2x1 Timber Treated

Understanding 2x1 Treated Timber

2x1 treated timber is a small timber size commonly associated with 25 × 50mm battens. General sawn battens provide fixing surfaces and spacing for suitable lining, cladding and joinery applications. Graded roofing battens are a separate choice for supporting tiles and slates.

Preservative treatment and roofing grading serve different purposes. Treatment helps protect timber against biological deterioration, while BS5534 grading identifies battens assessed for roofing use. A treated general-purpose batten should not be assumed suitable for tiling or slating because it has the same dimensions as a graded product.

Material Range

• General Sawn Treated Battens: Ungraded softwood battens for fixing and spacing applications. The range includes 25 × 50mm battens in 3.6m, 4.2m and 4.8m lengths.
• BS5534-Graded Roofing Battens: Treated battens graded for tile and slate support. The 25 × 50mm options include 4.2m and 4.8m lengths.
  
  

Nominal and Finished Dimensions

2x1 is a nominal inch description. Finished dimensions depend on the named product and how it has been machined.

For example, the general sawn 4.2m batten declares a finished thickness of 25mm and finished width of 50mm. Use the dimensions shown for the selected product when planning fixing depths, clearances and material quantities.

The 38 × 50mm counterbatten is a different size, commonly described as 2x1.5. It should be selected according to the dimensions required by the construction detail.

Length and Pack Choices

Choose a length that suits the required runs, support positions and joint locations. General sawn and graded roofing battens remain separate products when buying in larger quantities.

Selected pack options include 4.2m general sawn battens and 4.2m BS5534-graded roofing battens. Check the number of lengths supplied and allow for cutting waste when calculating the order.

Performance Benefits

• Preservative Treatment: Helps protect timber against fungal decay and insect attack within the conditions covered by its treatment specification.
• Workability: Softwood battens can be cut, drilled and fixed using standard woodworking tools.
  
  

Typical Applications

• Internal Lining Supports: General sawn battens provide fixing surfaces for suitable sheet materials.
• Service Cavities: Battens create spacing between the supporting construction and an internal lining.
• Cladding Supports: General battens can provide fixing surfaces where their dimensions and treatment suit the cladding design.
• Tile and Slate Support: BS5534-graded roofing battens provide fixing points for roof coverings, with their size, spacing and fixings selected for the roof specification.
  
  

Specification & Standards

• BS 5534 - Slating and tiling for pitched roofs and vertical cladding: Includes recommendations for roofing battens, their grading and installation. Select the explicitly graded product where the roofing specification requires it.
• BS 8417 - Preservation of wood: Provides guidance on preservative treatment according to the timber’s intended use and service conditions.

Check the selected product’s grading information and treatment specification. Preservative treatment alone does not establish roofing suitability.

Related Materials and Construction Uses

General battens work with suitable fixings and sheet materials to form lining supports and service cavities. Cladding applications also require the appropriate membranes, ventilation details and fixings for the complete construction.

Graded roofing battens work alongside roof underlay, tiles or slates and the specified roofing fixings. The roof batten range provides further size and quantity options for roofing work.