Materials for covering the roof of the house. Types of roofing materials

A huge range of roofing materials for the roof of a country house often creates problems for inexperienced developers. They do not fully understand what factors to focus on and what affects the performance of materials. The roof performs not only a protective function, its value is much wider. Mistakes during selection can create significant problems later on.

The parameters of the truss system have a significant impact on the choice of roofing, there are several factors that must be taken into account, this is the only way to guarantee high-quality and durable coverage of the house.

flat roofs

The angle of inclination of the slopes is not more than 12 °. Such roofs are used during the construction of large country cottages, they can be exploited and ordinary.

On the exploited flat roofs there are winter gardens, areas for outdoor activities or walks.

There are options for arranging car parks on flat roofs. To create exploitable flat roofs, you should buy the most durable and reliable roll coatings or mastics. Currently, it is polyester-based euroroofing material.

This material has the highest strength, service life of at least fifty years. As a waterproofing, modified bitumen is used, which does not lose plasticity at low temperatures. On polyester roofs, heavy structures can be installed, strong concrete reinforced screeds can be made, etc.

The second material for sealing flat roofs is liquid mastics. There is a wide choice in the implementation, according to their technical characteristics, the mastics fully meet the existing requirements.

pitched roofs

The number of slopes is from one to 5–8, it all depends on the complexity of the truss system and the architectural features of the structure. All types of roofing materials can be used on pitched roofs: soft and hard, rolled and piece, profiled and flat, modern and traditional.

Each type has its own characteristics, is selected taking into account the operating conditions, the chosen design project and the financial capabilities of the consumer. The cost of some types of roofing can be very high and most developers cannot afford them.

General characteristics of roofing materials

Regardless of the specific features and technical characteristics, all roofing materials have common evaluation criteria.

1. Maximum total loads. They must withstand snow cover, gusts of wind, the weight of builders.
2. Operating parameters. These include durability, ease of installation and maintenance, original design solutions.
3. Price. It is necessary to take into account not only the price of the material itself, but also additional elements, special nodes of the truss system, requirements for the crate, and other conditions. In addition, the complexity of the installation has a significant impact, the amount of remuneration of roofers depends on it.

Due to the fact that the roof is constantly exposed to numerous negative factors, it must be resistant to mechanical stress, deformation, harsh UV rays, and large temperature fluctuations. At the same time, for a long period of time, maintain tightness and a presentable appearance of the roof, do not require much time for maintenance, be maintainable and replaceable.

Important factors are the durability and maintainability of the roof

What are the most popular types of roofing for a house?

There is no unequivocal and universal advice on choosing the type of roof, each of them has its strengths and weaknesses, many factors should be taken into account during the selection. Moreover, not all of them are objective, caused by the operating conditions of the building. Many are purely subjective, outside advisers cannot influence the choice, the final decision is made only by the consumer, taking into account his personal preferences.

metal tile

To date, the most used material for roofing buildings for various purposes. It is made of thin-sheet rolled products, has several layers of corrosion protection. A profile with interchangeable dimensions is formed on special equipment. External coating - extra strong polymer paints of various colors. Warranty 5-15 years, in practice it is operated up to 30 years. It can have a glossy or matte front surface; dust is less retained on a glossy one.

Disadvantages - on complex roofs, the amount of waste increases to 15%. There is a high probability of purchasing low-quality coatings due to the difficulty of quality control by consumers. It is impossible to independently determine the thickness and uniformity of the zinc layer, it is also difficult to determine the parameters of painting. Another problem is that fire regulations require lightning rods to be installed on all metal roofs, which complicates the installation of the roof.

Prices for metal tiles

metal tile

Bituminous (flexible) tile

It ranks second in popularity after metal coatings. It is made of durable bitumen roofing material on a polymer basis. The waterproof layer is artificial bitumen modified with innovative additives, new manufacturing technologies increase the plasticity of the material even at low temperatures, increase mechanical strength and resistance to sunlight.

The plasticity of the base and bitumen allows you to easily compensate for minor temperature fluctuations in the roof elements. The top layer is covered with stone chips - the appearance improves, resistance to various damages increases, and the operating time increases.

The angle of inclination of the roof must be at least 12 °, the material can be used on roofs of complex geometry. Excellent technological characteristics minimize the amount of unproductive waste (no more than 5%).

Disadvantages - susceptibility to UV rays, over time, mold and moss appear on the surface, which significantly worsens the appearance of the roof. Due to the fact that the laying technology requires continuous lathing and does not provide for natural ventilation, during the construction of the truss system it is necessary to use the most expensive waterproof OSB board, which almost doubles the estimated cost of the roof.

Prices for various types and manufacturers of shingles

Composite polymer sand tiles

Quite complex from a technological point of view, roofing material is made from sand (up to 70%), polymers (up to 25%) and dyes (up to 5%). Resistant to negative influences of external factors, able to withstand significant mechanical loads. Weight up to 21 kg, service life up to 50 years, warranty up to 15 years.

The material is not afraid of static and dynamic loads. According to these indicators, it significantly exceeds the indicators of natural ceramic tiles. It has a low thermal conductivity, which reduces the volume of condensate during temperature fluctuations. The absence of pores increases freeze/thaw resistance, some types can withstand up to 200 cycles.

Disadvantages - high cost, complexity of installation, moderately flammable coating. The main problem is unscrupulous manufacturers. Such companies use recycled polymer, it is obtained after recycling. Secondary plastic is significantly inferior in quality to the primary one, respectively, the actual performance characteristics of polymer tiles do not meet the declared ones.

cement tiles

Piece roofing, made from a cement-sand mixture. To improve the appearance, various dyes are added.

Cement tiles are heavy, which requires special preparation of the truss system. It is the only roofing material that increases strength over time. The maximum values ​​of physical strength cement mortar is gaining in a hundred years.

The roof is durable, holds loads well, including shock. Withstands approximately 50 freeze/freeze cycles and is not afraid of sunlight. It is made from quartz sand and cement. Mineral dyes are added to change the color.

Disadvantages - the complexity of laying, highly qualified roofers are required.

Over time, mosses and mold appear on the surface. At the time of purchase, you should carefully check the uniformity of dimensions, the slightest violation of technology or manufacturing on obsolete equipment causes deviations from geometry. Cement is afraid of acidic environments, in connection with this, it is strongly not recommended to use cement tiles to cover houses located in large industrial cities.

One of the most expensive and difficult to install roofing. Piece material, only the most experienced roofers are allowed to install. It is made from natural clay by pressing and firing. The technology is complex and expensive, it requires a large amount of special industrial equipment and the proximity of a quarry with clay suitable for analysis. The service life is 70 years, but there are many examples of old buildings with preserved roofing.

Natural tiles are considered an exclusive material, used on prestigious buildings or during the reconstruction of historical buildings. It can be repaired, the replacement of tiles that have failed for various reasons is not very difficult.

The main disadvantage is the high cost. The price is artificially high, the production of the material does not require such large financial investments. The complexity of installation increases the cost of the truss system by about 10–15%, the roof can only be mounted on slopes with a large angle of inclination.

Another drawback is that even minor violations of the laying technology will definitely make themselves felt during the operation of the building. It is difficult to check the quality immediately after the completion of work, it is necessary to press on the roof.

Comparative table of characteristics of various types of tiles

Parameter
Average weight kg/m	4–6	8–11	8–9	45–55	45–55
Noisiness	High	Low	Medium	Low	Low
Open fire resistance	non-combustible	Supports open burning	non-combustible	non-combustible	non-combustible
Warranty period from the manufacturer	15–20	25–30	45–50	35–40	60–80
Average cost, rub.	850–950	1050–1250	1250–1500	1150–1300	1600–1800
Approximate wages for roofers, rub.	300–400	400–600	300–500	500–650	600–800
Approximate estimate of the roof, rub.	1150–1350	1400–1850	1550–2100	1650–1950	2200–2600

The same popularity as a metal tile, the pro-thinned-out sheet uses also.

Prices for different types of tiles

Roof tiles

Specifications of profiled sheet

Technical parameters differ slightly from metal tiles, service life is 15–20 years. At a cost slightly lower than metal tiles, which makes it the cheapest modern roofing material, except for bitumen and slate. But bituminous coatings are very rarely used on pitched roofs of houses. The profiled sheet has a different thickness and profile parameters, the color is classified according to international standards.

Decking as roofing

Disadvantages - the appearance does not meet modern requirements. This shortcoming is temporary, at present, manufacturers have learned how to make very beautiful profiles with simple geometry. Another problem is the high sound conductivity, but it manifests itself only in cases where the attic space is residential. A lot of noise occurs during heavy rain or hail, such precipitation in most regions of our country occurs infrequently, noise does not bring great inconvenience.

It is made on the basis of cellulose cloth, modified bitumen is used as a hydroprotection, the color is changed by pigments. It has the appearance of a wave slate.

The warranty is 5-10 years depending on the type and manufacturer, but in practice it can last more than 20 years. Resistant to hail, can bend and take the form of a truss system. Special coatings inhibit the development of fungi and mold on the surface, do not impair the initial performance in the temperature range from -40°C to +80°C. Frost resistance not less than 25 cycles, not afraid of chemical compounds. For the price it belongs to the category of budget roofing.

Ondulin - budget roofing

Disadvantages: the color of the surface changes under the influence of ultraviolet rays, the edges are slightly wrapped. Ondulin burns, requires unconditional compliance with all fire safety rules. According to the total quality indicators, it occupies the last position among all roofing materials.

Prices for various types of ondulin

Sheet galvanized steel

Currently, it is rarely used and only in seam roofs. It is installed on a continuous crate, due to its flexibility it can copy the shape of the roof. It is rarely used on houses, it is recommended for various sheds and outbuildings.

Disadvantages - the design does not meet the needs of modern developers, a continuous crate is required for coverage. Low bending strength indicators exclude the possibility of arranging natural ventilation of the under-roof space. To increase the service life, all wooden elements of the rafter system must be impregnated several times with antiseptics, if possible, use moisture-resistant plates.

Prices for galvanized steel sheets

Galvanized steel sheet

Keramoplast

It is made from a special modified polymer with increased parameters of physical strength and resistance to UV rays. To reduce the cost, natural fillers are introduced into the composition, the color depends on coloring additives. A relatively new roofing material, in appearance it resembles wavy slate. It has a variety of colors, service life of 30 years.

Does not absorb moisture, respectively, is not afraid of freezing / freezing. Plasticity allows you to dampen shock loads, the roof can be used in various climatic zones, except for the Far North. It is easy to cut, during laying there is no need to use special devices and tools. The installation technology resembles the laying of ordinary slate.

Disadvantages - high cost does not match the same high performance. Under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, plastic gradually loses its original properties, becomes brittle and cracks under slight loads. It makes no sense to repair the roof, physical aging occurs on the entire roof area. The only way out is to completely replace the roof, which is expensive and time consuming.

Asbestos-cement wave slate

Traditional roofing material, made of cement and asbestos fillers. It can have a different number of waves, currently it is used only on non-prestigious buildings. In our country, slate is made from safe asbestos, which is not listed as a carcinogen. Sheets can have a natural color or be painted in various shades. Despite the wide variety of modern roofing materials, traditional slate still occupies a high position in sales today. Warranty period of service is not less than 30 years, in practice more than fifty are operated.

There are several disadvantages - a lot of weight and low mechanical strength. Large weight complicates the installation process and requires special measures to strengthen the truss system. Slate cracks easily with minor changes in the linearity of the roof, the coating has to be repaired. If a strong hail falls in the region, then the roof will have to be completely changed.

Slate roof - photo

Prices for various types of slate

Slate

Roofing made of natural stone, serves as a decoration of any prestigious building. It is characterized by excellent indicators of the duration of operation, resistant to chemical compounds, including aggressive ones. Unaffected by urban smog.

Disadvantages - high weight, high cost, low physical strength characteristics. Exclusive coverage, very rare. It is recommended to make to order, taking into account the architectural features of the roof. This approach reduces the amount of unproductive waste and has a positive effect on the cost of roofing.

Aluminum roof

It is used as a sheet roofing material or material for the manufacture of piece tiles. The service life is practically unlimited. Coatings easily take the desired shape, does not require additional processing of the front surface. It is laid only on a continuous crate. Aluminum can be used for the manufacture of various profiles, there are options for covering the roof with even sheets.

copper roof

Very beautiful, very expensive and very durable material. Over time, it becomes covered with a patina - a protective anti-corrosion film. The service life is at least 100 years, it is not afraid of negative temperatures and heating.

The main disadvantage is the high cost. Can be made from 100% copper or alloys with tin and aluminum. Elite material, used only on the most expensive houses, historical or religious buildings.

Disadvantages - it is required to completely exclude contact with iron, with such contact corrosion processes are accelerated by several orders of magnitude. Another disadvantage is that the color of the patina changes over time, areas with different shades may appear. Not all users like it.

Thatched roof

The traditional roofing of last century's poor country houses is making a comeback among the most modern builders today. Used by lovers of natural eco-friendly houses, the roof gives the building a unique look. Roofers of the highest qualification are involved in the work; if all the rules are followed, the coating can last up to fifty years. The roof does not require additional thermal insulation, perfectly dampens noise. Due to the special laying technology, fire safety characteristics are significantly increased.

Video - Characteristics of different types of roofing

Construction never stands still, and every year more and more high-quality roofing materials are invented. In this article you will find a description of the most famous of them. You can evaluate all the pros and cons of each of them and choose the right product for yourself.

What to look for when choosing a roofing material?

To date, the following types of roofing materials can be identified in construction:

• . It is made of ceramics, metal, cement-sand base, bitumen

• Asbestos cement sheets. They are flat or wavy. In construction, this material is often called slate. There are two types - standard and euroslate (ondulin)

• Profiled metal sheets or just corrugated board

• Sheets of metal different kind

• Membrane roof

• Ruberoid

When choosing a particular product, we often choose the best product, but what to look for when buying in a hardware store? Roofing materials, although they consist of different bases, have their own characteristics, so when choosing a purchase, you should look at them.

• Maximum loads. There are two things to think about here. After all, conventionally, such loads can be disassembled into two types. One will show only the mass of the structure itself, and the second indicator will show the mass of snow cover in winter. It is located according to regulatory documents individually for each region of the country
• The purpose of the building. It all depends on how the building will be used. For example, if the building is residential, then it is advisable to create a wooden truss system, in which there will be a certain number of slopes and lay all of them, for example, with ondulin. But if the building is industrial, therefore, the roof will be either flat or with a slight slope, and they will fit
• Service life and fire resistance. If you are a reasonable person, then you will never buy roofing material with a service life of a couple of years or use expensive products on temporary structures.

When you know the warranty periods that manufacturers provide for their roofing materials, it is already easier to navigate. Therefore, I have described the term for the most common types.

• Soft tiles can last you about 20 years
• For a new metal tile, manufacturers are advised to come after 15 years. But here the real time may be less important, it's all about coating the product with polymers
• Standard tiles serve, as a rule, up to 30 years. But in reality, it breaks down much faster. It's about its structure. Although manufacturers give a guarantee for frost resistance, it is almost impossible to change this material because in most cases the destruction occurs due to moisture vapor, but the company will not give a guarantee for this
• The average "life" of slate is 10 years
• Ondulin will last up to 15 years
• Metal roofs occupy almost all time ranges, from 40 years to a century. Copper and its alloy with titanium is the most durable product known today. Only the price scares away, but if you compare it with the service life, then this is justified
• The shelf life of slate as a roof is 40 years

IMPORTANT: The service life can be drastically reduced if the installation is incorrect or of poor quality, as well as when already damaged material is laid on the roof.

Most likely, this information will not be enough, and you want to consider in more detail all types of roofing materials for the roof, then let me tell you right now.

Ceramic or standard tiles

Roofing materials can be divided into types by cost, and this roofing will be one of the most expensive, but do not worry, the cost of roof tiles often compensates for their aesthetics and durability.

After all, clay is used as the basis in the production of this product. Finished plates have a mass of two kilograms.

Roofing made of tiles is very durable, while the manufacturer gives a fairly solid guarantee for such roofing materials.

The service life can be up to 150 years, but this is subject to the use of good materials in the manufacture of the product and high-quality installation.

A ceramic roof can be laid in all types of buildings, whether they are made of brick, wood or rubble. The main thing is to get into the range of degrees of inclination. It is 25-60 o and is considered optimal for roofing work with tiles to be carried out as safely as possible, because materials with such a mass are somewhat demanding of themselves.

• A roof structure with a slope of less than 22° requires additional ventilation and waterproofing measures.
• The slope, which is in the range of 22-60 °, allows the fastening of elements using standard methods and materials
• When the slope reaches 60 ° and more, then it is already worth fixing the roofing materials with screws, and you can find how this is done in the photo on the Internet or in our article

Every construction product has its positive and negative qualities, so there is not much about it now.

The advantages include:

• Ease of installation work. Despite its severity, such a roof is very easy to install and does not require additional costs during the operation period. All maintenance costs will be associated only with the cleaning of the gutters and a professional preventive inspection.
• High noise protection. Residents with such roofs claim that not even raindrops can be heard.
• No possibility of corrosion
• fire resistance
• Frost resistance
• A wealth of choice of colors and shapes
• The material itself, due to its porous structure, allows you to remove a certain amount of moisture from the attic space.

The cons can be listed as follows:

• Large mass of one element
• Tiles are a fragile product
• Additional costs will be required for the installation of reinforced crates and waterproofing
• The cost is quite high

In addition to standard tiles, there is an analogue in construction, but only a cement-sand mixture is used as the main ingredient. Its use allows you to produce a product that is practically no different in appearance, but with a smaller mass. Judge for yourself, the load per square meter is approximately 30kg, when the original product has all 60kg.

The composition is very simple and includes: sand, some iron oxides (as a dye), cement.

The optimal degree of the roof for the installation of this coating is a value of 20-60 o. The device and fasteners are made directly on the crate in rows. Nails are used as fasteners for dressing. To ensure safe operation, I advise you to use rafter legs with a minimum section of 50x150mm.

Cement and sand tiles are quite resistant to solar radiation and are frost-resistant, but, like the original, they are quite expensive and transportation is a difficult process.

Bitumen tiles

Flexible roofing materials separate shingles from bitumen. Such a product is created from fiberglass and polyester. This tile has a modest size of 100x30 cm, has a low weight of only 10 kg per 1 m 2, is quite plastic (you can fold it in half with your own hands) and, at the same time, is resistant to aggressive terrain conditions.

Such a roof is suitable for all types of roof structures, where the slope will be more than 12 o. It is popular with developers of cottages, private houses and on temporary structures - garages, gazebos.

Durability is the main positive quality of this product. Due to its structure, transportation to any distance is possible without the risk of damage to the tiles. Local repair allows you to replace failed elements with new ones. It has a high level of sound absorption and eliminates the possibility of decay.

Bituminous tiles are a budget option when compared with their counterparts. It is highly flammable, making it unsafe. With prolonged exposure to sunlight, it loses its properties.

metal tile

In all types of buildings, due to their structure, the roof and its types differ. Some roofs have a simple structure and roofing materials used for this type may not be suitable for more complex structures. Metal tile is a unique product that allows you to use it on the roof with any complexity.

It does not matter to her whether it is a shopping center or a small pavilion, a residential high-rise building or an industrial one.

Metal tile - galvanized steel in appearance similar to a ceramic counterpart.

As a rule, the surface of such a product is treated with polymeric compositions, which makes it look like noble roofing.

Its installation is carried out on roofs with a slope of more than 15 O. The technological process is quite simple and clear from the first minutes of work. Roofing screws are used as fasteners, which can be freely purchased at a hardware store.

If you are looking for cheap, strong and durable roofing materials, then this is your choice.

Its cost is about three times less than a standard tile, and the characteristics differ slightly.

The obvious advantages of such tiles include resistance to mechanical damage, low weight (3 kg per 1 m 2), and safety of transportation.

But here you can also highlight the bad qualities, and these are: low sound absorption and a large amount of waste during installation.

Asbestos-cement boards or corrugated slate

Slate is the most common material in old-style summer cottages. It is a kind of composite material with a cement base and reinforced with asbestos fibers. To date, such sheets can be found in the form of a rectangular canvas with six waves. As a rule, its size is 120x70cm with a wave height of 2.8cm. Slate is a light material, and the load on the base is only 15kg/m 2 .

The work on laying this type of roofing material is overlapped, and nails with a wide hat are used as fasteners. Directly during the laying process, you should not save on a waterproofing layer, which is often used as roofing material or glassine.

To date, slate coating has faded into the background, but is still popular for use on temporary structures.

This is due to the ratio of price and quality, which allows you to quickly and cost-effectively create a roof, for example, on a barn or garage from gas silicate blocks.

• The positive aspects include high strength characteristics, ease of dividing the product into individual elements, low cost.
• The disadvantages include fragility, environmental hazard, unaesthetic appearance and susceptibility to the appearance of fungi on the surface of the slate.

Decking as a covering on temporary structures

As you already understood, the types of roofing can be completely different, and metal is used as one of the materials. When constructing the roofs of private houses, these materials are often a priority for developers. But what is causing this excitement? Everything is very simple because corrugated board is produced in completely different sizes and shapes, which allows the owners to realize the craziest idea. To date, three types of profiled sheets are distinguished - sinus-shaped, rounded and trapezoidal. Finding additional elements in the form of waves on the surface of the material not only simplifies the laying process, but also gives a certain touch of decor.

Decking is widely used on truss systems with a slope of 10 o. The device of sheets on the surface of the crate is made after laying the glassine layer. As fasteners, special self-tapping screws with rubber linings are used in order to create a good tightness. Their consumption, as a rule, is 8-10pcs/m 2 .

Docking of sheets occurs by the technique of "overlapping". The scope of this material is very wide, but most often it can be seen in factories, supermarkets, car washes, etc.

• Ease of installation and low cost is an obvious plus, but at the same time, corrugated board has high strength and durability. Therefore, such a product can be considered very beneficial for roofing installations with a limited budget and time.

Steel roof, made in the form of folds

Surely you know something about what roofing materials are for a roof, and you know that they all have an identical installation process - laying and fastening sheets with bolts or self-tapping screws, but some types of folded roofs are created with already self-latching elements.

This allows you to get rid of unnecessary tools and speed up the flooring process several times.

As for ordinary seam sheets, they look like steel plates. Such material can be coated with polymers, which increases the operating period, or produced without them. The minimum roof slope is 20°. Docking of individual parts occurs with the help of hooks along the edges of the sheet.

Clamps act as fasteners to the crate, and the folds themselves are rolled up using electromechanical units or manually.

These types of roofing materials for the roof are suitable for ennobling churches, estates, industrial buildings, but by looking at photos on the Internet or here on the page, you can be inspired by an interesting idea.

• The advantages include: fire safety, attractive appearance, elasticity, low weight.
• The disadvantages include additional costs for insulation and low resistance to dynamic loads.

Copper and aluminum roofing

Roofing materials made of light metals are definitely a good coating, multiple positive reviews on building portals can testify to this. Of these, aluminum and copper can be distinguished.

Copper sheets are produced by manufacturers in the form of rectangles 70x110 cm, weight is 7 kg / m 2. The aluminum coating will give even lower pressure and will be 3kg/m 2 . The permissible slope for the installation of such roofs is 15 degrees or more.

Copper and aluminum are quite expensive metals, and, therefore, the roof will not come out cheap, but everything is compensated by its service life. After all, for copper, this is a period of 150 years.

In terms of aesthetic properties, at first copper is a rather aesthetic material and has an attractive appearance, but over time the tones fade and it takes on darker tones.

Note that with the loss of color, the quality of the material remains at a high level, so if this fact does not bother you and you need a durable roof, then this is your choice.

• The advantages of these roofs include the fact that they do not require any maintenance, are non-flammable, environmentally friendly, highly resistant to aggressive atmospheric precipitation (for example, acid rain).
• And the only downside is the cost. Therefore, if you have finances, you should pay attention to this type of coverage.

bituminous slate

Flexible sheets based on cellulose pulp and bitumen are called bituminous slates. The water resistance of such a product is very high, so it has found application as a roofing. The slope of the roof for the installation of this material must be 5 degrees or more.

Sheet sizes are produced everywhere as a standard - 2x1m. Such slate is very widely used by developers of private houses, cafes, restaurants. This material has high flexibility along the wave, so it can often be found on curved roof structures, for example, on a dome.

It is worth noting that there will be practically no production waste from it, because the extra pieces can be used as a substrate for new roof construction.

Advantages:

• Light weight (5kg/m2)
• Wide range of colors
• Ease of installation

Flaws:

• Not durable. Strong gusts of wind can damage and warp the material if installed incorrectly.
• It is combustible, which is unacceptable in terms of fire safety
• Low frost resistance

In a modern hardware store, this product can be found at a price of $ 6 per meter. By the way, some sheets of bituminous slate are self-adhesive. This significantly reduces the time of installation work and displays these roofing materials above the standard ones.

Slate roofing

Surely you have heard the concept of shale formations from geography lessons. So, not so long ago, the construction of European countries for the first time laid this material on the roof of their house, which led to the creation of a new round in this industry. The ideal slope for this material is 25 o.

Elements of this type are created only manually and the weight is far from small - 25kg / m 2. Based on such a mass, it can be assumed that the load on the base will be enormous, and, therefore, the crate should be stable. For this, rails with a section of 4x6 cm are suitable, and nails (from 100 mm) as fasteners.

The step of the crate is selected strictly individually. It all depends on the size of the layers themselves. Therefore, it is customary to consider the distance slightly less than half of the formation as a rule. Roofing cake with this type of coating looks like honeycombs, octagons, fish scales. However, this is all unimportant here, and you can try to create your own drawing, for example, a famous logo or a picture.

The terms of operation directly depend on your attentiveness, because if you do not notice a crack in the coating during a routine inspection, you can be fooled and soon change the entire roof. Therefore, if you have damage to some layers, replace them.

Natural materials as a roof over your head

Roofing without buying roofing materials is a recent practice coming from Europe. In these countries, the following types of natural materials have long been practiced as roofing:

• Straw
• Wood
• reeds

These types, as a rule, are not used in regular construction. They are used to give their atmosphere in restaurants by the sea, hotels, various bars and hotels. A sociological survey shows that people are more impressed with natural material than with a colorful facade and new lights.

Of course, the cheapest roofing material is roofing material, and the most expensive is considered to be an alloy of copper and titanium., but there are some nuances here. If you lay the roof with roofing material for 100 years, then during this period you will incur expenses for it somewhere around 7-8 times. It takes into account the number of repairs and complete replacement of the coating. If you use an alloy, then not only will you not have to repair or replace anything, you will still have 50 years to spare. Which, of course, will pay for such material.

Inexpensive and lightweight roofing materials allow you to quickly cover a temporary structure and at the same time use a small amount of finance. After all, ease of installation is also one side of the savings.

As a conclusion, I can say that no matter what roofing materials you use, they must always fulfill the tasks you set. There are many constructions on which one type is allowed to be used, but on the other it is completely unacceptable. Choose only high-quality products from reliable manufacturers, so that later you do not have to do repairs again.

A reliable “roof” is one of the main conditions for comfortable living in a house: it protects from rain, snow, creates a sense of security and reliability of the building. It is the roof that creates the attractiveness of the house, so the problem for the homeowner is inevitable: what kind of coating to choose? Indeed, there are a lot of options and they are made from various raw materials: galvanized steel, copper, aluminum, composite alloys, bitumen, cement-sand mixture, polymer sand mixture, clay, shale, and so on. In the article, we will consider the 3 most popular options in Russia: iron, bituminous and cement-sand tiles.

roofing iron

Steel roofs or Roofing iron - products from thin-sheet galvanized steel. They differ in shape, thickness and type of polymer coating on the front side of the product. Today, roofing corrugated board and metal tiles are the most popular because they are affordable, have a wide range of colors, are easy to install and repair on their own, so special knowledge and skills are not required. Applicable in any region of Russia from the hot south to the frosty north. Durable and easy to process: metal scissors are enough for cutting, delivery does not require heavy vehicles, and 1-2 people can climb to the roof. And such as copper and aluminum are better in terms of characteristics, but they are used less frequently as they are much more expensive and require a highly qualified roofer. Now we will analyze in detail the specific roofing materials for a metal roof.

Decking

It is also a profiled sheet - corrugated sheets with a corrugation height of 8-114 mm from galvanized sheet steel from 0.40 to 0.80 mm. Produced in galvanized version and with an additional polymer coating. It has all the advantages of a steel roof. Among the shortcomings, one can note the noise during rain and hail and not a presentable appearance. However, the latter, as they say, on taste and color. Mounted with galvanized roofing screws in the color of the profiled sheet with a rubber gasket. For installation, a screwdriver with a hexagon socket is used. The variability of the height of the profiled sheet corrugation ensures its applicability on pitched roofs of any building objects from a garden house to an industrial hangar. For roofs of private buildings and residential buildings, the MP20 or C21 profile is sufficient, depending on the slope of the slopes. For roofs of civil and industrial facilities, the height of the corrugation of the corrugated board is determined by the design of the roof, which should be found in the technical documentation.

metal tile

Steel sheets with a polymer coating with a thickness of 0.40 to 0.50 mm in shape repeating natural tiles. has all the advantages of a steel roof and an attractive appearance. Available in a variety of waveforms and resin finishes from standard Polyester to Polyurethane and Zinc/Aluminum alloys. Mounted with galvanized roofing screws in the color of the metal tile with a rubber gasket. For installation, a screwdriver with a hexagon socket is used. It is used on pitched roofs in all corners of Russia - garden houses, cottages, five-story residential buildings and office buildings, everywhere you can see roofs covered with metal tiles.

Falz

Seam roofing is perhaps the most reliable option for a steel roof. Seam - a method of connecting sheets of metal into a lock, which is absolutely tight and provides 100% protection of the roof from leakage. Seam roofs are aesthetic, durable and recognized all over the world. The service life of a rebate with proper installation is more than 50 years, and when using aluminum or copper, it will last more than 100 years. Unlike profiled sheets and metal tiles, seam roofing is installed without the use of roofing screws, which ensures that there are no holes in the metal sheet. This prevents moisture from entering the roof space. The relative disadvantages of the fold include the need for a solid base and the complexity of installation. It will be difficult for an unprepared person to mount a seam roof without special tools and experience. Supplied as a strip (roll of steel tape 620 mm wide) or ready-to-install folded paintings up to 10 m long.

Copper

Copper roofing is without a doubt one of the most durable metal roofing options. Copper oxidizes when interacting with moisture and oxygen, a greenish film (patina) forms on its surface, so copper practically does not rust. You can see copper roofing both on modern cottages and buildings and on historical buildings of the 19th century. Today you can buy a copper roof in the form of a fold, metal tiles, as well as order the production of piece roofing tiles according to individual sketches. Reliable, durable, prestigious, expensive - it's all about copper roofing.

In the assortment of the Metal Profile company there is a metal tile with Agneta polymer coating: it reproduces the appearance of copper and guarantees a minimum roof service life of 50 years.

Aluminum

Unlike steel and copper, as a roofing material it was widely used only in the 20th century. It has high corrosion resistance and flexibility. The advantages of aluminum include the following parameters: service life with the preservation of operational properties of at least 100 years, does not require additional protection in the form of a polymer coating, plastic and easy to machine. The main disadvantage of aluminum is considered to be a strong thermal expansion and a high coefficient of thermal conductivity, so only roofers with experience with aluminum can install the roof correctly. Applicable on pitched roofs with a pitch angle of 12°. Not widely used due to the high price and the unwillingness of any roofer to undertake the installation of such an expensive and capricious coating. For those who want to make the roof look like an aluminum seam, there is an alternative - steel with a matte polymer coating in color 7004 or 7005 according to the RAL catalog.

Composite roof tiles

Another representative of steel roofing materials, which is considered a premium class and is not as common as metal tiles and even flexible or PVC tiles. Composite got its name for a multilayer structure based on a 0.45 mm thick galvanized steel sheet coated on both sides with an aluminum-zinc alloy with additional protection of the front side in the form of basalt dressing. The choice of the buyer is offered from 6 to 8 types of tile profiles and a color range of about 20 monochrome and 10 multi-color color options. Unlike metal tiles, composite tiles are made in the form of small sheets (usually 1100x450 mm), they are silent, have greater resistance to corrosion and have a service life close to natural tiles - 70 years. The coating is easily mounted even by one person, since one sheet weighs no more than 5 kg and easily climbs onto the roof. Cuts effortlessly with scissors for metal. The most famous manufacturers are European Gerard and Metrotile. The price of composite tiles due to the high euro exchange rate for many is unaffordable.

Bituminous materials

Soft, flexible, bituminous tiles - all this refers to the type of roofing materials based on bitumen. It consists of fiberglass impregnated with bitumen, on the front side it has a protective coating in the form of a stone granule, on the reverse side there is a self-adhesive adhesive layer (covered with a film, removed before installation during installation). It is produced in the form of small shingles of various shapes, supplied in packs of 2.5-3.2 m², depending on the collection. Mounted on a solid base of osb3 board or moisture-resistant plywood with nails. Advantages: simple and quick installation, service life up to 50 years depending on the manufacturer, a wide selection of shapes and colors, the ability to cover even spherical roofs.

Disadvantages: a solid expensive base is required, it cannot be mounted at temperatures below -10°C, and in summer heat above +40°C it becomes too soft, creating inconvenience during installation. Now we will analyze the features of each type in more detail.

Flexible tile from oxidized bitumen

The ancestor and the most affordable version of shingles. Produce all plants without exception. Why oxidized? Bitumen in its original form is too liquid and cannot be used for molding. To do this, it must be made thick, which is achieved by saturating the bitumen with oxygen, hence the name - oxidized. The disadvantages of oxidized bitumen shingles include a service life of up to 30 years, poor transverse tensile strength and loss of plasticity at temperatures close to 0°C.

Flexible shingles made of SBS modified bitumen

By adding a modifier (styrene-butadiene-styrene) to bitumen, its performance characteristics are significantly improved. The modifier is built into the molecular structure of bitumen and slows down the processes of oxidation and aging, which doubles the service life of tiles. Such bitumen is 2000 times more elastic than oxidized bitumen and retains its plasticity at temperatures down to -17°C, which makes it possible to install metal tiles even at temperatures as low as -10°C.

Euroshiver or bituminous corrugated sheet.

It consists of 8 or 10 corrugated sheets 3-4 mm thick made of pressed cellulose impregnated with bitumen. On the front side it has a rough surface painted with polymer paint. Available in 4 colors: brown, red, green, black. Sheet size 1900x800mm. Fastened with nails with a plastic head. It has good sound insulation, low thermal conductivity and low weight. It is used on pitched roofs with a slope of 15°. The cost is comparable to MP20 corrugated board with a polymer coating. Unlike the latter, it is not subject to corrosion and does not condense, but it has a significantly lower fire resistance index. Not allowed for use on roofs in civil engineering.

Natural (sand/clay)

Natural tiles are one of the oldest types of roofing materials and originate from ancient Greece, whose inhabitants covered their houses with clay tiles. In Russia, this coating appeared only at the end of the 19th century, when the Brothers Gustav and Matthias Schiffer opened the production of this tile in Russia, having arrived in St. Petersburg to build a carousel in Tsarskoye Selo. In our time, natural tiles are produced in two types: ceramic (made of clay) and cement-sand (tspch). It is environmentally friendly, has a service life of more than 100 years, does not burn, fits on a pitched roof of any shape, silent, with low thermal conductivity, there is a wide choice of shapes and colors - all these are the advantages of natural tiles. In a word, a roof from a natural tile is a roof for centuries.

The disadvantages of natural tiles include the high cost and complexity of installation, as well as its heavy weight.

With a mass of 45 kg/m², natural tiles are 5-8 times heavier than other roofing materials, which increases the cost of its delivery and installation costs. It often happens that a house built without taking into account the weight of the roofing material can no longer afford to get a roof made of natural tiles: neither the foundation nor the walls are designed for such loads.

Cement-sand tile (TSCh)

Cement-sand tiles - made from Portland cement and quartz sand, similar to clay tiles, but 2-3 times lower in cost. The front side of the tile is coated with polymer paint to give it color, protect it from moisture and ultraviolet radiation. The most famous manufacturers in Russia are Braas (Germany) and Baltic Tile (Russia).

Ceramic tiles

Clay, she is a ceramic tile. Obtained by firing clay tiles in a kiln. Ceramic is a harder but more brittle coating than CFC. When falling on a hard surface, even from a small height, the tile is prickly. It is necessary to buy with a margin of 10% for the battle during transportation and installation.

There are 3 types:

• No additional front cover. Has a natural red-brown color. Over time it darkens and becomes covered with a patina.
• Glazed. A tile with a glossy front surface. The glaze provides protection against the penetration of moisture into the pores of the ceramic.
• Engobed. Tiles coated with liquid clay, which is applied to the surface of the product before it is fired. Serves as additional protection of a tile from moisture and gives it necessary color.

It is very difficult to choose roofing materials for the roof in our time because of their huge variety and advertising of advantages without indicating disadvantages. We have prepared a review with a photo, where you will find all types of roofing, their advantages and disadvantages, by evaluating which you will be able to choose the most suitable material, depending on the type of roof and its characteristics.

The quality and service life of the roof largely depends on what material for the roof will be chosen. A huge variety of their materials can confuse not only a novice developer, but also an experienced builder. Roofing materials for all occasions do not yet exist. Each of them is ideal in a separate situation.

The article contains the most popular modern roofing materials, their comparative review is made, technical parameters and conditions of use are given.

Types of roofing materials

By rigidity, all types of roofing material for the roof can be divided into hard and soft. Their scope is approximately the same, but the technology of use and operating conditions are somewhat different.

Rigid roofing is made of tiles, slate, keramoplast, metal, as well as their derivatives and composites.

Soft types of roofing materials include widespread roofing material, shingles and their various variations.

Rigid roofing materials

Rigid roofing material for the roof perfectly protects the structure from the effects of precipitation and the elements. For many centuries, our ancestors covered their houses with natural materials, mainly wood and straw. Currently, these types of roofing materials have given way to more advanced and durable coatings.

natural tile

Made from red clay and kilned at over 1000 degrees to a ceramic state, the classic natural tile has amazing longevity. Numerous archaeological excavations confirm that the tile roofing of the roof is practically unaffected by time. In any case, such roofing material, created 100-150 years ago, still does not need to be replaced.

Ceramic tiles are absolutely not afraid of rain, snow, sun. In addition, it perfectly absorbs rain noise, which compares favorably with many other types of solid roofs.

Roof tiles are small tiles with a special lock for connecting individual elements to each other. The tile is fixed to the base using special brackets.

Scope - roofs with an inclination from 25 to 60 degrees.

Flaws:

• installation requires qualified craftsmen;
• large weight of the coating;
• relatively high cost of material and installation work.

Cement-sand tiles

Since clay tiles need to be processed in furnaces, their cost is quite high. A good analogue can be a cheaper cement-sand tile.

In terms of their physical, mechanical and operational parameters, cement-sand products are similar to ceramic products, but are slightly inferior to them in their appearance and brightness of colors.

In recent years, another hybrid variety of this material has appeared - polymer-sand tiles. It is not cement, but a polymer that acts as a binding base in it, and to increase strength, the tile is reinforced with a polymer thread or mesh.

Cement and plastic shingles usually have a more complex lock and, therefore, they can be installed on steeper roof slopes. The guaranteed service life of these composites is 80 years or more.

Slate

Slate roofing has a low cost. This is explained by the cheapness of the components: cement and asbestos, from which slate is produced. In addition, the weight of such a roof is less than a tiled one and is 10-15 kg per 1 sq.m. surfaces. Slate roofing is nailed or screwed to a wooden crate covered with waterproofing material. Slate can be cut both manually and electromechanically.

Previously, this roofing material was used very widely, but today, due to asbestos, it is considered unsafe and is not recommended for residential buildings.

Flaws:

• asbestos is considered harmful;
• the sheets are quite fragile and often crack during installation;
• in a few years it loses its appearance, gains moisture, becomes overgrown with lichen and moss;
• short service life - up to 10 years.

Today, manufacturers offer more modern grades of this material, which is not afraid of water, is well protected from organic attack and has more decent mechanical strength. Despite this, the minimum slope of a slate roof is recommended at least 20 degrees.

Keramoplast

Roofing ceramoplast is made of ceramic filler, polymer bond and bright dyes that are resistant to fading from the sun, temperature and time.

Keramoplast is very durable, waterproof, dampens the sound of rain well, and is not afraid of high and low temperatures. The specific gravity of the material is only 5-7 kg per sq.m., which allows it to be used on slopes with any slope. Like slate, this roofing is fixed with nails or screws. Service life - within 30-40 years.

Disadvantages: low fire resistance, according to the ignition class, it is close to ondulin and roofing material.

metal tile

This material today covers the largest share of the market for hard roofing, as it meets the best balance between price and quality, is easy to process, durable, and is represented by a significant range. The metal tile differs in remarkable appearance and wide scale of the offered flowers.

Galvanizing and a multi-layer protective polymer coating of the metal ensures the viability of such a roof for 15 years. Some manufacturers promise up to 50 years of warranty if all their requirements are met during installation.

The advantages of metal tiles include low specific weight, high mechanical strength, ease of transportation and delivery.

There are few disadvantages, but they are:

• very "voiced" - a lot of noise from rain and hail;
• metal roofing gives a lot of waste during installation;
• the appearance of rust on scratches and cuts if the recommendations for use are not followed.

Decking

Unlike metal tiles, corrugated board does not have such a pretentious appearance, but in its geometric structure resembles slate. Decking can be considered an economical option for metal tiles, since it is also profiled metal sheets, but it costs less.

The corrugated board can have a wavy, trapezoidal triangular or rectangular cross-sectional profile. The waviness serves not only to give the sheets longitudinal rigidity, but also provides them with the required appearance and beauty.

Mechanical parameters, advantages and disadvantages of corrugated board are completely identical to metal tiles. The minimum slope of the roof for these materials is recommended at least 10 degrees. When mounting on self-tapping screws, the maximum slope is not limited. To protect against corrosion, it is recommended to seal all the more open cuts of sheets, places of holes and accidental scratches with any plastic sealant.

Folded metal sheets

Steel seam roofing occupies the cheapest price niche. However, only trained professionals equipped with a special folding tool can mount it.

Roofing steel is short-lived and does not have a special aesthetic appearance. In addition to the low price, the advantage of the material can be called a small specific gravity, which depends on the thickness of the sheet. Used on roofs with a slope of 20 to 60 degrees.

All metal roofing materials for a roof are attached to a wooden crate with nails or screws.

Soft roofing materials

Unlike rigid roofing materials, soft roofing materials do not have restrictions on the curvature of the roof slopes. In addition, they perfectly muffle the noise of rain and hail, and in terms of service life are comparable to a metal roof.

Ruberoid

Despite its unsightly appearance and fragile structure, roofing material is still actively used for roofs of secondary household and industrial buildings. Roofing material is sheets of thin cardboard impregnated with a viscous resin composition. The main advantages are very low price and ease of installation.

The roofing material is glued to the base using molten bitumen, resin or special adhesive mastic.

Flaws:

• short-lived - service life up to 5-7 years (depending on the components used);
• combustible;
• quickly loses its plasticity and cracks.

bituminous tiles

The bituminous tile is deprived of the majority of shortcomings of roofing material. According to many builders, it is the best roofing material for a roof. - strong and resistant, consists of a fiberglass mesh or carbon fiber impregnated with a rubber-bitumen composition.

It is produced in the form of small sheets or tapes, often with a self-adhesive backing. The specific gravity is 8-10 kg per sq.m. The plasticity of the material allows it to be used on any slopes.

The service life varies greatly depending on the brand and manufacturer, but in any case, it significantly exceeds the operating time of a conventional roofing material.

Outcome

A wide range of roofing materials opens up great opportunities for developers. Knowing how to choose a roofing material for a roof, it remains only to measure your desires with financial capabilities and make the right choice to your taste.

materials	Options
	Service life, years	Weight, kg/1m²	Difficulty of installation	Price, rub/1m² (for 2018)
Bituminous roll materials	5-30	2,5-6,5	average	from 100
Euroslate	3-5	2-5	average	from 250
15-50	4-8	average	from 300
Decking	20-40	5-10	average	from 150
metal tile	5-70	5-7	average	from 200
up to 100	5-15	high	from 150
Composite roof tiles	50-70	6-8	average	from 1100
over 100	50-60	high	from 1500
up to 50	40-50	high	from 400
natural slate	up to 200	50-70	high	from 3000

Roll roofing materials

Rolled roofing is very diverse, we will consider bituminous solutions. Their characteristics depend primarily on the raw materials used in production. Fiberglass, fiberglass, polyester, or a combination of both can be used as a base. The type of backing directly affects the laying method: for example, materials based on fiberglass can only be installed by fusing, and mechanical fastening is only possible for coverings on polyester.

Materials for the bottom layer of a waterproofing carpet are often used for waterproofing underground and buried structures, for example, for waterproofing wells. In summer, the coating is exposed to the harmful effects of sunlight, or rather UV radiation. To increase the service life, coarse-grained dressing is applied to the finishing layers of bituminous roll materials.

Service life: 5-30 years.

Weight: 2.5-6.5 kg/sq. m.

Installation: medium difficulty. It is possible to lay on the roof with different angles of inclination.

Euroslate

Euroslate is a synthetic sheet roofing material based on fiberglass, mineral filler and cellulose. A layer of bituminous binder for waterproofing is applied to the base. The outer decorative layer can be painted in different colors.

• not subject to corrosion;
• resistant to chemical attack;
• easy;
• low price.

Flaws:

• fades in the sun;
• ignites easily and supports combustion;
• becomes brittle at low temperatures;
• can be damaged when hit by hailstones;
• fragile, walk on a roof with such a coating should be very careful.

Service life: 3-5 years.

Weight: 2-5 kg/sq. m.

The sheet covering imitating color and a form of a natural tile. It consists of a layer of modified bitumen, a fiberglass base, a coarse-grained colored topping and an adhesive layer on the bottom.

• forms a continuous waterproofing carpet;
• absorbs noise from raindrops, hail, etc.;
• not subject to corrosion and aggressive environmental influences;
• light, does not create a load on the roof;
• fit on the roof of a complex configuration.

Flaws:

• must be mounted on a flat solid base with a slope of at least 10 degrees;
• on a rough surface, foliage can accumulate and moss can grow.

Service life: 15-50 years.

Weight: 4-8 kg/sq. m.

Installation: self-assembly is possible.

In the collections of manufacturers of soft bituminous tiles, for example, in the ICOPAL Plano line, there are additional structural elements to simplify installation: a cornice ridge, a valley, etc.

Copper Coated Bituminous Shingles

ICOPAL company produces shingles with copper coating - ICOPAL SIPLAST. It lasts longer than conventional shingles. It has a smooth surface on which leaves do not accumulate and moss does not grow. At the same time, it is just as easy to install.

Decking

Metal profiled sheet up to 1 mm thick. The form of corrugation is different. It is made mainly of galvanized steel, sometimes a polymer protective coating is applied on top.

• fireproof;
• inexpensive.

Flaws:

• high noise level in the room when raindrops (hail) fall on the roof;
• high thermal conductivity - on a sunny summer day, the roof will be very hot, and at the same time the temperature in the room will rise;
• subject to corrosion;
• possible dents from falling hailstones and heavy objects;
• when laying corrugated board, additional waterproofing of the roof is needed.

Service life: 20-40 years, depending on the presence of protective layers.

Weight: 5-10 kg/sq. m.

Installation: medium difficulty.

Decking is more often used in the construction of non-residential buildings and structures. In housing construction, it is being replaced by more technological solutions.

metal tile

Sheet roofing material. For its production, a profiled cold pressure method is used to give it a shape similar to that of natural tiles. They are mainly made from steel, which is passivated and covered with a protective and decorative polymer layer, for example, textured polyester. Less common are aluminum and copper metal tiles, which are not subject to corrosion, will last much longer, but are also more expensive.

• light;
• inexpensive;
• a wide selection of colors;
• sheets of metal tiles are large, the installation of the roof is carried out quite quickly.

Flaws:

• subject to corrosion (except for copper and aluminum) if a thin protective coating is damaged;
• due to the high thermal conductivity of the material, additional thermal insulation of the roof is needed;
• there is practically no sound insulation, the sound of rain creates acoustic discomfort in the room;
• self-tapping screws can loosen, which leads to leaks;
• Need lightning protection?
• the more complex the shape of the roof (multi-gable, with pipes, gutters, etc.), the more difficult the laying process.

When laying metal tiles, you need to take care of the waterproofing of the roof.

Service life: from 5 to 70 years, depending on the base material and protective layers.

Weight: about 5-7 kg/sq. m.

Installation: medium difficulty.

Fold - a method of connecting metal sheets by bending. For seam metal roofing, galvanized or painted steel sheets, hardened steels, sometimes copper or aluminum sheets are used.

• strength;
• fire resistance;
• light weight.

Flaws:

• poor noise and heat insulation;
• lightning protection required;
• high windage;
• not suitable for roofs of complex configuration.

The service life depends on the material: a copper roof can last up to 100 years, painted steel quickly corrodes.

Weight: depending on the metal and its thickness - 5-15 kg / sq. m.

Installation: installation requires special skills, you need to be able to make a neat seam seam to prevent leaks.

Composite roof tiles

Multi-layer sheet roofing material with coarse-grained dressing. Used for laying on a pitched roof. Material structure:

1. a layer of polymer coating from below;
2. metal base treated with an anti-corrosion compound;
3. a layer of natural stone granulate;
4. a protective layer of acrylic enamel on top to reduce water absorption.

Some manufacturers use additional layers to improve the protective and waterproofing qualities. For example, AeroDek composite tiles from ICOPAL are made of high quality steel with an aluminium-zinc anti-corrosion coating. The base is coated with a multilayer structure consisting of epoxy primer, acrylic resin, stone granulate, acrylic glaze and polyester. This coating will last more than 50 years.

• non-combustible;
• durable;
• good sound insulation;
• resistant to environmental influences and temperature differences;
• large selection of colors.

Flaws:

• on a poor-quality coating, over time, a layer of granulate may crumble;
• complex installation;
• more expensive than bituminous and metal tiles, but cheaper than natural ones.

Service life: 50-70 years.

Weight: 6-8 kg/sq. m.

Installation: medium complexity, the coating is laid on a wooden crate of a certain size and a waterproofing layer.

Piece roofing material obtained from clay by firing. Used on pitched roofs. When laying, you need to take care of an additional waterproofing layer and a reinforced truss system.

• durable, withstands up to 1000 freeze-thaw cycles;
• resistant to environmental influences, temperature changes;
• provides good sound insulation;
• vapor permeable;
• individual tiles are easily replaced;
• can be laid on the roof of complex shape.

Flaws:

• very heavy, you need a reinforced truss system;
• laborious installation;
• Expensive.

Service life: more than 100 years.

Weight: 50-60 kg/sq. m.

Installation: laborious.

Snow can accumulate on the rough surface of ceramic tiles, which increases the load on the roof. Snow comes off glazed tiles better, in addition, glaze prevents moisture from penetrating into the porous structure of the material.

It is made from sand, cement and color pigments to give the coating the desired shade. Cement-sand tiles can be covered with pitched roofs, after laying a reliable waterproofing carpet.

• resistant to moisture, frost, heat, although less than ceramic tiles;
• slightly cheaper than ceramic;
• individual tiles can be easily replaced if necessary.

Flaws:

• more expensive than most other roofing materials;
• heavy;
• fragile;
• moisture enters the porous structure of the material, which, when expanded during the freezing process, destroys it.

It is important to choose cement-sand tiles from reliable manufacturers - if the production technology is violated, the service life of the material is significantly reduced.

Service life: up to 50 years.

Weight: 40-50 kg/sq. m.

Installation: laborious.

natural slate

As a roofing, processed (to give the desired shape) tiles of natural slate with a thickness of 1-8 mm are used. Slate carpet is used on a variety of pitched roofs.

• due to the high density does not absorb moisture;
• good heat and sound insulation;
• extremely durable;
• fireproof;
• durable, resistant to frost, exposure to ultraviolet rays, heat, the formation of fungus, mold;
• suitable for installation on complex roof structures.

Flaws:

• very expensive roofing material;
• significant weight, it is required to carefully calculate the loads and the pitch of the crate;
• laborious installation.

Service life: up to 200 years.

Weight: about 50-70 kg/sq. m, depending on thickness.

Installation: laborious.

Principles for choosing roofing

When choosing a roof, you need to consider a number of basic nuances:

1. Estimated life of the building. If you do not plan to use the building for decades, you can opt for more affordable and less durable coatings.
2. Features of the operation of the building. For houses with an attic, you do not need to choose materials that increase the noise from raindrops and hail.
3. Roof shape. On a roof of complex configuration, it is easier to lay piece tiles (slate, ceramics, etc.) or rolled materials, which are easy to give the desired shape.
4. Features of the roofing system. If you are not ready to spend money on a reinforced truss system or are planning to repair a roof that is not designed for a serious load, choose lighter materials.
5. Features of installation, maintenance and repair. Some roofing can be installed and repaired on your own, but typically requires professional installation.

Financial opportunities also matter. When calculating the budget for the construction of a roof, you need to consider several points:

• price;
• the cost of the waterproofing device;
• the cost of the truss system required for a certain coverage;
• wages of builders (if they need to be involved).