Gentek Sequoia Select Board & Batten can transform a siding project without covering the entire house in vertical siding. Learn how contractors can use the 7" vertical profile on gables, dormers, entryways, bump-outs and other architectural features—and how to choose color, transitions and proportions without overdesigning the exterior.
Suburban Wholesale Siding Sales Academy
How to Use Sequoia Select Board & Batten as an Accent
Board & Batten does not have to cover an entire house to change the appearance of a siding project.
In many cases, its strongest role is as an architectural accent.
Gentek Sequoia Select Board & Batten gives contractors a vertical siding profile that can contrast with horizontal Clapboard or Dutch Lap siding while remaining within the Sequoia Select product family.
Gentek's current product directory lists its Sequoia Select Board & Batten with a 7-inch exposure, 1-5/8-inch batten width, 1/2-inch batten height, 10-foot panel length, .050-inch nominal thickness and Light Roughsawn texture.
Those specifications matter—but the real design opportunity is what happens when the vertical lines are placed against a predominantly horizontal exterior.
Board & Batten should highlight architecture—not manufacture architecture that isn't there.
Find the feature first. Then decide whether the vertical siding deserves to call attention to it.
What Makes Board & Batten Different?
Most residential vinyl siding is installed horizontally.
Board & Batten changes that direction.
The alternating board-and-batten appearance creates strong vertical lines that draw the eye upward. PEPA's design guidance identifies vertical siding as a longstanding architectural treatment and notes that modern polymeric Board & Batten is frequently used for accent applications as well as whole-house installations.
HORIZONTAL
Clapboard and Dutch Lap move the eye across the house.
VERTICAL
Board & Batten moves the eye upward.
CONTRAST
Using both directions can help define architectural features.
Changing siding direction is one of the easiest ways to create architectural contrast without introducing an entirely different cladding material.
The Sequoia Select Board & Batten Profile
Before contractors sell the design, they should understand the product they are putting into the design.
| Specification | Sequoia Select Board & Batten | Why It Matters in the Presentation |
|---|---|---|
| Exposure | 7" | Creates the repeating vertical scale |
| Batten Width | 1-5/8" | Defines the raised vertical rhythm |
| Batten Height | 1/2" | Creates dimensional definition |
| Panel Length | 10' | Important when planning gables and wall areas |
| Nominal Thickness | .050" | Current manufacturer product specification |
| Texture | Light Roughsawn | Creates a different surface character from horizontal cedargrain profiles |
Always verify current Gentek literature before quoting or ordering because specifications, colors and market availability can change.
Where Does Board & Batten Work Best as an Accent?
The strongest accent locations usually already have some architectural reason to stand apart.
PEPA specifically identifies dormers, bump-outs, areas beneath eaves and upper-story applications as places where vertical siding can add visual interest.
Front-Facing Gables
One of the most natural places to change from horizontal to vertical siding.
Dormers
The separate roof form already creates an architectural break.
Bump-Outs
A projection can become a deliberate feature instead of disappearing into the main field siding.
Entry Areas
Vertical siding can help strengthen an otherwise understated front entrance.
Upper-Story Sections
A logical horizontal transition can allow the upper section to receive a different siding direction.
Garage Features
A front-facing garage gable or projection may benefit when the architecture supports the emphasis.
#1 — Front Gables Are the Natural Starting Point
If a contractor wants to introduce Board & Batten without overwhelming the exterior, start by looking at the front-facing gables.
A gable already creates an architectural shape.
Changing the siding direction can reinforce that shape.
“Your front gable already stands apart from the main wall. Instead of changing colors everywhere, we could keep the main house horizontal and use Board & Batten here to give the gable a little more architectural definition.”
Notice what the contractor did not say:
“We put Board & Batten in every gable because that's what everybody is doing.”
A gable is a design opportunity—not an automatic upgrade.
One Accent Gable May Be Enough
A home may have three or four gables.
That does not mean all of them need Board & Batten.
Ask which gable is architecturally dominant.
Consider:
Which gable faces the street?
Which gable is closest to the entry?
Which gable has the cleanest shape?
Which gable already feels like a focal point?
Would repeating the accent improve symmetry?
Would using it everywhere weaken the focal point?
If everything is an accent, nothing is an accent.
#2 — Dormers
Dormers already project from the roof and create their own architectural form.
That can make them a logical location for a controlled Board & Batten accent.
“The dormer already has its own roofline and its own shape. Using a vertical profile there can reinforce it without forcing us to introduce another siding material across the main walls.”
The accent should make the dormer easier to understand—not make the roof look cluttered.
#3 — Entryways
A front entrance should usually be easy to identify.
If the architecture does not already provide a strong entry feature, Board & Batten may help establish one.
Good Candidate
A recessed or projected entry area with clear architectural boundaries.
Use Caution
An arbitrary rectangle of Board & Batten around the door that does not correspond to the structure of the house.
Design the entry around architecture—not around the dimensions of a siding sample.
#4 — Bump-Outs and Projections
A bump-out already projects from the main wall plane.
That separation makes it one of the most logical locations for an alternate siding direction.
“This section already comes forward from the house. We can either let it disappear into the main siding or intentionally make it a feature. Board & Batten is one way to do that without introducing another cladding family.”
PEPA specifically highlights bump-outs as architectural callouts where vertical siding can provide additional visual interest.
#5 — Upper Floors
Vertical siding can also be used above a logical horizontal architectural break.
For example, a two-story wall may have a band board, porch roof, masonry transition or structural projection that creates a natural point for the siding direction to change.
LOWER LEVEL
Horizontal siding
TRANSITION
Architectural band or natural break
UPPER LEVEL
Board & Batten
Do not create a horizontal transition in the middle of a wall merely because you want somewhere to stop the accent.
Horizontal + Vertical Is the Design Story
When Board & Batten is used as an accent, the contrast in direction often does more design work than the contrast in color.
HORIZONTAL
Main Field
Clapboard or Dutch Lap establishes the primary wall pattern.
+
Architectural Break
Gable, bump-out, dormer or entry creates a reason to change.
VERTICAL
Accent
Board & Batten emphasizes the selected feature.
You do not always need a second color to create an accent. Sometimes changing direction is enough.
Same Color or Contrasting Color?
This is one of the most important Board & Batten design decisions.
The homeowner can change only the siding direction—or change both direction and color.
Same-Color Accent
Keep the horizontal and vertical siding in the same or closely coordinated color.
The profile change provides architectural contrast without creating another major color block.
Contrasting-Color Accent
Change both siding direction and color.
This creates a much stronger focal point and therefore needs a stronger architectural reason.
Change one variable for subtle contrast.
Change two variables for strong contrast.
Start With Same-Color Board & Batten More Often
Contractors sometimes jump immediately to a dramatically contrasting Board & Batten color because the rendering looks exciting.
That can work—but the more disciplined starting point is often to show the profile change first.
“Before we add another color, let me show you what happens if we simply change the siding direction in the gable. You may find that the vertical profile creates enough contrast on its own.”
If the homeowner wants a stronger statement, then introduce the contrasting color.
Earn the second color. Don't assume the design needs it.
How Much Board & Batten Is Too Much?
There is no universal percentage of a house that should be vertical siding.
The better test is whether every area receiving Board & Batten has a design reason.
Purposeful Accent Plan
- Main siding remains visually dominant
- One or two architectural features receive vertical siding
- Transitions occur at logical architectural breaks
- Colors remain coordinated
- The eye understands where to look
Overdesigned Accent Plan
- Every gable receives a different treatment
- Board & Batten appears in random rectangles
- Several unrelated colors compete
- Stone, shakes and vertical siding all fight for attention
- No clear focal point remains
The purpose of an accent is to create hierarchy—not visual noise.
Board & Batten With Double 4" Clapboard
A narrower horizontal Clapboard creates frequent horizontal repetition.
Putting vertical Board & Batten into a selected gable can create a strong change in direction while maintaining a relatively traditional overall exterior.
MAIN WALLS
Double 4" Clapboard
GABLE
7" Board & Batten
RESULT
Traditional field with a stronger vertical focal point
Board & Batten With Double 5" Clapboard
Double 5" Clapboard creates a broader horizontal scale.
Pairing that wider horizontal rhythm with the 7-inch vertical Board & Batten can produce a cleaner, larger-scale exterior composition.
Wide horizontal field + vertical architectural feature = a strong but relatively clean profile contrast.
Board & Batten With Dutch Lap
Dutch Lap already gives the horizontal wall more profile character and shadow.
That means contractors should be especially careful not to overdesign the accent areas.
“The Dutch Lap is already giving the main walls quite a bit of dimension. We can still use Board & Batten in the front gable, but I would keep the rest of the exterior fairly disciplined so the two profiles aren't competing with several other materials.”
The stronger the field siding, the less work the accent may need to do.
Board & Batten With Brick
Brick already brings its own pattern, color variation and texture.
Now add horizontal siding and vertical Board & Batten, and the project can quickly have three different visual rhythms.
That can look excellent when coordinated—or chaotic when every material is treated independently.
Coordinate
- Pull siding colors from tones found in the brick
- Use trim to connect siding and masonry
- Keep the Board & Batten location architectural
- Limit additional competing materials
Avoid
- Unrelated brick, siding and accent colors
- Adding stone next to existing brick without a reason
- Multiple accent siding colors
- Random profile transitions
Board & Batten With Stone
Stone can already become a strong exterior focal material.
If stone is concentrated around the entry or foundation, Board & Batten may work well above or beside it—but the project should still have one clear hierarchy.
“Stone is already giving the entry a lot of texture. If we use Board & Batten above it, I would probably keep that vertical siding close to the main siding color so the profiles work together instead of creating another competing color block.”
Board & Batten and Window Trim
Vertical siding creates a strong pattern around windows.
That makes window trim especially important.
Blend
Keep trim and siding close in color for a quieter accent.
Define
Use coordinated trim to clearly frame the opening.
Contrast
Use stronger trim contrast when the architecture supports a deliberately defined opening.
Avoid making trim width and color decisions independently from the Board & Batten pattern.
Don't Forget the Transition
A beautiful Board & Batten rendering can hide the most important construction question:
How do the two siding systems meet?
Horizontal siding should not simply stop wherever it looks convenient on the rendering.
Profile transitions need properly planned trim, receiving channels, flashing and installation details consistent with the manufacturer instructions and the conditions of the wall.
Design the Transition Before Ordering:
- Where does horizontal siding stop?
- Where does vertical siding begin?
- What trim or band separates them?
- How will water be managed?
- What color is the transition?
- Does the transition align with the architecture?
Vertical Siding Is Installed Differently
Board & Batten is not simply horizontal vinyl siding turned ninety degrees.
PEPA's vertical siding installation guidance includes specific procedures for wall preparation, receiving channels, partial panels, fastening and movement.
Among other details, PEPA instructs installers to begin securing applicable vertical panels from the topmost full nail slot and to allow the panel to move vertically, while subsequent fasteners are centered in their slots according to the applicable spacing requirements and manufacturer instructions.
Do not design an accent that your installation crew does not know how to install correctly.
A premium accent requires premium planning at the sales desk, the brake, the wall and the jobsite.
Balanced Panels Matter
PEPA recommends planning vertical siding layouts so partial panels can be balanced where possible.
That means contractors should not assume the vertical panels can simply start full width at one side of a gable or wall and leave whatever narrow strip remains at the opposite side.
“Board & Batten is an architectural pattern. We want to lay it out intentionally so the finished accent looks balanced rather than appearing as though the installer simply started at one end and hoped the last piece worked.”
The layout is part of the design.
Use the Actual House During the Sales Presentation
Board & Batten should never be sold from a loose sample alone.
During the exterior walk-around, photograph each elevation and identify potential accent locations.
Take Photos of:
Full front elevation
Front gables
Dormers
Entry area
Garage projection
Bump-outs
Upper-story transitions
Existing brick or stone
Then sit down with the homeowner and point to specific opportunities.
“I see three places where we could potentially use Board & Batten. I don't think we should automatically use all three. Let me show you each one and decide which actually improves the house.”
Use the Gentek Visualizer Before the Homeowner Commits
A physical Board & Batten sample explains the product.
A visualization helps explain placement.
Gentek's Visualizer allows homeowners and contractors to upload a photograph of the home and explore exterior siding and color combinations.
1
PHOTO
Start with the customer's house.
2
PROFILE
Show horizontal and vertical siding.
3
PLACEMENT
Test specific accent areas.
4
COLOR
Compare subtle and contrasting versions.
Always Return to Physical Color Samples
A rendering is a design tool—not a color guarantee.
Gentek specifically recommends making final color choices with actual samples because colors can appear differently on screens. Gentek also notes that different profiles may appear somewhat different depending on lighting, angle and exposure.
Visualize on the screen.
Compare on the house.
Confirm with physical samples.
When combining horizontal and vertical Sequoia Select profiles in the same color, place the actual samples beside each other outdoors in their planned orientation before the final decision.
Why Same Color Can Still Look Different
This is especially important when combining Board & Batten with horizontal Sequoia Select.
The horizontal profiles use a Cedargrain texture while the Board & Batten uses a Light Roughsawn texture. They also face light differently because one runs horizontally and the other vertically.
Gentek cautions that the same nominal color may appear slightly different when different profiles or products are used together because of lighting, viewing angle and surface appearance.
Same color name does not always mean identical visual appearance from every angle.
That is why the two actual samples should be evaluated side by side outdoors.
Don't Forget Trim Color
Once the homeowner chooses the horizontal siding and Board & Batten accent, the project still needs a trim strategy.
| Design Element | Question to Ask |
|---|---|
| Outside Corners | Blend with the siding or define the edges? |
| Window Trim | Quiet, coordinated or strongly contrasting? |
| Transition Band | Should the profile change disappear or become part of the design? |
| Soffit / Fascia | Which siding or trim element should the roofline connect with? |
| Entry Door | Does the entry remain the strongest focal color? |
Board & Batten Is Not Automatically “Modern Farmhouse”
Board & Batten is strongly associated with current farmhouse-inspired exterior trends.
But vertical siding has been used across many architectural traditions for generations. PEPA identifies vertical siding with styles including Stick, Folk Victorian, Tudor and Craftsman, among others.
Do not sell Board & Batten as a fad.
Sell it as a vertical architectural profile that can be used appropriately across several design directions.
Where Board & Batten May Not Help
A professional recommendation includes knowing when not to add the upgrade.
Think Twice When:
- The exterior already has several competing materials
- There is no logical architectural break
- The homeowner wants a very simple monochromatic exterior
- The accent would create an awkward narrow panel area
- Existing brick or stone already dominates the elevation
- Every gable would need different treatment to “balance” the first accent
- The transition cannot be cleanly detailed
- The installer has not planned the vertical siding layout
A profitable upgrade that makes the house worse is not a good upgrade.
How to Sell Board & Batten Without Being Pushy
Do not begin by saying:
“For another $3,000, we can put Board & Batten in the gable.”
The homeowner has no context for the upgrade yet.
Start with the design.
“When we walked around the house, I noticed this front gable. We can keep it horizontal like the rest of the house, or I can show you one version using vertical Board & Batten so the gable becomes more of an architectural feature. Would you like to see both?”
Now the homeowner is choosing whether to explore the upgrade before seeing its price.
Present the Standard Design First
A Board & Batten upgrade becomes easier to evaluate when the homeowner can see the baseline.
Option A
Horizontal Throughout
Main siding profile continues through the gable.
Option B
Board & Batten Accent
Vertical Sequoia Select highlights the selected architectural feature.
Ask which appearance the homeowner prefers before discussing the incremental cost.
Design first. Price second.
Then Show the Price Difference
“Your standard siding package keeps the horizontal Sequoia Select throughout the front elevation.”
“The second option changes this front gable to the Sequoia Select 7-inch Board & Batten we just looked at, including the required transition and finishing details.”
“The installed difference between the two designs is $X.”
“After seeing both versions, do you feel the Board & Batten adds enough to the front of the house to justify that difference?”
Then let the homeowner decide.
Put the Accent in the Proposal
Do not write:
“Board & Batten accent included.”
That leaves too much room for interpretation.
Better Proposal Language
“Install Gentek Sequoia Select 7-inch Board & Batten vertical vinyl siding in the front-facing entry gable, in approved color, including applicable transition trim, receiving accessories and installation components.”
Then separately identify the horizontal siding profile, trim colors, corners, soffit, fascia, water-management scope and other project components.
The Three-Level Board & Batten Upgrade Presentation
| Package | Design | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| GOOD | Horizontal Sequoia Select throughout | Homeowner wanting a consistent, straightforward exterior |
| BETTER | Same-color Board & Batten on one architectural feature | Homeowner wanting added architectural interest without a dramatic color change |
| BEST DESIGN OPTION | Board & Batten accent plus intentionally coordinated trim or accent color | Homeowner intentionally seeking a more dramatic exterior transformation |
“Best” here should refer to the most complete design option—not a claim that the house requires the upgrade.
A 60-Second Board & Batten Accent Presentation
“When we walked around your house, I noticed this front gable is already one of the main architectural features.”
“We can absolutely keep the horizontal siding running through it.”
“But I also want to show you another option.”
“This is Sequoia Select Board & Batten. Instead of the siding running horizontally, these lines run vertically.”
“If we used it only in this gable, that change in direction would help the gable stand out without changing the entire house.”
“We could keep it the same color as the main siding for a subtle accent, or look at a coordinated contrast if you want the gable to become more prominent.”
“Let me show you both versions on the house before we talk about the price difference.”
Five Board & Batten Accent Mistakes
1. Putting It in Every Gable
An accent loses its power when it becomes the default treatment for every triangular wall on the house.
2. Changing Direction and Color Automatically
The profile change alone may create enough architectural contrast.
3. Ignoring the Transition
The horizontal-to-vertical connection needs to be designed and installed properly.
4. Trusting the Rendering for Final Color
Different textures and orientations can make nominally matching colors appear somewhat different under actual lighting.
5. Selling the Upgrade Before Explaining the Design
The homeowner should understand what the Board & Batten does for the house before being asked to pay more for it.
Board & Batten Accent Checklist
□ Identify a real architectural feature
□ Photograph the elevation
□ Show the horizontal-only design first
□ Show Board & Batten as an option
□ Decide whether one accent is enough
□ Test same-color first
□ Then test contrasting color if appropriate
□ Coordinate brick or stone
□ Coordinate window and corner trim
□ Plan the horizontal-to-vertical transition
□ Plan balanced panel layout
□ Confirm proper vertical installation details
□ Use current Gentek product specifications
□ Verify current color availability
□ Compare physical samples outdoors
□ Clearly document the accent location in the proposal
The Board & Batten Accent Formula
1
FIND
Identify the architectural feature.
2
CHANGE
Change siding direction.
3
COMPARE
Show standard vs. accent.
4
COORDINATE
Build color and trim.
5
RESTRAIN
Stop when the design is complete.
Find → Change → Compare → Coordinate → Restrain
The hardest part of selling an architectural upgrade is sometimes knowing when the house has enough.
The Bottom Line
Gentek Sequoia Select Board & Batten gives contractors an effective way to introduce vertical siding into a primarily horizontal exterior.
Its strongest accent applications are typically locations that already have architectural identity: front gables, dormers, bump-outs, entries, upper-story sections and similar defined features.
The goal should not be to put Board & Batten everywhere possible.
The goal is to use the change in siding direction to strengthen the architecture.
Start with the architecture.
Use Board & Batten to emphasize it.
Then stop adding things when the house looks finished.
Show the homeowner the standard horizontal design. Show the Board & Batten version. Test same-color and contrasting options. Use actual samples. Plan the transitions and installation. Then let the homeowner decide whether the added architectural character has enough value for their project.
Sell the architecture—not the upgrade.
Compare Sequoia Select Board & Batten at Suburban Wholesale & Supply
Suburban Wholesale & Supply helps contractors throughout the Quad Cities, Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois compare Gentek Sequoia Select horizontal siding, Board & Batten, colors, trim and exterior accent options before materials are ordered.
Bring your project photographs, measurements or customer into our Davenport showroom. Our team can help you compare horizontal and vertical siding profiles, review current colors and accessories, discuss transitions and build a more complete exterior material package.
Do not wait until after the contract is signed to start thinking about design upgrades. Use the showroom, samples and product demonstrations to help the homeowner understand their options while the project is still being designed.
Suburban Wholesale & Supply
3602 North Harrison Street
Davenport, Iowa 52806
563-391-4000
Part of: Vinyl Siding
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We stock all 29 colors of Gentek Sequoia Select D4 in our Davenport warehouse, and stocked items are usually ready same day or next day.
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