Dimensional stability isn’t optional in roofing applications — it’s fundamental. A roofing batten must remain straight, strong and structurally reliable from the moment it leaves the production line to the day it supports a finished roof covering.
That’s why Lokarr roofing battens are double vacuum pressure treated with Vacsol® Aqua to BS 8417:2011. This controlled, industry-proven process protects the timber against fungal decay while maintaining the structural integrity, strength and dimensional accuracy of every length. This is protection engineered around performance — not applied at the expense of it.
What Is Vacsol® Treatment?
Vacsol® Aqua is a high-performance, water-based preservative treatment designed to provide long-term protection against fungal decay in structural timber. It is widely used across the construction industry where reliability and compliance matter. Unlike surface coatings or superficial dips, Vacsol® treatment works by penetrating deep into the timber’s cellular structure, protecting the wood fibres from within. The result is consistent, verified protection — not just cosmetic coverage.
How the Vacsol® Process Works
The effectiveness of Vacsol® treatment lies in the controlled vacuum pressure process. It is not simply about applying a preservative; it is about ensuring that the correct volume penetrates to the correct depth. The timber is first placed inside a sealed treatment cylinder where an initial vacuum removes air from the wood’s cellular structure, creating space for the preservative to fully penetrate. The Vacsol® solution is then introduced under controlled pressure, allowing it to be drawn deep into the fibres rather than sitting on the surface. A final vacuum removes excess solution from the surface to ensure clean, consistent finishing and controlled retention levels. The timber is then conditioned to stabilise moisture content and preserve dimensional accuracy. This controlled sequence ensures uniform treatment penetration and consistent performance across every batten.
Why This Matters for Roofing Battens
Roofing battens operate in demanding environments. They are installed within roof structures where moisture exposure, ventilation variability and long-term durability are critical factors. Vacsol® treatment provides protection against fungal decay, long-term durability in Use Class 2 applications and compliance with BS 8417:2011, while avoiding excessive moisture uptake. Most importantly, it achieves this without compromising the batten’s structural performance.
Protection Without Compromising Stability
One of the risks with poorly controlled timber treatment is distortion. Excess moisture or inconsistent penetration can lead to twisting, warping or loss of dimensional accuracy. Lokarr’s process mitigates this risk through kiln-dried raw material before treatment, controlled vacuum pressure impregnation, laser-controlled planing for dimensional accuracy and careful post-treatment conditioning. This integrated manufacturing approach ensures that treatment enhances durability without sacrificing straightness or structural strength.
Engineered for Traceability and Consistency
Every Lokarr batten is individually laser printed for full traceability, allowing contractors, distributors and inspectors to identify production data and treatment compliance at the point of use. When combined with Vacsol® treatment, this ensures verified protection standards, consistent performance, clear compliance documentation and accountability throughout the supply chain. Traceability is not an afterthought — it is built into the product.
The Result: Long-Term Confidence in Every Length
Vacsol® treatment is not simply about protecting timber from decay. It is about delivering predictable performance over time. By combining kiln-dried timber, precision machining and controlled double vacuum pressure treatment, Lokarr roofing battens remain stable from production through storage, handling and installation. Because in roofing, dimensional stability isn’t optional — it’s fundamental, and protection should never come at the cost of performance.
