Steel board and batten: A modern take on a classic favorite

MCS Influencer Jena Jackson says steel board and batten gives contractors a powerful edge.

Contractors looking to grow their metal construction sales should be highlighting one powerful, often overlooked product: steel board and batten siding. While board and batten is nothing new — it’s a timeless design that’s been around for centuries — the steel version is a game-changer for today’s homeowners.

Why? Because it delivers the classic charm of traditional wood siding — without the headaches. No peeling paint. No warped boards. No rot. Just clean, crisp lines with zero maintenance.

One of the biggest advantages for both contractors and customers is the on-site roll forming capability. Unlike pre-cut wood, steel panels can be customized to exact lengths on the jobsite, making even the most complex or “cut-up” projects easier to manage. You’re not waiting on special orders or dealing with excess waste. You’re in control.

Indiana Metal’s steel board and batten panels are designed with nearly 16" of coverage, giving the bold, wide-plank aesthetic that homeowners love. That wider format means fewer seams and a cleaner install  — plus it’s faster to put up.

From a contractor’s standpoint steel board and batten also means: 

• No painting 
• Reduced caulking 
• Fewer man-hours 
• Cleaner jobsite and faster turnaround

And if your clients want the warmth of wood without the upkeep? Enter HD printed steel — an innovation that lets homeowners enjoy woodgrain aesthetics (think weathered cedar, reclaimed barnwood, driftwood gray) with all the durability of metal. It's not a paint; it's a high-definition printed pattern that stands up to weather and time.

The bottom line? Steel board and batten gives contractors a powerful edge: a high-performance, low-maintenance solution that blends beauty with efficiency. It’s the kind of product that doesn’t just look good on a home — it makes you look good as a contractor, too.

If you’re not offering it yet, now’s the time to add this modernized classic to your lineup.