A timber batten is a strip of wood that can be used for construction or decorative purposes. Battens are typically smaller in dimension than a plank or beam. They’re commonly used as decorative screening, cladding, and roof and ceiling linings.

The best wood to use for decorative timber battens are species like Spotted Gum, Blackbutt and Western Red Cedar. These hardwood timbers offer rich colouration and a durable finish that’s perfect for any interior or exterior application.

Speak with the Modinex team to learn more about the species we use for timber battens. We can specify a product that suits your design aesthetic, as well as the demands of your application.

The best colour for timber ceilings depends on your design aesthetic. Bright hues help to lighten a space and make it feel larger, and this can be achieved with timbers such as Hemlock, Western Red Cedar or Alaskan Cedar.

On other hand, darker timber ceilings can lend a moody, cosy quality to your space. Timbers such as Ironbark and Spotted Gum offer richer colouration that can serve as a focal point and provide juxtaposition to brighter wall colours.

The spacing between decorative timber battens varies depending on the dimensions of the battens, where they’re being installed, and the aesthetic you want to achieve:

• Small spacing of 10-20mm creates soft shadow lines and a subtle effect that’s ideal for contemporary designs. This is ideal for any timber batten cladding or interior lining application.
• Medium spacing of 25-50mm provides greater depth and makes each shadow line more striking. This is perfect when using timber battens as screens, fencing or decorative lining.

Large spacing of 50mm+ offers the softest effect and creates open, inviting spaces. This style is best used for decorative features and adding detail to your interior and exterior designs, rather than functional screening.

The dimensions of your timber battens depends on the application. Smaller battens offer greater detail, but the effect may be lost when they’re installed on a large scale. Larger battens are ideal for these types of installations, but they can overwhelm a more intimate space

Modinex’s standard range of timber battens offers the following sizes:

• 29x16mm
• 30x40mm
• 30x60mm
• 30x90mm

We also offer custom timber battens and can design a solution that’s unique to your project. Speak to us to learn more about timber batten sizing and our design recommendations.

Timber battens serve two main purposes:

1. Decorative timber battens are used as cladding, wall and ceiling lining, screening, fences, gates and much more. These types of battens are often used to create depth and dimension, as well as for privacy, shade and other functional purposes.
2. Structural timber battens provide a secondary framework when fixing surfaces to a wall or ceiling. For example, they’re commonly installed between roof rafters to support the weight of the roofing material.

Modinex’s timber batten cladding is used for interior and exterior applications. Whatever you’re designing, we can supply a product that offers world-class performance.

Decorative timber battens are used to create a unique design element. Because battens are installed with a small gap between each board, timber batten cladding creates depth, texture and detail.

The subtle shadowed lines of timber batten cladding are perfect as a finishing touch, but they can also be functional. When designed correctly, timber batten cladding and linings can offer privacy, shade and improved weatherproofing.