Roof battens are thin strips of material that may be made of wood plastic or metal.
Metal roof without battens.
Can a metal roof be installed over my existing shingles without the use of battens.
In most cases there is nothing about a metal roof that increases the need for ventilation beyond what is needed for an asphalt shingle roof.
Metal roof installations without an air gap are done all the time.
This creates a thermal break which is very similar to a vertically seamed metal roof installed on battens.
Whereas many older metal roofs or metal roofs on larger buildings have been successfully installed over battens rather than solid decking it is the clear preference for residential applications that metal roofing always be installed over solid decking to avoid dangerous and damaging condensation issues.
Thanks edward for allowing me to share our correspondence on this frequently asked question.
The roofing is manufactured in panels that install using aluminum nails or screws that fasten the panels to wood stripping also known as nailers or battens.
While roof battens are most commonly made of metal or wood they can be made of other materials like plastic or composite there are several different types of batten some combine two materials to get the needed affect.
This is a bit of a complicated question.
As a great option to the expense and bother of battens there are concealed fastener metal shingles shakes and tiles available.
This great question comes from edward c a homeowner who plans to have a new metal roof installed over the aging existing shingles on his single story home.
Note that you can have a metal roof.
The key in most cases is having a properly vented attic beneath that.
Types of roof batten systems.
They re installed before the tile is laid on the roof and may serve more than one purpose.
It sounds like the metal panels you re installing probably have a great deal of contact with the underlayment unless they are installed on top of battens.
This is the case with most vertical seam products.