Timber LVL castellated ventilated battens for the modern builder
Highwood produce a range of innovative, structural LVL cavity battens designed to deliver exceptional quality, durability, and versatility.
The castellated cavity and roof battens by Highwood are ideal for residential and multi-residential construction projects by project, custom and passive house or high performing home builders.
Highwood battens are suitable for timber and steel framing. They come in long convenient lengths of 3.6m and, as they are structural, there is no need to cross batten which saves time and material.
Why builders choose Highwood HighFlow
- Peace of mind: HighFlow castellated cavity battens are H3 treated and reduce the risk of mould, rot and expensive callbacks
- Healthier homes: Improved airflow and drainage promote dry walls and healthy interiors thanks to the bevelled top edge and castellated design
- Installation savings: Structural LVL is lightweight, strong and allows for direct fixing and no need for extra nogging – save time, materials and labour
- Code‑ready: Engineered to meet or exceed NCC 2025 ventilation requirements for 2000mm²/m airflow in Climate Zones 6–8
- Versatile cladding compatibility: Works seamlessly with timber, Weathertex, James Hardie, Abodo and other vertical systems
Highwood HighFlow Cavity Batten (70 x 36 mm)
For passive & high‑performance custom home builders
Engineered specifically for high‑performing homes, the HighFlow Cavity Batten (70 × 36 mm) delivers premium moisture control and ventilation, making it the perfect fit for passive homes, timber builds and high-end construction.
Ideal for vertical timber, lightweight and fibre cement claddings, HighFlow helps your builds meet performance targets, improves occupant health, and protects your work long after handover.
Recommended for:
- Passive home builders
- Custom builders focused on airtightness, thermal and moisture performance
- Renovation specialists upgrading older homes to current NCC standards
Compare at a glance
| Feature | HighFlow Cavity Batten | HighFlow Project Cavity Batten |
| Target Use Case | Custom / high performing / passive / timber homes/ high wind areas | Project / volume housing |
| Size | 70 × 36 mm | 50 × 35 mm |
| Length | 3.6 m | 3.6 m |
| Ventilation Performance | ~2000+ mm²/m | ~2000+ mm²/m |
| Structural Support | Yes (direct cladding fixing) | Yes (direct fix cladding up to 20 kg/m²) |
| Wind Rating | C4 | N3 |
| Cladding Compatibility | Vertical wall cladding by Weathertex, James Hardie, Innova by Etex, Abodo and more | Vertical wall cladding by Weathertex, James Hardie, Innova by Etex, Abodo and more |
Highwood HighFlow Project Cavity Batten (50 x 35 mm)
For project & volume builders wanting smarter wall systems
Looking for a smarter alternative to timber battens or plastic cavity systems? The HighFlow Project Batten (50 × 35 mm) delivers airflow, drainage and compliance in one easy-to-install profile – all at the price and performance point ideal for project home builds. Suitable for vertical claddings up to 20 kg/m² in N3 wind regions.
Project builders can save on labour and materials, all while improving their reputation for building healthy, long‑lasting homes.
Recommended for:
- Project and volume builders
- Affordable housing developers
- Builders needing fast, compliant install solutions
Highwood HighFlow Roof Batten
One-step roof ventilation engineered for efficiency
Meet the HighFlow Roof Batten, a 70 × 45 mm castellated LVL solution that knits together structural support, airflow, and moisture control for modern roofing systems.
Built for:
- Roof ventilation and condensation management to assist in compliance with NCC 2022 Section 10.8.3 standards with 5,000 mm²/m airflow.
Why it matters for builders:
- Eliminates traditional counter battening – can be installed directly over vapour permeable membranes for safer, faster roofing jobs
- Integrated continuous drainage channels rapidly redirect moisture away, reducing condensation, mould risk, and structural decay. This is key for energy‑efficient, high‑performance builds
- Made of high‑strength LVL that is resistant to warping, offering stability and a reliable base for roof fixings
Recommended for:
- High-performing roof builds where safety, speed, and long-term durability are non-negotiable.
Highwood Modular Batten (37 x 35mm)
For modular constructions
Modular buildings typically require lightweight and compact materials and the Highwood Modular Batten is specifically designed for this purpose. It comes as 37 x 35mm and in 3.6m lengths, it has a 15kg/m2 cladding capacity and maximum N3 wind rating.
As with all Highwood products, the Modular Batten is castellated, H3 treated and is a structural LVL batten engineered to maximise airflow and effective drainage.
Highwood HighLine™ Batten
Structural battens for vertical drainage
The HighLine™ Batten by Highwood is a H3 structural LVL vertical cavity batten suitable for lightweight cladding. Applications include off-stud vertical batten installation, on-stud cavity batten applications and when vertical drainage and ventilation is required.
Maximum cladding capacity is 25 kg/m². Applicable wind zones are those in non-cyclonic regions up to N3.
It comes in three lengths:
- 2400mm
- 2700mm
- 3000mm
Highwood™ Cavity Battens FAQ’s
Who and what is Highwood?
Highwood is a manufacturer of structural LVL cavity batten systems designed for high performance building. The Highwood products create a drained and ventilated cavity behind cladding and can be used for walls and roofs.
Why do I need a cavity batten now?
As part of NCC 2025 condensation management provisions:
- A ventilated and drained cavity in Climate Zones 6, 7 and 8 is required.
- Minimum 1000 mm² ventilation per metre and must allow for airflow and drainage.
- Direct fixing is generally no longer compliant in these zones.
Modern homes are more airtight, and as such moisture gets trapped in external walls. This can cause mould, rot and durability issues.
Adequate ventilation allows the wall to drain and dry properly, meaning the risk of condensation related damage to the building and occupants is lowered.
When does NCC 2025 take effect?
- Victoria: Adoption and mandatory from 1 May 2026.
- ACT: Adoption from 1 May 2026 and mandatory from 1 May 2027.
- NSW: Adoption and mandatory from 1 May 2027.
Transitional arrangements may apply to projects already underway.
What ventilation does Highwood provide?
- Wall battens: 2000 mm² per metre (exceeding NCC 2025 requirements).
- Roof battens: 5000 mm² per metre and can be used to aid in roof ventilation requirements in line with NCC 2022.
Why did Dahlsens add Highwood to our range?
Highwood is a very cost-effective solution when compared to other castellated products or cavity methods that are available.
Highwood is an Australian company specialising in premium structural LVL cavity battens, with a strong focus on compliance, sustainability, and performance.
The HighFlow range delivers engineered ventilation solutions designed to exceed NCC 2025 condensation management requirements, as well as satisfy ventilation requirements for high-performance buildings such as Passivhaus.
The Highwood LVL product range (covering both wall and roof ventilation battens) carries a standalone structural certification, making it suitable for use alongside a broad range of cladding materials.
How is Highwood different to standard timber battens?
Highwood LVL is stronger, straighter, lighter and dimensionally more stable than solid timbers or finger jointed pine.
The H3 treated LVL battens are more resistant to splitting and warping than solid materials.
Because they are structural, no additional framing is required, making install considerably faster and more cost effective than non-structural alternatives. Battens can also span across studs.
Highwood battens create a compliant cavity in one step with no need for packers or complex batten build-ups.
Highwood products carry a 25 year structural and treatment warranty.
How do castellated battens improve ventilation within the walls?
The evenly distributed grooves (castellation) and the bevelled top edge at the top mean that no moisture can pool or dam on the top of the batten. The grooves create an unblocked pathway for air and water, top to bottom, while installed horizontally.
HighFlow Battens are a standalone solution and mean there is no need to pack out like solid battens.
Solid (un-castellated) members block the drainage and ventilation path in the wall, unless installed over packers or spacers.
Do I still need extra noggings or counter-battening?
Highwood Battens do not need to be connected continuously over noggings and can be fixed only just to studs. Framing does not need to be changed from standard framing to support the battens.
Counter battens are not required, as HighFlow Battens are an integrated ventilated solution.
What cladding types are suitable for Highwood cavity battens?
- Fibre cement
- Compressed board
- Timber cladding
- Composite panels
- Rendered systems
- Most lightweight cladding systems
Suitable cladding brands include James Hardie, Weathertex, Innova by Etex, Abodo and more.
For best results, teams Highwood battens with Class 4 vapour permeable membranes by Pro Clima or Reflex.
How are Highwood battens installed?
All the HighFlow battens are installed horizontally over framing and provide structural support for the cladding.
The HighLine vertical battens can be installed off-stud or on-stud to simplify the battening process.
The battens are fixed through into the studs.
What are the wind ratings and cladding weights for each batten?
| Highwood Batten | Wind rating | Cladding weight |
| HIghFlow Project Batten
(50 x 35 mm) |
Up to N3 | 20 kg/m2 |
| HighFlow Cavity Batten
(70 x 35 mm) |
High wind up to C4 cyclonic | 40 kg/m2 |
| HighFlow Roof Batten
(70 x 45 mm) |
Up to N3 | N/A |
| HighLine Vertical Batten
(42 x 35 mm) |
Up to N3 | 25 kg/m2 |
| Modular Batten
(37 x 35 mm) |
Up to N3 | 15 kg/m2 |
Are Highwood battens treated?
Yes, Highwood battens are H3 treated and suitable for external above ground use. The H3 treatment is a robust, long-term protection against timber decay.
Do Highwood battens meet high-performance building standards?
Yes, they are suitable for:
- NCC 2025 condensation management compliance for all types of residential developments.
- High-performance homes
- Passive house constructions
- Modular buildings.
Where can I buy Highwood cavity battens?
Highwood Project Battens are in stock at selected Dahlsens stores across Victoria, NSW and ACT.
All products are available to order through any Dahlsens store and delivery takes 2 – 3 days.
Can I get samples?
Yes, free samples can be ordered through Dahlsens or Highwood directly.