The main functions of the roof are to protect the room from atmospheric precipitation and retaining heat inside the house. The roof will favorably emphasize the dignity and architecture of the building. To create comfort and warmth in your home you need a reliable, durable and beautiful one. With so many options, how can you choose the one that best suits your roof? Let's review the types of roofing materials popular on the Russian market.
Types of roofing materials
- - light, cheap, but short-lived material, has a high fire hazard;
- slate is a recognized and affordable material. Easy to install, fireproof, durable. Disadvantages - heavy weight, fragility, tendency to form moss and fungus;
- - This light modern roofing covering, relatively cheap and durable. The sheets are made of corrosion-resistant galvanized steel with color coating;
- - lightweight and easy to install, available in a wide range of colors and will last up to 30 years. Disadvantage - low degree of strength and sound insulation;
- - reliable, durable, easy to assemble and lasts up to 25 years;
- - little subject to deformation, reliable, easy to install, in a variety of artistic designs will decorate the house for 20 years.
The first issue about roof covering that needs to be addressed is the strength, durability and reliability of the material. Dedicated Special attention gravity of the material. Some types of roofing have considerable weight (natural tiles), which puts additional stress on the rafters and sheathing. The climatic conditions of the area are taken into account - reliable roof will protect from gusts of wind and unfavorable precipitation. If you cover the roof yourself, then choose an easy-to-install material (soft roofing, slate). It is recommended to choose a coating in the style personal plot using the color and shape of the material.
The selection of roofing material is influenced by the architectural specifics of the building and the complexity of the roof. If you have a wooden house or cottage, then you can replace the covering with metal tiles or soft roofing, which is suitable for complex roofs.
- Soft roofing looks great on roofs of small areas and can be installed independently;
- The country house will be reliably protected by slate, ondulin, corrugated board;
- roofing felt is suitable for temporary buildings.
Reliability and safety of operation are guaranteed by high quality materials with relevant certificates.
When deciding on the type of roofing, proceed from the price-quality ratio, architectural features roof and your own preferences.
People who built a house have this question. It must be covered so that the roof of the house does not leak, is durable, and has an aesthetic appearance.
In this text we will tell you which type of roofing material is best for you to choose.
Nowadays, the construction market is filled with a very diverse range of roofing materials and therefore it is very difficult to make a choice in favor of one material or another. And so on, we will talk about different materials that can be used to cover the roof.
In order to choose a material for roofing, you should consider some nuances:
- Reliability;
- Strength;
- A price that will match your financial capabilities and the appearance of your home.
Roof selection
Professionals highlight several characteristics of the roof that need to be taken into account in order to get a good result.
Let's consider these characteristics:
- Colors;
- Form;
- Cost of work;
- Weight of material;
- Strength and reliability;
- Price of the item being purchased.
Before purchasing roofing material, it is necessary to take into account its weight, this is necessary in order to take into account the load on the rafter system when designing it.
Many consumers make a very big mistake by paying attention only to the external qualities of roofing materials and, as a result, other qualities of the materials are not considered. For this reason, the choice falls on low quality materials and more short term operation.
To ensure that the roofing material lasts a long time and the functionality of the roof is not affected, experts give the following advice:
- and must be combined;
- There must be access to surface treatment;
- Weight of material;
- Material price;
- Appearance;
- The roof covering must meet all necessary requirements.
To cover pitched roof, apply different materials, which we will talk about next.
Choosing roofing material
Metal tiles
This material was used more than a hundred years ago and in our time, thanks to new technologies, it has improved the appearance and quality
Advantages of the material
Ceramic tiles have the following characteristics:
- Durability;
- Reliability;
- Resistant to moisture;
- Strength;
- Durability;
- Does not transmit ultraviolet radiation.
Ceramic tiles have both positive and negative qualities. Negative quality is the high weight and price.
Ondulin
This material is a seamless coating, made of fiberglass impregnated with bitumen and a basalt layer of different colors is applied to the outside.
Flexible roofing has all the positive qualities of roofing. For example, strength, sound and heat insulation, sealing.
House roof design
When building or renovating a summer house or cottage, many ask a reasonable question: how to cover the roof of the house? The choice remains only with the owner of buildings and structures. However, today the characteristics have been determined according to which it is recommended to choose roofing material.
There are many roofing options on the market, each of which gives homes charming view. It is worth noting that the choice is often influenced by fashion trends, but the material should always be of high quality.
Classifications of roof coverings according to various criteria
Conventionally, all roofing materials can be divided on various grounds:
- according to external characteristics, there are roll, sheet or piece roofing;
- the raw materials are organic or mineral;
- depending on the type of top covering, there may be a roof with a metallized or polymer film;
- according to the type of binder, the roofing material is divided into polymer, bitumen and bitumen-polymer;
- According to the type of protective layer, the roof can be scaly, coarse-grained, dust-like and fine-grained;
- Finally, according to the type of base, there are roofings on cardboard, fiberglass, foil, fiberglass and steel.
From all this variety, you need to choose for yourself which roof is best. Therefore, first you need to decide what qualities it should have.
Important roofing requirements
All roofing materials comply with certain standards, which are prescribed in special documents (technical conditions and state standards). Any materials that do not meet the required standards are not allowed on the market and cannot be used in construction.
So, what should be the covering for the roof of a house?
- Resistant to solar UV rays;
- Resistant to temperature changes (both frost-resistant and not susceptible to heat, the coating should thaw easily and not deform when frozen);
- Sealed (the roof should not allow moisture to pass through, i.e. leak);
- Resistant to external influence(atmospheric phenomena, dust, dirt, harmful gases);
- Durable;
- Durable.
Properties of roofing materials
Before using and buying a roofing covering, you need to know its properties, as well as the conditions for working with it and its installation. This is the only way to achieve long-term and efficient operation of the roof.
The strength and density of a particular coating are the technological properties of the material. They are very important and you should definitely pay attention to them when choosing what is best to cover the roof of your house. These properties include frost resistance. For northern regions it should be higher, because such a roof will be subject to freezing constantly (every winter).
If your roof will be exposed to strong heat, then the roof must have a property such as fire resistance.
Each option of roofing material undergoes laboratory tests, where the following properties are determined:
- Technological,
- Mechanical,
- Chemical,
- Physical.
Knowing what properties the material for your roof should have, you can determine what is best to cover the roof of your house. However, you should first study all the properties of specific roofing materials.
Focus on simple installation - slate sheets
Slate consists of large sheets of wavy shape. It is made exclusively from asbestos-cement mortar. This material is durable. However, its main disadvantage is excessive fragility.
The standard size of each sheet in length is 1750mm. The width of the sheet can vary between 980-1130mm. Every 150/200mm, waves rise to a height of 54mm on the slate surface.
Slate tolerates temperature changes well, which do not affect its properties in any way. That is why such coating can last up to 40 years without repair or replacement.
Slate is very easy to install. However, it must be handled very carefully, otherwise it will break. Although sheets that are damaged are quickly replaced, this is still an extra cost.
Today slate covering can be painted in any shade. This not only improves the appearance of the roof, but also protects it and increases its durability.
Slate is perfect option roofs for utility rooms, such as a barn or other outbuildings. After all, this is an ideal price-lifetime ratio.
What should you pay attention to if you have chosen how to cover the roof of your house, and the material turns out to be asbestos-cement sheets? When purchasing, inspect the slate:
- There should be no cracks, dents, or extra foreign inclusions;
- On the contrary, the edge should be smooth without any delamination.
Metal sheets - practical roofing
This type of coating can be made from:
- Galvanized steel;
- Aluminum.
These sheets are very durable and practical material. Unlike slate, it is not fragile. The only difficulty with using a metal roof is its installation. The sheets are connected using special bends or folds.
The advantages of this type of roofing material are:
- Light weight of sheets;
- They can be used not only on sloping roofs, but also on roofs with a very slight slope;
- This material is durable.
Aluminum sheets will last longer than galvanized steel roofing. The fact is that aluminum is very resistant to corrosion. Therefore, such a roof can last more than 80 years.
This material also has its disadvantages:
- During heavy rain the house can be very noisy, all the impacts of drops can be heard;
- The metal has good thermal conductivity. Therefore, it does not protect well from cold or heat.
Beautiful protection – metal tiles
This type of roofing is made on the basis of galvanized steel. Externally, it imitates tiles. Due to the fact that the material is treated with a special anti-corrosion compound, it can last for many years.
Many people, when deciding which roofing is better, choose metal tiles. After all, she:
- Easy to install;
- It is durable;
- Has a beautiful appearance.
Because the material is made of metal, it has exactly the same disadvantages as metal sheets.
Modern Euro slate
This roofing option is better known as Ondulin. It is made by pressing cardboard and then impregnating it with a special bitumen impregnation.
Why, when builders choose what to cover the roof of a house with, do they often choose Euro slate? The answer is simple - this material will last more than 30 years. In addition to everything, it has a low cost and is quite easy to install.
The main disadvantage of Ondulin is the low strength of the material. And when it rains or hails, all the noise easily penetrates inside the house.
How to cover the roof of a house? Mastic roofing is the choice of millions
The polymer film, which is already applied to the roof surface (reinforced concrete, wood, etc.) is called mastic or self-leveling roofing. Special composition applied very thin layer onto the surface, and when it hardens, it turns into a monolithic coating.
People who are faced with choosing which roofing is better should pay attention to the advantages of self-leveling material:
- Good waterproofing, because the roof is monolithic;
- High heat resistance (the temperature range that such a roof can withstand varies from -40 to +100 degrees);
- Resistance to UV rays;
- Light weight material.
Mastic roofing can be used to repair the roof of a house. Especially if only minor damage is observed.
Which roof is better? Maybe roll?
This material is bitumen, which is applied to a fabric or cardboard base. The most popular roofing types of this type are roofing felt and roofing felt. Recently, people who are thinking about the question of what is better to cover the roof of a house are choosing glassine or glass insulation.
All these types of roofing are frost-resistant, retain heat well, and are durable. And the method of their installation is very simple: it is laid on a flat roof surface. roll roofing in several layers connected with liquid bitumen.
Often, to improve the mechanical properties of such a coating, it is covered with fine gravel or sand on top.
A good option is a soft roof
It is made from bitumen shingles. The base of the roof (polymer fabric or fiberglass) is covered with a self-adhesive layer. This allows you to simply glue it to the right place when installing the roof. This styling is accessible to anyone, even a non-professional.
Soft roofs have a very wide range of shades. Among other things, they have high hydro, heat and noise insulation. And on top of that, soft roofing is very inexpensive.
Stacked roofing - proven over centuries
This material takes quite a long time to install. After all, you have to assemble the roof from small elements. The most popular option is tiles (ceramic or slate). This is one of best options both aesthetically and durability. That is why some people don’t even think about what is the best way to cover the roof, but immediately choose inlaid roofing.
True, tiles have two significant disadvantages:
- To lay it you need a strong frame that can hold it;
- This is the most expensive roofing option.
The choice of how to cover the roof of a house always remains with its owner. You need to evaluate your payment capabilities and decide which roofing qualities are more important to you: durability, ease of installation, aesthetic qualities or something else.
The appearance of the house and its service life largely depend on the quality of the roof - the strength of the rafter system and the reliability of the enclosing structure, which is called the roof. Therefore, when planning to equip a roof, it would not be a bad idea to know its structure, types of roofing coverings and their characteristics, as well as installation technologies. This will help to avoid mistakes during construction and will give confidence that the roof over your head will not have to be repaired every year. Today we’ll talk about modern covering materials, we’ll look at the advantages and disadvantages of each, so that you have a general idea of which one is best to use and when.
Roofing functions
The rafter system is stuffed after its construction. Filling - roofing pie- consists of insulating materials, metal or wooden base under the covering and the top covering flooring, which performs two functions: protective and decorative.
The roof is the enclosing part of the roof that protects the house from precipitation, heat loss, ultraviolet radiation and gives it an attractive appearance.
It is the covering material that bears the main climatic loads and vagaries of the weather. It is a barrier between negative atmospheric influences on the roof and all underlying layers, preserving the latter from damage and destruction. But in order to fully perform its protective function, the roofing material must meet all operating requirements in accordance with the purpose of the building, the configuration of the roof and local weather conditions. For example, in industrial regions, metal tiles must be chosen with caution, since the polymer protective layers on some of its types are not very resistant to acid rain, which is typical for industrial areas.
A roof made of metal tiles looks aesthetically pleasing, stylish and fashionable, but not all types of metal tiles can be used nearby industrial facilities where there is a high probability of acid rain
Basic requirements for covering materials:
- low water absorption;
- high frost resistance;
- minimal susceptibility to ultraviolet radiation and chemical agents.
All other parameters - longevity, environmental friendliness, strength, fire safety - depend on the composition of the material and its correct installation.
As for the decorative function, here too one must be guided by expediency. For example, in hot climates, bitumen shingles will be a lot of trouble, since bitumen can soften under sun rays, but metal or natural coatings are ideal. But again, if metal is preferred, then humidity also needs to be taken into account. In coastal areas, aluminum will last much less than, say, steel.
Bitumen coating looks very attractive on roofs and facades of houses, but due to its properties it is more suitable for use in temperate climate zones
That is, there are many nuances, so you need to think about choosing a covering flooring initial stages construction in order to avoid further alterations, reinforcements and adjustments load-bearing structures, which will be very expensive and not always possible. Or, on the contrary, do not overpay for the construction of a powerful frame for a lightweight roofing covering, although the division of roofing materials into light and heavy is a relative concept.
Remember one number - 200 kg/m². According to existing standards, this is exactly how much any roofing structure must withstand, regardless of the weight of the covering material itself.
This includes wind and snow loads for central Russia plus the necessary safety margin. It is this value that you need to focus on when calculating the foundation and load-bearing walls.
Many people think that when choosing a lightweight coating, the pressure on the rafter system will be less, which means you can save on all load-bearing elements. Let's do the math - for a small roof of 50 m², the total load on the rafters will be 200X50 = 10,000 kg. Is the 10-ton structure overhead impressive? This is without the weight of the rafter system and covering material. And if you did not take these tons into account when designing, then the supporting structure of the house will not withstand even an ultra-light covering flooring. And you’ll have to say goodbye to the dream of a natural coating altogether.
In addition, there is another very tricky point that few people pay attention to when choosing - the thermal conductivity coefficient of the material. And this is a very interesting indicator that creates a cozy microclimate in the house and allows you to reduce energy costs. Let us explain in more detail. Thermal conductivity is the ability of a material to conduct heat from a heated surface to a cold one.
Therefore, in any case, coatings with a low thermal conductivity coefficient are economically advantageous.
In summer, the covering material heats up and transfers heat to unheated rooms. In winter, on the contrary - from heated rooms to cold flooring. And when the roof is covered with materials such as copper with a thermal conductivity of 380–407 W/m*C, aluminum (200–221), steel (60), titanium-zinc or metal tiles, then very good thermal insulation, which is not cheap and weighs a lot.
A futuristic roof made of titanium-zinc is certainly a high style in modern architecture, however, due to the high thermal conductivity of titanium-zinc, without a properly calculated insulating layer, the house is doomed to large heat losses
Otherwise, in winter you will heat the street, and in summer you will swelter from the heat or install expensive climate control equipment. However, it will not help much, but it will consume a lot of electricity. And such materials are not at all suitable for non-insulated roofing structures, since heat loss over the entire heating season will be fabulous. For cold roofs, slate coating, ceramics, concrete tiles, euro slate, straw, rubber, glass, wooden or bitumen shingles are perfect.
Roofs made of wood and euroslate have excellent heat and sound insulation, due to which they perfectly maintain optimal thermal conditions and silence in the house
Roof installation and main stages of installation
Despite the variety of modern coatings, roofing for country house, city cottage or dacha is not much different. Support for everyone is rafter system, and the installation method depends on the type of covering material.
Unite them general rules requirements for the design:
- The roof ridge should be a beam lying strictly horizontally. To ensure clear horizontality of the ridge, after erecting the rafter system, you need to check the geometry of the slopes. The appearance of the house, the likelihood of leaks, the speed of installation and the economical consumption of materials depend on this. In addition, gable structures must have slopes in the form of a regular rectangle, and hip structures must have slopes in the form of an isosceles trapezoid and triangle. The sheathing will give the slopes a rectangularity, and it will also hide minor distortions of the load-bearing elements of the house - up to 6 cm.
- Before laying the base material at junctions and valleys, the continuous sheathing should be covered with galvanized roofing.
Elementary estimate standards provide for the laying of special additional products or galvanized sheets 600 mm wide in places of valleys and junctions along a continuous sheathing, securing it with galvanized nails
- The bottom beam of the sheathing should be higher than the other laths by the thickness of the roofing material. This will provide a lower point of support and prevent the decking from sagging at the eaves.
To avoid sagging of the protrusion of the covering material, the first sheathing board is made thicker than the others
- All roofing sheets are laid against the rain flow - from bottom to top, and some types are also laid against the prevailing winds - wave sheets, for example.
- For attic structures it is necessary to lay additional waterproofing from roofing felt, PE film or roofing felt. For cold roofs, extra waterproofing will not hurt, but it is not necessary.
- When installing insulated roofs, it is necessary to provide an air vent of about 2–5 cm between the sheathing and the insulation to prevent saturation of the heat insulator with moisture.
Main stages of installation:
- Roof measurement and calculation of materials.
- Construction of the rafter system.
The rafter system ensures the rigidity of the roof structure, so the reliability of the roof, longevity and ability to withstand any influence depend on its calculation
- Checking the geometry of the slopes.
- Installation of curtain rod, fascia board and gutter holders.
One of the cogs of a coherent roof frame - front board, installed on the ends of the rafters in the area of the roof eaves
- Installation of attic and dormer windows.
- Laying waterproofing along the top edge of the rafters.
When installing any roofs, waterproofing material is laid to protect the insulation and supporting structures from atmospheric moisture and condensation.
- Stuffing of counters and sheathings.
- Laying roofing.
The specifics of laying the roof covering depend on the type of covering material and are specified by the manufacturers
- Arrangement of the end, ridge, ribs, valleys, exits and junctions.
It is advisable to finish the chimney before laying the main coating, which will prevent possible damage and contamination of the material
- Installation of all insulating materials from the attic side and filing of the ceiling.
The insulation must fit tightly to the rafters and external walls to avoid “cold bridges” and significant heat loss
- Installation of drainage and design of overhangs.
Installing a drain is a necessary solution to the problem of water drainage from the roof.
- Arrangement of an anti-icing system, lightning protection mesh, installation of snow guards.
Installing snow guards prevents snow from sliding off the roof like an avalanche
Don't forget about safety precautions. When installing a roof, you should not tempt fate and perform stunt tricks. It is better to provide walking bridges and ladders.
The filling of the rafter system - the roofing pie - is also almost the same for all coverings. Sometimes some layers are added, and some are removed, replaced or moved (inversion roofing). All the nuances are specified by the manufacturers of covering materials in the instructions, as well as the laying mechanism.
A standard roofing pie looks like this:
Types of roofing materials
In order to systematize the variety of roofing materials and make it easier for the consumer to choose, they are conditionally grouped according to several main characteristics: according to the form of release, the composition of the initial raw materials and the presence of a base - basic ones based on fiberglass, polyester, cardboard, fiberglass or foil and baseless ones.
Depending on the composition, roofing sheets are:
- organic - modified bitumen, tar, polymers, wood;
- silicate coatings - asbestos cement and tiles;
- And metal roofs- steel, copper, zinc, aluminum.
Based on appearance and size, covering materials are divided into:
- for sheet materials - designed for quickly covering large areas;
Roofs made of corrugated sheets are considered economical and durable, but, like everything else, metal coatings, have a significant drawback - high thermal and electrical conductivity
- piece products - they are distinguished by prestige and give a luxurious look to the roof;
Elite slate coating is characterized by amazing beauty, high strength and durability, but it is very expensive and heavy
- self-leveling/mastic - form a seamless sealed flooring;
Self-leveling roofing is a waterproofing coating that forms an elastic and dense membrane on the roof surface
- as well as rolls - universal materials that are excellent for flat and pitched structures.
Roll coverings are the most common among economy class covering materials, and due to innovative technologies and very stylish
Classification by release form, where each group combines products with similar properties and installation features, is the most complete and before choosing, it is advisable to view it in order to have an idea about a future purchase. Let's take a closer look at each group and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the materials included in it.
Video: types of roofs
Sheet roofing
Sheet roofing is widespread in the domestic market due to its ease of installation, durability, depending on production technology, and cost-balanced performance properties.
Metal tiles
These are multi-layered large sheets of galvanized steel with a cross-wave section, similar from a distance to natural ceramics. The top of the sheets is covered with a protective polymer composition- pural, plastisol, polyester or natural crumb - what determines the appearance of the material, its durability and price.
Advantages of metal tiles:
Disadvantages of metal tiles:
Leading manufacturers are Ruukki (Finland), Grand Line (Russia), Metalloprofil (Russia), Pelti ja Rauta (Finland), Mera System (Sweden), Stynergy (Russia). The price of metal tiles varies from 260 (economy) to 600 rubles/m² (premium products).
Video: review of metal tiles
Metal profile
Modern corrugated sheeting - attractive budget material with good ones performance indicators, the main feature of which is drainage grooves along the edge of the sheet (product marking R). For the most part, metal profiles have found application in the construction of fences and fences, agricultural-industrial and shopping complexes, garages and outbuildings. They are not often used at home, although various colors, matte or glossy coating make it possible to choose a metal profile to suit any exterior.
Roofs made of corrugated sheets are resistant to temperature changes, precipitation and fire, and also have high anti-corrosion properties provided by the polymer coating of corrugated sheets
The advantages and disadvantages of corrugated sheeting are the same as those of metal tiles. However, the metal profile:
All this is a definite advantage, as it gives scope for design imagination, reduces the consumption of materials and the cost of installation work. In addition, metal profile sheets have good corrosion resistance, rigidity and resistance to aggressive environments.
The main suppliers of corrugated sheets are Ruukki (France), metallurgical concern Dongbu Steel ( South Korea), the secret of which is the offset printing technique, which allows it to be applied to a galvanized sheet protective covering with a drawing, Blachy Pruszynski (Poland), Metalloprofil (Russia), Grand Line (Russia), Eugene (Russia), Stynergy (Russia).
The service life of corrugated sheeting is from 1 year to 30 years, depending on the quality of the colored polymer coating, and the price is mainly proportional to the thickness of the zinc layer - from 160 rubles/m² with reduced galvanizing (80–100 g/m²) to 900 rubles/m² ( with a zinc layer of 140–275 g/m²).
Video: how to choose corrugated sheets
Ondulin
Euro slate (ondulin) consists of cellulose fibers impregnated with bitumen and coated with thermite resins or mineral compounds that increase the moisture resistance of the material and resistance to negative atmospheric influences.
In the production of ondulin, cellulose fibers are high pressure acquire perfect view and amazing strength
Until recently, ondulin was mostly used to cover small architectural buildings, but the flexibility of the material and the ability to freely cover roofs of complex shapes, its naturalness, lightness and rich colors are increasingly attracting the attention of owners of private houses. And for good reason - among sheet materials Euroslate meets the requirements for arranging a high-quality roof more than others.
The ability to choose the desired color harmony with the facade makes ondulin a popular covering material
Advantages of bitumen slate:
- the lightness of the material, thanks to which it can be laid when replacing the roof with an old slate or metal covering;
- heat resistance - at 110 ºC does not change shape if not subject to load;
- low thermal conductivity;
- good sound insulation and water resistance;
- environmental Safety;
- resistance to ultraviolet radiation - ondulin sheets fade evenly, due to which the harmful effects of the sun are unnoticeable for a long time, but if you compare the slopes on the southern and northern sides, the difference in color is noticeable after the first season;
- high strength - can easily withstand loads of up to 960 kgf/m², and wind forces of up to 354 km/h.
Cons of ondulin:
- vulnerability to sudden temperature fluctuations, moss and fungus;
- low fire safety class.
The main producers of Euro slate are: Onduline (France), which has production facilities in Russia, Corrubit (Turkey), Bituwell (Germany), Aqualine (Belgium), Nuline (USA). The cost of ondulin is from 200 rubles/m². The service life is about 30–40 years, but manufacturers only guarantee the waterproofness of the material for 15 years, and then only if the specified conditions are met.
Video: do-it-yourself ondulin roofing
Slate
Slate is asbestos-cement flat or corrugated sheets. It occupies a strong position in the roofing materials market due to its characteristics:
The main disadvantage of slate is the presence of asbestos, which is a carcinogen that causes many serious diseases, which is why regular slate is prohibited for use in Europe. Its analogue, chrysotile slate, has proven itself well, as it is safer for the health of others, thanks to which it is readily used to cover the roofs of residential buildings.
Deposits of chrysotile asbestos are located in Russia, Kazakhstan, China, Canada, Central Asia, which are its main suppliers to the market. Among domestic producers The products of Volna Plant LLC, Bryansk Asbestos Cement Plant LLC, Belatsi JSC, Lato, Orenburg Minerals, and Fibrotek company are in demand. The shelf life of slate roofing is up to 30 years.
Video: slate is an excellent roofing material
Seam roofing
Coverings made of non-ferrous metals are, of course, very beautiful and stylish, as well as reliable in terms of water resistance due to the special seam connection of the panels.
Seam roofing is the most modernized and durable way to protect the house from the negative influence of any weather conditions
The main advantages are durability (50–150 years) and tightness. However, there is a huge disadvantage - high thermal conductivity. For example, for galvanizing with a thickness of 0.5 mm (0.0005 m) and a thermal conductivity of steel of 60 W/m*C, the heat transfer resistance will be only 0.0005:60=0.000008, and for copper even less - 0.000001 . While the minimum required resistance according to SNiP II-3–79 and 02–23–2003 is 1.79 m²*°C/W and is provided for the southern regions (Sochi). Therefore, seam roofs, like metal tiles or metal profiles, need a very good compensator.
Heat transfer resistance reflects the heat-protective properties of the enclosing structure, and all requirements regulating heat transfer resistance according to SNiP are divided by region
In this regard, a seam roof made of galvanized steel will be the most economical in cost and energy consumption during its operation. One square meter of such a roof will cost about 2,000 rubles (160 rubles/m² for steel plus the production of paintings and installation). Copper and aluminum roofing - from 500 to 3000 rubles/m² and titanium-zinc Rheinzink - more than 3500 rubles/m² only for the material.
A huge selection of colors for aluminum, as well as the noble patina of copper and titanium-zinc make such coatings exceptional in beauty and aesthetics
In addition, standing seam roofs:
- due to the smoothness of the slopes, they do not hold back the snow, which is why it slides off like an avalanche, so the installation of snow retainers is necessary;
- accumulate static charge well, which will require lightning protection;
- and are characterized by low resistance to mechanical influences - you need to move on such a roof with extreme caution.
Leading manufacturers of seam sheets are the Grand Line plant (Russia), the Prushinski company, Imada Production Association (Belarus), Ruukki (Finland, Estonia), and the KME Group concern (Germany), specializing in copper roofing. As well as the Prefa company (Austria), the French software Alcoa, Rheinzink (Germany) and the Kalzip business unit, which has no equal in the production of aluminum roofs and facades.
Video: advantages of seam roofing
Polycarbonate roofing
The main task of transparent roofs is to provide additional natural light inside the house. In this regard, the following requirements are imposed on translucent materials:
Among the translucent materials, polycarbonate, which is used to cover gazebos, canopies, greenhouses, parking lots, barbecue areas and children's playgrounds, best meets all these requirements.
Due to its high strength and ease of installation, polycarbonate is widely used in the construction of greenhouses, canopies, gazebos, and pool pavilions.
But in last years This plastic and beautiful material has found wide application in roofing, creating structures that are truly mesmerizing in beauty.
The use of polycarbonate for roofing is a new direction in architecture, the goal of which is to visually expand the space and ensure free penetration of sunlight into the house
The disadvantage of polycarbonate is its greater susceptibility to linear expansion compared to load-bearing structures, which must be taken into account when drawing up the project. Monolithic polymer with a thickness of 5 mm or more and honeycomb polymer with a thickness of 16 mm or more should not be fixed only with self-tapping screws. A floating fastening method must be used to allow the material to move within the guides.
The largest producers of polycarbonate are the Russian Yug-Oil-Plast, the Kronos plant, Karboglass and SafPlast Innovative, as well as the Bayer company (Germany). The average price ranges from 125 rubles/m² (cellular) to 7300 rubles/m² (monolithic textured), and the service life is up to 10 years, depending on the thickness of the panel and the manufacturer.
Video: choosing polycarbonate
Roofing made of piece materials
Piece materials have been used for roofing for a long time. Over time, thanks to new technologies, innovative piece coatings with high performance characteristics appear, and the old ones are improved and do not lose their popularity.
Ceramic tiles are the queen of roofing materials with a centuries-old history. Over the centuries, ceramic tiles have been modified, changing their appearance to a more modern one, however, without losing their advantages, which include:
A significant plus in favor of ceramic shingles is that despite the large weight, when laying ceramics, a reinforced rafter system is not needed. A standard one with an increased rafter pitch will be sufficient.
The downside is that, like any organic material, ceramic roofing can become overgrown with moss and lichen over time. Therefore, from time to time the coating needs to be treated with copper-containing compounds (copper sulfate) or a special device installed on the roof that will saturate atmospheric moisture with copper ions, which prevent the spread of moss.
Reliable manufacturers of ceramic tiles - Terreal (France), Jacobi (Germany), Braas (Germany, Poland), Roben (Poland), Tondach (Czech Republic). The price for ceramic tiles is 800–1700 rubles/m².
Video: installation of ceramic tiles
Another worthy representative natural coatings. Concrete tiles are made from quartz sand, cement, water and dyes based on iron oxides. It is not produced by firing, like ceramics, but by hardening cement at low temperatures, due to which concrete shingles have a significant advantage over ceramic coating:
- cement-sand tiles are lighter;
- cheaper - 300–700 rubles/m²;
- more economical to install;
- and provide better sound insulation.
At the same time, they are durable - a service life of more than 100 years, fire-resistant, do not corrode, withstand any weather conditions, are environmentally friendly, are well ventilated and create a beautiful volumetric covering on the roof.
One of the main criteria that distinguishes high-quality concrete tiles is high density and low porosity of the material, while the pores should be predominantly closed
The main disadvantages of concrete tiles are massiveness, a high percentage of scrap due to careless transportation and high cost. The most reliable manufacturers are Braas (Germany, Russia), Sea wave (Sweden), and Zabudova holding (Belarus).
Video: cement-sand tiles - properties, production, selection
Slate roofs belong to the elite category, capable of radically changing the look at any building and emphasizing the high status of the owners.
Of the natural roofing materials, slate is the most refined, aesthetic, natural and environmentally friendly, therefore slate roofs are designed for people who have good taste and a desire to preserve family traditions
However, they are quite rare in residential construction. This is due to the high price - from 5,000 to 10,000 rubles / m² - and the lack of roofers who know how to work with stone. Although recently they have begun supplying the domestic market with artificial slate, which is much easier to work with. It is also made from natural raw materials and is not inferior in anything natural stone, and in some respects even surpasses it.
Video: artificial slate
Advantages of natural slate coatings:
- environmental cleanliness;
- long service life - more than 200 years;
- lack of maintenance and repair for the next 100 years after installation;
- strength;
- ease of processing, which allows you to cover the most fantastically shaped roofs with slate;
- excellent noise, hydro and heat insulation properties;
- resistance to ultraviolet radiation, acids and alkalis, as well as sudden temperature changes.
Video: Penrhyn Welsh slate
The disadvantages of slate tiles include weak color scheme, heavy weight and the fact that the naturalness of the stone can only be determined in laboratory conditions. Therefore, when purchasing slate coating, focus on products from proven and reliable manufacturers- Welsh Slate (England), Rathscheck Schiefer (Germany), Cupa Rizarras (Brazil, Spain, France, Portugal). Among the suppliers of artificial slate, the American company Tapco Inc (Inspire slate) enjoys authority.
Artificial slate tiles are an excellent imitation of natural slate with excellent characteristics that are superior in many respects to their natural counterpart
Flexible tiles
Soft tiles are a modern, high-quality roofing material that can reliably protect a home from negative environmental influences. Shingles are made from fiberglass, modified bitumen resins and colored mineral chips. Such roofs are functional, aesthetically attractive and give scope to design ideas.
Roofs from soft tiles functional, reliable and aesthetically attractive, and also allow you to implement original ideas for the design of roofs and facades in any style
Advantages of flexible tiles:
- low weight of bitumen plates;
- high tensile and abrasion strength of the finished coating;
- fire safety - ignition temperature from +300 ºC;
- excellent resistance to ultraviolet radiation and climatic loads;
- heat resistance, waterproof, silent and lightning protection;
- immunity to corrosion, rotting, acids and alkalis;
- lack of windage and avalanche-like snowfall;
- long service life - up to 50 years;
- efficiency and a reasonable price - from 235 to 1300 rubles / m² - which allows you to choose coverage to suit any financial capabilities.
Disadvantages of soft tiles:
- special requirements for installation - the presence of continuous flooring, valley and lining carpet;
- low resistance to hail, which can damage the coating;
- the possibility of burnout and moss formation in regions with high humidity;
- mandatory arrangement of good ventilation.
Reliable manufacturers of bituminous shingles - Icopal (Denmark), Katepal (Finland), Shinglas (TechnoNIKOL, Russia), Kerabit (Finland), Tegola (Italy), Ruflex (Russia), Owens Corning (USA), which provides a lifetime guarantee for your products.
Video: features and advantages of soft tiles
Roll roofing
Roll roofing has always been in demand due to its availability and low cost. But in recent years, rolled materials have acquired exquisite colors and new laying technologies, as a result of which they have become stylish and elegant, reminiscent of seam coverings from afar.
Roll roofing is a flexible waterproofing coating consisting of several layers, which, depending on the type of material, are fused or glued to cold or hot mastic
Advantages of roll flooring:
- strength, versatility and elasticity;
- resistance to wear and burnout;
- high waterproofing;
- wide choice and ease of installation;
- the most low price among all roofing materials - from 120 rubles/m².
A type of roll materials are membrane coverings used on flat structures and characterized by durability - some flooring can last up to 100 years. And also armohydrobutyl - roll polymers based on butyl rubber and chlorosulfopolyethylene, laid on a flat surface and glued with butyl rubber mastic.
The products of Technonikol (Russia), CJSC Luberit (Russia), Solveig (Belgium) and Kerabit (Finland) are in great demand on the domestic market.
Video: one of the most beautiful coatings - Kerabit 7 with triangular slats
Self-leveling roofs
Mastic (self-leveling) roofing is a multi-layer coating of liquid or semi-liquid mastics, which after hardening form an airtight and durable film.
The mastic is applied to the base in liquid form, and after the solvent evaporates it hardens, forming a continuous seamless waterproofing film
Advantages of self-leveling roofing:
- ease of application;
- typical structure of a roofing pie;
- high elasticity of the seamless coating, as well as its strength, resistance to ultraviolet radiation, weathering and chemicals;
- considerable service life and affordable price - from 260 rubles / kg.
For the production of mastics, the Ruftehno plant (Russia), the Technonikol corporation (Russia), Ruvitex Industry Corporation (Bulgaria) with a branch in Russia (P. Karaminchev plant) are trustworthy.
Unusual roofing coverings
Exotic roofs include reed, wood and rubber roofing. Such roofs are rare and, to be honest, they are not for everyone. Although they are not devoid of originality and attractiveness.
Photo gallery: rare roofing coverings
In addition to its environmental properties, shingle roofs have technical advantages- when laying, small gaps are formed between the fragments, ensuring the process of self-ventilation 
Ploughshare is an ancient Russian roofing material mainly made from aspen, which over time acquires a beautiful silver color, and at sunset it shimmers with gold. 
In order for a reed roof to be beautiful, reliable and durable, it is necessary to use high-quality stems, collected and prepared for installation according to certain rules 
Rubber tiles are made from recycled materials, but at the same time, thanks to recycling technology, they are environmentally friendly pure material, does not harm the health of others and does not emit hazardous substances
All of them are environmentally friendly, have good performance characteristics and a considerable service life. However, they are highly flammable (except for rubber roofing) and very expensive. This is affected by the peculiarities of the procurement of raw materials, its insufficient quantity in nature, as well as the specifics of making shingles and their installation - you need to try very hard to make a beautiful ploughshare, for example, and lay it out correctly.
Video: reed roofing, preparation and installation
Roof fire protection
When arranging the roof, it is necessary to take into account not only the operational parameters of roofing decking. Due to the flammability of materials, it is necessary to provide protection for coatings from possible ignition and spread of fire. Those at particular risk include bitumen decks, thatched roofs and wooden ones. Therefore, such coatings will have to be periodically treated with fire retardants in order to avoid spontaneous combustion as much as possible. An exception can be made only for flexible tiles, which, thanks to modified bitumen, have a high fire resistance coefficient, and for quality wood, initially impregnated with fire-fighting compounds. The least dangerous are ceramic and cement-sand products, rubber tiles and natural stones.
Video: fire safety of various covering materials
The choice of roofing should be taken seriously. Look first of all at its compliance with the local climate and the capacity of the load-bearing structures of the house. Study physics specifications covering material, calculate the probable heat loss and associated upcoming energy costs. Only after this should you focus on the manufacturer’s reliability and the price offered. Good luck to you.
What is the best way to cover a roof? This question arises for almost everyone who has decided to renew the roof of their home. Choosing a roofing material is not an easy task. The performance properties of the finished structure directly depend on how correctly the decision was initially made in favor of a particular material.
Among the variety of roofing materials that are on the market today, everyone can choose the ideal material that fully meets all requirements.
Choosing roofing material
When choosing the type of covering for the roof of a house, you should pay attention not only to its appearance. First of all, you need to consider the technical characteristics building material. It is also necessary to evaluate the strength of the rafters and what load they can withstand.
High-quality roofing material must have the following properties:
- resistance to temperature changes;
- resistance to ultraviolet rays;
- strength;
- wear resistance;
- tightness.
When deciding on the choice of roofing material for the roof, you should compare them according to the above parameters and choose the best option. It must also be taken into account that roofing coverings vary depending on the type of installation.
They can be:
- roll;
- leafy;
- piece;
- mastic.
Sheet roofing coverings include materials such as slate, metal tiles, ondulin and corrugated sheets. Each of them has its own advantages and their prices vary. The most common roll covering is roofing felt.
The cost of this material is very affordable, but it must be laid on a solid base. Piece roofing coverings appeared relatively recently; the size of 1 sheet usually ranges from 1 square meter– these are materials such as slate tiles and bitumen, ceramic, polymer-sand tiles.
DIY roof covering
The roof covering is not the same difficult task, as it might seem at first glance. You can easily handle this on your own. How to properly cover a roof and what should you pay attention to?
The first thing you need to do is evaluate the angle of the roof, this will allow you to determine which side to start laying on, and in what sequence.
Covering a roof is not just about laying roofing material correctly on its surface. Don't forget about such important elements as:
- ventilation;
- waterproofing;
- thermal insulation;
- vapor barrier.
Step-by-step instructions: how to cover a roof
The first layer is laid on the rafters with a special vapor barrier material, which is quite thin and is fastened using a stapler. The resulting seams must be taped with construction tape.
Next, a layer of insulation is laid, the thickness of which may vary depending on weather conditions in the area where the house is located.
It is not advisable to use insulation with a thickness of less than 200 mm, as it will not fully perform its function. The insulation can be rolled or tile. This material tightly fills the gaps between the rafters.
Next comes the installation of a special waterproofing membrane, which serves as reliable protection for the roof from condensation. The waterproofing material must be rolled out horizontally, starting from the eaves and moving towards the ridge. The rolls need to be joined together on the rafters with an overlap.
The final stage is laying the roofing material itself. Its installation depends on what type of covering is chosen for the roof.
As you can see from the step-by-step instructions, covering the roof with your own hands is quite possible. This will require a little effort and time. The roofing material must be laid as tightly as possible, avoiding cracks and gaps.
And the gaps between the covering and the roof ridge can be eliminated using a special sealant. The ridge itself can be rectangular or semicircular - it all depends on individual preferences and on what material is chosen for the roof.
The most difficult thing in covering a roof is deciding on the type of main roofing material and correctly calculating its required amount. The most popular roofing materials today are corrugated sheets, ondulin and metal tiles.
When starting roofing work, you need to remember that there is no need to rush in this matter. All processes must be carried out with the highest possible quality, because the general condition of the house directly depends on the roof.
When performing all work, you should not neglect safety precautions and be extremely careful. If you have any questions at any stage of roof covering, you can look at photos of how to cover a roof on the Internet and everything will become clear. The main thing is not to be afraid of difficulties, because they are all easily solved.
