Clapboard siding is made of wedge-shaped boards designed to overlap each other.
Plank siding is a type of siding made from wedge-shaped boards that are designed to overlap each other. The individual boards used in siding are known as planks; and the siding itself may also be referred to as beveled, lapped, or weatherboard siding in various regions of the world. Many people find this type of siding aesthetically pleasing and it is especially associated with log homes built in the New England region of the United States.
Historically, plank siding was made by splitting wood planks into thin strips that could be nailed to the side of a house to protect it from the weather. The overlapping design allowed the wood to expand and contract with changing weather and encouraged rain and snow to run down the side of the structure rather than penetrate it and cause damage. The word “lath” comes from the Dutch klappen, which means “to divide.”
When the siding is applied, it is split into layers like shingles, with the thin side of each board below the thick edge of the board on top. The boards can be left unfinished or painted, depending on personal taste, and a wide variety of woods have historically been used to make boards. Red cedar has been a popular choice for centuries because it is naturally resistant to weather and pests, but other soft and hardwoods can be used as well.
Due to the growing scarcity of wood and concerns about the ethics of using wood in construction, boards today can be made from metal, various plastics, and fiber cement instead of wood. In fact, in some areas the use of wood for platforms is prohibited. Many of these materials are actually more durable than wood, making them the best choice for weather protection, and since they’re painted, they’re hard to tell apart from traditional wood plank flooring.
Plank flooring repair can be time consuming due to the way it is initially applied. For this reason, people tend to be on top of maintaining their battens, painting them regularly and quickly removing boards that show signs of rot and damage. Removing and replacing the planks requires a skilled hand, as the goal is to remove the damaged plank without breaking or damaging the surrounding planks.
