Asked by Jim from Albemarle, NC

Looking at the pictures on your website it seems most of the new barns are using board & batten siding. Looking at the old barns it looks like just vertical boards.

I want the old look of just vertical boards for a barn I’m going to build. I understand the value in the battens when it comes to keeping rain/wind/moisture out, but I don’t like how it looks.

What do you think about something like a vertical shiplap using 1/2″ rabbets on the opposite edges? I think I can get the look of just vertical boards and still get the increased rain/moisture protection of board & batten.

I’m sure someone must have tried it.

Any potential problems that you’ve seen?