Need to side my 12x16’ studio I’ve built myself. Applying on top of zip panels. Want a board and batten style.

I can’t find smooth LP panels, only textured. Though I’m told they’re available by some.

One place tells me they sell TruWood panels that are smooth, but I can’t find anything on TruWood’s website that says they offer it.

Then there’s Hardie Panels. I love the look but the increased cost, difficulty in pickup and installation (I,e., cant do it myself), and the dust makes me hesitant.

Can anyone help point me in the right direction? I have an 8’ rear wall and a lean to roof leading to a 10’ front wall if that’s important.

I want to install fiber cement boards over brick (I live on sand and the shifting creates cracks so I want to just cover it. House is a bungalow built in the 50's). I have spoken to a few installers that have told me it can be done but the quotes are extremely high. I have access to two extremely handy men who have done most of our house renos. They are capable of doing the installation but would love some guidance. Can anyone be kind enough to provide me with details on how to go about installing it properly. I have these cement ledges under the windows as well. What would be the best way to tackle those? Chip them off, just wrap the flashing over them, etc? Any tips and tricks or perhaps any alternative solutions/recommendations are appreciated. I have read a few posts that caution against using the boards because of their weight. Is this something I should be worried about? Thank you!

More specifically, should the batten boards be caulked along the edge to seal the gaps (and to make it better/cleaner looking in general)? The installers for some reason, caulked the north and south side of the homes, but not the east and west sides (I think one resource did the north/south sides and the other two did the east/west sides). I looked through an official James Hardie install guide and it specifically lays out the guidelines of where to and where not to caulk.... but makes zero mentions if you are installing battens and what to do to those.

I was talking to the sales guy when he swung by after the project was complete and mentioned it to him. He says there was probably a reason for that but didn't know.... but could see the wheels turning in his head trying to come up with something. I still have a walkthrough with the Project Manger in a few days and will bring it up to him, but would not like to get taken advantage of because they are too lazy to do it. Or maybe they have legit reasons to do it on two of the four sides.

FYI - This company is an official James Hardie installers with pretty good reviews on Google. I'm just not sure if the I got a lazy crew, I'm being too picky, etc. Thanks in advance!