Board and Batten on ICF: How We Build the Modern Farmhouse Look in Wake County
Board and batten works great on an ICF home, and it looks even better than most people expect. You get the modern farmhouse look that many Wake County homeowners want, with a concrete wall behind it that's stronger and more efficient than wood framing. At Brost Concrete & Construction, we build custom ICF homes in the Raleigh area, and board and batten is one of the exteriors clients ask for most.
Why Board and Batten Fits the Triangle
Board and batten is vertical siding. Wide boards run up the wall, and narrow strips (battens) cover the seams. It looks clean, a little rustic, and never really goes out of style.
Modern farmhouse: The style it's most known for. It pairs well with gabled roofs, metal roof accents, black windows, and covered porches.
Transitional: On gables, dormers, or one section of the house, it adds texture without looking too busy.
Craftsman: Great on upper gables and porch details, often accented with stone or brick below.
One key highlight is that vertical lines make a house feel taller and more substantial. This makes a big difference on the wide, lower-profile plans that are common around here.
A Classic Look on a High-Performance Wall
Most people who love the farmhouse look don't want a drafty, noisy house that's expensive to cool in a North Carolina summer. They want the style and the comfort. That's where ICF (insulated concrete forms) comes in.
An ICF wall is made of foam forms stacked like blocks, reinforced with steel, and filled with concrete. You end up with a solid wall with insulation on both sides of the concrete. For a board and batten home, that means:
Lower energy use: Continuous insulation helps cut heating and cooling loads and reduces air leaks.
A more comfortable home: Temperatures stay steadier, and it's noticeably quieter inside.
Storm strength: Reinforced concrete holds up well in high winds, which matters in eastern North Carolina.
Long-lasting structure: Concrete doesn't rot and termites can't eat it.
Since the wall handles the structure and insulation, you can pick your siding based on looks, durability, and upkeep.
How We Install Board and Batten on ICF
People often ask if you can put wood or fiber cement siding on a concrete wall. You can, and it's a normal part of ICF building when it's done right.
1. Attachment: ICF forms have fastening strips built in at regular spacing, so siding and furring can be securely attached. We plan the layout early so everything lines up.
2. Furring strips and an air gap: Furring strips create a small space behind the siding. In our humid climate, that gap lets moisture drain and the siding dry out, which helps it last.
3. Weather barrier and flashing: Careful flashing around windows, doors, and rooflines is what keeps water out of the wall.
4. The right material: We often use fiber cement for board and batten here. It handles humidity and pests well and holds paint. Engineered wood and other options work too, and we'll help you weigh cost, upkeep, and looks.
5. Trim and window depth: ICF walls are thicker than framed walls, which gives you deep window reveals. Planned well, it's one of the best-looking details on an ICF home.
Decide on the Exterior Early
With ICF, the walls go up as part of the structure, so exterior choices need to happen earlier than on a typical frame build. Choosing these up front saves you change orders and rework:
Siding type and batten spacing
Window and door sizes and trim style
Where board and batten meets brick, stone, or other materials
Roof overhangs and porch details
Tips From the Field
Board and batten up top with brick or stone at the base adds subtle contrast without overdoing it.
Wider spacing looks bolder and more modern. Tighter spacing feels more traditional.
Dark colors look striking but absorb more heat and show wear sooner. Use quality paint or pre-finished siding and plan on some upkeep.
Window sizes, rooflines, and trim should work together. Intentionality keeps the look from feeling dated.
Is It Right for Your Home?
If you want a farmhouse, transitional, or craftsman exterior with the strength and efficiency of concrete, this combination is hard to beat. It looks like it belongs in the Raleigh area, and it performs better than a typical wood-frame house.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put board and batten siding on an ICF home?
Yes. ICF walls take a wide range of exterior finishes, including board and batten, when they're installed with proper fastening, flashing, and moisture management.
Does siding affect an ICF home's energy efficiency?
Not much. The ICF wall provides the insulation and structure, so siding is mostly about appearance, durability, and upkeep.
What's the best board and batten material for North Carolina?
Fiber cement is a common choice because it holds up to moisture and pests. Engineered wood and other materials can work depending on budget and style.
Do ICF homes have to look modern or industrial?
No. Once the exterior is finished, an ICF home looks like any other farmhouse or traditional home. Most neighbors never know what's inside the walls.
When should I choose my siding?
It's best to choose your siding early on. Siding affects window depth, trim, and attachment planning, so it's best to select it during design.
Talk With a Raleigh-Area ICF Builder
Brost Concrete & Construction builds custom ICF homes across the Triangle with exterior details planned from day one. If you're picturing a board and batten home and want to know how it would work with ICF, we'd be glad to talk through your plans.
Serving Wendell, Raleigh, Wake Forest, Knightdale, Clayton, and nearby areas in the Triangle.
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