Batten
A batten is a lightweight timber or steel member fixed over rafters to carry roofing sheets or tiles. Size and spacing are set by span tables and wind class.
Ask Chalkline about this →A batten is a small-section timber or light-gauge steel member fixed across the top of rafters, trusses, or studs to carry the outer roof or wall cladding layer. In metal sheet roofing, battens run horizontally (perpendicular to the fall) and support the underside of the corrugated or trapezoidal sheets; in tile roofing they carry the tile nibs. In wall applications, battens create a drainage cavity behind cladding boards or sheet cladding.
Batten sizing and spacing must comply with span tables appropriate to the material being supported, the rafter spacing, and the site wind classification. For timber roof battens, the stress grade (typically MGP10 or higher) and moisture content on fixing determine deflection and splitting risk under the fastener load. Under-sized or improperly graded battens are a common cause of roof sheet profile distortion and, in high-wind events, failure of the fixing zone.
Also known as: roof batten, tile batten, wall batten (by application).
Category: Roof and wall framing / structure.
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Last updated: 2026-05-08. Verified: 2026-05-08. Quarterly review for currency.