Kolomlatten

Kolomlatten is a term found in Dutch architectural and carpentry contexts that translates roughly to “column slats.” The word combines kolom (column) with latten (slats), and in use it refers to slender wooden battens or slats arranged around or on a column for decorative, protective, or functional purposes. The exact meaning can vary by region and period, and the term is not widely standardized in English-language sources.

Typically, kolomlatten describe a treatment or cladding for a column that conceals the raw structural member while allowing ventilation and surface finishing. They can form a decorative lattice or a continuous sleeve around a vertical post, and may be applied to interior columns in timber-framed buildings or to exterior columns in various architectural styles. The slats may be oriented vertically, horizontally, or circumferentially and are usually fixed to a supporting frame or directly onto the column.

Materials and construction methods vary, but wood is common, including softwoods or hardwoods that are finished with paint, stain, or varnish. Kolomlatten can serve multiple purposes: improving aesthetics, protecting the column surface, reducing contact with adjacent finishes, and in some cases aiding acoustics or airflow around a column.

See also: lath, lattice, slat, timber framing, column cladding. Notes: the term is primarily found in Dutch-language sources and may not have a single universally accepted definition in English.