Batten strips

[petefrom bearswamp]

Then why not use 1x8 and reverse board and batten?
I cant think that another inch would lend too much strength.
After all they are only covering the small gap that might be between the bigger boards,
On my pole bldg i used 1x12 and 1x10 and 1-3/4 battens with no problems after 12 yrs.
With B&B you are certainly not keeping the vermin out.
But then again to each his (or her) own

[starmac]

I think on another forum, but I saw where a guy used a 1 x4 or 6, whatever on the bottom and the boards stood on the top side of it, then the batten ran down to the bottom. It looked like it would work very well, and was hardly noticeable.

[Darrel]

When I was in my teens I helped put up redwood board and batten.  We used 1x12 with a ½" space between covered with a 2½" center nailed between the boards. And yes, I know that my reply in no way answers the question of the OP.