board and batten

Check out these Cliff May beauties!

A few months ago, a friend and I were driving around my neighborhood checking out the 1950’s and 60’s ranch homes that are abundant in the small town I live in. Many of these homes are brick or limestone – or both. My friend mentioned how much she liked homes with board and batten and began to describe how aesthetically modern and timeless this exterior treatment can be even though it has the obvious association with country cottages and rustic barns. She had some really insightful things to say about good ol’ board and batten and I couldn’t help but think about our conversation for days after. I did some Googling and read up on how it’s constructed and quickly became a fan. Thank you, Bridgette! Now I am noticing board and batten everywhere… on homes in magazines… on a house I drive by everyday when I take Lottie to the park... it has always been there. We are about 3 years away form a full siding overhaul on our house and I’d love to see vertical board and batten replace the unattractive, worn out, horizontal aluminum siding that covers 3 sides of our home. The best examples I have found so far of mid century modern board and batten are the Cliff May “ranchos” built in 1953 and 1954.