Can you use plywood for board and batten siding?

Some of the most common types of wood used for board and batten siding are pine, plywood, fir, cedar, redwood and white oak. … Board-and-batten can be installed onto solid plywood or OSB sheathing. If your sheathing is not solid, you will need to first attach horizontal furring strips.

Stay: Board and Batten Exterior The modern farmhouse style for interiors is still going strong, says experts at Houzz, the online home remodeling and design source. And more builders are turning to tried-and-true, board-and-batten exteriors to add texture and interest to an otherwise flat facade.

You’ll need to attach along the center of your batten, too, but it’s a waste of time to measure every few inches to do this. However, you can’t rely on the batten to lie perfectly straight, either. To work efficiently and accurately, you’ll want to create a width template for between your battens.

Since drywall is made from compressed gypsum, which is crumbly and does not hold nails securely—you‘ll need to use construction glue to attach the battens. Apply a zigzag bead of glue to the back of a batten, but not so much that it oozes out when you position batten on the wall.

In some areas it is common to attach vertical 1×2 furring strips before installing board-and-batten siding. If your sheathing is not solid plywood or OSB, these strips are needed to provide a nailing surface. Attach strips around windows and doors, then lay out and attach horizontal strips every 16 inches.

Sand the paneling with 100-grit sandpaper until the joint compound is smooth and flush with the paneling. Wipe any sanding dust off with a damp cloth. Prime the paneling with a shellac-based stain-blocking primer. Apply two coats of wall paint, using a 3/4-inch nap roller to add texture.

Paneling is often used in older construction to hide old irregular plaster or wallpaper, and in new construction because it’s cheap . . . . but it is easy to clean and somewhat child and pet resistant. Paneling without wallboard behind it is strictly a cheap way of covering a wall. It is not a good construction method.