Slate Roof Batten Spacing

Gauge length of slate lap 2 battens should be nailed at maximum 600 mm.

Slate roof batten spacing.

The holing gauge can be calculated as. Slates are laid on the battens in a brick bond pattern i e. This is normally done by adding another batten which reduces batten gauge and increases headlap or by stretching which is increasing batten gauge slightly. Holing gauge mm battening gauge mm m batten per m2.

For example 25 x 50mm battens are required for single lap modern roof tiles laid on rafters with a 600mm span. Holing gauge batten gauge headlap 10mm. The tails of all three courses of slate should align and overhang the gutter. Nail the first full course of slates to the second batten so that the tail rivet passes between the two second under eaves slates and protrudes through the hole in the tail of the full slate.

Slate length mm battening gauge mm m batten per m2. It also allows you to determine the holing gauge distance from hole to tail of slate and the number of linear metres of batten per m 2 of roof. With the roofing felt fitted see fixing roofing felt the next job is to fix the roofing battens. Batten gauge length of slate headlap 2.

With the joints between them aligned with the centre of the slates above and below and with about 3mm between the sides. Set out the first second and all the rest of slates on a pitched roof. The most commonly used slate size in southern england is 500x250mm and 400x250mm in scotland and the north of england. Ensure the first full course of slates oversails the gutter by 50 55mm.

This layout gives a double lap covering i e. Battens should be set out horizontally across the roof at a gauge calculated from the formula. The basics the slate or tile manufacturer or supplier will specify the size of battens to be used typically this would be 40 x 20mm 1 5 x inch but where the horizontal gaps between rafters is large or the slates tiles are heavy then bigger battens may be needed. Recommended timber batten sizes for natural slate roofs are 50 25 mm up to 600 mm rafter spans according to bs 5534.

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. Holing gauge mm battening gauge mm m batten per m2. Roofing battens are nailed into the rafters or roof joists or trusses and provide support for the roof tiles or slates. The batten gauge can also be calculated using the formula.