Building Materials
25x38mm Treated Softwood Battens | Battens to comply with BS5534 | Price (Per Lm)
£0.70 + Vat
The Reclaimed Company ®
Roofing Battens
Roofing battens in the UK must comply with BS 5534:2014+A2:2018, which is the British Standard for slating and tiling.
This standard sets out requirements for their size, grading, marking, and installation to ensure safety and durability in roofing construction.
At The Reclaimed Company ®, we offer roofing battens as part of our drive to provide a comprehensive service for our clients.
When buying reclaimed slates, new Welsh Slates, tiles or other roofing materials, we can arrange delivery to reduce transportation costs and the environmental impact of multiple trips in different vehicles.
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Key requirements for roofing battens
Roofing Battens, key facts
Material and Treatment:
- Roofing battens must be made of softwood (e.g., spruce or pine).
- They must be pre-treated with preservatives to protect against rot and insect attack (usually in accordance with BS 8417).
Grading and Strength:
- Battens must be graded to ensure they are sufficiently strong for roofing applications.
- They must be visually or machine graded to avoid defects such as knots, excessive wane, and splits.
- Only graded battens can be used for fixing slates and tiles.
Sizes and Tolerances:
- The minimum sizes for battens are:
- 25mm x 50mm for rafter spans up to 600mm.
- 19mm x 38mm for rafter spans up to 450mm.
- Tolerances on dimensions must be within +/- 3mm on width and depth.
Marking and Identification:
- BS 5534-compliant battens must be factory-stamped with:
- The supplier’s name or trademark.
- The BS 5534 grading stamp.
- The size and species of the timber.
- The treatment applied.
- This ensures traceability and compliance with UK regulations.
Installation Requirements:
- Battens must be fixed securely to rafters using nails that meet BS 5534 standards. Learn more about and shop roofing nails.
- They must be laid at the correct spacing and gauge depending on the tile or slate being used.
- No more than one in four battens should have an end joint on the same rafter.
- Joints must be staggered across the roof.
Why Compliance with BS 5534 is Important:
- Ensures the structural integrity of the roof.
- Meets Building Regulations for safety and durability.
- Reduces roof failures due to wind uplift and loading.
- Provides a quality-assured product for roofing contractors.
In summary, roofing battens in the UK must be graded, correctly sized, treated, and marked in accordance with BS 5534 to ensure they are fit for purpose. Compliance is essential for roofing performance, longevity, and safety.
Key UK Manufacturers of Roofing Battens:
Marley Ltd
- A leading supplier of JB Red battens, which are factory-graded and machine-stamped to BS 5534.
- The battens are treated with MicroPro preservative for long-term durability.
BSW Timber (Part of Binderholz Group)
- Produces high-quality, kiln-dried roofing battens graded to BS 5534.
- Supplies treated timber battens suitable for various roofing applications.
SR Timber
- Manufacturer of Premium Gold roofing battens, machine-graded for strength and compliance.
- Offers full traceability and quality assurance.
- See Data Sheet.
Jewson / Saint-Gobain
- Supplies graded roofing battens through a national network of builders’ merchants.
- Ensures compliance with BS 5534 for both new-build and refurbishment projects.
Harlow Timber Systems
- Provides graded, high-performance battens treated for longevity.
- Works with roofing contractors across the UK.
These manufacturers play a crucial role in the UK roofing industry, ensuring compliance, safety, and reliability in roofing projects. Most suppliers offer traceability, pre-treatment, and certification to guarantee quality.
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Blue roofing battens
Treated with Vacsol Aqua, with a blue additive provides the colour of these battens.
Red roof battens
Produced by Marley, ‘J B Red’ the pigment is part of their brand identity. Formerly John Brash.
Membranes of battens
At The Reclaimed Company ®, we stock and advocate the use of Proctor Roofing Membranes.
The Reclaimed Company
Compliant battens
Using BS 5534-compliant roofing battens is essential for all roofing projects to ensure safety, durability, and compliance with building regulations. Here’s why:
- Strength & Load-Bearing Capacity – Graded battens are tested to support the weight of tiles, slates, and wind loads, reducing the risk of roof failure.
- Consistency & Quality Assurance – BS 5534-compliant battens are machine or visually graded, ensuring uniform strength and reliability across the entire roof.
- Resistance to Weather & Decay – They are treated to BS 8417 standards, protecting against rot, fungal decay, and insect attack, increasing the roof’s lifespan.
- Regulatory Compliance – Using BS 5534-compliant battens ensures adherence to UK Building Regulations and NHBC requirements, avoiding issues with inspections and warranties.
- Ease of Installation & Safety – Correctly graded battens reduce breakages and provide a safer platform for roofers during installation.
Using non-compliant battens can lead to roof failures, increased maintenance costs, and non-compliance with regulations. BS 5534-compliant battens provide peace of mind, long-term performance, and structural integrity for any roofing project.
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Sutton Road, Wigginton, York
North Yorkshire, YO32 2RB, United Kingdom
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