What is a slate lath?

What is a slate lath?

The slate lath provides a fixing point for tiles on pitched roofs. The durable timber has been green pressure treated for outdoor use, providing years and years of all season resistance to insects, rot, and decay.

What is a roof lath?

Roofing battens or battening, also called roofing lath, are used to provide the fixing point for roofing materials such as shingles or tiles. The spacing of the battens depend on the type of roofing material and are applied horizontally.

What sizes do roofing battens come in?

Timber battens compliant with BS 5534 typically come in two basic dimensions: 25x38mm and 25x50mm, with the ±3mm tolerance. These measurements should be taken with a reference moisture level of 20%.

What size are slate battens?

For natural double lap slates (sized or random), the minimum width is 50mm and depth 25mm, for a span of up to 600mm. For natural double lap slates (fibre cement or concrete), the minimum width is 38mm and depth 25mm, for a span of up to 450mm; and 50mm width, 25mm depth for a span of up to 600mm.

What is the purpose of battens?

A batten is generally a strip of timber (although it can also be steel or plastic) which is used in the construction of buildings. They are typically used as spacers to raise the surface of a material, or as a secondary framework onto which a surface may be fixed.

How long do roof battens last?

Most battens are supplied with an industrially applied treatment process designed to provide a 60-year design life under Use Class 2.

What size are wood battens?

The battens are strips of lumber, typically 1 to 3 inches wide, which are then nailed down to cover the joins where the vertical planks meet. Battens should be wide enough to extend at least ½ inch on either side of the join. The vertical planks can range from 6 to 12 inches wide, depending on preference.

How thick are roofing battens?

Regardless of application, all roofing battens should be no less than 25mm thick, with a maximum tolerance of +/- 3mm.

How thick is a tile batten?

And, as with all batten systems, you need to ensure you’re using the right fasteners for the job. Metal roof battens are usually 40mm high and made from 0.55mm gauge hi-tensile steel. They can nest together to allow for easy storage and handling.

Why do people batten walls?

Battening a wall for plasterboard or dry lining is a great way of providing a little warmth and fighting condensation in a cold building. However, without adequate ventilation behind the board, condensation can still form on the cold wall as warm air passes through the plasterboard.

Are roof battens necessary?

But roof battens perform some incredibly important structural functions to safeguard your roof. Roof battens: Provide a breathable space allowing any condensation to be eliminated. Increase the structural performance of roof truss systems.

When should you replace roof battens?

Anytime that you redesign the layout of your roof as with certain types of renovations and extensions, you will need to replace the battens as well as the other elements of the roof. Storm damage or knockdown rebuilds are two examples of when this type of renovation may occur.

What kind of lath to use on a pitched roof?

The slate lath provides a fixing point for tiles on pitched roofs. The durable timber has been green pressure treated for outdoor use, providing years and years of all season resistance to insects, rot, and decay. This Treated Softwood Slate Lath measures 25mm x 38mm, is priced per metre and has been responsibly sourced.

Which is the best slate for shallow pitch slating?

When slating with a shallow pitch a wide slate is highly recommended for maximum side lap or lateral lap (side overlaps). This usually means a large artificial slate or man made slate like Eternit or similar, but can also include some large natural slates.

What can you do with 48 in wood lath?

This 48 in. long wood lath is made of quality material and has a wide variety of residential uses. It can be painted or stained as needed. This lath should be used only in above ground applications.

What do I need to know about slating a roof?

Slating terms and phrases – If you are not a seasoned roofer, some of the terms used for slates, batten spacing or overlapping of the slates can add to the confusion. If you can understand the anatomy of a slate and the words used for the different bits, you will be a lot clearer in your mind.