Battens are long, narrow strips of wood, metal, or plastic used in building construction, boating, theater, and more. They are used in roof construction for spacing shingles and aiding in water drainage, and in cladding for siding. Battens also have uses in navigation and theater.
A lath is basically a long narrow strip of wood, and sometimes metal or plastic, that is used for several specific purposes. Splints are used in the
building construction, but variations are also used in other industries, including boating, theater, and more. The command “to clap the hatches” comes from sailing, where battens were used to protect a boat’s hatches from the rain of an oncoming storm.
One of the major uses of a batten is in roof construction, where many of the strips of wood are attached and used to apply the shingles. They can be oriented in any direction, depending on the type of roofing tiles or roofing sheets used to protect the roof. In addition to being used to properly space shingles, battens can provide airflow around the roof to aid in water drainage and aid in drying. A roof batten can be constructed from plastic, which has an advantage over wood in that it does not rot and wears out easily.
Another way that battens are used in construction is for cladding and batten cladding. This type of siding consists of battens that cover wall joints and boards that are applied vertically to the side of a house or building. The siding alternates between planks and battens, so that each pair of battens, which are not necessarily the same size, has a batten between them. Many barns are built this way, so clapboard and batten siding is also often referred to as barn siding.
Besides being used to secure the hatches on a boat, battens have other purposes in navigation. Battens can be used to support a sailboat’s actual sail in many different configurations. These battens must be constructed of durable, lightweight materials that can withstand the forces of the wind, especially in boats with huge sails. Other types of sails don’t need battens at all.
A different type of cue is used in live theater. In this case the term refers to a long metal tube suspended above the stage, from which many theatrical elements can be hung. For example, a rod in a theater may contain stage lights, curtains, electrical wiring, and even props involved in the show. Theater slats are also sometimes used to store lights and props that are not in use.
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