50 x 50 battens and counter battens - is 90mm nail long enough? and something else

[BartW]

Hi,

Preparing to do slate wall cladding with 50 x 50 battens and counters in the same size.

 

You might ask why. I want to hide a 68mm downpipe from the hidden gutter at the top of the wall (still to design in situ), and by notching the cross batten in one place, I can just about achieve it.

 

Nevertheless, I am querying the fixing size.

 

TRADA book says 2.5 x the length of the thickness of the "applied" material. With 25mm battens this would be 62.5, so 63mm Paslode nail.

 

@ 50mm this would be 125mm. Obviously, framing gun nails only go up to 90mm. 

 

Am I destined to spend life applying 4 x 120mm screws on both, or would 90mm be ok?

 

I don't think these would pull off the wall. I kinda know they would never. 90mm RIng shanks is what framers use to put together all TF panels, and other what nots, so I hope this would just about work.

 

Another example is fitting internal 50mm PIR + 25mm battens. Obviously here it's a 120mm screw, right? Or not?

 

How do we establish all adequate penetration lengths? Is there a quick guide somewhere that tells it all? It would be crazy to have to make hours of research to comprehend all fixing lengths per application. Not suggesting it is a wrong thing to do, but the build itself is a lot more complex that just this part. So what would a Self-Builder do? I am guessing many "professional" builders apply a method of "this will do" or "get the longest one".

 

Many thanks!

 

Bart

[MikeSharp01]

We used Helifix Inskew helical nails, you can drive them in with and SDS drill, they come in all sorts of length and they don't pull out! However the also do not pull in very well. So with our vertical battening we screwed the vertical (counter) battens on using long stainless screws at 600mm centres to get them tight against the insulation then Inskew'ed them as the Helifix spec (240mm IIRC.

[JohnMo]

All my 50mm battens are fixed with 90mm nails, unless they are screwed to woodcrete.  I have all the ceiling battens and the second layer of external battens (for vertical cladding) all nailed with 90mm

[Thorfun]

90mm ring nails for our 2x2 battens and counter battens for timber cladding. they're not going anywhere! 

[Simplysimon]

2 hours ago, Thorfun said:

90mm ring nails for our 2x2 battens

+1 here as well, would also suggest slate hooks for the vertical slates to stop them chattering in the wind. TBH would recommend slate hooks for any slating job.

[Mr Punter]

I think it may be better with 75mm x 50mm vertical at max 600 ctrs fixed with screws, then 25mm x 50mm horizontal fixed wiith Paslode nails.  You will use less timber and the horizontals will be less prone to twisting off.

 

Another vote for slate hooks as they are more secure and no chattering in the wind.

[BartW]

Thanks guys,

 

All feedback most appreciated.

 

I am just trying to "automate the job", now that I spent £1300 on a pari of Paslode 360Xi. I want them to earn it now!