What Are Timber Battens And How Do They Work?

Traditional timber battens are an excellent way to give character and functionality to contemporary houses. Although timber battens have such a long and storied history, today’s way on how they’re employed on house facades, walls, and ceilings is entirely contemporary. It’s simple to understand why, in addition to its pleasant, natural appearance, timber battens may aid with anything—from isolation and acoustic insulation to light and sun management.

Are you considering incorporating them into the inside or outside of your home? Here is all you have to to know.

What Are Timber Battens?

A batten is a piece of material used in building and construction. It is generally constructed of timber, although other materials such as metal may also be used. If utilized in a sequence, many timber battens produce a linear appearance that adds texture, depth, and rhythm to a façade or interior.

Singular timber battens may be cut and constructed, or a prefabricated modular system can be used. They may be utilized both indoors and outdoors to help with security, sun and light management, visibility, and acoustics while also providing a touch of elegance.

How Do You Install Timber Battens? 

A timber batten can be installed in two ways. It may be chopped to size and set out on its own. 

On the other hand, there are also prefabricated and adjustable wood batten systems available. These would be less time-consuming and less difficult to set up. It’s worth noting that indoor and outdoor usage are not the same.

Here are some things that you ought to remember when it comes to timber battens:

There Are a Variety of Wood Types You Can Use.

Timber battens Perth are made from a variety of wood types. Every wood species has its grain, color, and feel. It’ll be challenging to make a decision. Some of the wood types you may use include:

  • Burnt Ash
  • Pacific Teak
  • Spotted Gum
  • American Black Walnut
  • American White Oak
  • Black Butt

Maintaining Some Space Between Them Is Necessary To Keep Them Functional.

Keeping a spacing of five to seven millimeters is often recommended when installing timber battens. That would be enough to keep the space private while increasing the acoustics and managing natural light.

However, just remember that the aforementioned functions will decrease when the distance between each of them increase. Nevertheless, if you want your battens to function as a see-through divider for your room, you may freely add more space between them.

Timber Forms And Finishes

Timber battens may be made from various woods, each with a different tone, grain, and feel. Depending on the applications and beneficial result, timber may be coated or finished with clear oil, water-based varnishes, and polished for a brushed finish.

Timber Battens: What Are Their Pros and Cons?

We’ve listed the advantages and disadvantages of using wood for outdoor constructions, and we’ll go through how the drawbacks may be overcome, giving timber an edge over many other materials for constructing cost-effective, long-lasting structures.

Advantages:

  • Timber is a natural design & construction material that comes in various shapes and sizes. It is widely accessible and may be obtained from multiple construction material vendors around Australia.
  • Timber is non-toxic since it originates from a natural origin. It’s completely safe to handle, and it won’t harm the environment as it matures. Moreover, nowadays, most woods are certified or sustainably collected to return a fantastic life cycle, so it is safe to reuse and recycle.
  • Timber is a cost-effective option to many other materials since it requires fewer processes than most other construction materials, resulting in lower production costs.
  • Since timber comes in various types and species, it has a wide range of applications and attractions. In outdoor buildings, structural and cosmetic level timbers are often used.
  • Despite metals and other commonly used construction materials, wood does not rust when exposed to sea air or severe industrial conditions.

Disadvantages:

  • Timber moves upon the change in weather conditions since it is natural and cellular. 
  • During ages and in different environmental conditions, timber shrinks, swells, twists, splits, and bends.
  • Most timbers are susceptible to insect, rot, mold, and fungal assaults; a few are significantly more resistant than others, but treatments for outdoor constructions are all needed.
  • If left untreated, wood tends to silver or age.
  • Timber maintenance might appear to be more costly than other building materials.

Timber is a low-cost construction material with various benefits for outdoor buildings and goods. Based on the kind and quality of wood, it is often selected for its long-term durability and natural aesthetic.

Timber battens may be used to aid with a variety of challenges that a home may present. While reducing disruption, it adds character and warmth to a prefabricated concrete or brick patio. Furthermore, employing wooden battens for the internal ceiling and wood slats for walls adds a tactile and repeated aspect to a space, adding complexity and warmth.