A roofing program is made up of layers of materials that are utilised to construct a sturdy construction that can withstand everything and protect the building. One of those layers of the roofing system can be steel roofing battens, while timber is a common material for the battens.
Understanding roof battens is vital for anyone who plans on doing roofing work, demands a roof fix, or is involved in any building area. A good comprehension of how a roof operates begins with understanding every part of the roofing system and how it contributes to ensuring that the roof is working to a high standard.
What Are Roofing Battens?
Let’s get right down to the definition. Roofing battens, sometimes called lath for roofing, provide the fixed point for substances. Shingles and tiles have been affixed with the battens as spacing. Battens are not always used in a roofing system. Timber batten ceilings, for example, are used for decorative purposes instead of structural.
Roofing battens or battening, also called roofing laths, is used to provide the fixing stage for roof materials such as shingles or tiles. The spacing of these battens depends on the type of roofing material and is implemented horizontally.
The spacing of this roof battening highly depends upon the form of exterior roofing material that will be utilised. For instance, steel roof battens will be attached to special metal roof battens. The batten seams are covered with batten joints, and the metal sheets are attached at particular intervals. The same intervals may not be used for asphalt shingles. The dimensions of this roofing material will guide the spacing of the battens. It delivers consistent, dependable results that have been used successfully for years.
Understanding the Layers of a Roofing
Every roof starts with a truss system. The truss is the skeleton of the roofing and is often crafted from timber. Most homes have wooden truss systems. Once the trusses are set up, a “deck” consists of timber.
The deck is the stage to which other roofing material is attached. In certain scenarios, the deck is covered with a layer of protective substances to which the tiles or shingles are directly connected. In other scenarios, the battens are installed, and the shingles, tiles, or metal sheets are attached to the batten.
Benefits of Roofing Batten Systems:
Not every roof uses a batten system. For example, a membrane system doesn’t use a batten system. Membrane roofing is a flat roofing system. You don’t have to use a batten roofing system under most building codes. In some cases, it is necessary, but in most cases, using batten on your roof is a choice to acquire the advantages of utilising this system.
There are two options for roofing: a direct-to-deck system or a roof batten system. The direct-to-deck system attaches outside materials like panels or shingles right into the “deck” of the roof. A roof batten system must be used in a number of situations, like when the HVAC system is on the roof or when concrete tiles are used.
How Do You Choose the Suitable Steel Roof Battens?
When choosing roof battens, many characteristics must be considered, including the grading, the size of the battens, and the preservative method used. Details such as the manufacturer and origin of the timbers can also provide peace of mind that the products used are genuine and meet the required standards.
BS 5534: 2014 + A2:2018 is the code of practice for installing slates and tiles to new-build pitched roofs and vertical cladding. It also covers re-roofing projects and extensions. It ensures that roofs are constructed to withstand heavy winds and other adverse weather conditions, increasing their safety and longevity.
The standard requires mechanical fixing of all roof tiles, including ridge and hip tiles – meaning they are screwed or nailed to battens rather than relying on mortar to hold them in place. It also sets out requirements for steel roof battens, stating that products must be graded and marked with BS 5534 to be classified as roofing battens.
Section 4.11 of BS 5534 sets out the requirements for battens, such as tolerance for distortion and permissible defects. Annex D covers grading. The battens must also be marked according to the provisions of section 4.11.52 and supplied with appropriate documentation according to section 4.11.5.1.
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