A tile batten is a strip supporting the positioning of roof tiles within a pitched-roof assembly. Its arrangement needs to suit the tile system and underlying construction.
What does this mean on your roof?
Battens are largely concealed beneath tiles and may not be visible throughout the roof during an initial assessment. New tiles therefore do not automatically mean new or fully assessed battens.
Ask which underlying components are included in renovation investigation and how any defects will be recorded before the covering is reinstated.
Where tiles are reused or insulation added, the batten arrangement needs to remain compatible with the complete proposal. Distinguish battens, counter-battens and decking in the quotation. This avoids a phrase such as new timber creating different expectations. Photographs during the open stage help establish later which components were actually retained or replaced.
Frequently asked questions
Are battens the same as decking?
No. Decking is a continuous substrate, while battens are separate strips within the assembly.
Must all battens be replaced together?
That follows from condition and the chosen renovation assembly, not simply one visible defect.