The batten/purlin system allows you to select main roof battens plus secondary or intermediate battens where building codes require them - usually as fall barriers for installers.

🧾 Selecting Battens and Purlins

Click the Batten 1 or Batten2 buttons to access the list of available batten/purlin materials. Each button provides access to the material options to set primary battens (Batten 1) and occasionally, an intermediate batten (Batten 2) for your project.

To insert the selected batten type, select the Insert/Modify cell that opens a comprehensive set out dialog. Battens/purlins can be inserted and quantified on both metal and tile roof categories.

The tile roof category is primarily for roofers installing metal tiles/shingles. Clay and concrete tilers typically build timber batten costs into an all-inclusive price and do not use this method to cost battens.

🔧 Batten Spacing Configuration

Select the [Insert/Modify] cell to set the batten spacing and layout.

The batten spacing dialog provides comprehensive control over batten placement on your job:

Battens inserted as specified:

Note: the display of the battens (solid or dashed line/colour/weight etc) is controlled with the System Preferences > Set Line Style option.

Options	Description
Main Spacing	Define the primary batten spacing across the roof plane
Top/Bottom Spacing	Set specific spacing near ridge and eave lines to meet building code requirements
Left/Right Spacing	Configure edge spacing for cyclonic or hurricane-prone areas
Intermediate Spacing	Set spacing between pre-set battens - either fixed spacing or evenly distributed up to maximum spacing
Direction Control	Space battens from top (ridge line) down or bottom (eave) up

🔧 Other Batten Options

Battens applied to hips and valleys according to spacing settings:

Options	Description
Apply to straight verandahs	Toggle to include battens on straight verandahs in this job
Apply to bullnose verandahs	Toggle to include battens on bullnose verandahs in this job
Apply to Ridges	Places battens along ridge lines at specified spacing from the ridge
Apply to Hips	Places battens along hip lines at specified spacing from the hip
Apply to Aprons	Applies battens to apron lines
Apply to Valleys	Applies battens to valley lines

🛠 Dividing Battens at Frame Members

Many batten/purlin configurations require splitting at roof frame members (rafters or trusses), particularly in portal frame commercial structures. This is a function often used with additional structural members when using Zones functions for metal roofing retrofit projects.

Purlin Modify Options
Insert Rafter/Truss Line	Creates reference lines parallel to required rafter lines when none exist
Delete All Rafter/Truss Lines	Removes reference lines after batten division is complete
Divide at Rafter Line	Divides battens at specified frame member locations
Divide All at Rafter Line	Divides all battens on the roof plane at frame members
Merge Batten Line	Fixes incorrectly divided battens by merging them
Delete Batten Line	Completely removes specific battens/purlins from the model

🔧 Batten Management Controls

Batten Options
Apply All	Applies battens/purlins using current spacing definitions
Delete All	Removes all battens/purlins from the model
Delete	Removes selected battens only
Apply Selected	Applies battens to specific walls using current settings for wall-by-wall modification
Change Batten	Switches to different batten material

🔧 Settings Management

Save Spacings	Saves current settings for different roof systems
Load Spacings	Loads predefined spacing settings into current job
Continue	Returns to the Flashing dialog to continue roof trim setup

Once configured, battens are drawn on the model according to your specifications. Select Continue to return to the Select/Generate Roof Batten/Trim dialog.

💡 Special Applications

This process can be used to design and estimate retro-fit batten systems such as RoofHugger™, which is described in detail in the Appendix.

How do I select and configure roof battens and purlins?