Designing Buildings: Cleft oak laths (seen here) were traditionally used to hang hand-made tiles and stone slates. Much of the attraction of these roofs rests with the slight undulations of each course, which has much to do with the laths. Today, BS5534 stipulates that 50 mm

2026-02-22T07:01:42Z

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Cleft oak laths (seen here) were traditionally used to hang hand-made tiles and stone slates. Much of the attraction of these roofs rests with the slight undulations of each course, which has much to do with the laths. Today, BS5534 stipulates that 50 mm x 25 mm sawn battens are used for safety reasons to take the weight of a roofer, unlike cleft lathes, apparently. (Photo: Chris Wood). Source: ‘A code of practice for slate and stone roofing’ in The Institute of Historic Building Conservation’s (IHBC’s) Context 184, published in September 2025, written by Chris Wood, chair of the IHBC education, training and standards committee. Now retired, he was formerly head of building conservation and research at Historic England. He was the main author of the Roofing volume in the English Heritage Practical Building Conservation series.. https://ihbconline.co.uk/cont_arch/?p=1584 Not for re-use.

File:Cleft oak laths.jpg - Revision history

Designing Buildings: Cleft oak laths (seen here) were traditionally used to hang hand-made tiles and stone slates. Much of the attraction of these roofs rests with the slight undulations of each course, which has much to do with the laths. Today, BS5534 stipulates that 50 mm