---
title: "Elements of battened door shutter"
subject: "Building Technology"
chapter: 6
key: "semester_6/building_technology:battened-door-elements"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/building_technology/battened-door-elements
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Elements of battened door shutter

Building Technology · Chapter 6: Doors and windows

- Asked in: 2075 Bhadra, 4 marks; 2072 Asoj, 4 marks (asked 2 times)
- Video: [Framed, Ledged, Braced & Battened Door: Construction and Fixing Details Explained](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6Klh7DG9wQ) — Architecture Skills
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_6/building_technology/battened-door-elements
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_6/building_technology/chapter-6

## Question

Explain elements of battened door shutter with neat sketches (with appropriate sizes).

## Short answer

A battened door shutter consists of vertical tongued-and-grooved battens (100–150 mm wide, 20–40 mm thick) held by three horizontal ledges (100–150 × 30 mm). If braced, diagonal braces (100 × 30 mm) prevent sagging. The frame is 100 × 75 mm.

## Answer

A **battened (ledged) door** is made of vertical boards (battens) held together by horizontal ledges. It is the simplest door shutter.

```text
 FRONT ELEVATION               BACK ELEVATION
 +--+--+--+--+--+--+          +--------------+
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |          |==== ledge ===|  top ledge 150 x 30 mm
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |          |              |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |          |==== ledge ===|  middle ledge
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |          |              |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |          |==== ledge ===|  bottom ledge
 +--+--+--+--+--+--+          +--------------+
 battens (tongued & grooved)    (a brace is added in ledged & braced door)
```
#### Elements with usual sizes
| Element | Size and function |
|---|---|
| Battens | 100-150 mm wide, 20-40 mm thick, tongued and grooved joint, form the leaf |
| Ledges (3 nos.) | 100-150 x 30 mm at top, middle and bottom; hold battens together |
| Braces (in ledged and braced door) | 100 x 30 mm, diagonal, run from lower hinge side up to upper lock side; prevent sagging |
| Frame | 100 x 75 mm (head, jambs) |
| Hinges | Tee or strap hinges, 3 nos. |
| Bolts / tower bolt | For fastening, 150-200 mm |
| Nails/screws | Clenched nails fix battens to ledges |

The leaf thickness is 30-40 mm. Used for stores, sheds, outhouses, and low-cost houses.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What do the ledges of a battened door do?
   A. Hold the battens together
   B. Provide ventilation
   C. Hang the shutter
   D. Fix the frame to the wall
   Answer: A. Three ledges (top, middle, bottom) hold the vertical battens together. (Key point: Role of ledges)

2. What are the usual batten sizes and number of ledges?
   A. 300 mm wide, 5 ledges
   B. 100-150 mm wide, 20-40 mm thick, 3 ledges
   C. 50 mm wide, 1 ledge
   D. 100-150 mm wide, 3 braces and no ledges
   Answer: B. Battens are 100-150 mm wide and 20-40 mm thick, with 3 ledges. (Key point: Sizes of elements)

3. In a ledged and braced door the brace runs
   A. Horizontally across the middle
   B. Vertically at the centre
   C. Diagonally from lower hinge side up to upper lock side
   D. Diagonally from upper hinge side to lower lock side
   Answer: C. The brace is diagonal from the lower hinge side to the upper lock side to prevent sagging. (Key point: Brace direction)

## Related in Building Technology

- [Functions of door and window; battened door elevation](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Adoor-window-functions-battened) — Building Technology, chapter 6
- [Elements of panelled and battened doors](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Apanelled-battened-elements) — Building Technology, chapter 6
- [Plan and vertical section of panelled door](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Apanelled-door-plan-section) — Building Technology, chapter 6
- [Functions of openings; door and window types](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Aopenings-functions-working) — Building Technology, chapter 6
- [Door/window components and door types](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Adoor-window-components-types) — Building Technology, chapter 6
- [Elements and types of stair](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fbuilding_technology%3Astair-elements-types) — Building Technology, chapter 5, asked 2×

## Related in other subjects

- [Appropriate technology and sustainable development elements](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fenergy_environment_and_society%3Aappropriate-technology-sustainable-elements) — Energy Environment and Society, chapter 1
- [Single room: excavation, brickwork, plaster, shutter](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Festimating_and_costing%3Asingle-room-b) — Estimating and Costing, chapter 6
- [Building with verandah: excavation, panelled shutter, brick](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Festimating_and_costing%3Abuilding-n-fig3-three-items) — Estimating and Costing, chapter 6
- [Two-room building: brick plinth, door shutters, plaster](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Festimating_and_costing%3Abuilding-m-two-room-three-items) — Estimating and Costing, chapter 6