When it comes to roofing, every detail matters. The integrity of a pitched roof depends heavily on the quality of its components – and roofing battens play a critical role in ensuring durability, compliance and safety. For professional builders, ensuring battens are fully compliant and high-quality is essential.
Kevin Taylor, Training and Technical Support Manager at Marley, sheds light on what makes a roofing batten compliant and why your materials should always meet the highest standards.
What makes a compliant roofing batten?
Any roofing battens used for slating and tiling must comply with British Standard 5534. This ensures the materials meet necessary durability, strength and performance criteria – offering peace of mind for builders.
It’s also important to look for battens with third-party accreditations, such as British Board of Agrément (BBA) certification. Although not required by BS 5534, third-party certification offers an added layer of assurance for builders, reflecting rigorous testing and guaranteed quality.
Each compliant batten should also have clear origin and supplier markings, as well as and batch numbers for complete traceability. This helps builders easily identify compliant battens when on site.
Machine-graded vs visually graded battens
Battens can be graded in two ways – visually (by eye) or by machine. Unless tightly regulated, traditional visual grading techniques, where battens are assessed by eye, can lead to inconsistencies and errors. Issues like knots, wane or distortion in visually graded battens may not always be spotted, potentially impacting the roof installation.
Machine-graded battens, such as Marley’s JB Red, uses the advanced technology of a Goldeneye scanner to ensure consistency. These battens undergo intensive evaluation using lasers and cameras, which detect any imperfections and confirm adherence to strict quality standards. By choosing machine-graded battens, builders can ensure they’re using reliable and precise materials that minimise on-site risks.
The significance of JB Red’s colour
Marley’s JB Red battens aren’t just visually striking; their red finish serves practical and compliance purposes. Here’s what the colour signifies:
- Advanced treatment and protection
JB Red battens are treated with Koppers MicroPro® preservative to comply with BS 8417 Usage Class 2 requirements. This treatment provides long-term resistance against insect attacks and wood-rotting fungi.
- Easily identifiable on-site
The distinctive red colour makes it simpler for site inspectors and builders to confirm compliance with grading standards, saving time and reducing errors on-site.
Prioritising sustainability and responsible sourcing
When it comes to material selection, builders are under increasing pressure to balance performance with environmental responsibility. Marley’s JB Red battens carry PEFC certification (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification), meaning they come from sustainably managed forests.
Using environmentally certified products, like JB Red, strengthens a builder’s efforts to meet sustainability targets and demonstrates a commitment to responsible sourcing, which is an increasingly important consideration for both customers and regulatory bodies.
Explore JB Red roofing battens
Marley’s JB Red machine-graded battens combine innovation, compliance and sustainability, ensuring they lead the way in the roofing industry. With advanced grading technology, compliance with BS 5534 and robust treatment against fungal decay, JB Red is the ultimate choice for builders needing confidence in their roofing projects.
To find out more, visit Marley’s website.
