12' Board and Batten with Hardie Panel

[amkluttz]

Has anyone ever done a 12' exterior wall using Hardie Panel vertical siding and batten strips to make a board and batten look? I've seen pictures of two story houses done this way but it appears the battens were just used to cover up the seams in the sheets. Hardie doesn't recommend this but recommends putting "Z" flashing between the two sheets when stacked vertically and leaving a 1/4" gap between flashing and bottom of top sheet. I can get the Hardie panels in either 8' or 10' lengths which would mean I would have either a 4' or 2' panel stacked on top with this flashing and 1/4" gap in between. I feel like this may not give the traditional board and batten look.


I'm in the planning stages of possibly rebuilding my 22'x24' garage on the cheap. I had originally planned for all metal siding and roofing but found smooth Hardie Panel locally for much cheaper than I can buy the metal. I really like the board and batten look but don't want it to look chopped up 3/4 up the wall. In the installation picture below I would be forced to do the "band board joint" due to the battens.

Here's an installation video from Hardie that may explain it better:
Hardie Panel Installation

Here's a picture of the board and batten without the flashing (as best I can tell):

-Andy

 

[readhead]

I did an install several years ago where we cut a 15 degree cut at the top of the bottom sheet and bottom of the top sheet. We left an 1/8" gap and caulked it. Looked great. Couldn't stand the idea of the Z flashing or a horizontal board.

 

[ky-mike]

I avoided most of this on my 12' walls by having a 4' stone wainscot around the building. However. on the gable ends of the building I did have the z flashing used between panels from the 12' height to the 16' gable peak. Once painted, the flashing is no longer noticeable. See unpainted and painted photos below (right click on image and open in new tab).

I guess I need to document my build in the GJ Forum.

 

[Kpaige]

Z flashing is the best way to do this done right its 100 percent. Depending on caulk a product that can and will wear out for long term is a poor idea. Siding is not water proof it is water shedding you underlayments and flashings are what is water proof if done correctly. That being said this type of installation regardless of product used is inherently an issue. Vertical seams etc. Think like a rain drop.

 

[larry4406]

OSI Quad caulk is great stuff.

For the horizontal batten which "splices" the boards, can you put a slight bevel on the top side so water runs off? You could do the z-flash between the panels, then cover it with the beveled horizontal batten and seal with caulk. Just thinking out loud.

 

[Travis522]

Z flashing is the best way to do this done right its 100 percent. Depending on caulk a product that can and will wear out for long term is a poor idea. Siding is not water proof it is water shedding you underlayments and flashings are what is water proof if done correctly. That being said this type of installation regardless of product used is inherently an issue. Vertical seams etc. Think like a rain drop.

Question for you, I am using board and batten Hardie siding. I have installed quite a bit of it. Usually, architects do a better job thinking through the horizontal joint. This time not so much. I always use siding breather behind my siding so I have my Hardie sheets spaced off the wall with 3/4" using cor-a-vent and furring strips. That being said "z" flashing doesn't really work because if I put it back against my underlayment it will block off my upward air flow and if I put it out on just the sheet the back isn't really attached to anything but my furring. What is your opinion on a solution to the horizontal joint. Air flow dries out moister

 

[PopcornSutton]

One of the past County projects had Hardy panels that finished at a roof line. The installer stopped the panels a inch about the roof (sloped roof BTW). When Hardy came to certify it, they said to cut the panels a minimum 2" above the roof.

The zee flashing detail is fine, but there will likely be some water that lays or collects on the flashing horizontal. I'm sure Hardy doesn't want their panels laying in contact with water. I would try to avoid a horizontal joint if possible.

I bought one of those roll off sheds years ago for my mower and stuff. It has a horizontal joint with a Z channel. The T-111 is rotten at that joint, no other place.