Advice on fixings for cladding battens

[markharro]

Hi we are using vertical timber cladding on our timber frame so will have vertical 50x50mm battens to fix to the frame first then horizontal counter battens. I was planning to nailgun the verticals with 90mm nails but the engineer is saying screws! Is there a specific type/length of screw that would be recommended? thanks

[Temp]

Has he specified a material? Or diameter?

 

If they need to be stainless steel perhaps.. 

https://www.screwfix.com/p/ultra-screw-pz-double-countersunk-multipurpose-screws-5-x-100mm-100-pack/26281

 

But you might need to pilot drill holes as stainless steel is easy to shear the heads off.

 

 

[nod]

I’m just batoning out two pikes for hanging tiles I’m on to masonry so no choice but to use screws 

Using rings nails would be far quicker and better Also much cheaper than SS screws 

[Thorfun]

I used 90mm ring nails for ours. Was really quick and I used the battens as a climbing frame to reach other areas at points and they didn’t budge. I’d be asking for specifics as to why you’ve been told screws. 

[nod]

It’s taken me all day to baton and counter this small pike Very slow with screws 

[markharro]

On 01/04/2023 at 08:23, Thorfun said:

I’d be asking for specifics as to why you’ve been told screws. 

Just said 4mm diameter screws with no mention of whether they are to be SS or otherwise. I have a box of smooth shank 90mm nailgun nails so had hoped to use those. I know they are not annular but I had read somewhere that the tips have a glue covering that heats up on insertion to glue to the wood fibres. No idea if thats correct?

 

If I do use screws I have read guidance elsewhere thats states 6mm! Also what length do I need for a 50mm batten. And I am totally confused by all the various designs of single and double threads and other more subtle variations.

[Mr Punter]

50 x 50 is quite big.  Maybe 38 x 50 would still be OK.  I would go with heavy duty galv nails 90mm.  Either ring shank or smooth with the glue.  There is still enough room for embedment for your nails on the (25 x 50?) horizontal battens. I would use 63mm stainless ring shanks for the horizontals.

[markharro]

Hi @Mr Punter are these nails glue coated ie is the red colour glue?

[joe90]

Yes

[Mr Punter]

The actual Paslode ones are blue but expensive.  Make sure they are hot dipped galv.  When you pull one out a load of timber fragments stay stuck to the nail.

[markharro]

Thanks - will these have as much holding power as annular nails of the same length?

[Mr Punter]

I think they are similar.  The ones in your pic will be fine.