Composite Battens: The Ideal Solution for Stylish, Low-Maintenance Outdoor Spaces

Composite battens offer an innovative and stylish way to enhance any outdoor space, combining the natural beauty of timber with the durability and low maintenance of composite materials. Developed and introduced to our range when cedar prices and demand for timber in general skyrocketed, composite battens are a fantastic alternative to timber screens, meeting the highest standards of quality and offering a long-lasting solution for cladding, fencing, screens, and garden structures. Available in a range of contemporary colours and finishes, our composite battens deliver a sophisticated, modern aesthetic, perfectly suited to outdoor projects requiring both performance and style.

Benefits of Composite Battens

Our composite battens provide a series of distinct advantages over traditional wood or metal options, making them a highly desirable choice for residential and commercial applications alike.

• Durability: Composite battens are highly resistant to the typical wear and tear experienced in outdoor environments. They are crafted to withstand exposure to sun, rain, and temperature changes without warping, cracking, or fading, ensuring they retain their colour and finish for years.
  
  
• Low Maintenance: Unlike timber battens that require regular staining or sealing, composite battens are virtually maintenance-free. They only need occasional cleaning to keep them looking fresh, making them ideal for busy homeowners and commercial properties.
  
  
• Consistency in Appearance: With composite battens, you don’t have to worry about natural variations that occur in wood products. They provide a consistent finish and colour across each piece, creating a polished and uniform appearance.
  
  
• Decking Options: Our range of battens complement our Brushed Composite Decking range, giving you the opportunity to match-or-contrast with what’s laid on the ground.
  
  

Key Features of Our Composite Battens

London Stone's composite battens are engineered to deliver both aesthetic appeal and practical performance. Here’s a look at some of the defining features of our composite battens:

• High-Quality Finish: Our composite battens are available in sleek, modern finishes that add a touch of elegance to any project. With colours designed to mimic natural wood or contemporary styles, these battens integrate seamlessly with a range of architectural aesthetics.
  
  
• Versatile Application: Composite battens are highly versatile and suitable for various uses, including cladding for garden walls, fencing, and creating private screens. They can be installed vertically, horizontally, or even laid on the diagonal, providing design flexibility.
  
  
• UV Stability: Our composite battens are UV-resistant, which helps prevent discoloration and fading. They maintain their original colour for extended periods, even under direct sunlight.
  
  
• Waterproof and Rot-Resistant: Unlike natural wood, composite battens are impervious to water and do not rot, making them perfect for damp or humid environments.
  
  
• Easy to Work With: London Stone’s composite battens are lightweight and easy to handle, allowing for faster installation times. They are designed to be compatible with standard woodworking tools, which simplifies the installation process for professionals and DIY enthusiasts alike.
  
  

How to Use Composite Battens in Your Garden

Supplied in either a 50mm or 90mm width, the composite battens measure 3600mm in length and are 20mm thick, with a brushed finish on all six sides, allowing for ease of installation, and guaranteed style.

Decorated garden designer Lynn Cordall, teamed with Mustard Seeds Gardens to showcase our Dark Ash Composite Battens at the 2022 RHS Tatton Park Flower Show. Creating a beautiful-yet-practical front garden space, Lynn used the battens as privacy screening, providing a gorgeous contemporary vertical surface for climbing ivy.

Herts-based The Outdoor Kitchen Company – as the name suggests – built this gorgeous modern outdoor kitchen with the help of our Chestnut Composite Battens. Providing a seamless colour-match for the property’s red brick, the battens add a contemporary finish and won’t warp or rot like timber battens can; perfect for spending more time barbecuing, and less time cleaning!

West Coast design-and-build practice Outerspace Creative Landscaping featured the consistent, contemporary colours of our Pebble Grey Composite Battens to create this cosy, sheltered seating area. The grey of the battens on the vertical surfaces not only provides shade, but also ties together the colouring of the contemporary outdoor furniture, firepit and paving.

The team at Outerspace used the uplifting pale brown tones of our Warm Teak Composite Battens in an ingenious way to create bespoke seating on this stunning curved natural stone wall. Showcasing not only the versatility of the battens, this usage also highlights the batten’s beauty in their own right, working harmoniously with the overall aesthetic of the garden. Outerspace owner, Terrey Maufe, says of the battens, "London Stone Composite Battens provide a very credible alternative to timber, stable and true with a great range of colours that runs through, so cut ends and joints are seamless. The matching-coloured screws create a sophisticated seamless finish, and the low maintenance has a strong appeal to clients."

Composite battens can also be used in interior settings, making for a stylish, low maintenance panelling option. We routinely use composite battens across our showroom network, to clad the refreshment stations and front desks. When installed vertically, the battens can be used to clad curved framework, making for an intricate, elegant internal panelling material.

Installation Guide for Composite Battens

Installing composite battens is straightforward and efficient, making them accessible for both professional, and DIY-installers. Below is a general guide to ensure successful installation:

1. 1.Preparation and Planning: Start by measuring the area where the battens will be installed. Decide on the layout (vertical, horizontal, or a custom pattern) and mark the positions for mounting. Make sure the surface is clean, level, and stable. Due to the battens being part-made with bamboo fibres, there can be slight natural colour variation between each piece. We therefore recommend mixing any colour variation across the installation area.
   
   
2. 2.Attach Battens to Framework: Composite battens should be attached to a supportive substructure. Use treated timber battens or metal framing as the framework, depending on your preference and site conditions. Ensure the frame battens are spaced evenly, typically around 600mm apart, for optimal stability.
   
   
3. 3.Fixing the Battens: Secure each composite batten to the framework using stainless steel or coated screws to avoid rust and corrosion. For a seamless finish, we recommend drilling a pilot hole and countersinking the screws slightly.
   
   
4. 4.Colour matching screws: To provide a seamless finish after installation, London Stone supply colour-matching screws for each colour of composite battens. We highly recommend using these screws to ensure that the screws don’t stand out upon completing your installation.
   
   
5. 5.Allow for Expansion: Composite materials expand and contract with temperature fluctuations. Leave a small gap between each batten to accommodate this movement, preventing warping or buckling over time. We recommend allowing a minimum width of 4mm between the boards and the ends, to allow for expansion.
   
   
6. 6.Finishing Touches: Once all battens are in place, check for even spacing and secure fixings. Clean the battens with a soft brush to remove any dust or debris, and enjoy the flawless, low-maintenance finish of your composite batten installation.
   
   

Our battens are supplied with a product guide, and we have also produced this video demonstrating how to use colour matching screws, for a seamless result.

Composite Battens FAQs

What are composite battens made of?

Composite battens are crafted from a blend of recycled bamboo fibres and plastic polymers. This combination provides the natural appearance of wood with the enhanced durability and resilience of composite materials.

How long do composite battens last?

With proper installation, composite battens can last decades. They are designed to withstand outdoor conditions and are highly resistant to fading, cracking, and rotting.

Do composite battens require any special maintenance?

Composite battens are extremely low maintenance. Occasional cleaning with water and a mild detergent may be required to keep them looking pristine. Unlike wood, they do not need staining or sealing.

Can composite battens be painted or stained?

Composite battens are designed to retain their original colour and finish, and they do not require painting or staining.

Can I install composite battens myself, or should I hire a professional?

Composite battens are relatively easy to install and can be managed as a DIY project if you have basic carpentry skills. However, for larger installations or projects requiring specific structural support, hiring a professional is recommended. You might find our Connect service useful, if looking for a local landscape professional.

Are composite battens waterproof?

Composite battens are very resistant to moisture, which makes them highly suitable for use in wet climates and near water features.

Can I view Composite Battens in your showrooms? 

Yes! Our network of nationwide showrooms offer inspirational displays where you can view our materials before buying. You will never receive a ‘hard sell’ approach from London Stone – our showrooms offer a relaxed atmosphere, with complimentary refreshments and free customer Wi-Fi. Our friendly, expert sales staff are always on-hand to answer any questions you have, and to guide you into making the right choice for your project. If you are looking to view a specific product at one of our showrooms, it can be prudent to check with us before travelling, to avoid disappointment.

We encourage you to visit a showroom prior to purchasing, as most customers find viewing materials in person highly beneficial. If you cannot make it to a showroom, why not take a virtual tour of our flagship Birmingham showroom in HD quality? 

How do I contact London Stone? 

There are several ways to contact us, including via WhatsApp chat, phone, email, or in person. Our trading hours are Monday – Saturday, 08.30 – 17.00.