Blackboard and batten exteriors continue growing in popularity, offering homeowners a bold and sophisticated look for their homes. This striking design choice combines the classic charm of board and batten siding with the dramatic appeal of a dark color palette. While it may seem unconventional, black exteriors create a stunning visual impact when executed properly.
Our guide explores 13 inspiring ideas for incorporating blackboard and batten into home exteriors, providing you with creative options to elevate your property’s curb appeal.
The Appeal of Black Board and Batten Exteriors
Blackboard and batten exteriors have gained traction in modern home design for several reasons. The dark color creates a striking contrast against surrounding landscapes, making homes stand out in a neighborhood, and black exteriors exude a sense of sophistication and modernity that appeals to many homeowners.
1
Matte Black Facade Board and Batten
A matte black facade offers a sleek and contemporary look for modern homes. You can achieve this style using LP SmartSide Board and Batten products, which provide durability and a smooth finish. The matte finish absorbs light rather than reflecting it, creating a soft, sophisticated appearance that works well in various architectural styles.
For a dynamic look, combine vertical and horizontal boards to wrap the facade of a modern two-story farmhouse.
2
Black Board and Batten Siding with Natural Stones
Pairing blackboard and batten siding with natural stone elements creates a striking balance between modern and rustic aesthetics. This combination works exceptionally well with LP SmartSide Expert Finish Trim and Siding in Abyss Black.
To achieve this look, incorporate stone elements around the foundation, chimney facades, or accent walls. The contrast between the smooth, dark siding and the rough, light-colored stone creates visual interest and adds depth to the home’s exterior. This pairing is particularly effective for homes in natural settings, as it helps the structure blend with its surroundings while maintaining a modern edge.
3
Black Trimming with Wood Black Board and Batten
For those who appreciate the warmth of natural wood, combining black trim with wood-toned board and batten siding creates a stunning effect. This approach uses LP SmartSide Expert Finish Trim in black to frame and accentuate the natural beauty of wood siding.
This design works particularly well for homes with prominent porches or architectural features. You can use black trim to highlight these elements, creating a focal point and adding depth to the overall design.
4
Cavern Steel Black with Accentuated Grain
Cavern Steel from LP SmartSide’s Expert Finish line offers an intriguing alternative for homeowners seeking a unique twist on the black exterior trend. This deep, rich color provides a softer approach to dark exteriors while maintaining a bold presence. This approach works well for both modern and traditional home styles.
5
Monochromatic Facade
Creating a monochromatic black facade requires careful attention to texture and detail to avoid a flat or dull appearance. We recommend playing with various textures and finishes within the same color family. Homeowners can achieve this by combining different types of black siding materials or by varying the direction and spacing of board and batten elements.
6
Black Shake Siding
Incorporating black shake siding into a board and batten exterior design adds texture and visual interest to the facade. LP SmartSide offers shake siding options that pair beautifully with their board and batten products, allowing for a cohesive yet varied exterior design. Combining smooth board and batten sections with textured shake siding creates a dynamic and sophisticated look.
Our recommendation: This approach works particularly well for homes with multiple exterior planes or architectural features.
7
Play with Battens and Trims
One of the most effective ways to make a black exterior stand out is by experimenting with the placement and style of battens and trims. Vertical battens create the illusion of higher ceilings and a more imposing structure, while horizontal battens make a home appear wider and more grounded.
Trim elements also define the overall look of a blackboard and batten exterior. Wide trim around windows and doors can create a striking contrast, especially when painted in a lighter color. Alternatively, using black trim that blends seamlessly with the siding creates a sleek, modern appearance.
8
Place Battens Closer Together
For a unique take on the traditional board and batten look, homeowners can position vertical battens closer together. This technique creates a ridge-like illusion when viewed from a distance, adding texture and depth to the facade. The closer spacing of battens results in more shadow lines, which enhance the visual interest of the exterior, particularly in strong sunlight.
We recommend this approach for modern or contemporary home designs.
9
Cavern Steel Black: A Softer Alternative
Cavern Steel is generally lighter than Abyss Black, making it less overwhelming for larger homes or brighter environments. This color creates a sophisticated, modern look while still maintaining a sense of warmth and approachability. It pairs well with natural wood elements and lighter trim colors, offering homeowners a lot of versatility.
10
Midcentury Modern Style
Blackboard and batten exteriors lend themselves beautifully to midcentury modern architectural styles. The clean lines and minimalist aesthetic of midcentury design pair perfectly with the vertical emphasis of board and batten siding. When executed in black, this combination creates a striking and sophisticated facade that honors the principles of midcentury architecture while offering a contemporary twist.
To achieve this look, homeowners can focus on creating strong geometric shapes with the placement of battens. Large windows, flat or low-pitched roofs, and minimalist landscaping further enhance the midcentury modern aesthetic.
11
Match White and Black
While all-black exteriors make a bold statement, combining blackboard and batten with white elements creates a classic, balanced look. This high-contrast color scheme offers versatility and timeless appeal, suitable for various traditional and modern architectural styles.
Incorporate white through trim work, window frames, or painting certain sections of the facade white to highlight specific architectural features while maintaining the dramatic impact of black siding. The combination of black and white creates a crisp, clean aesthetic that makes a home stand out in any neighborhood.
12
Give It a Seamless and Flush Look
For a modern, minimalist approach to the blackboard and batten exteriors, homeowners can opt for a seamless, flush look. This design strategy creates a smooth, uninterrupted surface by minimizing visible joints and transitions between siding panels.
We recommend this approach for contemporary architectural designs. By downplaying the texture of the siding, homeowners can create a striking silhouette that makes a strong visual impact. You can take this seamless look to the next level by carefully placing windows, doors, and other architectural elements to maintain a clean, uncluttered aesthetic.
13
Think About Light and Shadows
Contrary to what you might think, a black exterior doesn’t necessarily appear dark or dull because sunlight reveals subtle variations in color and texture.
The vertical lines battens create cast dynamic shadows that change as the sun moves across the sky, adding depth and dimension to the exterior. In bright sunlight, a black facade can take on a rich, nuanced appearance with shades ranging from deep charcoal to soft gray.
