Insulative and weather-resistant building construction

A building structural component comprising:

• a plurality of structural stud members in spaced arrangement, said stud members having exterior and interior surfaces;
• a sheathing having an exterior and interior surface, said interior surface of said sheathing being positioned along the exterior surfaces of said stud members;
• a plurality of insulated battens having exterior and interior surfaces, said insulated battens comprising outer portions and inner insulation portions at least partially surrounded by said outer portions, each of said insulated battens being generally aligned with a respective one of said stud members and positioned along said exterior surface of said sheathing such that the interior surface of each insulated batten faces the exterior surface of said sheathing;
• a vapor-permeable membrane along said interior surfaces of said insulated battens, said vapor-permeable membrane being substantially impervious to liquids and permeable to gases including water vapor;
• an exterior siding member having an interior and exterior surface, said siding member positioned along the exterior surfaces of said insulated battens so that said siding member is spaced from said sheathing by said insulated battens, and said exterior surface of said siding member being adapted to resist weather elements;
• a cavity defined between said interior surface of said siding member and said exterior surface of said sheathing;
• a vent positioned between said exterior surfaces of said battens and said interior surface of said siding member;
• said vent being coupled to said siding member and adapted to permit ventilation of said cavity;
• and
• wherein said insulated battens substantially reduce the flow of thermal energy through said plurality of structural stud members to thereby increase the insulation value of said wall.

A batten for eliminating or reducing thermal shorts in building construction that includes one or more studs, said batten comprising:

• an outer portion, said outer portion comprising a mixture of recycled waste materials and a magnesium-based binder;
• an inner insulation portion, said inner insulation portion being at least partially encased in said outer portion and comprising an aerogel material;
• and
• wherein when said batten is positioned in close proximity to a side of a stud, said batten substantially reduces the flow of thermal energy through the stud.