How To Batten A Roof For Tiles

Battens for single lap tiles when fixed on rafters spaced at centres up to 450mm should be 38 x 25mm in section.

How to batten a roof for tiles.

Metal roof battens may be used with steel or tile cladding. Just short of the centre of the gutter. For example 25x50mm battens should be used for single lap modern roof tiles when laid on rafters with a 600mm span. Battens should be fixed to rafters set at centres not more than 600mm apart.

For rafter spacings up to 600mm centres the battens should be 50 x 25mm in section. Because battens support the tiles the spacing is determined by the size of the tiles and the length of the roof to be covered. According to bs 5534 the appropriate batten size will depend on the span of the rafters and the roof covering. Battens should be secured by nailing into each rafter using galvanised or sherardized smooth round nails.

Metal roof battens may also be used with steel or timber support framing. Roofing battens are nailed into the rafters or roof joists or trusses and provide support for the roof tiles or slates. In some roofing options like tile roofing battens are a must to ensure tiles are uniformly installed and excess overhangs which can invite water damage are not present. Metal roof battens have been in use in australia for around 40 years.

Metal roof battens offer extraordinary strength to weight values and are lighter than timber battens. A batten roof can last longer be more durable deliver a higher level of energy efficiency. Battens are thin strips of material usually wood but sometimes metal or plastic and commonly 1 inch thick and 2 inches wide that run horizontally along the length of the roof. Batten roofing is a great option for re roofing.

Setting out up the roof gauge set the first batten at eaves to allow the tails of the eaves course tiles to overhang the fascia by 40 to 45mm ie. On roofs with a steep slope tiles are usually fastened to battens. According to cemtile most roof tile manufacturers allow direct nailing but on roofs with a slope greater than 7 12. The updated bs 5334 code of practice for slating and tiling specifies a number of batten sizes based upon the span of the rafters and the product being used.

Guidance on the installation of underlay and tile battens is given in section 7. If the roof has a steep slope battens may be required to hold the tiles in place.