Can you use steel frame battens under composite decking?

[Farnz]

Can you use 40mm steel roof battens on low steel frame decks under composite decking?  We have battens left over from roof

[EricL]

Hi @Farnz 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's marvellous to have you join us, and thank you for sharing your question about your steel frame battens.

Is it similar to the Roll Form Industries 6100mm Zinc Ceiling Batten? If it is, I'm afraid it is not designed for decking applications as it is only rated for steel roofing installation. Keep in mind that the amount of weight a thick piece of timber batten can hold versus a thin folded piece of steel are far apart.

Would it be possible for you to post a photo of the steel batten? It will give our members a better idea of its size and shape.    

Let me call on our experienced members @Adam_W  and @TedBear for their recommendations.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[Farnz]

Thanks Eric

Yes they are 40mm tophat

 what do you think?

[MitchellMc]

Hi @Farnz,

This is likely a question best posed to the manufacturer of the battens. If their product is not designed for decks, I'd suggest that it wouldn't be suitable for them. There's the possibility that they'd work, but it's not something we could recommend if they weren't designed for that purpose. 

A roof frame and battens only need to be designed to cope with a static load of the roof weight and wind forces. A deck has to be capable of holding a certain amount of weight per metre squared on top of the decking material. This is to accommodate groups of people standing on it, furniture, and things like BBQ's. I don't believe the batten manufacturer would have tested their products under those conditions to comply with the construction codes surrounding a deck.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[Farnz]

Thanks Mitchell.  I think these battens will be used on the shed roof instead.