Board and batten began as a cost-effective type of home siding, but it’s now back in style for modern exterior design. It helps you achieve two-tone patterns for your home’s siding and exterior. However, picking the right color scheme involves more than just picking two of your favorite colors and putting them together.
To help add architectural flair to your home, we’ve rounded up seven of the best two-tone board and batten exterior siding ideas. Read on to get started on designing your dream home exterior.
1. Light Brown and Beige Two-Tone With High Contrast Accents
Putting brown and beige together creates a historical color palette for your exterior. Vivid accents on architectural details help boost the effect. Adding red brick and window trim paired with two-toned battens portrays a striking contrast that’s still easy on the eyes.
Use vivid accents on details like trims, columns, and molding to make them pop against the neutral backdrop. Be sure to avoid competing colors so your home has a harmonious design.
2. Simple Gray-Green and Beige Two-Tone
To emphasize white trimmings, a deeper hue of green would work fine. However, a more neutral shade of green, especially when paired with beige, offers a more vintage feel.
Any dark sections, like your roof, would stand out against the light colors, adding striking appeal. If you prefer a different shade, opt for a more neutral hue, like dark beige or gray, or a duller green.
When pairing gray-green with beige, ensure the colors complement each other. Try to avoid bright or saturated greens that could clash with beige. A muted, dusty green can help tie the look together.
3. Neutral Two-Tone With Textured Siding
The neutral two-tone battens and matching roof can create a homey feel to your exterior. Different siding textures like brick and stone complement the subtle tones, adding a rustic flair. However, remember that masonry textures require more maintenance than basic siding. As shown, multi-colored brick fits well colorwise and adds visual interest through varied texture versus flat siding.
Textures like brick, stone, or wood can help add dimension, breaking up siding uniformity. Be sure to use neutral, organic textures that accent the main colors.
4. Dark-Gray and Light-Gray Two-Tone With Vivid Accents
Grays pair well with most color schemes, making it a versatile color choice for your exterior. However, combining dark and light grays with a pop of vivid color can create a unique appeal. As displayed, green complements the two-tone gray without needing to be an exact match. Other dark pastels like dark blue board and batten could also work well with two-tone grays.
Vivid accents in colors like green, yellow, and blue help make the grays pop. Consider color theory when choosing accents, using complementary hues. Purple, for instance, complements gray tones.
5. Beige and Grayish-Brown Two-Tone With Tan-Brown Trims
Neutrals provide a classic elegant look for your exterior, so highlighting battens with tan-brown helps add another neutral layer. At first glance, beige and grayish-brown with tan trims may seem boring, but upon closer look, it’s an attractive combo, especially with a matching roof.
Neutral versatility allows for bolder trims to add contrast or more uniformity. Landscaping with colorful plants can also increase curb appeal and help add a splash of natural color.
6. Full Neutral Two-Tone
Fully neutral two-tone battens work especially well on modern exteriors. Tan-gray and white offer a fresh facade in natural light, while exterior features stand out against the neutral backdrop. A high-contrast accent color can add interest without overpowering the rest of your color scheme.
A two-tone neutral base lets you personalize with plants, decor, and accents. Neutrals also highlight the architecture of your home, from the roof to the windows.
7. Yellow and Beige Two-Tone With Contrasting Textured Siding
If you want a more unique exterior color scheme, a two-tone yellow, beige board and batten look is a top choice — beige takes center stage despite two-tone battens. Yellow subtly brightens while beige grounds the scheme, while the white trims add lightness. Red brick siding may seem off, but it offers a pleasant contrast, like matching stone sections on your exterior.
Soft yellow with beige has charming, unexpected appeal. Just be sure to avoid overwhelming your home’s facade with competing colors and textures.
So, Is a Two-Tone Board and Batten Exterior Right for You?
A two-tone board and batten exterior can help give your home a classic Americana look on a budget with more dimension than you would get with plain siding. However, proper execution requires careful planning — the goal is finding complementary, non-clashing colors and using textures cohesively without overdoing it. If you need more resources before starting your DIY siding project, read our guide to find out how much siding you need.
If you’re willing to finesse some details, you can create a striking, charming two-tone board and batten exterior all by yourself. However, you should try to be open to tweaking colors and textures until you find the ideal blend for your home, as creativity tends to produce the best results. For more ideas to get you started, refer to our guide on board and batten siding colors.
FAQs About Two-Tone Board and Batten Exteriors
Does board and batten add value to a home?
Yes, board and batten siding increases value by boosting aesthetic appeal through added visual interest and dimension. The textured look is also trendy, so it helps add value to homes in the modern real estate market.
What is the best color for board and batten siding?
Popular muted options include light neutrals like tan, gray, and sage. White typically makes board and batten siding pop. Try to avoid bold or saturated colors on your siding unless it fits your home’s overall aesthetic.
How do you maintain board and batten siding?
Low-maintenance materials like composites need minimal upkeep beyond power washing. However, wood is a different story. You should recoat natural wood every five to seven years with exterior stain or paint to protect it from weathering.
Is board and batten expensive?
Modern board and batten costs are about the same as most other standard siding options. Composites typically cost more than real wood, while vinyl is normally the most affordable.
Will board and batten ever go out of style?
Board and batten flaunts a timeless, classic look that’s been popular since the late 1800s. While trends fluctuate, board and batten maintains enduring appeal.
