For the Love of Wooden Battens: Why Your Home Needs Them
Traditional timber slats are a great way to add flair and function to modern homes
Wooden battens may have a long and traditional history, but the way they’re being used on facades, walls and ceilings in homes today is thoroughly modern. It’s easy to see the appeal – as well as boasting warm, natural good looks, timber battens can help with everything from privacy and acoustic protection to sun and light control. Tempted to add them to the interior or exterior of your home? Here’s all you need to know.
Timbers and finishes
A wide range of woods can be used for timber battens, with each offering a different colour, grain and texture. Depending on the application and desired look, timber can be coated or finished with, for example, clear oil, water-based lacquers and burnished or brushed finishes.
A wide range of woods can be used for timber battens, with each offering a different colour, grain and texture. Depending on the application and desired look, timber can be coated or finished with, for example, clear oil, water-based lacquers and burnished or brushed finishes.
Vibe Design Group, the designers of this home, specified timber battens at each end of the horizontal volume to complement the timber cladding. They chose silver-top ash as it will grey beautifully over time, blending into the natural backdrop.
Dimensions, spacing and profiles
The dimensions of a timber batten relate to its width, depth and length. The required length of a batten will depend on the size of the space, wall or facade. The choice of the batten’s width and depth – whether thick and wide, slim and thin or anywhere in between – will depend on the desired look and feel.
The dimensions of a timber batten relate to its width, depth and length. The required length of a batten will depend on the size of the space, wall or facade. The choice of the batten’s width and depth – whether thick and wide, slim and thin or anywhere in between – will depend on the desired look and feel.
Spacing is the distance between each individual batten, and will not only affect the aesthetics but any ancillary function.
A minimum space of five or seven millimetres between battens is often required to help maintain privacy, improve acoustics and control sunlight. As the distance between battens increases, these abilities are reduced somewhat. However, visibility – being able to see through the series of battens – is improved, as can be seen in this home.
Find an architect to design your home’s facade
A minimum space of five or seven millimetres between battens is often required to help maintain privacy, improve acoustics and control sunlight. As the distance between battens increases, these abilities are reduced somewhat. However, visibility – being able to see through the series of battens – is improved, as can be seen in this home.
Find an architect to design your home’s facade
Profile is the facing surface of the timber batten. There are various profiles to choose from, including square or rectangular flat-block, concave and convex (which produce undulating effects), and angled or pitched surfaces.
One great advantage of timber battens is they can be used on curved surfaces, creating a rounded and sculptural form.
One great advantage of timber battens is they can be used on curved surfaces, creating a rounded and sculptural form.
Dimensions, spacing and profiles can be consistent and uniform, or they can be varied to create unique sequences for a customised look.
The facade of this home has silver-top ash battens with a natural oil finish. As the facade curves, the width and spacing of each batten expands (or decreases, depending on which way you look at it) to create a swooping effect that enhances the dynamic volume.
The facade of this home has silver-top ash battens with a natural oil finish. As the facade curves, the width and spacing of each batten expands (or decreases, depending on which way you look at it) to create a swooping effect that enhances the dynamic volume.
Here, battens of different lengths have been arranged to serve as cladding, screen and balustrade. Combining the different lengths means the spacing varies, as does the ability to see through the screen-like effect.
Batten systems
Battens are available in modular, prefabricated systems that are quicker and easier to install than a custom design. You can specify the timber, dimension, profile, spacing and even combinations of materials, spaces and sizes in order to achieve a specific look.
Battens are available in modular, prefabricated systems that are quicker and easier to install than a custom design. You can specify the timber, dimension, profile, spacing and even combinations of materials, spaces and sizes in order to achieve a specific look.
The ceiling in this living area is lined with Woodform Architectural’s Concept Click timber batten system in spotted gum. Battens are attached to tracks via pre-mounted steel clips, and the linear form of the battens creates a contemporary, directional effect.
Take a look at these 7 ceiling designs that will make you look up and gasp
Take a look at these 7 ceiling designs that will make you look up and gasp
Applications
Timber battens can be used to assist with some specific challenges a home might present.
Facade
As a cladding material, timber battens can add texture, natural colour and interest to an uninspiring facade. Here, horizontal battens clad a modern terrace, accentuating its geometric form. The battens are reasonably thin, and spaced so that the vertical support is visible.
Timber battens can be used to assist with some specific challenges a home might present.
Facade
As a cladding material, timber battens can add texture, natural colour and interest to an uninspiring facade. Here, horizontal battens clad a modern terrace, accentuating its geometric form. The battens are reasonably thin, and spaced so that the vertical support is visible.
Privacy screen
Timber battens can serve as a screening device to limit views and enhance privacy. The combination of batten width and spacing will influence how much the batten’s screen; essentially, less space and wider battens equals less visibility and more privacy.
This house has a series of horizontal timber battens enclosing the front entrance. From the street, the battens obstruct the view of the stairs.
Timber battens can serve as a screening device to limit views and enhance privacy. The combination of batten width and spacing will influence how much the batten’s screen; essentially, less space and wider battens equals less visibility and more privacy.
This house has a series of horizontal timber battens enclosing the front entrance. From the street, the battens obstruct the view of the stairs.
Visibility
While from the front entrance the battens are spaced far enough apart to allow light to filter through, and for the dwellers to see through to the front garden.
While from the front entrance the battens are spaced far enough apart to allow light to filter through, and for the dwellers to see through to the front garden.
Timber battens can also be used as room dividers or partitions that won’t obstruct light or views. In this home, the spotted gum timber battens define the living room without fully enclosing it, allowing light and a view through to the landing and kitchen beyond.
Check out these 7 ways to partition your homes without building walls
Check out these 7 ways to partition your homes without building walls
Light control
Timber battens can help control how much natural light enters a space; like privacy and visibility, the spacing will contribute to how much is allowed in or blocked out.
In this terrace, glazing and timber battens enclose a spiral staircase. The battens limit the amount of natural light that enters, while allowing for a sense of transparency, openness and visual connection.
Timber battens can help control how much natural light enters a space; like privacy and visibility, the spacing will contribute to how much is allowed in or blocked out.
In this terrace, glazing and timber battens enclose a spiral staircase. The battens limit the amount of natural light that enters, while allowing for a sense of transparency, openness and visual connection.
Sun control
Timber battens can be used to deflect sunlight and reduce heat gain and direct sun exposure. The facade on this house has timber battens along one side to reduce – without fully obstructing – the amount of sunlight that reaches the interior courtyard.
Timber battens can be used to deflect sunlight and reduce heat gain and direct sun exposure. The facade on this house has timber battens along one side to reduce – without fully obstructing – the amount of sunlight that reaches the interior courtyard.
From inside, the battens help maintain the openness of the house and its connection to the outdoor spaces.
Timber battens can likewise be used to create a ceiling of sorts above an outdoor room, providing shade but allowing the sun to shine through.
Aesthetics and acoustics
Interior ceilings and walls lined with timber battens have a textured and rhythmic effect, which adds detail and warmth to a space. In this application, timber battens are spaced close together so as to conceal the framework or backing of interior walls or ceilings.
Timber battens also function as acoustic panels, as wood has a stronger sound-absorbing capacity than most structural materials, due to its natural composition. A scrim backing can enhance absorption even further.
Interior ceilings and walls lined with timber battens have a textured and rhythmic effect, which adds detail and warmth to a space. In this application, timber battens are spaced close together so as to conceal the framework or backing of interior walls or ceilings.
Timber battens also function as acoustic panels, as wood has a stronger sound-absorbing capacity than most structural materials, due to its natural composition. A scrim backing can enhance absorption even further.
Used outside, timber battens add texture and warmth to a plain concrete or brick courtyard, while also reducing noise.
Read more:
Ask an Architect: How Can I Use Timber in Exciting Ways?
Tell us:
Have you used timber battens in your home? How have you used them? Share images in the Comments below.
Read more:
Ask an Architect: How Can I Use Timber in Exciting Ways?
Tell us:
Have you used timber battens in your home? How have you used them? Share images in the Comments below.
A batten is a strip of material, historically wood but also of other materials such as aluminium, which is used in construction and shipbuilding (hence the phrase ‘batten down the hatches’). When multiple timber battens are used together in a series, they create a linear effect that adds texture, dimension and rhythm to a facade or interior.
Timber battens can be cut and crafted individually, or installed as a prefabricated and modular system. They can be used indoors or out to assist with privacy, sun and light control, visibility and acoustics, while adding a hefty dash of style.
Browse through these images to see the different ways timber batons have been used