SAM KIT slats· 3 min read
Wooden or Aluminium Slats for SAM KIT: Lengths, Sections and Counts
Wooden SAM KIT slats can be up to 1.5 m long, aluminium ones 3 m. On a 2,800 × 2,200 mm opening we compare slats, pairs, sections and offcuts.
SAM KIT takes slats 19–20 mm thick and 99–100 mm wide, in wood or aluminium. For planning there is one key difference: a wooden slat can be at most 1.5 m long, an aluminium one 3 m. That decides how many sections the opening is split into, how many slats and SAM KIT pairs you buy and how many posts you need.
Example: a 2,800 × 2,200 mm opening
| Option | Sections | Slat length | Buy | Slats | SAM KIT pairs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood | 2 × 1,400 mm | 1,364 mm | 1.5 m | 46 | 10 |
| Aluminium, one piece | 1 × 2,800 mm | 2,764 mm | 3 m | 23 | 5 |
| Aluminium, two sections | 2 × 1,400 mm | 1,364 mm | 1.5 m | 46 | 10 |
In wood, a slat across the whole opening would be 2,764 mm, over the 1.5 m limit. The calculator therefore splits the opening into two equal 1,400 mm sections, each with 23 slats and 5 pairs. Aluminium spans the full width in one go, so half the slats and pairs are enough — but the slats are twice as long.
Offcuts
Slats are sold in 0.5, 1, 1.2, 1.5, 2, 2.5 and 3 m lengths. Cutting 1,364 mm from a 1.5 m slat leaves 136 mm; cutting 2,764 mm from a 3 m slat leaves 236 mm. If the opening width can move a little, it pays to adjust it so the slat comes out close to a stock length.
SAM KIT slatsCompare wood and aluminium in the calculatorWhen to split even with aluminium
The calculator only splits the opening when a slat would be too long. You can split it yourself too — enter the width of one section (1,400 mm here) and multiply the result by the number of sections. It makes sense when:
- the opening already has a middle post in the structure, for example in a pergola or gazebo,
- shorter slats are easier for you to transport, store and fit.
Two sections need a post between them for the SAM KIT bodies. The clear width of each section is then the distance from the outer post to the middle one — subtract the width of the middle post from the total first.
Example: with an 80 mm middle post, 2,720 mm of the 2,800 mm is left for slats, two sections of 1,360 mm. Enter one section width of 1,360 mm in the calculator: the slat comes out at 1,324 mm (buy 1.5 m, 176 mm offcut), with 23 slats and 5 pairs per section, 46 slats and 10 pairs in total. The counts stay the same; only the slat is shorter.
For wooden slats, choose stable softwood and check before buying that the thickness and width fall within 19–20 × 99–100 mm.
How the count changes with height
| 2,800 mm opening, clear height | Wood: slats / pairs | Aluminium: slats / pairs |
|---|---|---|
| 2,000 mm | 42 / 10 | 21 / 5 |
| 2,200 mm | 46 / 10 | 23 / 5 |
| 2,400 mm | 50 / 10 | 25 / 5 |
With wood there are always twice as many slats and pairs, because each of the two sections has its own set. The number of pairs does not change in this range: at a height of 2,400 mm the slats fill 2,375 mm, exactly 5 × 475 mm.
Summary
- An opening up to 1,536 mm clear width works with wooden slats in one section.
- Up to 3,036 mm, one section with aluminium slats is enough.
- A wider opening is split into equal sections with either material.
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