System 07Roofing · Wall cladding · Soffits
Batten seam
Pans separated by raised battens and closed with a metal cap, for a deep, rhythmic line.
60mm
Batten height
Typically 40 to 50 mm wide
3°
Roof pitch from
7° or steeper preferred
2
Upstands per batten
One from each pan, closed by a cap
550mm
Maximum pan width
Custom sizes, set out to suit the battens
The profile
A batten,
and a cap over it.
Batten seam is the oldest system we fold.
Each pan turns up on both sides against a batten, and a separate metal cap is folded over the batten to close the joint. The result is a much deeper, more shadowed line than a standing seam, at whatever spacing the elevation needs. It is the system to reach for when the rhythm of the roof or wall is the design, and it is as much at home on a heritage restoration as on a new facade.
- 01BattenTimber or folded metal, typically 40 to 50 mm wide and up to 60 mm high
- 02Pan upstandEach pan turns up against the batten, clear of it so the metal can move
- 03Metal capA separate piece folded over the batten and locked to both pans
Why specify it
Six reasons architects
choose batten seam.
From the setting out on the drawings to the warranty at handover, this is what the system gives a project.
01The deepest line we fold
A batten stands well proud of the pan, so the shadow reads from the street in a way a 25 mm standing seam cannot. When the rhythm of the elevation is the design, this is the system.
02Rhythm you set
Batten spacing is a design decision rather than a product width. The elevation can be laid out to suit the building, and the spacing can change across a facade.
03Built for movement
The pan upstand sits clear of the batten and the cap locks over both, so each pan can expand and contract without loading the joint.
04Heritage and new work
The same detail that restores a nineteenth century roof gives a new facade a strong grain. It is the oldest system we fold and still one of the most specified on feature work.
05Roof, wall and soffit
Battens can run from a roof plane down a wall and across a soffit as one continuous line, so a form reads as a single object.
06Cut to the setting out
Pans are cut to length from coil in our workshop to suit the batten spacing, so nothing is trimmed on site.
Technical details
The layers
Pans run between battens on a plywood deck, and a metal cap closes over each batten. The batten is timber or folded metal, whichever suits the job. These are our standard layers, from the outside in.
- 01Batten capA separate metal piece folded over the batten and locked to both pans
- 02Pan and upstandEach pan turns up against the batten, clear of it for movement
- 03BattenTimber or folded metal, 40 to 50 mm wide and up to 60 mm high
- 04Waterproof membraneFully breathable and waterproof
- 05Structural plywoodContinuous deck over the structure
Batten size and spacing are set out with the architect and confirmed against the site’s wind loads.
Section through the wall layers. Not to scale.
Specification
by metal.
- There is no standard pan width. Pans are made to custom sizes to suit the batten spacing, and we recommend keeping them under 550 mm.
- Battens are typically 40 to 50 mm wide and up to 60 mm high, which is what gives the system its depth.
- Minimum pitch is 3°, though 7° or steeper is preferred.
- Aluminium is 3005 alloy, minimum H42 temper, PVDF coated over a primer with at least two paint layers.
| Metal | Thickness | Standard panel width |
|---|---|---|
 Zinc (VMZINC) | 0.7 mm | Customup to 550mm |
 Copper (Aurubis) | 0.7 mm | Customup to 550mm |
 Aluminium (VESTIS, PVDF) | 0.8 mm | Customup to 550mm |
 Colorbond and UniCote steel | 0.55 mm | Customup to 550mm |
- Batten
- Timber or folded metal, typically 40 to 50 mm wide and up to 60 mm high
- Cap
- A separate metal cap folded over the batten and locked to both pans
- Pan width
- Custom, to suit the batten spacing. 550 mm recommended maximum
- Movement
- The pan upstand sits clear of the batten so the metal can move
- Substrate
- Structural plywood over a breathable waterproof membrane
- Applications
- Roofing, Wall cladding, Soffits
Batten
and cap.
The joint is made by three pieces rather than two: the pans turn up on either side of a batten, and a separate metal cap folds over the batten and locks to both.
Batten
Timber, fixed to the deck at the spacing set out with the architect.
40 to 50 mm wide, up to 60 mm high
Upstands
Each pan turns up against the batten and is held clear of it so the metal can move.
One from each pan
Cap
A separate metal piece folded over the batten and locked to both upstands.
Lapped or locked at its ends
Details and
drawings.
Typical details for documentation. Select a drawing to view it full size, or download the full detail set.
Literature
0 documents
Full detail sets
Eaves, ridge, valley, parapet, corner, window and penetration details as PDF, with the manufacturer data behind them.
Browse the libraryBatten seam projects
View our work
How we deliver batten seam
- 01
Review
We check the drawings, exposure and buildability, and recommend the metal and gauge.
- 02
Shop drawings
Our drafters set out every pan, clip and junction for architect approval.
- 03
Fabrication
Panels are folded in our 2,000 m² Sydney workshop and QA checked before dispatch.
- 04
Installation
Our own crews install under a dedicated project manager, then hand over warranties.
Questions
6 answered
Batten seam questions
The questions estimators and drafters answer most often. If yours is not here, send the drawings and we will answer it against your project.
Ask about your projectWhat is a batten seam roof?
A roof where the pans turn up on both sides of a batten, and a separate metal cap is folded over the batten to close the joint. It gives a much deeper line than a standing seam, at whatever spacing the design calls for.
What is the difference between batten seam and standing seam?
A standing seam is formed from the two pans themselves and stands 25 mm high. A batten seam runs the pans up against a batten and closes the joint with a separate cap, which makes the line much deeper and lets you choose the spacing.
What is the minimum pitch for a batten seam roof?
3°, though 7° or steeper is preferred. Batten seam is not the system for a very shallow plane; for that we would specify double lock standing seam.
How far apart are the battens?
It is a design decision rather than a product width. We set the spacing out with the architect so the rhythm suits the building, and cut the pans to match.
Does a batten seam allow for thermal movement?
Yes. The pan upstand sits clear of the batten, and the cap locks over both upstands rather than pinning them, so each pan can expand and contract.
Is batten seam only for heritage work?
No. It restores nineteenth century roofs well, but the same deep line gives a new facade a strong grain, which is why it still appears on contemporary feature work.
Further reading
Batten seam guides.
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