Every person living in a private house dreams of making a quality roof once in a lifetime. Unfortunately, this is almost impossible to achieve, or at least it used to be. Now the situation has changed somewhat. With the advent of progressive technologies, the so-called "soft roof" appeared, which today has somewhat mixed reviews. Flexible tile is a durable and unique material of its kind, but let's talk about everything in order.
Metal tile: advantages and disadvantages
Today it is one of the most popular roofing materials for buildings. If abroad in this way they make a roof only for industrial buildings, then in our country these are mainly private houses, cottages and summer cottages. Of course, the metal has several undeniable advantages. Firstly, it is a very durable material, and secondly, it is relatively inexpensive, and its choice is quite wide. Nevertheless, there are also disadvantages in the form of a lot of weight, excessive noise, especially if the installation was performed incorrectly. Do not forget that the metal, whatever one may say, is prone to corrosion, therefore, in conditions of high humidity, it quickly loses not only its attractive appearance, but also its properties. So, the cheapest options for metal roofing will last no more than 20 years, as consumer reviews clearly indicate. Flexible shingles have succeeded in this regard, and now you will understand why.
About the bitumen base in detail
Soft tile bears such a name for a reason. It is able to bend to a certain angle and at the same time retain its elastic properties. Due to the similarity to roofing material, many believe that the basis of flexible tiles is cardboard, a material that rots. But everything is somewhat different. And, apart from the external similarity of shingles and armored roofing material, they have nothing in common. So, the first one is based on fiberglass, usually of increased strength. Of course, it does not do without a layer of bitumen. By the way, the performance properties largely depend on the quality of the latter. Various polymer additives and an external protective silicone layer make the soft roof durable, resistant to frost, etc. factors. It is safe to say that approximately 85% of consumers leave positive reviews. Flexible shingles have a much smaller waste, so it will cost a little more than a metal roof. Well, now let's talk about what people write.
Flexible tile or metal tile: customer reviews
Many consumers say that in practice, not everything is so bad with metal products. Despite the fact that such tiles are very noisy and a lot of waste appears during installation, with the right approach, they have excellent performance characteristics. Approximately 70% of metal tile buyers say that it is more expensive than bituminous, but now we are talking about a quality product with a high zinc content. In addition, absolutely everyone is satisfied with how the metal copes with wind and mechanical damage.
With, too, everything is not so clear. On the one hand, these are low-cost rolled coatings (roofing material, lynocre), and on the other hand, elite materials such as bitumen with a long service life. If the roof needs to be done as quickly and inexpensively as possible, then everyone advises to give preference to roofing felt and linochrome, but when quality is more important to you, then bitumen is better. As you can see, it is rather difficult to answer the question of which is better: flexible tiles or metal tiles? Reviews say that all materials are good, but only if they are of high quality. In addition, a lot depends on the manufacturer.
Bituminous tiles from this manufacturer are known throughout the globe. It is characterized by high quality and performance characteristics. The main advantage, according to most consumers, is that such flexible tiles can be used both in very cold regions and, conversely, in very hot ones. Experts also note that Finnish soft tiles are suitable for pitched roofs with an angle of inclination from 11 to 90 degrees, and not every manufacturer can boast of this. The warranty period declared by the company is 25 years, but in practice this figure is longer. The main focus of the production of the Ruflex company is flexible tiles, reviews of which are almost all positive. Products are of high quality, light and withstand temperatures from -45 to +110 degrees Celsius.
Flexible tile "Tilerkat"
This type of roofing material does not need a separate presentation. This is a fairly well-known brand, which is distinguished by an affordable price and acceptable quality. So, the service life, according to consumer reviews, is more than 20 years, while the one declared by the manufacturer is 15. In principle, Tilercat "prima" shingles have positive reviews. They note the extremely simple and quick installation, as well as the high strength of the product. But many notice that the coating begins to fade after a few years, although the paint does not fade. Since the company Shinglas, which produces this type of roofing material, is domestic, it is a very affordable choice with good quality.
"Tegola" - Italian quality and price
Many say with confidence that this is the best flexible tile. Reviews in about 95% of cases are positive and, moreover, enthusiastic. The fact is that the term of operation of the Tegola soft roof declared by the manufacturer is about 60 years. But you will have to pay good money for this. It is worth noting that your roof will be reliably protected, because the tiles are not subject to rotting and corrosion, as well as temperature effects. It should be noted that the company has taken care of a wide variety of colors. In total, in the assortment you can find more than 70 cuts from various lines (premium, exclusive and super). Of course, the Tegola flexible tile has positive reviews for a reason, but due to the high quality of this roofing material.
What else is worth mentioning?
As noted above, the weight of shingles is very small. So, for 1 square meter there are only 5 kilograms of soft roofing. This significantly reduces the load on the house, but does not worsen the protection from precipitation. By the way, the sound insulation of a bituminous base is much better than that of a metal tile, pay special attention to this. It should be noted that soft tiles in some cases are the only right solution. So, on roofs with complex geometry, it is extremely difficult to work with metal sheets that are practically not subject to processing.
Conclusion
So we talked about what is better: a metal tile or a flexible tile. As you can see, the choice is not so obvious. In some cases, it is advisable to use one roof, in others - a completely different one. However, it is important to pay tribute to quality. For example, a domestic manufacturer is not always bad, so
Metal and flexible tiles are the most popular types of roofing today. Slate and seam roofing have long been considered obsolete, and more daring technological innovations, like plastic or arkil, are still too unusual. And why not give preference to a proven option, especially since a tiled roof always looks neat, harmonious and unpretentious in maintenance.
But then what is better: a metal tile or a flexible tile? What do you prefer: flexibility or solidity, design or simplicity? There is no single answer, but we will help you make an informed choice!
In this article, we will look at a comparison of the characteristics of both types of roofing. And it is not surprising that manufacturers are so fond of comparing their flexible tiles with metal ones, as with something opposite in quality:
Structure: what do you need to know?
Let's start with the structure of both coatings. Indeed, today many still prefer metal tiles only for the reason that soft tiles are considered to be something like an analogue of roofing material, although in fact, technically, it is much more complicated and reliable, and at the same time it has a much more complex structure.
So, what is a flexible tile? This is a type-setting sheet material with standard sizes and curly cutouts. Such a product has a multilayer structure, in which the basis is fiberglass (non-woven fiberglass) and a material impregnated with bitumen.
Shingles of different manufacturers differ in such important parameters as design, color palette, quality of binder bitumen, base strength, soil thickness and type of dressing. A lot here depends on the bitumen itself. It is his qualities that the great-grandfather will dictate how flexible tiles will behave on the roof.
The main advantage of such sheets is the ability to withstand longitudinal stretching. And especially high strength characteristics of bituminous tiles with double reinforcement. In addition, even at the factory, the shingles are treated with a special compound to protect against mold and lichen during operation. Today bituminous shingles are even produced with aluminum, copper and zinc-titanium plates on top.
But the metal tile has a fundamentally different structure:
The basis of the metal tile is a steel sheet coated with an aluminum or zinc layer, and on top - with an additional protective coating. Such a puff cake, and the presence or absence of each of these materials will immediately affect the durability of the material.
The topmost layer is of particular importance, see how immediately the characteristics of the sheet change in different versions:
To summarize: both metal and flexible tiles have a complex structure, and their quality depends on what kind of material was used, how many layers were used and what manufacturing technology is in question. Those. neither flexible nor metal tiles are inherently a simple analogue of a seam or roofing felt roof.
Color and design: what will please the eye more?
The second important point that affects the choice of a particular roofing is the aesthetic component. After all, it makes no sense to think over the exterior of a new house, the color of the facade, the shape of the window frames to the last detail, and so that the roof spoils the whole appearance.
And here the difference between metal tiles and shingles is huge! Metal tiles are produced with a fairly large selection of colors according to the RAL catalog, but all of them, of course, are monochrome. And in nature there are no such pure shades, which is why the metal tile always looks alien against the background of the surrounding nature, although it is stylish. And multi-colored metal tiles are not produced:
The situation is completely different with flexible tiles, which are produced today with two main types of top coating - basalt and slate chips. In addition to its decorative functions, this dressing also protects the sheets from ultraviolet rays and many other factors.
The colors themselves are so beautiful and varied that it is not difficult to achieve the desired fashionable style of architecture. And every year the leading manufacturers release something new, actively competing with each other.
And, of course, such a roofing looks harmonious both in urban latitudes and against the backdrop of a natural landscape:
Possibilities for implementing projects: from simple to complex
Due to the large amount of waste, the lack of high-quality bending and the integrity of the sheets, metal tiles are well suited for simple projects, like roofs with two straight slopes and no frills. Aerobatics for metal tiles - hip and hipped roofs, and then you will have to tinker with sealing and arranging their ridges.
The fact is that metal tiles, for all their texture, require even slopes, and any bend or complex element turns into a number of problems. Sometimes, on unusual architectural objects, the consumption of metal tiles exceeds more than 50%, while even on ordinary roofs it is never less than 15%.
But for flexible tiles there are no barriers at all (with the exception of a flat surface). Thanks to this, beautiful roofs and a simple, complex configuration are obtained from it - even bulbous and domed ones. And all thanks to the fact that flexible tiles are piece material, and the integrity of the coating is never violated due to one problem area.
When it comes to complex roofing, you can’t make beautiful corner elements from metal tiles. And even with the special talent and resourcefulness of the roofer, it is still quite difficult to provide waterproofing for such elements. But with a flexible tile, everything is completely different!
Here is a very interesting video on the subject:
Practicality: which tile will show itself better?
If the aesthetic side is satisfied, consider the practicality of both types of roofing.
Noise isolation: will there be a roar?
And now we have moved on to the main difference, which is so often talked about - soundproofing. So, if you want to convert the attic of the house into an attic, it is recommended to allegedly forget about the metal tile. After all, high-quality insulation only reduces the roar from rain by a small percentage. But the flexible tile is a completely silent material.
On the other hand, if you choose a heater with high soundproofing properties, and do not spare self-tapping screws (metal sheets still often rumble from the wind), i.e. approach the issue correctly, then such an attic will turn out to be quite comfortable. For example, for this purpose, experienced roofers are advised not to purchase screws for metal tiles in the market, where they sell "everything for everything." It is better to order a set of these in a specialized store, with a rubber-based rubber gasket.
Well, if the attic is cold, and we are not talking about insulation, then it will not matter to you at all whether it is noisy under the roof in a downpour, because the sound will not reach the living quarters.
Snow retention: snow avalanche
The next step is snow retention. It is very important that snow on a residential building, especially abundant in the Russian climate, does not fall like an avalanche. After all, such a “hat” can not only corrupt the drainage systems, break the growing ones, break the expensive bushes growing nearby, damage the car, but also beat the dog passing below.
Therefore, it will be necessary to install snow retainers on the metal tile. At the same time, flexible tiles do not need them, because it has a minimal probability of such a snowfall, and all thanks to the rough surface of stone chips. The only thing is that snow, especially wet and with pieces of ice, from time to time will scratch the shingles and peel off the powder from it, and it is necessary as a protection from the sun's rays.
Sustainability Issues: Dispelling the Myths
As for the quality of bituminous tiles, they often worry that this material is not very environmentally friendly. And that in the sun in the heat, bitumen will release toxic substances into the air, thus poisoning the surrounding nature and people. But in fact, this can only happen with fake low-quality tiles.
Indeed, for the manufacture of roofing, modern manufacturers use only high-quality bitumen - natural, which is popularly called "earth tar". Published by them, they coated housing for full waterproofing.
Such bitumen differs from chemical bitumen in that it is saturated with oxygen and in fact is still a natural material, and this is not at all the same material with which roofing material is glued to slopes.
Budget: consider the pitfalls
And now about the most sensitive issue - the price. Even with a limited budget, buyers still want to purchase quality material and not lose in terms of the appearance of the house. Flexible tiles, of course, are more expensive than metal ones, but not so much as to abandon the planned design.
Second moment. Prices for metal tiles are more or less transparent and understandable: high-quality tiles have their own price, while handicraft and super-thin tiles, which are sold directly on the market, will cost less. But with flexible tiles, everything is a little more complicated: in fact, on the domestic market, it is quite possible to purchase tiles twice as expensive, and at the same time, two times worse than its counterparts.
For example, at one time on salea fairly strong and durable American bituminous tile appeared, which in many respects surpasses the European one, but at the same time was more affordable.
And, finally, in the light of the current policy of import substitution, Russian factories have taken quality seriously and use modern manufacturing technologies, while abroad, nothing has often changed in terms of production for the past 20-30 years. So it turns out that today some domestic tiles have the same quality as foreign ones, but differ significantly in cost.
Also, due to the absence of a monopoly on the market, the prices for shingles are quite acceptable, because manufacturers compete with each other due to new collections and improved quality of shingles. And in the case of metal tiles, Grand Line and MetalProfile hold the main prices, and only handicrafts compete with them, with a few exceptions.
And, finally, if we talk about the price, then consider the possible overrun of the material. Although in total prices for metal tiles are at least 40% lower than for flexible ones, everything is compensated by trimmings.
Durability and ease of care
In total, the guarantee for a metal tile is designed for a period of 10 to 20 years, although in practice it may well last half a century if it has neither a scratch nor a chance of corrosion and all fastenings are made perfectly.
True, no one has checked such a long period, because metal tiles are relatively new for the Russian market. But for flexible tiles, the guarantee is given from 10 to 50 years, although in reality it lasts from 15 to 70 years. Again, this has not been tested either.
Although these small studies and tests of both types of coverage will be interesting for you to see:
Also, in the future, maintenance of a bituminous roof will be much cheaper, because. it is considered the most repairable. Let's compare: if a leak appears in some place, it is enough to create a couple of shingles with one nail puller and replace them with new ones, and at the same time, metal tiles will either have to squeeze out several tubes of expensive sealant to the base, or even remove and replace entire sheets. In addition, one problematic shingle does not affect the entire slope, and just one scratch on the metal tile causes corrosion throughout the entire slope.
Complexity of installation: what will you have to face?
The next difference between a metal tile and a flexible one is the design of the roof itself. Both types require completely different bases:
The need for a solid foundation
If we talk about the need for a foundation, then depending on the thickness of the metal and the surface coating, the metal tile usually weighs from 4.5 to 6 kg per square meter, and flexible - from 7.5 to 15 kg. This suggests that both materials are quite light and for them the power of the truss system is about the same. If we talk about the insulated roof under which the attic is arranged, the roofing cake here will no longer differ too much in the number of layers:
A cold roof does not need to be insulated, but keep in mind that in the case of a metal tile, when temperatures drop, condensation will form from the inside. With a flexible tile such problems do not arise.
Working conditions and preparation
Both coatings also differ in installation conditions. So, you can work with metal tiles in almost any weather, except for rain. But bituminous shingles are recommended to be nailed only at a temperature not lower than 5 ° C, but not in the heat, and only in dry weather. All due to the fact that in the cold the flexible tile becomes brittle and breaks right during the laying process. An exception is sbs-modified bitumen, although there are certain recommendations for it.
If you still have to work at a temperature close to 0 ° C, then the shingles are prepared in advance and stored in a well-heated room. After that, they are served in small batches and quickly fixed, helping the building dryer to bend the shingles. It is also difficult to work with shingles in extreme heat: the bitumen softens slightly, and granules are easily swept away from it.
As we have already said, when working with shingles, the consumption is minimal, and even those sheets that need to be cut can be cut with ordinary scissors. But it is difficult to cut a metal tile exactly to size, and not only because of the elaborate profile. The fact is that such sheets cannot be cut with a grinder, and the jigsaw also scratches the coating, and the scissors bend the profile. Therefore, roofers have to pick up a grinder, and then tint the cut line.
Features of laying on slopes
The next point is the complexity of laying both types of roofing. With metal tiles, everything is usually simple: sheets of the same size perfectly match in color and profile. If the slopes are even, it remains only to raise them to the roof and securely fix them there with special roofing screws.
But with flexible tiles, you most often have to mess around. Firstly, not all series (especially budget ones) make it easy to lay out row after row on a slope, and you have to independently think through a certain pattern according to the chosen scheme.
Those who have experienced this at least once know how difficult it is. And it turns out that if a new batch (purchased) lay out some part of the roof, then this place will stand out strongly against the general background. Therefore, experienced roofers know to first unpack all packs and mix them thoroughly. But even this does not guarantee a perfect result. Of course, the fact that each shingle will have to be driven by hand will add to its difficulties (it is better to rent a nail gun for this).
But if you accidentally tear, cut or scratch one of the shingles, then replace it with another without any problems. If you scratch the metal tile, then it will at least have to be repaired. And because of this, she will already lose all her attractive appearance. If nothing is done, after the autumn rains, corrosion will immediately begin. And scratching is easy enough: unsuccessfully stepping on or dropping the tool. The fact is that they carefully handle the sheets and comply with all technologies at their best - that is another task. Indeed, for installers it is much more important not to fall from a height.
And, finally, the most important difference between both types of tiles is fire safety. Both are considered conditionally safe, but if, over time, stone chips crumble in places on soft tiles and “bald” places appear, just one spark falling on them can cause a fire. And therefore, if, with all the arguments, you still haven’t decided what kind of roof you want, do it easier: if you have a chimney or chimney, then install a safer metal tile, if not, please yourself with an exquisite design of flexible tiles!
When planning the construction of a house, you must immediately decide on the choice of basic building materials. These include roofing, since the loads on the foundation base and the overall construction costs depend on its characteristics. There is a wide selection of pitched roof coatings on the market, but most often private developers are interested in what is better - a metal tile or a soft roof. To answer this question, you should compare materials according to various criteria and determine which option is more suitable for use in specific conditions.
Metal and soft tiles
Manufacturing principles
First of all, it is worth understanding the design features of the materials under consideration. They fundamentally differ in structure, the only common thing is that both types of coating imitate tiles.
metal tile
Metal tile is a multi-layer material, the basis of which is rolled steel with a thickness of 0.4 mm to 0.7 mm. It is recommended to use roofing sheets made of steel with a thickness of at least 0.5 mm, since at smaller parameters the material is prone to deformation under loads and has a lower durability.
To protect against corrosion, rolled metal is coated on both sides with a layer of zinc (the thicker it is, the longer the roof will last), as well as a passivating layer - an oxide film, which also prevents steel from rusting.
A protective and decorative outer layer is applied to the front and back sides of the rolled metal. From the back side, it is painted with a special paint, and the front side is covered with a polymeric material - polyester, plastisol, pural, etc. The durability of the roofing and its stability depend on the characteristics and thickness of the polymer layer.:
- to fading under the influence of ultraviolet radiation;
- to mechanical damage during maintenance and other work on the roof.
Completely finished rolled material is subjected to profiling on special equipment and cut into sheets. The appearance of the finished roof depends on the characteristics of the profile, but in general, the imitation of the coating from piece clay tiles is successful.
Material structure overview Soft tiles
Bitumen shingles are a relatively flexible material compared to metal shingles. Its base is fiberglass or other similar material that is tear-resistant and resistant to decay.
Modified bitumen is applied over the base on both sides - special polymer additives allow it to remain elastic at low temperatures, so that the roofing does not crack even when used in cold climates.
The lower layer of the flexible roofing material is covered with an adhesive and covered with a protective film, which is removed before installation. On the outside, bituminous tiles are supplied with a decorative and protective layer of mineral chips mixed with pigment and polymer resin. The outer coating protects the bituminous layer from the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation, increases the resistance of the roofing to mechanical damage.
Sheet material is produced in the form of shingles of a certain configuration. Due to the figured petals and special coloring, the finished roof looks original and attractive, but such a tile visually differs from the classical one.
Dimensions and weight
These parameters largely determine the ease of installation, the ability to carry out work on laying the coating on the roof on your own. In addition, the load on the wall structures and the foundation depends on the weight of the roofing material. In some cases, this is critical.
Metal roof tiles are produced in the form of sheets, the width of which varies between 1.12–1.19 m, and the length can be from 0.5 to 7.5 m. the roofing will have many joints, which worsens its functional parameters. In the standard version, the length of a metal tile sheet is 4.5 m, but the installation of such material requires the involvement of assistants to lift the sheets onto the roof. Sheets of greater length are most often made to order.
Sizes of sheets and shingles Flexible roofing shingles have a small format (1000×337 mm), one person is enough to install the roofing.
Pay attention to the difference in the weight of the material: one element of a flexible roof weighs less than a sheet of metal tiles, while the total weight of a bituminous tile roof is about 8–12 kg per square meter, and a metal roof is about 5 kg.
Specifics of use
Choosing which material is more suitable for the application, flexible tiles or metal tiles, makes sense only if we are talking about a pitched roof, in which the angle of inclination of the slopes is from 12–14 °.
At the same time, due to its elasticity, bituminous material is suitable for laying on roofs of complex configuration, including cone-shaped, hemispherical or broken surfaces. The small size of soft roof shingles and fastening technology contributes to material savings - on complex roofs, the amount of waste will be no more than 4%.
Specifics of use Metal tiles are used on roofs of a simple shape with even slopes, including multi-gable roofs. An attempt to use metal tiles for laying on curved surfaces will lead to a large number of joints, the need for anti-corrosion treatment of edges on cuts, and a high percentage of waste (up to 30%). This complicates the installation work and increases the financial cost of arranging the roof.
Type of base (battens)
Due to the rigidity of the sheets of metal tiles, it is enough to use a sparse crate made of a bar or board for laying the coating. The greater the angle of inclination of the slopes, the wider the step of installing the elements of the crate, since the snow load on the roof is reduced, and vice versa. The standard batten pitch for this material is 350–400 mm.
Comparison of battens Bituminous tiles are mounted on a flat surface, therefore, it requires a continuous crate of sheet materials (planed boards, plywood, OSB, etc.) over a sparse one. Such a crate is noticeably more expensive and more difficult to install, since it is necessary to avoid height differences at the joints of the sheets.
Mounting Features
Let's compare the main aspects of work related to the installation of roofing:
- Preparatory stage. Installation of waterproofing, counter-lattices and battens for metal tiles requires less labor and time compared to fixing a solid batten and a special waterproofing underlayment for bituminous material.
- Lifting material to the place of laying. Advantages of soft tile shingles as they are small and light. Lifting sheets of steel tiles requires the involvement of assistants, and in some cases the use of special devices (supports made of wooden beams). When lifting, care should be taken - damage to the protective layer on the metal tile leads to the appearance of a corrosion center.
- Mounting speed. The metal-tiled coating is mounted in a short time (on simple slopes), the work can be done independently. Laying flexible tiles requires special skills - it is difficult to dismantle glued shingles, and errors in the work technology lead to the fact that the roofing will not cope with its functions. The speed of installation of flexible tiles is approximately three times lower compared to the arrangement of a metal coating.
Nuances in the installation of metal tiles Functionality of roofing
- Metal tile flooring is characterized by increased windage, in areas with strong winds there is a risk of breaking the coating, especially if mistakes were made during installation. Soft tile flooring adheres securely to the subfloor, so this option is preferable in climates with strong winds.
- Self-tapping screws are used to fasten the metal tile. Accordingly, mounting holes are made under them, each of which is potentially a source of corrosion, since the integrity of the protective coatings is violated. If the special washer on the self-tapping screw does not adhere well to the hole and does not seal it, the sheet material will quickly fail. In areas with high humidity, heavy rainfall, it is worth giving preference to bituminous roofing, the flooring of which is a one-piece multi-layer sealed “pie”, glued with special mastic and successfully resisting moisture.
Section of a roofing pie under a flexible tile Soundproof parameters
It is not difficult to determine which roof is better in terms of soundproofing properties. Metal tile refers to "noisy" materials, which does not dampen the sound of drumming rain and wind, transmits vibration to building structures. To compensate for this shortcoming, it is recommended to use vibration-proof pads when installing the flooring, as well as heat-insulate the roof with a heater that can dampen sound waves.
The advantages of bituminous roofing include high noise insulation performance. The sound of drops on the roof, gusts of wind will not disturb the acoustic comfort in the house, even if the roof is not insulated.
architectural expressiveness
From the point of view of aesthetic characteristics, the materials are equal - the choice depends on the preferences of the developer. It is important that the roofing material is combined with the overall appearance of the building..
Manufacturers offer a wide selection of metal tiles, which differ in profile configuration and color. The market offers materials with more than 100 shades, which allows you to choose the best option for a home of any architecture.
Possible types of metal tile profiles Bituminous tiles also please with a variety of petal shapes and color schemes. In addition to monochrome finishes, there is a rich selection of shingles available in complex colors that combine multiple shades. This adds expressiveness and originality to the mounted roofing.
Assortment of soft tiles Please note: the fasteners of the metal profile flooring remain in sight, they are closed with caps to match the metal tile. At the same time, the installation of the bituminous coating is carried out using hidden fasteners, which increases the aesthetic appearance of the roof.
Service life and maintainability
One of the key criteria for choosing roofing is durability - the longer the roof is able to last, the more profitable it is to invest in this particular coating option. It is also important to evaluate maintainability, as external factors can affect the integrity of the deck.
Metal tile parameters
The service life of a metal tile depends on the technical characteristics of a particular material. Manufacturers define durability as 20–50 years, taking into account:
- steel sheet thickness (recommended at least 0.5 mm);
- galvanizing thickness (zinc consumption should be at least 275 g/m²);
- characteristics of the polymeric protective and decorative layer.
It is these parameters that you should pay attention to when choosing which metal tile is better.. It is important to check the evenness of the sheets, the quality of the outer coating (the absence of paint streaks, swelling, etc.), familiarize yourself with the product certificates.
Which manufacturer to choose Damaged roof decking elements can be replaced with new ones, but only if the profile configuration exactly matches. It is also possible to install patches, but such repairs will worsen the appearance of the roof.
Shingles parameters
Service life of bituminous material is 30–50 years. The exact timing depends on the following parameters:
- type of bitumen (oxidized is more durable than modified);
- strength characteristics of the base;
- thickness of the outer protective layer.
Damaged shingle roofing can be repaired by applying a patch of the same material or by replacing the shingles. If you carefully do the work and choose the perfect shade, the repaired place on the roof of the house will not catch your eye.
Cost of materials
Let's figure out what is cheaper - a metal tile or a flexible tile. If we compare the prices for the materials themselves, then on average the purchase of shingles will cost one and a half times more than the purchase of metal tiles.
Equally important is the difference in installation costs. If roofing films, bars and self-tapping screws are used to equip a roofing pie with a decking of profiled steel sheets, then for laying bituminous tiles, you need:
- bars and sheet materials for lathing;
- lining carpet;
- mastic;
- fixing nails.
It should also be noted that it is advisable to entrust the installation of a bituminous coating to professionals, while many fasten metal tiles on their own.
Conclusion
Which choice will become a priority, metal tile or soft roof, which have their pros and cons, everyone decides on their own.
The compared materials have many differences. Comparison in terms of affordability is won by metal tiles - this is an inexpensive option that is ideal for the roof of a house and any ancillary buildings. However, we must not forget that for a residential building, even a summer cottage, roof insulation will definitely be required so that the noise of rain and wind does not interfere with rest, and this requires additional costs.
Bituminous shingles are good in terms of increased waterproofing, wind resistance and noise-absorbing properties. A summer cottage or a house with an insulated attic floor will not require thermal insulation of the roof for acoustic comfort. But these total costs for roofing material and installation are relatively high.
Metal tiles are chosen for pitched roofs of a simple configuration, and bituminous tiles are versatile and suitable for installation on complex roofs.
Both materials are quite durable and maintainable, subject to the purchase of products from a reliable manufacturer. It is impossible to advise unambiguously what to choose. The decision is made taking into account the functional purpose of the building, the climatic features of the area, personal aesthetic preferences and financial capabilities.
So, you have decided to start building your own country house. And already at the project stage, you need to decide on the roofing material. Many decide the issue of choosing a roof and ask the question: " What to choose? Which roof is better: metal or shingles?". An unambiguous answer to such a question will not work. In this article, we will try to describe the differences between these materials, their advantages and disadvantages.
To begin with, we will give a brief description of each of these roofing materials. Both of these materials are designed for pitched roofs with a slope of more than 12 degrees.
5. Snow retention
The difference in the coating of flexible tiles and metal tiles affects the different ability of an avalanche of snow. On a bituminous tile roof, snow usually lingers and the likelihood of an avalanche from such a roof is minimal. Although the design of some manufacturers of soft tiles provides elements of snow retention. They are installed as needed, depending on the snowiness of the area and the angle of the roof.
As for the metal tile, the situation is different here. Snow gradually accumulates on the smooth surface of the metal tile, and at a certain moment the snow-ice mass can avalanche off the roof, thus creating a great danger to the health and life of people. Also, when such a "snow cap" comes off, the drain is damaged, it simply bends or pulls out. Therefore, snow retention on a metal roof is a necessity that you need to remember about and immediately plan the installation of a snow retention system.
6. Other Features
With regards to metal tiles. Due to the good thermal conductivity of the metal, condensation often forms on the back of the metal tile, so be responsible for waterproofing, vapor barrier and roof insulation.
The next feature is the ability of metal to accumulate static electricity and attract lightning discharges, so it makes sense to think about installing a lightning protection system on a metal roof. On a soft roof, the need for a lightning rod is not so great, but desirable.
The metal is subject to corrosion, so when installing metal tiles (especially with an economy polyester coating), try to ensure that the places of cuts and accidental damage to the coating are processed and painted over. If the polymer and galvanized coating on the surface of the metal tile is damaged, then rust and corrosion will not take long.
The bituminous tile is deprived of this lack, it does not rust and is not subject to rotting and corrosion. The only enemy of bitumen is ultraviolet. Therefore, in the production of shingles, oxidized (artificially aged) bitumen is used, which is more resistant to UV rays. And, of course, the main protector of bitumen is the outer coating of stone granules.
Wind resistance is better with bituminous shingles, since the sheets are small and hermetically glued together. The metal tile has some windage due to the large format of the sheets. Many have probably seen videos from those places where a hurricane raged or a strong wind simply blew, which tore sheets of metal from the roof.
7. Mounting
Installation of a roof from a metal tile is not difficult on a simple roof. But the greater the complexity of the roof, the more difficult its installation. It is possible to mount a metal tile practically in any weather. There are limitations when cutting metal tiles - it is not recommended to cut it with a "grinder" (angle grinder with an abrasive disc), but it is necessary to use special metal shears, an electric hand circular saw or an electric jigsaw. The fastening of the metal tile to the step crate is carried out using special roofing screws with a rubber gasket. Over time, the rubber gasket may lose its elastic properties, and the self-tapping screw may loosen, which will lead to roof leaks, so high-quality fasteners and proper installation are the key to longevity of the roof.
Laying soft bituminous tiles is also not a complicated process, and the complexity of the roof practically does not affect the complexity of installing such tiles. Shingles of bituminous tiles are fastened with roofing nails to the base, and are additionally connected to each other due to the adhesive layer on the back of the tile. The nail heads are closed with the next sheet of tiles, so the fasteners on a soft roof, unlike metal tiles, are hidden. During operation, the sheets of soft tiles "sinter" together, forming a monolithic and hermetic coating with a hidden fastening.
But flexible tiles have some installation restrictions:
- it is not recommended to install soft tiles in cold weather at negative temperatures (there are special technologies for installing soft roofs in winter, but this increases the cost of roofing);
- when installing in hot weather, do not walk on bituminous tiles located on the sunny side of the roof. This can spoil its surface due to the fact that bitumen softens at high temperatures.Which of the above in this article can be concluded?
If you are building a small summer cottage with a gable roof, while the budget is limited, then an inexpensive metal tile in this case will be the best choice.
If the roof of a large country house or cottage is under construction, in which there will be an insulated attic and in which it is planned to live all year round, then when choosing a roofing material, it is better to pay attention to shingles. In addition, very often in such large houses or cottages the roof has a rather complex configuration, and as we wrote above, flexible tiles are an ideal roofing material for a complex roof.
Naturally, everyone has their own opinion. Usually the choice depends on various factors, and very often the financial side of the issue is the main one. We only made a small comparison of these materials and made some recommendations. And what to choose, a metal tile or a flexible tile - to solve to you. Do not forget that there are also other roofing materials: cheaper and more expensive, more or less durable, different in weight, appearance and aesthetic qualities. And what material is better - time will tell. We only want your choice to be right and acceptable for you.
Good luck with your construction and long service to your home!
Roof Solutions team.
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The service life and design features of the truss system and battens depend on the choice of roofing material. What is better soft roofing or metal roofing? To answer this question, it is necessary to consider the characteristics of each material: its cost, installation time and service life.
Soft roof and metal tiles: main characteristics
The concept of a soft roof includes a large number of building materials:
- Ondulin
- bituminous tiles
- Ruberoid
- Linocrom, etc.
Each of them has its own performance characteristics. The most popular shingles and ondulin.
Metal tile - is made from sheet metal by rolling. The difference between the species mainly lies in the color of the material, as well as in the quality of the protective layer.
Cost of materials
Of course, there are a huge number of manufacturers producing both soft roofing and metal tiles, but if you conduct a comparative analysis of materials of approximately the same quality, you can establish the most advantageous material for installation.
- Metal tile. From 330 to 360 rubles. per m 2
- Bituminous tiles from 420 to 540 rubles. per m 2
- Ondulin within 210-240 rubles. per m 2
Of course, it seems that the most profitable is the acquisition and installation of ondulin. But if you take into account the service life and appearance of the product, as well as the need to purchase additional roofing materials: wind slats, QSB slabs (for bituminous tiles), the advantage in the direction of metal tiles becomes obvious. The price of the product is also affected by the thickness of the sheet metal used in production, but in general, the golden mean in the price-quality position remains the material of 0.5 mm.
The cost of installation work
Another aspect that significantly affects the choice of roofing material is the cost of installation work.
If we compare a soft bituminous roof and a metal tile, the advantage of the latter becomes obvious. So installation work on average will cost 30-40% cheaper.
Of course, the complexity of the roof itself affects the total price that you have to pay for laying roofing material. So the cost for the installation of metal tiles can increase if you have to cover a sloping roof, and in this case, the cost of materials also increases. Where bituminous tiles can be simply bent, the metal sheet has to be cut and joined together, closing this place with a special profile.
Therefore, when calculating the total cost, the following must be taken into account:
- The cost of the material, taking into account connecting, ridge and wind strips
- Price for work, taking into account the features of the roof
How does sheet thickness affect cost?
The difference in soft roofing mainly lies in the different technological processes for the production of materials. Metal tiles may also differ in sheet thickness and the percentage of zinc in this material. These two criteria can significantly affect the cost and performance and strength characteristics. What to look for when choosing a metal tile:
- Coating. High-quality material is coated with a special varnish protective agent. The budget and most common versions are coated with polyester (PE), more expensive materials (PUR), which significantly affects their durability. Matte protective layers have also appeared (MatPUR, Purex, MatPE) products with this index are not only reliably protected, but also look more aristocratic
- The content of zinc. This coefficient is a decisive factor influencing the service life. The best ratio is 275 g of zinc per square meter. Such a product will last at least half a century.
- Thickness. It affects the resulting damage during transportation and installation work, as well as the duration of operation. The ideal thickness is about 0.5 mm
Layers of metal tiles
How to decide on the choice and taking into account the terms of operation
The type of soft roof can affect its lifespan. So, for example, ondulin will last about 7-10 years. If the intensity of solar radiation is low, this period can last up to 15. Bituminous tiles, according to the characteristics declared by manufacturers, can last a maximum of 25 years, but only if we are talking about expensive varieties of soft roofing. A metal tile with a high zinc content and a thickness of about 0.5 - 0.7 mm will normally last about 40-50 years.
Appearance matters
To make a choice, it is not superfluous to pay attention to the appearance of the product. And not only how bituminous or metal tiles look at the very beginning of operation, but how it will look a few years after installation. Or shingles?
- Ondulin. Loses color saturation. With strong solar radiation, it can largely lose its original attractiveness
- Metal tile. After a period of approximately 10 years, the paint will begin to fade and the roof will need to be repainted to restore its original appearance. So, at least, indicate the manufacturers. In practice, it can be seen that if the color fades a little, then not enough to repaint the roof
- Bituminous tiles. Appearance remains original even after decades during the entire service life
When calculating the total cost of the product, it is necessary to take into account not only the cost of acquiring the material itself and components, but also its maintenance.
Installation work, which is cheaper?
If it is necessary to cover a flat roof unambiguously the cost of laying a metal tile will be cheaper than a soft roof. This is due to the fact that the installation of bituminous tiles has to be carried out almost piece by piece, in small fragments, which significantly affects the speed of installation. If a broken roof is covered, the cost will be almost the same.
Before you start laying, you need to know. Not every tool is suitable for this task. It is strictly forbidden to cut a metal tile with a grinder! This will shorten the life of the material.
Having acquired the necessary tools, you can proceed with the installation of the roof. The basis for laying the metal tile is the crate. Read about how to make a crate for a metal tile. The article contains installation instructions, as well as expert advice.
- The calculation of a rigid broken roof must be made according to the formula 1 * 1.5. The resulting area must be multiplied by this coefficient
- The most optimal thickness of the metal tile is 0.5 mm. By choosing such material, you can avoid unnecessary costs and overpayments.
- When mounting a bituminous metal tile, it is imperative to fix each fragment with special nails
Video about soft roofing and metal tiles
Comparison of a soft roof and a metal tile. A roofing specialist can help you figure out which roof to choose.
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