Don’t compromise on quality with roof battens, urges Marley’s Rob Cookson
An essential component of a roof, battens are structurally important, so it makes sense to use the best. However, current supply issues have meant that inferior and crucially, less safe, battens could have entered the market, and whilst some roofing battens may be slightly cheaper, they could cause problems down the line. Issues can be avoided though, when the right product, such as Marley’s JB Red roofing battens are used.
Not all battens are the same
Rob Cookson, National Business Development Manager at Marley said: “When it comes to battens, it’s important that roofers understand what they’re buying – not all battens are the same. Cheaper and often inferior battens may carry imperfections that can cause breakages and lead to accidents on site, especially since, being weight bearing, battens are used as a step ladder whilst a contractor is working on the roof.”
Rely on Red
Critically, only battens that have been pre- or factory graded to BS 5534 – such as Marley’s JB Red – can be called or used as ‘roofing battens’. It is also the only UK factory-graded batten available to the roofing industry with BBA certification, whilst the timber for the JB Red battens is sourced from the manufacturer’s extensive network of Scandinavian saw mills.
Rob continues: “Selecting the correct timber to use for roofing battens is of paramount importance. We only source slow-grown timber which ensures strength and durability, whilst our battens are cut from kiln-dried sideboards to provide maximum strength and stability plus they are less likely to distort.”
Produced at its specialist manufacturing site in Gainsborough, JB Red battens are stringently tested and graded using a dedicated roof batten scanning line – Goldeneye. Scanning each timber batten intricately to the millimetre, Goldeneye’s computer-controlled, dedicated laser and camera grading line produces battens graded to the performance regulations of BS 5534 both quickly and accurately. It is important to note that currently, many other suppliers within the UK batten market rely on visual grading only.
In addition, MicroPro, a preservative treatment that protects against wood rotting, fungi and insects – and gives a 60-year desired service life – vacuums a preserving red pigment into the timber ensuring that the resulting battens are both completely protected and also transformed to give their distinctive and easily identifiable red colour.
Exceeding standards
Whilst JB Red completely meets the NHBC requirements for fully graded roofing battens, the red colour means that they are highly visible on site, making it easy for Local Authority Building Control, NHBC as well as other inspectors to see that high-quality, pre-graded and compliant battens have been used.
“Our JB Red battens help to make your life on site both easier and safer,” concludes Rob. “Being pre-graded, no further grading on site is required, saving you time. Being red in colour, means that they are easily identifiable, making any inspector’s (as well as your!) job easier.”
For advice and further details on Marley’s JB Red battens visit
www.marley.co.uk/roofing-batten/jb-red-batten
