Curved Timber Tech Specs

This page includes comprehensive technical information on our Curved Timber Battens system. To find specific data, use the menu on the right.

Steam Bent Timber

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Timber Click-on Battens Tech Info

The information on this page is specific to steam bent timber battens. For all other information on the use of timber battens, see our Timber Click-on Battens technical information page. These products can be used together – eg. ceiling to curved bulkheads.

Profiles available for Steam Bending
Not every profile in our standard range is available for steam bending due to profile and size constraints. The species chosen can also make a difference to the profiles available. Refer to the steam bending parameters table below to confirm.
Block

 

*30x30mm not available in Spotted Gum

 

Dome

* 30x30mm not available in Spotted Gum.

 

Design curved spaces with Grasshopper
Species and Coatings

Due to the steam bending process, we offer a limited range of timber species of coatings in our curved range. As with our entire range of products, custom solutions are available. Contact us here to discuss how we can help with your project.

Interior only Interior / exterior
Sculptform White Oak Raw American Oak

Interior Only
White oak clear oil Clear Oil
Interior Only
Natural Accent - Clear
Interior Only
Natural Accent - Natural Tone
Interior Only
Natural Accent - Ochre
Interior Only
Natural Accent - Mist Grey
Interior Only
Natural Accent - Rich Mocha
Interior Only
Natural Accent - Whitewash
Interior Only
Natural Accent - Storm Grey
Interior Only
Natural Accent - Blackwash
Interior Only
Natural Accent - Double Black
timber battens Spotted Gum

Interior / exterior
Spotted gum clear oil Clear Oil
Interior Only
Natural Accent - Clear
Interior Only
Natural Accent - Ochre
Interior Only
Natural Accent - Mist Grey
Interior Only
Natural Accent - Rich Mocha
Interior Only
Natural Accent - Blackwash
Interior Only
Natural Accent - Double Black
Curve Direction Options

Concave means “hollowed out or rounded inward” and is easily remembered because these surfaces “cave” in. The opposite is convex meaning “curved or rounded outward.” Both words have been around for centuries but are often mixed up.

Sculptform curved timber

Standard Radii

Each radius requires specialised equipment (formers) in order to produce the curved timber battens. To save on costs, we offer a range of radii as standard. Any custom radius within the parameters can be achieved, contact us to discuss your specific project requirements. Please also refer to the steam bending parameters table below.

Standard Inner Radii

  • 300mm
  • 400mm
  • 500mm
  • 600mm
  • 700mm
  • 800mm
  • 1000mm

 

An important design consideration is with timber, being a natural product, its physical properties can vary as high as 30% or more. As the stress-relaxation properties of the timber relies on moisture content, lignan and fiber variation both through the timber section and across its length, the bend angle can vary up to 3 degrees. This phenomena is known as spring back.

Steam bending parameters
The most important restriction with steam bent timber is the radius of the curve. Each timber species and profile combination performs differently when curved, with the minimum and maximum parameters for each shown in the table below. 
American Oak
Profile/Size Max angle Min. Inner
Radius (Concave)
Min. Inner
Radius (Convex)
Max. Radii
at 90°
Block 30x19mm 90° 300mm 300mm 1000mm
Block 40x19mm 90° 300mm 300mm 1000mm
Block 60x19mm 90° 300mm 300mm 1000mm
Dome 30x19mm* 90° 300mm 300mm 1000mm
Block 30x30mm 90° 500mm 500mm 1000mm
Dome 30x30mm* 90° 500mm 500mm 1000mm

* Dome has a subtle flat spot on top due to the nature of the steam bending process.

 

Spotted Gum
Profile/Size Max angle Min. Inner
Radius (Concave)
Min. Inner
Radius (Convex)
Max. Radii
at 90°
Block 30x19mm 90° 700mm 700mm 1000mm
Dome 30x19mm* 90° 700mm
Block 40x19mm 90° 700mm 700mm 1000mm
Block 60x19mm 90° 700mm 700mm 1000mm

* Dome has a subtle flat spot on top due to the nature of the steam bending process.

Customised solutions are available. Please contact us to discuss your specific project requirements.

Join Line Options
While steam bent timber lessens the number of joins required for a curved application, some joins are still required. Find our options for join lines below.
Aligned Joins

Aligned joins maintain the join line throughout the wall or ceiling, ensuring consistency.

Staggered Joins

Staggering the joins in the curved timber can lessen the disruption to the aesthetic, making it a perfect option for a ‘seamless’ look.  2 – 3 alternating curved battens are supplied, allowing the joins to be located at different locations which helps to blend the join line. The length of your required curved battens could affect your ability to achieve this. Please refer to our maximum and minimum length section.

Steam Bent Timber Details
Bulkhead Detail
Ceiling to Wall Transition
Minimum and Maximum Lengths

Our curved timber process limits the lengths of timber achievable. The maximum length achievable is 1800mm, where the minimum length is 1000mm. This can be trimmed on-site to suit requirements.

Minimum Order Quantity

We enforce a minimum order quantity of 100 steam bent battens to ensure the technical process remains viable. This works in conjunction with our overall MOQ of AU $5000. Find out more here.  

Other Considerations
Compression marks

Due to the compression taking place in the grain of the timber during the stream bending process, compression marks may occur.

Sculptform curved timber

 

Imperfections in the curve

While the steam bending and cooling process ensure the timber will hold the curve, grain and density variations can affect the overall curve. This is unavoidable due to the natural variation in timber.

 

Storage and handling

As steam bending involves the process of stress relaxation, changes in the environment when stored or moved around on site can affect the final geometry of the battens.

Storage should be indoors, under reasonable ambient conditions between 18 degrees Celsius to 25 degrees Celsius where possible.

The battens should always remain restrained in their packaging until ready to be installed.

Once removed from their restraints, they should be installed within 4 hours.

Kerfed Timber

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Timber Click-on Battens Tech Info

The information on this page is specific to kerfed timber battens. For all other information on the use of timber battens, see our Timber Click-on Battens technical information page. These products can be used together – eg. ceiling to curved bulkheads.

Profiles available for kerfing
The process of curving timber through kerfing is not suitable for all the timber profiles we have available. The range below has been tested and will perform well when kerfed.
Block

Species and Coatings

Due to the requirements of the kerfing process, we offer the following species and coatings for kerfing applications. Custom solutions are always available, contact us here to talk about your project.

Interior only Interior / exterior
timber battens Spotted Gum

Interior / exterior
Sculptform Spotted Gum Raw Raw
Interior / exterior
Spotted gum clear oil Clear Oil
Interior / exterior
Spotted Gum ultraclear enviropro Intergrain Ultraclear
Interior / exterior
Spotted gum light oak enviropro Intergrain Light Oak
Interior Only
Natural Accent - Clear
Interior Only
Natural Accent - Mist Grey
Interior Only
Natural Accent - Rich Mocha
Interior Only
Natural Accent - Ochre
Interior Only
Natural Accent - Blackwash
Interior Only
Natural Accent - Double Black
timber battens American Oak

Interior Only
Sculptform White Oak Raw Raw
Interior Only
Natural Accent - Clear
Interior Only
Natural Accent - Natural Tone
Interior Only
Natural Accent - Ochre
Interior Only
Natural Accent - Mist Grey
Interior Only
Natural Accent - Whitewash
Interior Only
Natural Accent - Rich Mocha
Interior Only
Natural Accent - Storm Grey
Interior Only
Natural Accent - Blackwash
Interior Only
Natural Accent - Double Black
Kerfing Details

Kerfing is the process of cutting small notches in the back of the timber batten to allow it to curve. Our kerfed battens are provided to site straight but flexible to allow for fixing to curved forms on-site.

Kerfed timber specifications

Kerfed curved timber detail

Download DWG

Joining Kerfed Battens

Stiff aluminium joiners (shown below) are supplied to bridge between two battens at the butt joins. This will stop the battens tendency to tent or peak at the butt joins.

Clip Options

Our kerfed timber integrates with our timber Click-on Battens system and uses our patented clip connections. The two most common methods of fixing the battens are

  • Our standard track system, using mounting tracks with prefixed clips to hold the battens in place.
  • Using direct fix clips to ply forms, which are attached to the substrate and form the shape of the curve. This method is useful for complex applications.

Contact Sculptform here to discuss how which method best suits your project.

Ply Form / Track Spans

300mm between clip connections.

Space between battens

There is no limitation here however, we recommend 5mm to 10mm to limit visibility of kerfing behind the battens. We are working on a profile with tapered sides to minimise the visibility of the kerfs.

Minimum bending radius (inner)

The minimum inner radius that can be formed by kerfing is 1.5 meters.