The structural batten is a wooden plank which is fixed to rafters or metal profiles so as to constitute a solid and aesthetic support for the various elements of the roof. These wooden planks are also reliable elements to better resist the winds and the risk of uplift of the roofs in the event of a storm. Let’s discover the characteristics of the batten and its method of installation.
What is a structural batten?
A structural batten is a piece of wood that looks like a relatively thin rectangular board, which measures between 10 and 30 cm wide and 12 to 26 mm long.
The batten is used for the completion of a roof covering. Indeed, these boards are nailed or screwed on rafters or metal profiles to form a more stable roofing base since they serve as support or fixing for the roofing.
The boarding, which consists of placing the boards together, serves as a contiguous decking and constitutes the support for all the elements of the cover, but also a support for the gutters and the rain barriers or the photovoltaic panels integrated into the roof. .
Because of their use, the battens must be made from particularly resistant wood species. Indeed, the wood must be able to resist climatic variations, thermal differences, humidity, but also physical shocks. For this reason, battens are generally made from solid species such as fir, Douglas fir, larch or poplar. Note, however, that larch is not suitable for a metal roof (especially zinc) because of its corrosive power.
The structural batten has undeniable advantages. Its installation makes it possible to prevent the winds from engulfing under the roof and thus offers solid mechanical protection in the event of bad weather. On the other hand, the battens do not slow down the water, which makes the installation of the screen under the roof essential.
Thus, in addition to being aesthetic, the battens are interesting material elements for the support of the framework. Thanks to their neutral wooden appearance, they have the great advantage of being suitable for all types of housing, from the oldest to the most contemporary constructions.
How to install structural battens?
What method of installation for the battens?
The structural battens are fixed to purlins, rafters or metal profiles in a horizontal position. They are mounted on the roof starting from the bottom and going up to the top and are fixed by screwing or nailing depending on the supports.
- Fixing on rafters is done by nailing or by screwing with two or three nails or screws depending on the width.
- Fixing on metal profiles is done by screwing. The use of self-tapping screws or self-drilling screws is recommended at the rate of two per support for large widths.
What installation techniques for the battens?
There are two types of laying for structural battens: contiguous laying and intermittent laying.
- Joint laying consists of laying the battens continuously, with a maximum space of 5 mm between the boards.
- On the contrary, intermittent laying consists of placing them in a discontinuous manner, while maintaining the same regular junction gap between the ends of the boards, and taking care to make shifts between the different layers of superposition.
What price for structural battens?
There are battens at all prices. Nevertheless, to have a solid, resistant and quality material, it is important to invest in the purchase of battens of NF standards. These are indeed resistant to humidity and are designed in suitable and durable wood species. For the frame, battens in class 2 species with a degree of humidity of around 13 to 17% are to be preferred.
For this type of product, you will need to count a minimum cost of 1.50 euro per meter.