We're thinking about using "board and baton" on our house. The house is about 100 years old, was originally stucco, and is now a very ugly yellow vinyl siding. When installing, is it best to try to provide some air flow behind the boards? (i. e. the house side) Should we be staining both sides of the wood (to seal it) or just one side (to allow it to breathe)? Are there standard proportions, example 8" board to a 2" baton, 10" board to a 2-1/2" baton, 12" board to a 3" baton.
Answer:
First things first. Remove all the old siding before applying more. Then you can apply whatever suites you best but remember, on a house of that age, 12-14" wide boards look more authentic than do the narrower ones. These should not need breathing space behind them and I would finish only the portions accessible to the elements. That means installing and finishing the boards before the batons are installed and then finishing them.
