Board & batten siding is natural wood; Horizon uses white pine. The term “board and batten” refers to the style of the siding, not necessarily the material. A wooden strip, called a batten, is nailed over the siding boards where they meet. Horizon board and batten siding comes unfinished. Left untreated, the white pine matures to a silvery-gray color over time. Some people prefer this look rather than staining to preserve the bright color of the fresh pine or change the color altogether. The “weathered” gray color is not an indication of the integrity of the wood.

LP Smartside, on the other hand, is an engineered panel type of wooden siding. It is similar to T1-11, and is textured to look like vertical boards with wood grain. Horizon includes a paint or stain with Smartside siding, and it is the same price as the board and batten.

There are a number of factors to consider when choosing between these two types of siding. Quality, however, is not one of them. Board and batten and LP Smartside are of comparable longevity, and both are built to the high standards set at Horizon Structures. The main difference between them is appearance. Board and batten provides a rustic, natural look. Since Smartside siding comes with paint, it can be matched to existing buildings and gives a more urbane appearance.

In addition, there are some other minor differences in construction. Board and batten is built with a post and beam style frame made of oak. This is the framing best suited for vertical siding like boards. The frame of a Smartside building is the traditional wall studs most are probably familiar with. It is constructed of pine. The kickboards of the stalls are installed a bit differently depending on the siding as well. They are both 1” x 8” oak boards, but they are applied vertically in a board and batten building and horizontally in a Smartside-sided building. The windows are another difference. Board and batten windows are wood framed and are 24” x 28”. The windows used for Smartsided barns have a metal frame (available in white or dark brown) and are 18” x 22”. These windows also come complete with a screen.