What are Roofing Battens?
Roofing battens are horizontal supports or strips typically made from timber that are installed onto the rafters or trusses of a roof structure. They create a framework to which roofing
materials such as tiles, shingles, or metal sheets are attached and generally provide increased strength and stability, and room to manage ventilation and vapour control.
How to install Roofing Battens
Guidelines for the exact spacing and specifications of installing roofing battens may depend on building regulations in your region, but generally roofing battens are installed horizontally across roofing rafters or trusses on the exterior side of the roofing structure. They are secured to the structure typically with nails. Many times during the roofing process, the opportunity is taken to apply Multifoil Insulation and Breather Membranes to the roofing structure before the battens are installed.
What size are roofing battens?
Roofing battens typically come in two sizes - 25x38mm and 25x50mm - of which we stock a range of types and lengths: 3.6m, 4.2m, 4.8m.
Roofing Batten Building Regulations
When shopping for roofing battens, you will often run into two types:
- Roofing batten stained a distinctive colour, stamped and described as BS 5534 - ours are usually blue or red, but they also are sometimes green or yellow.
- Lengths of treated timber that are a natural colour in the same dimensions, with no BS 5534 grading.
If you are shopping for roofing batten that is specifically for roofing, it is important that you ensure they are graded to BS 5534 to ensure they are of adequate strength and durability for roofing - ungraded battens may compromise the longevity of your roofing and pose a safety risk. The second kind are sometimes described as roofing batten as they are the same size and look, but tend to be used to create horizontal batten fences and home DIY projects.
Which battens do I need for a garden fence?
Now that we have understood the differences between the two types of roofing batten, the answer is clear. Our treated timber battens are the most cost effective choice to create garden fencing as they are not required to be graded. Furthermore - the natural colour is generally a more desirable choice for garden projects. To prolong their lifespan in your garden, you may wish to further treat them with wood preserver.
