Clapboard, Dutch Lap, Board and Batten, or Shake? A Style Guide to Vinyl Siding Profiles for NJ Homes

When you pick new siding, you are really making two choices. The first is the material, like vinyl or fiber cement. The second is the profile: the shape and pattern of the siding once it is on the wall. The profile has a big effect on how your house looks from the street.

This guide explains four siding looks WDM Contracting installs, in plain English, with the home styles each one tends to suit. If you are looking for prices, see our separate post on what siding costs in NJ. This one is all about looks.

First, a quick word on siding panel names

Siding sales sheets use names like "double 4," "double 4.5," or "triple 3." They are simpler than they sound:

• The word tells you how many rows of siding are molded into one panel (double = 2 rows, triple = 3 rows).
• The number tells you how tall each row is, in inches.

So "double 4.5" means each panel shows two rows that are 4.5 inches tall. Taller rows give a bolder, more modern look. Shorter rows look more traditional and detailed.

1. Clapboard: the classic

What it looks like: Long horizontal boards that overlap each other, each with a flat face and a clean, straight bottom edge. It is one of the most familiar siding styles in America.

Why people pick it:

• It works on almost any home.
• It gives a clean, simple look that doesn't go out of style.
• WDM's siding page describes vinyl clapboard as low-maintenance, cost-effective, and available in a wide range of colors.

Homes it tends to suit: Colonials, Cape Cods, ranches, and most of the classic New Jersey home styles.

2. Dutch lap: clapboard with a deeper shadow

What it looks like: Also horizontal, but each row has a curved or angled groove cut along its top edge. That groove creates a deeper shadow line under each row. From the street, Dutch lap looks a little richer and more hand-crafted than plain clapboard.

Why people pick it:

• It adds depth and texture without changing to a whole new style.
• It is a good choice for older or traditional homes where you want a bit more character.

Homes it tends to suit: Siding manufacturers often suggest it for Colonials, Victorians, and other older, traditional homes.

3. Board and batten: vertical and modern

What it looks like: Siding that runs up and down instead of side to side. Wide flat "boards" alternate with narrow raised strips called "battens." It is the look you see on barns and on today's "modern farmhouse" homes. CertainTeed, for example, makes vinyl board and batten in 7-inch and 8-inch widths.

Why people pick it:

• It has a bold, distinctive look and works as a full exterior or as an accent.
• WDM's siding page calls it a great option for accent areas or full exteriors, with the same low-maintenance durability vinyl is known for.

Homes it tends to suit: Farmhouse-style homes, new builds with a modern feel, and gables (the triangle-shaped wall under a peaked roof) or entryways on almost any home.

One install detail worth knowing: Vertical siding needs enough solid material behind it to hold the nails. The vinyl siding industry's installation manual says to add horizontal wood strips (called furring) or a solid layer of wall board first, if the wall needs it. It is one reason vertical siding can take more prep than horizontal siding.

4. Shake: the cedar look without the upkeep

What it looks like: Individual "shingles" or "shakes" like the cedar you see on older Cape Cod and shore homes, but molded from a tough plastic material instead of wood. WDM installs Cedar Impressions, a plastic (polymer) shake and shingle product made by CertainTeed.

Cedar Impressions comes in several styles, including:

• Straight-edge shingles for a neat, even look
• Staggered shingles with uneven bottom edges for a more natural look
• Rough-split shakes for a heavier, rustic texture
• Decorative shapes like scallops, often used in gables

Why people pick it:

• It gives the texture and charm of cedar without painting, staining, or rot.
• WDM's siding page describes it as the look of real cedar shake without the upkeep, with long-lasting color and resistance to weather, moisture, and fading.

Homes it tends to suit: Cape Cods, shore-style homes, Victorians (especially in the gables), and Craftsman homes.

Mixing profiles: often the best look of all

You don't have to pick just one. Many of the best-looking homes mix two siding looks:

• Clapboard or Dutch lap on the main walls, with shakes in the gables. A classic look for Cape Cods, Colonials, and Victorians.
• Clapboard on the main walls, with board and batten in the gables or around the entry. A popular way to add a farmhouse feel to a traditional house.

Manufacturers like CertainTeed recommend mixing profiles on accent areas like dormers (the small roofed windows that stick out of a sloped roof), gables, and entryways. A good rule for color: either choose an accent one or two shades away from the main color, or go for a clear contrast. Always look at real samples side by side, outside in daylight, before you decide. Colors on a screen or in a brochure can look different on the house.

Want one of these looks with more insulation or a heavier material?

Insulated vinyl. WDM offers insulated siding options. Insulated vinyl has a layer of foam attached to the back of each panel. The industry standard for insulated vinyl requires an insulating value of at least R-2. (R-value measures how well something blocks heat from passing through. Higher is better.) It adds a little warmth to your walls and makes the siding feel more solid.

Fiber cement (Hardie board). Fiber cement is a heavy siding made from cement mixed with wood fibers. If you like a lap, vertical, or shingle look but want a heavier material, WDM also installs James Hardie fiber cement siding. WDM's FAQ notes that fiber cement offers superior durability and fire resistance. James Hardie makes lap siding, vertical panels, and shingle styles, so you can get many of the same looks. Our siding cost guide compares vinyl and fiber cement side by side.

A quick style cheat sheet

Home styleLooks that often fitColonialClapboard or Dutch lap, with shakes or board and batten as accentsCape CodClapboard with shakes, or shakes on the whole houseRanchClapboard, with board and batten as an accentFarmhouseBoard and batten, or clapboard with board and batten accentsVictorianClapboard or Dutch lap, with decorative shakes in the gablesCraftsmanClapboard on the lower walls, shakes up top

These are common suggestions, not rules. Your home, your street, and your taste all matter.

Caring for vinyl siding

Vinyl siding is low-maintenance, and it never needs painting. For cleaning, the vinyl siding industry says a simple rinse with a garden hose is often enough. For a deeper clean, use a soft cloth or a soft brush on a long handle. If you use a pressure washer, check your siding maker's instructions first, keep the spray level with your eyes, and never spray upward under the panels. Keep grills away from the siding, because high heat can warp or melt it.

If a panel ever gets damaged, WDM can replace individual panels. Keep in mind that color matching depends on the age of your original siding.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between clapboard and Dutch lap siding?Both are horizontal. Clapboard has a flat face and straight edge. Dutch lap has a curved or beveled groove along the top of each row, which creates a deeper shadow line.

What does "double 4.5" mean on vinyl siding?Each panel shows two rows of siding, and each row is 4.5 inches tall.

Can you mix siding styles on one house?Yes. A common approach is clapboard or Dutch lap on the main walls with shakes or board and batten on the gables and entry.

The bottom line

Clapboard is the timeless choice. Dutch lap adds depth. Board and batten brings a modern farmhouse feel. Shakes give you the cedar look without the work. Mixing two of them is often what makes a house stand out.

WDM Contracting installs vinyl clapboard, Dutch lap, board and batten, Cedar Impressions, insulated vinyl, and Hardie board siding for homes across New Jersey. We come out, look at your home in person, and give you a written proposal that lists every material by brand and type. Learn more about our siding services.

Request your free estimate or call 848-360-6121.