Differences of a flexible tile from a metal tile. What is better to use for a roof: a metal tile or a soft roof

Metal tiles, like soft roofing, cannot be attributed to new materials. They have been used for quite a long time, but many developers have not decided which material is the best in their field. In this article I will talk about all the advantages that these materials have, and you will be able to finally decide which is better: a metal tile or a soft roof?

Introduction to roofing

If you belong to people who are not versed in the construction business, then carefully read this paragraph, here you will find a lot useful information which will help you in the future.

Soft roofing is most often called shingles. Strange, because there are quite a few alternative coatings, namely: roofing material, polymer membranes, liquid rubber, bulk products. But to make it easier to assimilate information, let's do it like everyone else, i.e. consider shingles as the only representative of soft roofing.

The roofing material sold in the form of small shingles, which may differ from each other in their shape, color and pattern. Any variety has a fairly high reliability, durability and almost always meets the aesthetic requirements of residents. Mineral chips, located on top of the shingle, are protection against direct sun rays and mechanical influences.

As for the metal tile, it is made of galvanized steel, which is equipped with a protective polymer film. It enhances its aesthetic performance and protects the metal base from the harmful effects of moisture and climatic threats. Imitation of a natural tile is given by processing a sheet of metal with a molding press. The thickness of the metal base ranges from 0.4 to 0.7 millimeters.

For fastening a soft roof, nails, staples of a construction stapler, special self-tapping screws and other hardware can be used. It is worth replacing that if you are not strong in the construction business or just do not want to deal with the tedious shingle fastening, then you can purchase a self-adhesive product. In appearance, it is no different from the standard shingles, but if you look at the material from the reverse side, then here you can see an adhesive base, which will give high-quality adhesion to the base.

On the Internet, you can see many articles on the topic “which is better: a soft roof or a metal tile?” The reviews left on the sites are often fake and if you really want to find the right answer, then it's better to figure it out yourself. Let's compare metal roofing and soft roofing.

What is better: a soft roof or a metal tile? Advantages and disadvantages

Any developer before starting construction should study all the weak and strengths one product or another.

Metal tile has the following advantages:

• Cheapness
• Relative ease of flooring
• Attractive appearance
• A discharged crate can be used as a base
• Good service life
• Just serviced

The disadvantages of metal coatings include the following:

• For large areas, you will have to use long sheets, and this is not very convenient
• Metal is a hard material, so it is best to use it on simple truss systems.
• Low sound insulation and high thermal conductivity
• Cheap types have poor quality protective coating so the roof may need to be repainted

Now, let's look at the pros and cons of shingles and start with the good.

• The small size and weight of one shingle, in this regard, transportation and installation is easy
• Can be used on truss systems of any complexity
• Good sound insulation

• Aesthetically attractive

The negative side is this:

• Relative high cost
• combustible
• As a base, a solid crate is needed
• Favorable weather conditions are required for installation

As for the last point, it is worth paying attention to it. Special attention. Since bitumen in the cold tends to crack and crumble, and when intense heat he melts.

Sheet size and material weight

As mentioned earlier, the metal tile is created from rolled steel. The length of one sheet can reach up to 12 meters, but it is not profitable to produce such products, so the manufacturers decided to reduce the maximum size to 4-8 meters. It is worth noting that if necessary, you can make an application for larger sizes and they will be provided to you as soon as possible. As for the minimum length, it is 0.5 meters. The width of the metal sheet does not depend on the dimensions and remains unchanged: 119 centimeters.

As mentioned earlier, the dimensions of the soft roof will be much smaller, since the material is produced in small shingles with dimensions of 100x33.7 centimeters. The thickness of this coating does not play any role, so it is not taken into account anywhere.

Now, let's look at the load that both coatings give on one square meter of base. A metal tile, despite its rather large dimensions, gives a load of only 5 kilograms, but a bituminous tile is 8-12 kilograms.

Bottom line: Despite its large size, sheet metal gives less load on the base, but the large size of the material can be a serious inconvenience when laying in a confined space. In addition, such a product will be somewhat more difficult to transport than small shingles, but installation will also be easier. If you have frame house and you plan to make a roof as soon as possible, then a metal tile will be an ideal choice.

Application area

Both materials are used exclusively on pitched roof systems, minimum slope which should be between 12 and 14 degrees. But it is worth noting the advantage of soft tiles. Thanks to its elasticity, you can even send domed roofs, when only straight slopes can be done with metal. If the bend of the roofing plane falls on the central part of the shingle, then it is enough to give it the same shape and this will satisfy building codes and requirements.

The metal tile is a rigid material and it will not work to give it a bend. It can be laid exclusively on straight planes, so most often it can be found on simple structures. It can be quite difficult to choose a suitable metal tile, because there are quite a lot of its varieties. When installing a metal roof, there is always quite a lot of waste, the amount of which can reach up to 30% of the purchased product. In addition, the more sheets that are cut, the faster the entire roofing sheet will fail, as corrosion will begin to form on it.

Outcome: If your home has a difficult roof structure, then it is better to give preference to a soft roof. Despite its cost, you will benefit from less waste.

Foundation Requirements

As you already know, metal tiles are hard materials, so you can use a discharged crate created from boards or beams as a base. The step of the crate elements is selected based on temporary and permanent loads, as a rule, this value is in the range from 30 to 40 centimeters.

Since bituminous tiles are soft coatings, then for its flooring it will be necessary to create a continuous crate. It's a more complex system, but it's just as easy to create. To do this, it will be necessary to lay moisture-resistant plywood or OSB boards on the discharged crate and securely fasten them to the base. By the way, a solid crate can also be created from boards, but this process is associated with serious difficulties, so it is better to use familiar materials.

Bottom line: The price tag for the crate for shingles will be slightly higher, since it contains additional components. If the main thing for you is saving, then choose a metal tile.

Flooring difficulties

Since the dimensions of the metal sheets are larger, it is faster and easier to fill the roofing plane with them. There is nothing difficult in this work, it is enough to know where and with what frequency to screw the hardware. Even a novice roofer can cope with this procedure and at the same time show excellent results.

As for the bituminous roof, everything is much more complicated here. Even a small mistake can reduce the quality of the entire surface. If, as a result of poor-quality installation, many places have accumulated where the installation technology has been violated, this can cost a complete loss operational properties roofs in general. If you have never worked with this material, then it is better to contact specialists.

When laying a soft roof, it will take you much more labor than with a metal tile. But despite this, large-sized sheets of metal can be a problem, because their laying requires calm weather and special tools. To supply this roofing material to the roof, you will have to install supports made of wood, and the sheets will rise along them. You will not be able to cope with this task on your own, so you need to invite a partner.

We can say that the installation of metal tiles is a fairly simple process, especially if it is carried out on simple pitched roof systems, for example, a gable roof. A complicated frame leads to an increase in fractures, which significantly affects the waste.

Bottom line: It is much more profitable to lay metal tiles on simple roofing systems, but if they have complex elements in the form of valleys, elevation changes and similar nodes, then it is better to give preference to a bituminous product.

Soundproof qualities

Any person has ever wanted to be in silence, away from the bustling everyday life. If you choose a metal tile, then you can forget about silence. Of course, good thermal insulation can be a solution to this problem, its minimum thickness should be 150-200 millimeters, this is the only way to get rid of extraneous sounds.

Bituminous tiles look much better in this regard. Due to its multi-layer structure, it easily blocks almost all sounds. Due to this quality, many developers use this coating on attic floors, gazebos and garages.

Bottom line: If you can be classified as a nervous person who turns on because of extraneous noise, then you should definitely get shingles. But in the case when the sound of rain, on the contrary, calms you down, then the metal tile will be most welcome. As for insulated roofs, here, all materials are good.

Metal tile or soft roof. Which is better in terms of aesthetics

Upon completion of the flooring, both materials look pretty good, so you can talk about this topic for a long time.

The metal tile has a classic appearance that mimics ceramic coating, and I must say, she succeeds. But today, everyone has already begun to slowly forget what a noble tile is and use completely different sheets for flooring. Among the most popular are: monterrey, cascade and joker.

In addition to its shape, the metal sheet has a colored polymer layer, which also has a lot of options. You may not believe that the color palette is about 100 shades. Thanks to this, you can create a unique look for your home.

It should be noted that the soft roof also has interesting shapes and colours. The most popular shingle shapes are: rectangular, hexagonal, shingles, besides them you can find diamond-shaped, oval and "beaver tail". Concerning color palette, then here it is worth highlighting the multi-color coloring, due to which the finished surface is endowed with attractiveness.

The strongest advantage of a soft roof is a hidden fastening. It is obtained due to the peculiar arrangement of shingles, which are laid with vertical and horizontal overlap. And when using products with a self-adhesive base, they will not be at all. As hardware for fixing bituminous tiles to the base, it is best to use tackle nails or self-tapping screws, but some developers use tackle buttons, staples and other elements.

Bottom line: There are a lot of varieties of both materials on the construction market. There is no clear answer to the question of which roof is better: soft or metal, because everything will depend on the personal preferences of the tenant.

Operational terms

All developers strive to purchase durable material for a smaller amount, and in order for such a dream to come true, you should pay attention to wear resistance when buying. If we consider a metal tile according to this parameter, then it is worth highlighting that the wear resistance is set by a polymer coating. Polyester is considered the poorest quality protective coating, as it quickly peels off and is easily damaged, but the pural layer already meets all the requirements of construction.

The durability of a metal tile averages 20-50 years. Surely many immediately have a question, why such a large range of values? The fact is that only half of the service life depends on the quality of the material, and the rest falls on the share of high-quality installation.

Bituminous shingles perform a little better and their service life is 30-50 years. Here it is very important to choose high-quality bitumen, which has not been in the warehouse for many years.

Bottom line: The performance of both products is at an acceptable level. High-quality installation in combination with materials will give a service life of 50 years.

price tags

As I said, many developers seek to acquire quality material for a small cost. Surely you are also concerned about the question of what is cheaper: metal roofing or soft roofing?

Having studied the construction market, we can say with confidence that the price of bituminous tiles is approximately one and a half times higher than metal tiles. But at the same time, it should be understood that there are different manufacturers and types of products, so here you need to approach the issue individually. As for the cost of installation work, the soft roof will be significantly more expensive.

Outcome: If you are looking to create a budget roofing system, then get a metal tile.

I hope the information you read helped you decide which roof is better: soft or metal tiles, and now you can answer this question with confidence.

Soft tiles- this is a bitumen-based material, it is a square or rectangular modules of small sizes, figuratively cut along one edge, laid on the surface with a purely overlap. This material is best suited as a coating on pitched roofs any configuration and shape (dome, one- and two-slope).

The history of the creation and development of flexible tiles begins its countdown at the beginning of the last century. It was created in the States, where it is currently the most popular type of roofing in residential construction. There are a couple of reasons for this phenomenon: the availability of the material, ease of installation, attractive appearance and positive practice of use.

Relatively recently appeared in Russia, shingles are rapidly gaining popularity among householders, architects and professional builders. If you want to get acquainted with the features of the material and the intricacies of its choice, we recommend that you read the article on the topic: “Rating TOP 7 the best manufacturers soft tiles. Features of the material, characteristics, reviews - let's talk about everything in more detail.

Material Features

Let's take a closer look at the composition of flexible tiles.

The top layer is a stone topping. Basalt, anthracite and slate are used for these purposes.

The next layer was the base - the bitumen itself. Bitumen is a fairly strong substance, environmentally friendly, strong and resistant to any impact. After processing with a special polymer composition based on styrene-butadiene compounds, the bitumen becomes flexible and pliable, perfectly compresses and stretches under the influence of atmospheric seasonal temperatures.

Another subspecies of bitumen compound as a roofing material is oxidized bitumen. By saturating with air, the mixture is artificially aged, thereby increasing the service life. But due to the peculiarity of the bonds between molecules, after enrichment with oxygen, such a roof should be used in regions where the air temperature does not fall below minus five degrees.
It is important to determine the density of the shingle - according to GOST 32806-2014, the content of bituminous compounds should not be lower than 750 g / m².

In Western countries, the simplest and cheapest configuration of bituminous flooring is kept at 800 g / m², in more expensive models - 1300 g / m². Manufacturers at creation are based on European standard EN 544:211. When analyzing Western standards and ours, we can conclude that GOST is essentially an adaptation of a European document with minor changes, which is why it has a degree of compliance - MOD (modified).

In laminated tiles (two- or three-layer), the amount of bitumen is much higher than that of single-layer counterparts.

The conclusion is simple. When choosing a flexible tile, you should pay special attention to the quality and quantity of bitumen. Roofing based on SBS-modified raw materials will last much longer than its counterpart based on oxidized bitumen. The price of such tiles is higher, as is its service life. For the rest, the choice is yours.

The soft roof is based on fiberglass, which ensures the reliability of the tiles from mechanical damage, changes in size and protection from longitudinal stretching.

Advantages and disadvantages

• a small amount of waste during installation;
• works as a soundproofing (suppresses the sounds of rain, hail);
• minimum load on the rafters and other related roof structures;
• the coating is hydrophobic due to special impregnation and compliance with laying standards;
• looks great in any exterior design;
• a variety of shades, shapes and configurations are provided.

• stringent installation requirements temperature regime not lower than +5 С;
• the price is higher than other types of roofing.

Kinds

All subspecies of soft tile roofing can be classified according to a list of criteria. The first of these can be distinguished by the number of layers: there is a single-layer, two-layer, and finally a three-layer coating. Also, multi-layer tiles are called "laminated", because such a structure is more resistant to wind and moisture, although it weighs a little more.

The main advantage of the multilayer shingle is its thickness - it is stronger than the single size. Reinforced Size is more difficult to damage or break during installation, operation. The multi-layer structure with a bang can withstand even powerful winds with gusts of up to one hundred and fifty kilometers per hour.

Being engaged in the construction of a house, they think in detail how and from what the roof will be erected. At the same time, the emphasis is simultaneously placed on the beauty and reliability of the structure, because you want the roof to please as long as possible. By the way, today developers often have to solve a dilemma: what is better - metal tiles or soft roofing? The question is difficult, because these materials are serious competitors.

What is metal and bituminous tiles

Both metal and bituminous tiles belong to building materials for roofs inclined at least 12°. Both coatings are light, strong and durable, but they have completely different composition.

The metal tile is a figured steel sheet coated with various protective layers, including zinc, which protects against rust. From above, the material is treated with plastisol, polyvinyl chloride, pural or other polymer responsible for the aesthetic appearance of building materials.

Both sides of the steel sheet are coated with protective compounds, including zinc, which prevents corrosion.

The width of the metal tile is from 110 to 120 cm, and the length is from 40 cm to 6 m.

Sheets of metal tiles can reach a width of no more than 120 cm

Bituminous soft tiles, which are also called shinglas or shingles, are made on the basis of fiberglass. On both sides it is filled with oxidized modified bitumen with additional components. Thanks to a special treatment, the flexible roofing sheet acquires elasticity and resistance to both low and high temperatures. On the front side, the material is sprinkled with crushed stone, which gives strength, and on the wrong side, it is lubricated with a self-adhesive compound, which is temporarily covered with a silicone film.

When creating a soft tile, fiberglass of increased strength is processed with modified bitumen and only after that it is covered with protective layers

The width of bituminous tiles can be equal to 35 cm, and the length - 1 m.

The maximum length of bituminous tiles is 1 m, and the width can be up to 350 mm

Comparative analysis of metal tiles and soft roofs

Metal and bituminous tiles bear little resemblance to each other, which is proved by the rules for their installation and other nuances.

Requirements for the system of rafters and lathing

Both metal and bituminous tiles weigh a little, so they need rafter legs ax, spaced at an average distance from each other (60–80 cm). And a suitable cross-section of load-bearing beams for a roof made of these materials is 20x5 cm or 12x5 cm.

The step of the lathing under the metal tile is determined by the interval between the waves of the material. Most often it is equal to 30-35 cm.

Under bituminous tiles, a rough flooring and a solid sheathing are constructed, and under metal - only an ordinary sparse base

A sparse crate is not laid out under a soft roof, since flexible material will fall through in place of the gaps. The best option is a rough boardwalk and a solid base of OSB-3 boards or sheets of moisture-resistant plywood above it.

Flooring without gaps will not release heat and block extraneous noise. True, it has a significant drawback - additional expenses for installation work.

Roofing layers

It is customary to make a roofing cake for metal tiles from a vapor barrier sheet, rafter legs, waterproofing material, counter-battens and battens. The finishing material is attached to the last layer with roofing screws. The finished structure is supplemented with corner additional parts mounted at the junction of the slopes and on the valleys.

Under the rafters roofing cake a film is laid under the metal tile, insulation is inserted into the cells between the beams, and a waterproofing film and all other materials are mounted on top of the rafter legs

Bituminous tiles are laid out on a roofing carpet, consisting of rafters, a waterproof film, a continuous crate and lining material, which can be roofing material. Flexible sheets are placed on such a multilayer cake, sticking to bituminous mastic.

Soft roofing is not arranged when the weather is cold outside. Otherwise, the material will become brittle. Heat is also an obstacle to the installation of shingles. From exposure to the scorching sun, it softens, which means that you can’t step on it with your feet.

The roofing cake for bituminous tiles is different in that before mounting the finishing material, a lining carpet is placed on the OSB boards

The influence of the shape of the roof on the installation

The complex shape of the roof will definitely not force you to refuse shingles. The dimensions of one flexible sheet are so small that they only contribute to the simplification of installation work on difficult sections of the roof.

Even broken edges, bends and dome elements will not become an obstacle for laying bituminous tiles. In any scenario, there will be negligible waste (only 10–15%).

Bitumen shingles will easily become a covering for a domed roof

Metal tile can be considered a capricious material. On a roof of one or two slopes, it is installed using self-tapping screws with a rubber gasket without any hassle and with a minimum of waste. But when complex details and bends appear on the roof, metal tiles cause dissatisfaction among developers, because they have to be constantly trimmed special scissors or a jigsaw, which leads to an increase in waste. And for domed and cone-shaped roofs, metal tiles are generally taboo.

No weather interferes with the installation of metal tiles. An exceptional circumstance can only be a squally wind.

The metal tile is designed for simple roofs with one or more slopes.

Weight and material thickness

The weight of 1 m² of metal tiles is in the range of 4.5 to 6.5 kg. Exact value is determined by the type and thickness of the polymer shell and many other characteristics of the sheet. The minimum thickness of a metal tile is 0.38 mm and the maximum is 0.6 mm.

The metal tile is a rather thin material, as it has a thickness of no more than 0.6 mm

Soft tiles are a little heavier - 1 m² weighs from 7.5 to 15 kg, because its thickness is almost 10 times greater than that of metal building materials (3-5 mm).

Soft tiles are 10 times thicker than metal ones, thanks to dense layers of bitumen and chips

Duration of use

Manufacturers promise that metal tiles will look good and serve properly for 5-20 years. But as practice shows, this material fails no earlier than after 10 years.

And if the metal tile is covered with a high-quality polymer film, and it is thoroughly looked after, then it will be necessary to think about replacing the roofing only after 50 years.

Metal tiles often suffer from corrosion, which greatly affects its appearance.

Soft tiles will lose performance characteristics after 16–70 years. She lies on the roof longer metal material, since its components, that is, fiberglass and bitumen, do not know what rust is. Manufacturers guarantee that the appearance of shingles will remain unchanged for 30 years.

Bituminous shingles usually do not experience any problems, therefore they last longer than metal material

contact with fire

The bituminous tile consists of combustible construction raw materials. But since it is sprinkled with stone chips on top, it will not be able to catch fire in a fire, but it will melt. A soft roof will deteriorate only if it heats up by more than 110°.

It turns out that you should not be afraid for a roof made of bituminous tiles, even if a firecracker accidentally falls on it or a spark flies from the stove chimney.

For metal tiles, fire is not an enemy at all. The steel from which it is made does not burn or melt. This means that an open flame, approaching a metal tile, will be stopped. The material can easily withstand temperatures up to 130°.

Noise blocking

Metal tiles are completely devoid of the ability to drown out noise. With a roof made of it, the rain will seem not a natural phenomenon, but a loud and monotonous piece of music. To make the drum roll quieter, only insulation plates with a thickness of about 15 cm, which absorb noise well, will help.

In the rain, metal tiles will cause a lot of inconvenience to those who live right under the roof.

Bituminous tiles laid on a solid base do not make a sound. Therefore, it is considered an ideal coating for a building under the roof of which a living room will be equipped.

Ease of maintenance

In winter, it is better to stay away from the roof of metal tiles. Such a roof, which has a smooth surface, tends to fill up with snow and abruptly free itself from it, breaking the drain. Therefore, it is recommended to clean a roof made of metal tiles at least twice a winter.

To insure troubles in the cold season, snow guards should be installed on a slope made of metal tiles.

Snow should be periodically dropped from metal tiles, otherwise it will roll off the roof in an avalanche and cause significant damage to surrounding buildings and objects.

From the rough shingles, the snow comes off carefully. Therefore, it does not need to be cleaned frequently.

There is no urgent need to install snow retainers on a soft roof. They may only be needed on a roof that has a fairly steep slope.

In summer, care for bituminous and metal tiles consists in its periodic inspection. In the case of a soft roof, the problems found are eliminated by tearing off the damaged tapes and replacing them with new ones, gluing patches or covering the defects with mastic.

When repairing a soft roof, it is enough to use a mastic that can re-glue thick tiles to the base and hide defects

Repair of metal tiles is more difficult: the coating will have to be cleaned of rust and painted, excessively damaged sheets - to be dismantled and replaced with new ones, cracks and holes - to be filled with something and covered with a piece of fiberglass treated with minium.

Appearance

Both bituminous and metal roofing material looks decent. The first type of tile is distinguished by a large assortment of shades and patterns and is mounted on the roof so that no fasteners are visible. The second version of the tile imitates the classic ceramic material and competes with the aforementioned building materials in terms of a variety of colors.

However, metal tiles are fixed on the roof open way. The self-tapping screws screwed into it, having looked closely, are easy to notice, and, unfortunately, they slightly spoil the appearance of the roof.

Roof fasteners slightly distort the elegant look of metal tiles

Which is cheaper: metal roofing or soft roofing

For 1 m² of metal tiles will have to be paid to the seller 180–480 rubles. For example, a high-quality coating 0.5 mm thick with a protective pural film costs about 400 rubles.

Elite metal tiles are bought by developers at a price that is 1.5–3 times higher than the cost of a conventional coating.

On popular varieties of shingles, there is a price tag from 200 to 570 rubles per 1 m². And the first-class varieties of this roofing are 1.5 and even 4 times more expensive. The cost of bituminous tiles is strongly influenced by the composition of the bitumen, the thickness of the material and the type of dressing. It follows that it is cheaper to buy a metal coating.

Additional differences

When considering metal tiles as roofing, you need to know the following about it:

• needs special protection against lightning, otherwise static electricity will appear on it;
• from the wrong side it is covered with condensate, therefore it requires full insulation with a heater, a vapor barrier and a waterproof film;
• subject to corrosion, from which only careful staining, including cut areas, can save;

A roof made of metal tiles has a lot of problems, but they are forgotten about when they hear that the material is inexpensive.

If there is an interest in a soft roof, then you need to consider a few nuances:

• she is unfamiliar with corrosion and condensate;
• small even tiles from the wind will not lag behind the base;
• the coating is afraid of ultraviolet radiation, but it is well protected from it by a layer of stone chips.

Roofing from shingles will be a real find for someone who likes to experiment with the shape of roofs.

Which is better: metal roofing or soft roofing

A metal tile would be a reasonable option for a builder who wants a roof that is simple in form, not too expensive and reliable.

You need to take a closer look at bituminous tiles if you plan to build a roof of complex configuration. You won’t have to regret this decision, because in the attic room under a soft roof it will be very quiet.

An attic roofed with metal tiles is considered an unfortunate project, as its inhabitants will have to suffer from the loud sounds of rain colliding with metal.

Video: the subtleties of choosing roofing material

It's not easy to choose the right one.

metal tile- roofing made of metal wavy sheets, which are sprayed with a protective layer of polymer enamel.

variety of forms, color solutions, determine the popularity of the coating.

Soft roof(otherwise - flexible (bituminous) tiles) - roofing tiles based on modified bitumen and fiberglass and granulate. The granulate on the outside provides the base with various color shades, and the lower self-adhesive adhesive layer ensures reliable installation of the coating.

Soft roof or metal tile: advantages and disadvantages roofing data.

To virtues metal tiles include:

• strength coatings;
• a wide range of colors;
• durability;
• water resistance;
• ease of installation;
• incombustibility;
• ease tile sheet.

The disadvantages are:

• low level of sound insulation;
• complex roof structure high flow tiles;
• has good thermal conductivity;
• possible occurrence corrosion when the material is damaged.

Despite the presence of shortcomings, metal tiles are one of the most popular coatings on the building materials market. Disadvantages such as low noise insulation and good thermal conductivity can be eliminated by insulating the roof with a high-quality heat insulator.

Advantages and disadvantages of a soft roof

Soft tiles also have their pros and cons.

Its advantages include:

Identified shortcomings soft tiles:

• high price;
• installed only on a solid crate;
• prone to burning.

Manufacturers present soft tiles as a coating that is not affected by the appearance of fungus, mold development, however, during operation, buyers have noticed the occurrence of fungus in the shady places of the roof.

What material is easier and cheaper to mount

The installation of any roofing implies its own characteristics, depending on the characteristics of the material.

Let's compare the installation of metal and bituminous tiles in terms of:

• by price;
• installation complexity.

cost cost

If we consider separately the price of tiles based on the roof area, then Both covers are about the same price. A: Price difference may vary by manufacturer. When buying, you should focus on the experience of specialists:

• metal sheets should take with stock, since during installation there can be a lot of waste;
• when installing a soft roof, there is almost no waste, however, will have to spend on the crate, laying it in a continuous way. This version of the crate can be justified: in this case, the insulation characteristics of the roof increase, and the soundproofing qualities increase. But it is not always necessary, especially if attic room non-residential.
• in places prone to drips, it is recommended for bituminous tiles lay special lining materials to provide ;
• for the equipment of a roof under a metal tile or under a soft roof they have approximately the same cost (cornices, drains, end strips, gutters).

Thus, the cost of a supply of metal tiles is much lower than for the equipment of a continuous roof lathing, flooring of lining carpets for a bituminous roof, therefore, in general you will have to spend almost twice as much on a soft tile coating.

Difficulty of installation

Difficulty of installation

Complexity laying metal tiles and soft roofs independently roughly the same:

1. metal tiles are laid with self-tapping screws, and sheets of soft roofing are glued and nailed, you can use ours to calculate the roof;
2. sheets of metal tiles are lighter, this allows you to spend less physical effort on styling. Soft tile sheets in the package are heavier, so the only difficulty that may arise is lifting the material onto the roof;
3. metal tiles are more difficult to cut than soft tiles;
4. much more is spent on laying metal tile sheets less time than the soft counterpart.

NOTE!

Installation of a soft roof should be carried out at a temperature not lower than +5°С. At low temperatures, when pressed, the material may be deformed, and the tightness of the adhesive may suffer.

Mounting temperature is the only difficulty in laying a flexible roof compared to a metal tile. But, since roofing work is most often performed during the warm period, this circumstance is not always relevant.

In general, you can quite easily cope on your own both when covering the roof with metal tiles and when installing a bituminous coating.

Comparison of dimensions and technical characteristics

The dimensions and weight of the cover material are considered in order to determine the load of the cover material on the roofs.

Dimensions and weight of materials

Metal tiles are produced sheets up to 450 cm long, up to 119 cm wide.

Single weight square meter, covered with metal tiles, is approximately 5 kg.

Soft roofing is made with shingles 100 cm long, up to 33.7 cm wide.

Despite the small size of the sheets, the weight of one square meter of a soft roof can reach 12 kg.

Thus, the load on the roof truss system of large sheets of metal is much less than sheets of bituminous roofing.

Specification Comparison

Excellent technical performance of one material cannot be expressed in another, but such a problem is solvable:

• the soundproofing characteristics of metal sheets are significantly inferior to those of bituminous material. Compensate for this shortcoming when laying metal tiles, you can use laying;
• when laying metal tiles, it is necessary to install, which is not required by bitumen coating due to the rough surface that can hold snow;
• with good non-combustibility of metal tiles, g A flexible roof, on the contrary, is prone to burning.

Coating characteristics

Characteristics of durability, color fastness, strength, resistance to external influences, environmental friendliness, water resistance of metal and bituminous tiles almost the same. Coatings are able to maintain their properties in different climatic conditions in different ways. All characteristics and indicators are focused on temperate climate regions.

Conclusion: metal tile or soft roof, which is better?

So, flexible tile or metal tile, which is better? Based on all the indicators of materials, it is rather difficult to decide on the choice of coating.

Metal tiles and soft roofs are not in vain the most popular covering materials: their technical characteristics allow you not to think about replacing the roofing long years , and the color assortment, the variety of material configurations, and the brightness can decorate the building and give it individuality.

Bituminous tiles allow you to embody the most daring design solutions , as it is able to cover the most ornate roofs with many bends and slopes.

Metal roofing is cheaper than shingles, but at the same time, soft tiles have excellent sound insulation and are well suited for a mansard roof.

The main indicator of coverage is its price. Experts do not recommend saving on coverage, since the roof is the main indicator of coziness, warmth, and comfort in the house.

metal tile or soft roof

The metal tile is suitable for more strict - two - three-pitched roofs, which have few inclined ribs and are devoid of hard-to-reach places.

Useful video

Comparison specifications coverage data in video format:

The modern roofing market is very diverse. It would seem that a wide range of material base should facilitate the choice best coverage, however, the opposite is true. Due to the fact that many of the types of coatings are equally versatile and practically not inferior to each other in quality, it is difficult to make a choice. For example, the choice between a metal tile or a soft roof: even the most experienced qualified builder will not tell you which is better. The fact is that when choosing the optimal coating, you need to proceed from its intended purpose, the characteristics of the material and how it will lie exactly on your roof.

Metal tile: description and material parameters

The metal tile is a roofing material made of galvanized steel sheets with a width of 0.8-1 meters, a length of 1 to 8 meters, and a thickness of 0.37 to 0.7 mm (the greater the thickness and length of the metal tile sheet, the more rigid the roof structure will be ).

The metal tile consists of several layers:

• the outer layer is polymeric, made of plastisol or polyester (it is performed in a variety of colors: from burgundy and red to green);
• primer layer (guarantees a high-quality base for the polymer layer);
• passivating layer;
• a layer of galvanized metal;
• steel sheet.

The appearance of the metal tile is identical to the natural tile.

The main advantages of metal tiles are lightness (the weight of a square meter of coverage is no more than 7 kg), ease and speed of installation, low cost and availability. The disadvantages of metal tiles are corrosiveness (it can be avoided if the coating is properly cared for) as well as noise (for example, rain drumming on metal creates a lot of noise).

Soft bituminous roofing: features of roofing material

Soft roof is a wavy or flat sheets from bitumen, with approximate dimensions: 35-40 centimeters wide and 1 meter long (different manufacturers produce sheets of different sizes). The color range is as wide as that of the metal tile.

The basis of a soft bituminous roof is fiberglass, which plays the role of a connecting layer between two layers of oxidized bitumen.

The advantages of bituminous roofing include the variety of its shapes: rectangular, two-layer form “under the shingles”, etc., as well as the noiselessness of the material and the ability to lay it on the roofs of even the most complex structures and forms.

Cons of soft roofing: laying is done only on a solid base, which increases the overall cost of arranging the roof.

Metal tile or soft roof? Comparative analysis of materials

In order for the comparative analysis to be the most complete, it is necessary to highlight the main parameters for comparison:

• base for roofing material;
• cost and total consumption of material;
• the complexity of laying work;
• the presence and features of additional layers of the roofing "pie";
• endurance of the material in the cold period.

Base for roofing material

The first requirement for the foundation is the ability to support the weight of the roofing material. In this case, the requirements for the rafter system are almost identical: both metal and soft tiles are equally light material (metal tiles have a weight of 5-7 kg, and flexible tiles 7-9 kg per square meter), exerting minimal pressure on the rafters. Optimal parameters truss system for both types of roofing materials will be:

• the range of the installation pitch of the rafter logs is 65-80 cm;
• beam with a section of 150x50.

The only difference between the base for these materials is the crate: a regular step crate is suitable for a metal tile (the step should be equal to the step of a tiled wave, i.e. approximately 30 cm), and a flexible tile needs a continuous crate construction.

The base for a soft roof is usually an oriented strand board (OSB) or moisture-resistant plywood, which also serves as an additional heat and sound insulating layer.

The level of complexity of roofing work and the consumption of materials

A flexible roof lends itself much better to cutting than a metal tile: since it is quite plastic, an ordinary knife serves as a cutting tool. Therefore, this material is best suited for roofs with ornate, complex geometry (roofs with many turrets, ribs, corners).

In addition, this material is extremely economically consumed: having built even the most complex roof, scraps will remain at best 10-15%.
Metal tiles are also covered without problems, however, only on one- or two-pitched roofs.

If there are complex elements on the roof, ribs and turrets, it is simply impossible to lay metal tiles on them without waste, and the waste is so large (sometimes reaching 40-60%) that it would be better and cheaper to lay flexible tiles.

Some types of roofs, for example: cone-shaped and domed ones, cannot be covered with metal tiles at all; only flexible roofing materials are suitable for them.

Calculation of the approximate cost of materials

The metal tile, as already noted, is quite low in price: a sheet of material 5 millimeters thick ( optimum thickness metal tile sheet) costs about 13-15 dollars. Nevertheless, it is worth remembering that buying material is half the battle, the main expenses will fall on the package: glue, fasteners, etc., which make up at least 40-60% of the total roofing budget.

The warranty period for metal tiles is 5-20 years. It all depends mainly on the thickness of the tiles and the protective layer. Typically, shingles last at least 7-10 years (maximum 40-50 years).
If the budget allows you to purchase a rather expensive roofing material, you should buy a composite tile, which is much better than metal in all respects, and is also more durable for almost half a century.

One sheet of composite shingles will cost you $30-45. The guarantee for this material is at least 30 years, however, in fact, such material serves faithfully from 50 to 70 years (of course, subject to proper handling and care).

A square meter of flexible bituminous roofing costs $7-20. The price of different manufacturers varies depending on the quality of the product and its characteristics: granulate, type of bitumen, sheet thickness, etc.

The warranty period for such a coating is 10-40 years. The most expensive type of flexible roofing is copper-coated flexible shingles. Such a coating will last more than 100 years, but it is prohibitively expensive: more than 70-80 dollars per square meter.

The construction of additional layers of roofing cake

In the case of soft tiles, you do not need any lining, soundproofing material: due to its structure, it already muffles extraneous noise. That is why it is great for attic roofing.

In turn, metal tiles are a very noisy material, according to consumer reviews, raindrops knocking on an iron roof inside the room give off a continuous, annoying rumble. That is why, when choosing this type of roofing, it is necessary to take care of high-quality sound insulation (the insulating material must be at least 15-20 centimeters thick)

Installation of roofing materials: conditions, methods of fastening and main features

As already mentioned, the metal tile spreads easily, but only on condition that the roof is simple: without ledges, valleys and corners. Installation can be done in almost any weather.

The main limitation for this material is the ban on cutting with a grinder, because this deforms its protective layer, which seriously reduces the service life of the coating.

In addition, metal tiles require extremely careful transportation and hoisting directly onto the roof: this should be done by at least 2, or even 3-4 people. Fastening is carried out carefully and carefully, for which self-tapping screws with special rubber gaskets are used.

The soft roof is mounted with nails, as well as with an adhesive edging on the elements of the tile, which fastens adjacent sheets of tiles together. If the fastening of the soft roof was done correctly, then no one will see the nail heads, because each subsequent layer of tiles will overlap, and the hats will be hidden by the next sheets.

Soft tiles are best laid dry in early autumn or spring, when the temperature is average: hot weather, as well as too cold, are not suitable for installation. In addition, if there is no choice, and installation has to be done in hot weather, it is strictly forbidden to walk on top of the material, because this will deform its sheets.

So, if your goal is to cover an ordinary small one- or gable roof, then the question of what material to choose should not arise at all, a metal tile will fit perfectly. If the roofing material is selected on big house with viewing windows, complex decorative elements on the roof, attic and pipes from fireplaces - the ideal, and sometimes the only option is flexible tiles.

Thus, the question of which material is better: flexible roofing or metal tiles is relative, both materials have excellent characteristics, and the decision can only be made taking into account specific conditions: the construction budget, types of roof and its functional state, personal preferences.

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