Roofing materials

Modern construction industry offers a huge number of both traditional and innovative materials for roofing.In order to understand in all their diversity, it is necessary to consider in detail the main types of on several parameters.But first we try to understand what principles are guided by when choosing these or other roofing materials.

Criteria for selecting a roofing material

What kind of material you choose depends on many factors.

• permissible loads on the roof.This parameter depends not only on the weight of the material itself, but also on the weight of the snow, which lies on the roof in the winter.
• architectural solution of the roof structure.The material is selected depending on the shape and structural characteristics of the roof.For example, laying tiles is possible with a minimum slope of 30-35 degrees.
• requirements for durability and fire resistance.Obviously, the need to make a roof on a shed for firewood century is missing.

most common types of roofing materials

modern market is replete with a variety of roofing materials.They must not only be strong enough and durable.Mandatory requirement - the ability to withstand a variety of adverse weather conditions.

Ceramic tile

This type of roofing material is produced by firing masses of special clay ovens with temperatures up to 1000 degrees.This gives the material the required strength and a distinctive brick-red color.Better options before firing tiles coated with a special compound that is converted under the influence of temperature in the waterproof film.The finished product has the form of tiles is not very large in size (30 * 30 cm) with a mass of 2 kg.There are different types of ceramic tile, depending on their location on the roof and a method of forming:

• Drilling ceramic tile.
• ribbon.
• Slot tape.
• Slot stamped.
• single wavelength.
• two-wave.
• grooved.

tiled roof is mainly used when the roof pitch is in the range of 25 to 60 degrees.If the slope is less, it requires special measures to improve waterproofing and ventilation.When a slope of more than 60 degrees need additional mounting screws or special nails.

mount each other by means of special locks and holes.Upper row overlaps the lower one, that provides sealing and leakage.High-quality shingles can last up to 150 years, an example of what the old houses in many European cities.Apply the material in rich brick, stone and wooden buildings.Because the cost of shingles can reach 50 USDper 1 m2.

The advantages of the roof of ceramic tiles include the following points:

• perfect absorption of the noise of the rain.
• minimum operating costs, as the cleaning of all components is carried out once a year.A hold local repair is not difficult if needed.
• It is not combustible.Corrosion
• it is not terrible.
• roofing shingles has decorative appeal, thanks to the variety of colors and shapes.

• ideal frost, which provides more than 1000 cycles.
• Construction tiled roof makes it possible to "breathe" through the micropores of the roof, so that the moisture that collects under the roof, quickly evaporates.

From minuses of ceramic tiles need to note the following:

• very heavy weight that causes the truss to strengthen by increasing the cross section of bars and to reduce step rafters.
• fragility, which manifests itself when even a minor collision.
• When the roof is a complex, the material consumption greatly increases and manifested many technological inconvenience.

Cement-sand tile

main disadvantage of ceramic tiles - it is a lot of weight.To neutralize this was invented by the cement-sand tile.It is produced from the corresponding name on the composition of the mixture by the fact that the solution hardens under increased pressure.Firing is not used here.The result is a material similar in shape usual tiles, but its weight is not more than 35 - 45 kg per m2.Composition of the following mixture: cement, sand and iron oxides, which play the role of the dye.This gives the product a brown-red color, which does not distinguish it from the ceramic.Due to its light weight such tiles can be laid on the roof with a slope of 20 to 60 degrees.Installation on the crate is carried out with the "bandage", which means - each subsequent number is shifted with respect to the previous half-width tile.

Cement-sand tile is highly resistant to aggressive environment and solar radiation.Its frost resistance more than 1000 cycles.At the same time, it is more massive than the ceramic because of the greater thickness (10 mm), it has too large percentage of shipping damage (up to 10%, if the rules are violated).The price of such tiles are also quite high.

use of this type of tile is allowed on the same types of houses as ceramic.However, its value does not exceed 20 USDper m2, which is more than two times lower than ceramics.This allows us to greatly save without losing the quality and reduce the decorative appeal.

Shingles Shingles

made of fiberglass or cellulose and polyester which is applied to the tiles of the bitumen.It is then coated with a special colorant for imparting the desired color.This tile is quite reliable material for the roof, because it has a coating layer of bitumen-rubber compound.It sticks together and makes the whole roofing carpet, under constant exposure to sunlight.Each product is a small sheet of length meters and a width of 30 cm. Weight shingles 8-12 kg per m2.The shape may be triangular, rectangular or circular and has a wide range of colors.This tile is very plastic and loosely folded arms at any angle.This makes it possible to skirt it any architectural forms without any restrictions.

material used to cover the roof, a slope of more than 12 degrees.According to the maximum is not limited.The only condition is that under the shingles need to lay the waterproofing liner layer on a solid plywood crate.Note
pros shingles:

• It is impossible to break during transport or installation.
• Local repair is carried out very quickly and inexpensively.
• The roof can be made from almost any angle.In
• not hear noise during rain.
• not subject to corrosion.
• When mounting is very little waste.

We indicate the material and cons:

• material can not be considered "elite" in contrast to the natural.
• has too high flammability.
• exposed to ultraviolet radiation (sunburn),
• winter installation of such tiles can not, in principle, as it freezes and becomes brittle.

As for the cost of the material, it is quite liberal - not more than 10 USDper m2.

Metal and Metal profiled

is a sheet of galvanized steel and decorative polymer coating that protects against corrosion.The amount and the method of connecting the layers may differ depending on the manufacturer.Nevertheless, there are always the following: two-sided galvanized coating of polymers such as acrylic plastisol, polyester or PVF2.They still define the color and the surface property of the product, which can be glossy or matte.Texture stamping sheet resembles natural tile, but it is unlike it in one piece.

This type of tiles used on roofs with a slope of 15 degrees.The maximum slope is not limited.If the slope is less than 20 degrees, it is necessary to provide for sealing joints between sheets available.The installation is very simple metal - mounting screws carried on a wooden crate.The sheets are placed along the slope overlapped in 250 mm and crosswise on the same wavelength.Scope of metal is very extensive, from kiosks to large private residences and industrial buildings.

metal sheeting does not differ substantially from metal.They differ only in the form of a sheet punching.There are only a corrugated longitudinal raised ribs, while the metal texture speed.Hence, there are some differences in installation.Profiled put a little bit easier on the roof.

Among the indisputable advantages of metal sheeting and it is worth noting:

• Quick installation.
• High resistance to mechanical influences.
• fairly affordable price.
• low weight (3-5 kg ​​/ m2).
• During transport there is no danger of damage.

not deprived of material and certain disadvantages:

• Poor insulation in the rain and hail.
• When mounting is a lot of waste.

market price of metal from 7-15 USDper m2.

Asbestos cement plates or slate

One of the traditional roofing materials is the usual slate.This composite material consisting of asbestos fibers and cement.Slate is produced in the form of rectangular corrugated plates.Most often, these waves 6 per sheet.The standard size of slate 1.2 * 0.7 m and height of wave 28 mm, a weight of 1 m2 of roof a 10-15 kg.Lay the sheets in the crate and secure the overlapping nails.Under the nail heads are placed elastic pads.Crate made of section bars 50 to 75 mm.Step crates between 500 and 800 mm.When the device slate roofs make a layer of tar paper or glassine.The slopes of the roof when using a slate made of 12 to 60 degrees.

presence of more modern roofing materials today has meant that the slate is only used for roofing on buildings of minor importance, such as sheds, commercial blocks, summer kitchen.The reason is that this material is fragile, heavy, is not environmentally friendly, and are not attractive in appearance.In addition, over time, wet slate, and it starts to grow mold and even moss.However, this material has both pluses: it is strong enough to kick bad cut grinder, and costs less than other roofing materials, not more than 3 USDper m2.

Seam roof steel roof

This is a smooth coating of steel sheets, which allows water to drain away easily, even at small slopes.The sheets are galvanized and non-galvanized, coated with a polymer and is not present.The slope of the roof for the standing seam roof is not less than 20 degrees, the maximum slope is not limited.The sheets are joined together mechanically by means of special locking hooks - folds.To secure the crate lists special klyamerami.Seaming folds made by hand or with a special electromechanical instrument.

Advantages of standing seam roof lies in the fact that:

• It does not support and does not contribute to the spread of fire.
• attractive appearance.
• Smooth sheets allow the roof to give any sort of form.
• Light weight saves on the rafters.

Among the disadvantages:

• Low resilience to external shocks, which cause damage.
• Seam roof needs insulation.

steel standing seam roofing cost of $ 5-7 per m2.

In addition to these and the above-described types of roofing materials, there are others which, though less popular, but still used in construction, is:

• Bituminous slate - molded sheets of cellulose, impregnated with bitumen.
• Slate roofs.Costly natural material of flat slates, whose age is 400 million. Years.
• Natural materials: straw, reed, wood, turf.They are used for the exclusive design of bars, restaurants, hotels, bungalows, etc.

choosing the type of roof should be guided not only their preferences but also the feasibility, relevance to the case and financial capabilities.