Stuart Nicholson, Roof Systems Director at Marley, argues that, when it comes to timber battens, quality has never been more important
Quality is crucial for all building materials and supplies, and roofing is no different. Durability, load bearing and quality must all be ensured to guarantee a safe and long-lasting roofing system that’s fit for purpose.
Some imported timber battens are graded by eye, which can leave room for human error, especially when mass-producing. Not only does this impact the industry’s reputation, but it also poses significant safety risks, as battens may not meet the required standards for durability and strength.
Marley is the UK’s largest producer of factory–graded roofing battens, with a dedicated roofing batten scanning line, Goldeneye, which scans each timber batten intricately by the millimetre. This is a computer–controlled, dedicated laser and camera grading line, which produces battens graded to the performance requirements of BS 5534 quickly and accurately, rather than relying on visual grading.
JB Red Battens
Marley’s JB Red Battens ensure builders remain fully compliant with the highest quality and safety standards. This roofing batten is the only UK machine–graded batten available to the roofing industry with BBA (British Board of Agrément) certification. In addition, the product is supplied in lengths of 3.6m and longer – and packaged in easy-to-handle bundles of ten.
The highly identifiable red pigmented battens were the first battens in the UK market to carry the CCPI (Code for Construction Product Information) mark and are also PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) certified. This gives contractors peace of mind that the products they’re using are full accredited and fit for purpose.
Using its extensive network of Scandinavian mills, Marley sources only slow-grown timber to ensure strength and durability. All JB Red battens are cut from kiln dried side boards, as they are stronger, more stable and less likely to distort. They meet the NHBC (National House Building Council) requirements for fully graded roofing battens, and their red colour means they’re highly visible and identifiable on site, therefore Building Control and other inspectors can see that high quality, pre-graded compliant battens have been used.
Added peace of mind
Selecting JB Red gives professional builders peace of mind, safe in the knowledge that the battens are durable, reliable and fully compliant with third party assessors and legislation. With quality control and the origin of products often causing challenges for projects, the distinctive red battens signify a quality–assured, certified product from the industry’s leading roofing manufacturer. No further grading is required on JB Red battens, saving both time and money.
JB Red is also preservative treated to BS 8417 Usage Class 2 using MicroPro® Celcure MC-T3. MicroPro® is a non-toxic treatment that uses micronised copper particles and carries a 60-year life expectancy against insect attack and wood rotting fungi.
The battens are marked according to BS 5534, showing supplier name, origin, species and size are factory–graded to all strength requirements for roofing battens. They are compatible with Marley’s full roof system, as well as our SolarTile®.
All Marley timbers are legally and sustainably sourced in accordance with the EU timber regulations, and as members of the Timber Trade Federation, Marley also supports the Responsible Purchasing Scheme.
Visit Marley’s website for more information.
