasonably priced and easy to work with. Normally the top of the rainscreen vents to the soffit space.

 

[billconner]

Also second the rainscreen with battens running vertical - battens normally can be any material, do not have to be pressure treated.

Would be a lot of vertical battens for board and batten siding, and might need additional blocking since the spacing is unlikely to align with studs. I like the rain screen but may not be a good match for real board and batten siding.

 

[Toolfool]

I think either will work if you keep the b&b 8 to 12" above the ground. I slightly prefer the one without the flashing.

A pressure treated (for ground contact!) skirt board and flashing would be my choice.

Agree with this.

 

[billconner]

If you did do horizontal rainscreen battens, could just use a wide one - PVC or pressure treated - at bottom. I might consider no rain screen and install a 12" or wider strip of coil stock between OSB and boards, to get them as far as possible above ground and avoid the Z flashing.