Roof Tile Batten Selection

General tile batten selection guidelines.

*With rafter truss spacings at 900mm or more, polypropylene or nylon tape should be nailed to the rafters to support the underlay. 

NOTES

1. Batten sizing: The batten size usable is also defined by the strength, dimensional tolerances and species of timber. Timber should be one of the following species, Type A: Imported Whitewood, Imported Redwood, Canadian/USA Spruce-Pine-Fir, USA Southern Pine, or species Type B: British-grown Corsican Pine, British-grown Scots Pine, British-grown Sitka Spruce. For maximum nail withdrawal performance preference should be given to Type A species (which correspond to strength classes C16/18/22). Tolerances on the basic size of timber batten should be: width +3mm or -3mm; depth -0mm or +3 mm; based on measurement at a reference moisture content of 20% (see BS5534: 2003, annex C). Batten sizes other than those given in the table above should be designed in accordance with BS5534: 2003, annex E & F.

2. Batten Fixings: Batten fixing nails should be annular ring shank or helical twist shank as defined in BS 1202: Part 1. The batten fixing sizes shown are indicative of the requirements of a typical two storey building in an area of low to medium exposure. Reference should always be made to BS5534, 2003, Code of Practice for Slating & Tiling for a project specific batten fastener.

3. Span is defined as the distance between centres of supports, or the clear distance between the face of supports plus half the bearing distance at each end support, whichever is the lesser. The minimum end bearing length should be 17.5mm.

Setting out battens

The first batten should be installed at the eaves, in accordance with guidance on Decra's eave details. Working from the bottom of the rafter, the rest of the battens should be fixed at centres as set out in the table below, adjacent. Measure from lower face to lower face.