Shaun Revill co-founded SR Timber, a market-leading supplier of graded timber roofing battens, in 2004 following an early career on the tools as a slater and tiler. He explains that a strong supply chain is the best way to navigate the currently volatile timber market whilst maintaining a quality product.
The timber market has always been influenced by demand across different continents, shipping and transport issues, global events, exchange rate changes, and political instability. This complexity makes future forecasts challenging, especially now with ongoing war activities and economic uncertainty. Prices have always varied considerably—sometimes falling sharply, causing losses for sawmills, or increasing rapidly, which reduces supply. But we are currently experiencing unprecedented fuel surcharges applied by some to help balance historically low profit margins in the sector, and it’s likely that ‘Sea Freight Fuel Surcharges’ may also be applied when the true cost of restricted oil transportation in the Strait of Hormuz is realised.
But timber offers significant advantages as a mainstream construction material, as well as being a natural and sustainable resource, and is especially suitable for graded roofing battens, which form the foundation of pitched roofs finished with slates or tiles in the UK. It is therefore important that we not only continue to ensure continuity of supply but also maintain quality standards throughout the process, and it is the responsibility of everyone in the supply chain to do just that.
Over the past five years, substandard timber battens have been increasingly entering the UK market—battens that cut corners and, upon inspection, would not meet the required British Standards. This is a serious concern for the safety of roofers and the longevity of the roof for the building owner. Compliant battens must be to minimum dimensions – the width tolerances are -3mm/+3mm; however, on the thickness, 25mm, the tolerance is -0mm/+3mm. The fixings and the slate/tiles are designed to work with a minimum thickness of 25 mm and a maximum of 28mm – a good batten will be consistent in both thickness and width. If they are undersized, they are not compliant, which is why graded battens must be within the allowed tolerances and comply with BS 5534.
As a merchant stocking timber battens to supply to roofing contractors, there is a duty of care to provide a correctly graded roofing batten – fully compliant to BS 5534, and the material is right for the job it is used on. The batten market can be navigated effectively by focusing on quality, with merchants checking dimensions first to ensure they are correct and within the allowed tolerances. Good suppliers “should” offer guidance on tolerances of dimensions, knots, etc., and what a correctly graded roofing batten should be. As a merchant, it’s advisable, therefore, to select a batten supplier with a long-established supply chain and who consistently offers advice covering correctly graded roofing batten.
When SR Timber was founded in 2004, it was created to produce the correct products. Batten that is properly graded to BS 5534, sustainably sourced, and designed to protect those who use it and the projects it is used on. From the time when a factory-graded batten was first introduced for roofing work until the BS 5534 standard changed in 2014, the company’s mantra has been to ensure that only correctly graded battens, such as SRT GOLD®, are imported and supplied throughout the roofing industry. This ensures customers, regardless of project size, remain compliant. SRT GOLD® fully complies with relevant Codes of Practice BS 5534 and BS 8417 (treated to Use Class 2), and is kiln-dried, properly sized, and graded. It also holds the Wood Protection Association’s approved product status and is CCPI-assessed. From day one, SR Timber has had a strong partnership with its sawmill, Timberex in Latvia, which is one of the largest producers of graded roofing batten in Europe. They still produce all the graded SRT GOLD® battens they sell today; it is a family business that controls the supply from tree to roof.
Beyond supply, SR Timber continues to champion the importance of using the correct standard batten across the industry, particularly as new roofers enter the trade. Education, guidance and practical support are central to this approach, whether that is assisting merchants, advising contractors on specification, or helping new roofers understand compliance requirements on site. The aim is simple: make it easier for customers to do the right thing. By working closely with customers of all sizes, SR Timber positions itself not just as a supplier, but as a partner — available to support customers with whatever they need, from technical advice to reliable delivery, ensuring every roof starts with the correct foundation.