Making a feature of fencing, screening and cladding is a great way to add vertical interest to your garden. We explore how simple use of composite battens adds wow factor even in the smallest space.

Benefits of designing with composite battens

Patio with furniture, and grey composite battens hiding fence behind.
This corner patio is given contemporary sophistication with Pebble Grey composite batten cladding hiding the mundane fence behind. Design and build by Outerspace Creative Landscaping.
  1. If your garden does not have mature trees and bushes at the boundary, then composite screening battens can be used to hide a neighbouring eyesore. This has the double benefit of creating an instant feature and also removing an ugly element from your view.
  2. Nosey neighbours can easily be discouraged with extra height at the boundary. Bring privacy to the garden by adding purpose-built screens to the top of walls. If your relaxation area in the garden is  overlooked, screening is a great way to prevent this. By adding height to just a small section of the garden, the rest will retain an open feel.
  3. If your garden is baked by the sun, composite screens may be inserted into your garden design to ensure there shaded areas at certain times of the day. Choose from an open-slatted construction, which allows dappled shade, or a close-slatted version for complete privacy and solid shadow.
  4. Including a screening and cladding makes the most of the space you have, which is particularly useful in smaller gardens. You can make bold features and focal points in the garden without taking away any precious ground space. So, get creative and take your designs upwards.
Close view of bench faced with Chestnut composite battens on light grey decking.
Chestnut composite battens have a brushed texture and give a natural-looking finish to this bench by Anthony Purdy Garden Design.

Transform unsightly or otherwise dull-looking walls by cladding them in the colour of your choice. Unappealing garages and outhouses can easily be improved with the simple installation of battens. This is the perfect solution if you are unable remove an unattractive element from your view. The effect is  to give you back your garden sanctuary, instantly.

About our composite screening battens

Outdoor kitchen with Dark Ash composite batters as backsplash
Dark Ash composite battens are used here by Thouvenin Landscapes to enhance the feel of this outdoor kitchen.

Our composite screening battens have a brushed finish that will bring texture and interest to your garden. The slats give you the freedom to build to the exact height required and you have complete freedom to construct tightly slatted screens or leave regular gaps between the battens (7mm is standard). These gaps are great for giving you a sense of privacy whilst still allowing light to pass through and fill your garden.

We offer a choice between a 50mm width or the wider 90mm, with the latter creating a smoother, more minimalist effect.

Made of 50% natural bamboo fibres, the battens display subtle colour variations that resemble natural wood to bring an authentic feel. Maintenance-wise, they're  are easy to keep looking their best with minimal effort. Rot-proof and warp-resistant, they are a great alternative to natural wood if you are looking for a traditional element with long-lasting attributes.

Combine battens with composite decking

Chestnut composite battens used as cladding and paving in design by M Withall.
Dramatic use of Chestnut Composite Battens gives real wow factor to this design by M Withall Landscapes.

Our battens match our Grooved and Brushed Composite Decking ranges. The design potential is immense. Pairing fencing or cladding with the composite decking can help create a fully colour-co-ordinated scheme in your garden, with a truly contemporary feel.

Designing with composite screening

If the theme of your garden is centred around nature, encourage climbing plants such as clematis, ivy, or honeysuckle to grow up-and-around the battens.

Pebble grey composite battens used as roof and sides of pergola attached to garden wall.
Pebble Grey Composite Battens create this shady, airy pergola by Skyline Fencing and Landscaping.

Composite battens come in colours that make a beautiful contrast to stone and porcelain paving. The design will add depth and interest to your design and cannot fail to impress.

You can also create long-lasting and unique boundary demarcations. Or divide the garden into different areas by creating a physical and visual barrier. This way you can create discrete sections in the garden for different activities, from relaxing and dining, to entertaining, or even sectioning off a vegetable patch.

Check out this stunning garden by Urban Earth, to see how composite battens add flair to a design:

See how Urban Garden used Dark Ash composite battens to add a linear feel to the boundary of the patio in this video

Other uses for composite battens

4 Warm Teak composite batten seat tops fitted over curved raised bed to create comfortable seating.
Outerspace Creative Landscaping chose Warm Teak composite battens to make these natural-looking seats to fit this curved wall.

But they don't just have to be for walls and fences. Have a bench or table design that you're thinking to use wood for? Composite battens give you a weather-resistant, long-lasting alternative.

There is so much potential and opportunity with these battens. For more inspiration, take a look at composite battens on our website or speak to a member of the sales team.

Post updated: October 2024