Board-and-batten shutters are made of vertical boards held together by horizontal crosspieces, called battens. They are the shutter you picture on a farmhouse or an old barn, and they are one of the easiest ways to give a brick ranch or a new build that warm, rustic look without changing anything else about the house. They work best when they are sized to the window, hung on real-looking hardware, and matched to the home's style. You can see the full range we install on our exterior shutters page.
What makes a shutter "board and batten"
The construction is simple, which is part of the appeal. Three or four boards run vertically, side by side. Two or three battens run across them to hold everything together. Some styles add a diagonal brace in a Z shape between the battens, which is the classic barn-door look.
The variations come down to a few choices:
Number of boards. Three boards reads narrower and more traditional. Four reads a bit heavier and suits wider windows.
Spacing. Boards can butt tight together or sit with a small gap between them for a more rustic, hand-built feel.
Battens and braces. Two battens is clean and simple. Three or a Z-brace pushes it toward a true farmhouse or cottage look.
Top shape. Most are square, but arched tops are available for arched windows.
If you are still deciding between this and other shutter styles, we laid them all out side by side in our guide to the types of exterior shutters.
The homes they look best on
Board-and-batten is a casual, country style. It looks right on:
Modern farmhouse builds, especially with white or light siding and dark shutters.
Brick ranch homes, where a stained or painted board-and-batten softens a lot of flat brick. The install in the photo above is a good example.
Cottages, craftsman-style homes, and anything with a porch, metal roof accents, or natural wood.
Where it can look off is on a formal, symmetrical colonial or a very modern home with sharp lines. Those houses tend to suit raised panel or louvered shutters better. That is not a hard rule, just a starting point.
If you are building, this is a good time to think about it. Shutters are easier to plan when the siding and window trim are still being decided, and we work with a lot of folks building custom homes. We wrote about that process in window treatments for new construction and custom homes.
Getting the size right
This is the detail that separates shutters that look real from shutters that look stuck on.
The rule we use: each shutter should be about half the width of the window, so that if you could swing them closed, they would cover the glass. Shutters that are too skinny are one of the most common mistakes we see. They make a window look pinched.
Height should match the window opening, from the top of the frame to the sill. On a window with a header or trim above it, they usually tuck just under it.
Board-and-batten is also more forgiving than other styles on a window that is a little wider than usual, because you can add a board instead of stretching each one.
Materials, from budget-friendly up
Board-and-batten shutters come in the same materials as other exterior shutters. In order of price, from most budget-friendly up:
Vinyl. The most affordable, low maintenance, and the color goes all the way through, so small scratches do not show. A good choice when you want the look across a lot of windows.
Composite wood. Looks and feels closer to real wood, holds paint well, and handles North Alabama humidity better than solid wood.
PVC. Solid, heavy, and very durable. It can be painted, will not rot, and holds sharp detail.
Full wood. The real thing. Cedar is the classic choice for board-and-batten because it can be stained to show the grain. Beautiful, but it needs more upkeep in our humid summers.
We break down what each costs in How Much Do Exterior Shutters Cost in Huntsville, AL?, so we will not repeat the numbers here.
The hardware is what sells the look
Here is a tip that goes a long way, especially on a budget. Board-and-batten shutters are supposed to look like they swing. Adding hinges and shutter dogs (the small S-shaped or rattail holdbacks that hold a shutter open against the wall) makes even a vinyl shutter look like it was built for the house.
Black wrought-iron style hardware on a dark shutter is a popular choice. On a stained cedar shutter, it is the finishing touch.
You can also go fully functional, with shutters that actually open and close. That costs more and needs more precise mounting, but it is the most authentic version of this style. Most homeowners choose decorative shutters with functional-looking hardware, which gets you most of the look for a fraction of the work.
Colors that work
Some combinations we see work well on homes around here.
White or cream siding with black or charcoal shutters.
Red brick with a deep green, black, or natural stained cedar.
Gray or greige siding with black, or a warm wood tone for contrast.
Light brick with a muted blue-gray or sage.
Pull a color from the front door, the roof, or the trim so the shutters look like part of the plan.
Thinking about board-and-batten for your house?
The easiest way to decide is to see it on your own windows. We come out, measure, bring samples, and talk through style and material with you on-site, so you are not guessing from a photo online. If you want to compare styles first, our guide on how to choose the right exterior shutters walks through the decision. Call us at (256) 883-1786 and we can often give you a ballpark on the phone with a window count and rough sizes.
Frequently asked questions
What are board-and-batten shutters? Exterior shutters made from vertical boards joined by horizontal battens, sometimes with a diagonal Z-brace. They give a home a farmhouse, cottage, or rustic look.
Are board-and-batten shutters in style? Yes. They are a staple of the modern farmhouse look and still very popular on new builds and brick ranch homes.
What size should board-and-batten shutters be? Each shutter should be about half the width of the window and match the height of the window opening, so they would cover the glass if closed.
Are vinyl board-and-batten shutters any good? Yes, for the price. They are low maintenance and hold color well. Adding hinges and shutter dogs makes them look much more like the real thing.
Can board-and-batten shutters be functional? They can. Functional shutters open and close on real hinges. Most homeowners choose decorative shutters with functional-looking hardware for a similar look at a lower cost.
Give the front of your house some character
Board-and-batten is one of those upgrades people notice from the street. If you are curious how it would look on your home, call (256) 883-1786 for a quote, or start with our online pricing tool. Our own crew installs every job, with a lifetime installation guarantee and three years of service calls.
