It is not easy to choose the right one.

Metal roof tiles- a roof covering made of corrugated metal sheets, which are sprayed with a protective layer of polymer enamel.

A variety of shapes, colors, determines the popularity of the coating.

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

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

TO merits metal roof tiles include:

• strength coverings;
• a wide range of colors;
• durability;
• waterproofness;
• ease of installation;
• incombustibility;
• ease tile sheet.

The disadvantages are:

• low level of noise insulation;
• complex roof structure implies high consumption shingles;
• has good thermal conductivity;
• possible occurrence corrosion if the material is damaged.

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

Advantages and disadvantages of a soft roof

Soft shingles also have their pros and cons.

Its advantages include:

Identified deficiencies soft tiles:

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

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

What material is easier and cheaper to mount

Installation of any roof covering implies its own characteristics, depending on the characteristics of the material.

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

• by price;
• complexity of installation.

Cost of costs

If we consider separately the price of tiles from the calculation of the roof area, then the cost of both coatings is about the same: price differences may vary by manufacturer. When buying, you should focus on the experience of specialists:

• metal sheets should take with a margin, since there can be a lot of waste during installation;
• when installing a soft roof, there is almost no waste, however, have to spend money on crate, laying it in a continuous way. This version of the lathing can be justified: in this case, the insulating characteristics of the roof increase, the sound insulation qualities increase. But it is not always necessary, especially if the attic is non-residential.
• in places prone to smudges, it is recommended for shingles lay special lining materials to provide ;
• for roofing equipment for metal or soft roofs have approximately the same cost (cornices, drains, end strips, gutters).

Thus, the cost of the stock of covering from metal tiles is much lower than for the equipment of a continuous sheathing of the roof, the flooring of underlay carpets for a bituminous roof, therefore, in general you will have to spend almost twice as much on a soft tile cover.

Complexity of installation

Complexity of installation

Complexity laying metal tiles and soft roofs on their own approximately the same:

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

NOTE!

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

Installation temperature is the only difficulty in laying flexible roofs in comparison with metal tiles. But, since roofing work is most often performed during a warm period, this circumstance is not always relevant.

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

Comparison of dimensions and technical characteristics

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

Dimensions and weight of materials

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

The weight of one square meter covered with metal tiles is approximately 5 kg.

Soft roofs are made with shingles 100 cm long, up to 33.7 cm wide.

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

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

Comparison of technical characteristics

Excellent technical performance of one material cannot be expressed in another, but this problem can be solved:

• soundproofing performance of metal sheets is significantly inferior to that of bituminous material. Compensate for this deficiency when laying metal tiles, it is possible with the help of laying;
• when laying metal tiles, it is necessary to install, which does not require a bituminous coating due to a rough surface that can trap snow;
• with good non-flammability of metal tiles, g A flexible roof, on the contrary, is prone to burning.

Coating characteristics

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

Conclusion: metal or soft roof, which is better?

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

Metal tiles and soft roofs are not in vain the most demanded covering materials: their technical characteristics allow you not to think about replacing the roofing for many years, and the color assortment, a variety of material configurations, brightness will be able to decorate the structure and give it individuality.

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

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

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

metal or soft roof

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

Useful video

Comparison of the technical characteristics of these coatings in video format:

How to choose a soft roof for your roof and not regret it? To do this, you need to learn more about what a flexible roof is, what are its main properties and parameters.

Types of soft roof

What types of flexible roofing are there? It is manufactured in two main types:

Roll

The soft roof is supplied in rolls 10-20 m long and 90-110 cm wide. It is designed to cover extended slopes, flat or with a minimum slope. The roll is rolled out on the roof into a sheet and glued to the prepared base using bituminous mastic.

Advantages:

• low price;
• high efficiency of installation.

Disadvantages:

• ineffective on roofs of small size and complex shape;
• unaesthetic appearance;
• low resistance to mechanical damage.

Roofing rolls are laid over a cement screed coated with a primer to improve adhesion. Before gluing, the cut strips should be straightened for at least 24 hours.

Such materials are used most often for industrial or warehouse buildings of medium and large sizes. This is a good choice for a budget private house with a gable roof.

Bituminous shingles

This material is also called segmented soft roof. In the production of their bitumen sheet, segments are cut. During installation, they are glued to the base using a factory-applied mastic and fixed with roofing nails.

The segments are overlapped in such a way that the nail locations of the bottom row are covered by the next row. At each point of the roof, there are 4 to 6 layers of roofing material.

Advantages:

• high reliability of the roof;
• excellent sound insulation;
• low percentage of waste when cutting on roofs of small area and complex shape;
• suitable for tapered roofs.

Disadvantages:

• high price;
• high complexity of laying;
• requires exceptional care during installation.

Bituminous shingles are used to cover the roofs of private houses and public buildings with a slope of at least 12 o. The variety of patterns allows you to choose the right model for any style and size of the building.

What is the best soft roof? Each has its own scope.

Soft roof structure

Modern flexible roofing sheet is a complex multi-layer system.

Bituminous base

The supporting structure is a sheet of dense cardboard impregnated with bitumen or a sheet of fiberglass. It provides the strength of the roofing material. Acid or alkaline bitumen is used for impregnation.

Sprinkling

A layer of mineral chips with the addition of a coloring pigment protects the soft cardboard from mechanical damage. Coarse-grained dressing traps snow and makes it difficult for it to naturally fall off the slope.

The best manufacturers of soft tiles use basalt crumb without impurities; in budget lines, cheapening additives can be added to basalt.

Base: fiberglass or cardboard? What's better?

Initially, cardboard was used as the basis for soft tiles. It is affordable but has limited durability. In modern models of shingles, fiberglass is increasingly used.

This material is better in quality and several times more durable than cardboard. In addition, it has an almost significantly lower specific gravity with equal strength. This reduces the load on the rafter system.

Fiberglass is not subject to corrosion and age-related changes in the structure, the increased service life fully justifies the high price of the material.

Advantages of a soft roof

A soft roof has a number of obvious advantages over other types of roofing materials, such as metal tiles, seam roofing, ondulin or ceramics. These include:

1. A wide range of shapes and shades, aesthetic appearance.
2. Affordable price.
3. Long service life. The material is not subject to rust and decay.
4. High tightness.
5. Elasticity makes it possible to use on roofs of complex shapes, including curved, conical and domed. No other material will work for this.
6. Low percentage of waste when cutting;
7. Resistant to ultraviolet radiation, temperature and humidity changes.
8. Excellent sound and thermal insulation properties. For a private house, the roof becomes an additional layer of insulation. The noise of rain is practically inaudible even in gazebos and on open verandas.
9. Installation is quite simple and can be done independently

There are a number of disadvantages inherent in the material:

1. Not applicable on slopes with a slope of less than 12 o.
2. Required solid lathing.
3. Necessarily ventilation device to protect the rafter system from high humidity.
4. High surface roughness... This leads to the accumulation of dust, small debris. Moss germination is possible in shady areas. In winter, the roughness prevents natural snow from melting.
5. High requirements for installation accuracy... Only correct and accurate installation will provide high quality coating and aesthetic appearance.

The advantages of a flexible roof noticeably outweigh its disadvantages. More and more homeowners are opting for an inexpensive and easy-to-use material.

Features of shingles

When choosing a roofing material, the following features of shingles should be taken into account:

1. Base material... Affects the strength and durability of the coating. If funds permit, it is better to stay on a fiberglass canvas.
2. Bituminous impregnation type... Modified SBS-bitumen is the best impregnating material today.
3. Spreading type... Basalt chips create the strongest and most durable sprinkling layer. It does not glare in the sun, creating a "cheap roof effect".
4. Bituminous mastic applied to the underside of the segments, loses its adhesive properties over time and worse joins the base. Therefore, it is better to install soft tiles no later than six months from the date of production.

Installation features

Installation of shingles does not require special qualifications of workers and the use of expensive equipment. It is better to choose a hot sunny day for installation. The high air temperature will additionally soften the mastic and improve adhesion to the substrate, especially on complex roofs.

For a soft roof, a continuous sheathing is required. If necessary, the surface is leveled with OSB or plywood sheets. Next, a lining carpet is laid, it is fixed with roofing nails, and the joints are glued with mastic.

Laying the segments begins with the eaves. The lower part is glued to a layer of mastic applied to the back side, and the upper part is nailed. Each next layer of segments is shifted sideways by half of the element. Ridge elements, junctions to other slopes, walls, pipes, etc. coated with bituminous mastic.

Comparison of manufacturers

How to choose the right manufacturer?

Foreign brands are traditionally famous for their high quality and rich selection of shapes and colors. The price is also high. It is justified by the long service life of the coating and the absence of the need for work on its replacement.

Which companies are the most popular? Ranking leaders are often:

1. FinnishKatepal... Traditional Finnish quality and excellent sound insulation properties.
2. GermanicDoсke... The budget line is guaranteed for 20 years. The premium line comes with a 50-year warranty.
3. ItalianTegola... The widest selection of shapes, patterns and palettes. Production is localized in Russia.

Of the local manufacturers, the Shinglas trademark of the Technonikol company can be noted. It produces a wide range of fiberglass roofing materials. Single-layer models are quite affordable in price, and even top-end two-layer models continue to be affordable.

Comparison of manufacturers' pricing policy

What price should shingles have? Most manufacturers have flexible pricing policies. They produce budget lines with a cost per square meter of 250-350 rubles.

For consumers with higher requirements for the reliability and durability of the roof, premium product lines are offered in the range of 700-1300 rubles / m2. The most expensive models can reach 3500 rubles / m2.

Often, both lines have a similar set of shapes and shades. This allows you to cover the main building on the site with high-quality flexible tiles, and the auxiliary buildings and gazebos - with a simpler material, while maintaining a single stylistic solution.

In this way, manufacturers are trying to expand their market coverage.

Conclusions: which shingles to choose

How to choose flexible shingles? When choosing soft tiles for the roof of a house, one must proceed from the purpose of the building.

For a residential building, it is better not to save money and purchase high-quality and wear-resistant tiles from the best manufacturers with a long service life. This will ultimately save money on the dismantling of the unusable roof and the installation of a new one.

For sheds, gazebos and auxiliary unheated buildings, you can choose a flexible roof of the same manufacturer from the budget line of the same color and pattern.

Among roofing materials, there are many options that have almost the same characteristics. For example, if you take metal and bituminous shingles (soft roofing), then it can be noted that both options are characterized by reliability, durability and attractive appearance. In addition, the price of these materials is almost the same. All this leads to a dead end for private developers when they make a choice, which is better: metal or soft roofing. However, to solve the problem, it is necessary to make a comparative analysis of some features of metal tiles and soft roofs and draw a conclusion which characteristics are most suitable for certain construction conditions.

What is better to choose for the roof - metal or soft roof

To begin with, it is worth understanding what the compared materials are.

A metal tile is a profiled sheet with longitudinal and transverse corrugation, as a result of which a semblance of a ceramic tile is created. When visually inspecting, even from a short distance, it is quite difficult to distinguish metal modules from piece shingles.

The metal tile has a complex structure, which is based on thin steel with a double-sided zinc coating with a thickness of about 20 microns. In addition, there is a passivation layer and a primer on both sides. The finishing layer on the lower side is a protective paint, the upper part is covered with a layer of polymer.

Bituminous shingles are produced in the form of a narrow tape with cutouts in the shape of a rectangle, rhombus or petal. When these elements are laid on the roof, a unique pattern is created that is characteristic of a particular type of product.

A soft roof is a material with a multi-layer structure. Fiberglass, which is the basis of the material, is coated with modified or oxidized bitumen. On the front side, a stone crumb-granulate is applied, the lower part is covered with a bitumen-polymer adhesive composition, with which the tapes can be glued together without using mastic.

Based on this, we can say that both options have similarities with natural tiles, and the multilayer structure of both materials provides strength and durability.

What result can be obtained by comparing which is better: metal or flexible tiles according to the most significant characteristics.

Size and weight

Metal sheets are large enough. Their length is most often 4.5 meters, and in some situations it can reach 7.5 meters. The width of the sheet in most cases is 1.12-1.19 meters. Therefore, the conclusion suggests itself that the installation of the material alone is almost impossible. In addition, elongated sheets are very difficult to lift to a height and fasten to the rafters.

In this regard, bituminous shingles are a more profitable option: the material is produced in the form of a tape up to 1 meter long and 33.7 cm wide.Therefore, there are no difficulties when lifting to the roof and performing installation work, even if the work is done by one person.

When comparing the weight, a slightly different result is obtained. The weight of 1 m 2 of metal roofing is no more than 5 kg. but a similar soft roof area will weigh from 8 to 12 kg.

Thus, the metal tile has more overall dimensions than the bituminous tile, but the first option weighs less, therefore, the load on the rafter system will be small.

Scope of use

When choosing a metal tile or a soft roof, you should know that both compared materials are used for laying on pitched roofs, the minimum slope of which is 12-14 degrees.

Soft shingles are considered a more versatile option, as they can be used on roofs of any shape, even with domes and turrets. Low weight and dimensions of the material allow you to cover broken and curved surfaces. In difficult places, the tape must be bent and it takes the desired shape. The main point of installing a soft roof in this case is the minimum amount of waste, up to 3%.

Metal tiles can only be installed on roofs with straight slopes. The presence of kinks and additional parts makes the installation of metal tiles very problematic. This is explained by a large number of undercuts, as a result of which up to 30% of waste can be formed. In addition, when cutting the material, open edges are formed, which must be painted over to prevent corrosion. This inevitably leads to an increase in the costs associated with the arrangement of the roof.

Thus, answering the question of which tile is better for the roof, we can say that a soft roof is more beneficial for a roof that has a complex shape and design features.

Base type for roofing material

Regardless of the roofing material, shingles or corrugated board, the type of base is of great importance for it. Installation of metal tiles is carried out on a crate of boards or bars. The distance between the base elements is chosen depending on the wavelength, in most cases it is 35-40 cm.

Bituminous shingles are laid on a solid two-layer crate. The first layer is a regular thinned base, the second is a solid one, for its manufacture plywood or oriented strand board is used.

Thus, for bituminous shingles, a more complex base is required, which requires large financial costs. In this case, metal tiles will be much cheaper.

The level of complexity of installation of flexible shingles and metal shingles

Covering the roof with metal tiles does not present any particular difficulties. Thanks to the large size of the module, the installation process does not take much time. Simple installation without professional features allows even beginners to do the job, who in most cases show good results.

Laying a soft roof requires increased attention, since as a result of a perfect mistake, the roof may lose its performance characteristics. Therefore, it is best to entrust the installation of soft tiles to professionals who have the appropriate qualifications and experience.

If we compare labor costs, then the following situation can be observed here: a soft roof is mounted more slowly, but it takes longer and more difficult to lay bulky sheets of metal tile.

It is also much more difficult to lift large modules of metal tiles than flexible roof tapes. At the very least, additional labor and special mechanisms or devices will be required in the first case. It is quite possible for the shingles to be lifted and laid by one person.

Carrying out installation work on laying metal tiles on a simple pitched roof does not seem difficult, but the presence of even small kinks adds difficulties to this process. Moreover, in some situations, labor costs can be significantly higher than in the case of soft tiles.

Thus, the installation of metal tiles will be faster and easier on shed or gable roofs, provided that the work is done by two or more people. Complex, sloping and multi-pitched roofs are best covered with soft tiles.

Sound insulation characteristics

One of the disadvantages of metal tiles is the creation of increased noise from the blows of hail or raindrops. To reduce the noise level, additional sound insulation is required. To do this, you can use insulation with a thickness of more than 15-20 cm with good sound insulation properties. It is very important to perform such actions when arranging an attic living space so that rain drops hitting the roof do not disturb the comfort and peace of the residents.

In this regard, a soft roof does not cause problems; the use of additional sound insulation for this material is not required. Bituminous shingles are great for gazebos, garages, summer attics and other premises that do not require thermal insulation.

Roof design

The roof, covered with both metal and soft tiles, has an equally attractive appearance.

The metal tile is a kind of classic ceramic tile, therefore it looks more natural. At the same time, there are various profiles that differ in the size and shape of the wave, the color scheme is presented in hundreds of options. The following profiles are very popular: Joker, Cascade, Monterrey and Super Monterrey. Therefore, metal tiles can be selected in any shade, for any architectural ensemble and for the most refined taste.

The design possibilities for a soft roof are also varied, with the help of this material any idea can be revived. The appearance of such a coating is determined by the shape of the bitumen tape cutting. It can be a rhombus, hexagon, rectangle, oval and much more.

In terms of colors, the soft roof is not inferior to its competitor: the color scheme is wide enough. Moreover, the tile petals can be painted in one color, or different colors and shades can be used.

One of the advantages of a soft roof is called hidden fasteners. The tapes are fixed to the lathing by means of a self-adhesive layer on the inner surface and small fasteners that are easily overlapped by the top row of material. For fastening metal tiles, special self-tapping screws are used, which are painted to match the material. But even this condition does not allow to completely hide the place of the fastener.

Lifetime

The duration of the operating period of the roofing coating is influenced by the degree of its wear resistance. In the case of metal tiles, this factor depends on the type of polymer coating and the zinc content. The average service life of a metal tile, indicated by the manufacturer, ranges from 20 years to half a century.

Soft bitumen shingles can be used flawlessly for 30-50 years. The service life of soft tiles is influenced by the quality of the coating used, its thickness and the type of base.

Thus, if we compare metal tiles and soft roofs, then both options have approximately the same service life, provided that a high-quality material is selected and the installation technology is observed.

Material price

For many, the question seems to be essential, which is cheaper: metal or flexible tiles. When comparing prices for the material itself and the additional costs for its installation, the following situation emerges: soft tiles, as a material, are more expensive than metal tiles. A soft roof requires a continuous base, which inevitably leads to increased costs. In addition, in most cases, bituminous tiles are installed by professionals, and the process itself takes a significant amount of time.

Based on this, we can say that the use of metal tiles as a roofing material is a more profitable option from the financial side.

Final conclusion

Comparison of metal and soft roofing shows that each material has its own advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, the choice should be made in accordance with the specific conditions.

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

What are metal and bituminous shingles

Both metal and bituminous shingles are considered building materials for roofs sloped at least 12 °. Both coatings are lightweight, strong and durable, but they have completely different compositions.

The metal tile is a shaped steel sheet covered with various protective layers, including zinc, which prevents rusting. From above, the material is treated with plastisol, polyvinyl chloride, pural or other polymer, which is responsible for the aesthetic appearance of building materials.

The steel sheet is coated on both sides with protective compounds, including zinc, which prevents corrosion

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

Sheets of metal tiles can be up to 120 cm wide

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

When creating a soft tile, high-strength fiberglass is treated with modified bitumen and only after that is covered with protective layers

The width of the shingles can be 35 cm, and the length is 1 m.

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

Comparative analysis of metal and soft roofing

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

Requirements for the rafter system and lathing

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

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

Under the bituminous tile, a rough flooring and a continuous crate are constructed, and under the metal - only an ordinary rarefied base

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

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

Roofing carpet layers

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

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

Bituminous shingles are laid out on a roofing carpet, consisting of rafters, a waterproof film, a continuous sheathing and a lining material, which can be roofing material. Flexible sheets are placed on such a multilayer cake, glued onto bituminous mastic.

The soft roof does not fit when the weather is cold outside. Otherwise, the material will become brittle. Heat is also an obstacle to installing shingles. From the influence of the scorching sun, it softens, which means that you cannot step on it with your feet.

Roofing cake for bituminous shingles differs in that before installing the finishing material, a lining carpet is placed on the OSB boards

Influence of the shape of the roof on installation

The complex shape of the roof will definitely not force you to abandon bituminous tiles. The dimensions of one flexible sheet are so small that they only contribute to simplifying installation work on difficult roof areas.

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

Bituminous shingles can easily become a covering for a dome roof

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

No weather interferes with the installation of metal tiles. Only a gusty wind can become an exceptional circumstance.

The metal tile is designed for simple roofing with one or several slopes

Material weight and thickness

The weight of 1 m² of metal tiles ranges from 4.5 to 6.5 kg. The exact value is determined by the type and thickness of the polymer shell and many other characteristics of the sheet. The minimum thickness of metal tiles is 0.38 mm, and the maximum thickness is 0.6 mm.

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

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

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

Duration of use

Manufacturers promise that metal roof tiles will look good and will last for 5–20 years. But as practice shows, this material fails no earlier than 10 years later.

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

Metal shingles often suffer from corrosion, which greatly affects their appearance.

Soft tiles will lose their performance in 16–70 years. It lies on the roof longer than metal material, since its components, that is, fiberglass and bitumen, do not know what rust is. The manufacturers guarantee that the appearance of shingles will remain unchanged for 30 years.

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

Contact with fire

Bituminous shingles consist of combustible building materials. But since it is sprinkled with stone chips on top, it will not be able to catch fire in a fire, but it will melt. The soft roof will deteriorate only if it heats up by more than 110°.

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

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

Blocking noise

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

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

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

Ease of care

In winter, it is best to stay away from a metal tile roof. Such a roof, which has a smooth surface, tends to be filled with snow to refusal and abruptly free from it, breaking the drain. Therefore, it is recommended to clean the roof made of metal shingles at least twice during the winter.

To insure troubles in the cold season, snow holders should be installed on a metal tile slope.

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

Snow melts carefully from rough bituminous shingles. Therefore, it does not need to be cleaned frequently.

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

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

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

Repair of metal tiles is more difficult: the coating will have to be cleaned of rust and painted, overly damaged sheets - dismantled and replaced with new ones, cracks and holes - with something to fill and cover with a piece of fiberglass treated with red lead.

Appearance

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

However, metal shingles are fixed to the roof in an open way. The self-tapping screws screwed into it, having looked closely, is not difficult to notice, and, unfortunately, they slightly spoil the appearance of the roof.

Roof fasteners slightly distort the elegant look of metal tiles

Which is cheaper: metal or soft roof

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

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

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

Additional differences

When considering metal tiles as a roof covering, you need to know the following about them:

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

Metal roofing has a lot of problems, but they are forgotten when they hear that the material is inexpensive

If there is an interest in a soft roof, then you need to take into account several nuances:

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

A shingle roof will be a real boon for those who like to experiment with the shape of roofs.

Which is better: metal or soft roof

Metal roofing will be a reasonable option for a developer who wants to make a simple, not too expensive and reliable roof.

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

An attic under a metal tile roof is considered an unsuccessful project, as its inhabitants will have to suffer from loud sounds of rain colliding with metal.

Video: the subtleties of choosing a roofing material

It is difficult to keep track of modern materials, and only then, the demand for them decreases slightly, you can consider their points of view of quality. Today, despite the colossal number of varieties of roofing products, bitumen and metal coatings are especially popular. For quite some time now, many developers have been trying to figure out which material is the favorite: soft tiles or metal tiles, and which is better for a roof structure?

Metal tile

Before comparing the two materials, you need to know more about them. I started with metal tiles for a reason, because the demand for it is somewhat higher than for soft products. Many old-school private developers assume: the stronger and tougher the material, the longer it will stay on the roof surface. This is an erroneous assumption, however, after reading the entire article, you will understand everything yourself.

Metal tiles are made from galvanized sheet steel by rolling. A sheet of metal in width can vary from 0.8 to 1 meter, depending on the type of product. The length of the canvas at the maximum size reaches 12 meters, but manufacturers do not allow such on sale, they can only be obtained by individual request. On the construction market, you can buy materials from 1 to 8 meters long.

As a protective layer, a primer and polymer substances are applied to the metal surface. The cheapest materials have weak protection, which can peel off at the slightest mechanical contact during installation, transportation or operation, if a bump or dry branch falls on it.

At the base, a discharged lathing of lumber is erected. It can be lightweight, since the weight of one square meter of the roof does not exceed 7 kilograms. The color range of the metal tile is quite impressive, because due to the addition of paint to polymers, you can get absolutely any color.

The strengths of this coating include the following:

• Cheapness
• High strength
• Durability
• Ease of delivery and installation
• The reliability of the roof is achieved by creating a discharged sheathing
• A small mass of material, due to which two workers are enough to install the coating.

IMPORTANT: When working with metal sheets, you must have thick gloves among the uniforms. The fact is that the edges of the sheet are very sharp and with careless movements you can seriously injure yourself.

The natural properties of the metal, namely, corrosion, can be attributed to the serious disadvantages of metal tiles. If the protective layer is removed for some reason, then you will have to quickly take action. In addition, this coating is distinguished by disgusting sound insulation and to solve this problem, you will have to lay a thick layer of heat-insulating material.

Bituminous shingles

Oxidized bitumen, some additives and fiberglass are taken as raw materials for the production of soft tiles. Such tiles can be of various shapes, for example, hexagonal, scales, diamond-shaped, rectangular, and so on. A sheet of such a tile is often called shingle. Different manufacturers can produce materials in different sizes, so it is not easy to identify them. For example, the length and width of a bituminous tile of the Cologne brand is 1000x317 millimeters, while the parameters of the Jazz brand from Shinglas are 1000x335 millimeters. The length indicator can also change, so these parameters will be purely individual.

As a protective layer on the surface of the material, there is a mineral dressing, which does not allow the material to spread during prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, or be damaged by mechanical stress.

The advantages of shingles are as follows:

• Good sound insulation
• High waterproofing qualities
• Long-term operation
• Maintainability
• Relative ease of installation

The disadvantages of this coverage can be written down such points as:

• Rough surface that prevents snow from melting on its own.
• High cost
• Limited installation conditions. In extreme heat, the material "floats", and in the cold it loses its elasticity and cracks.

As you can see, both materials have strengths and some drawbacks; in no case can you compare them by them, because during operation they can change. In most cases, due to the region of construction and living conditions, the roofing behaves differently.

Construction in most cases is quite individual and where the material shows itself well, there will be a place where it will be frankly bad. One thing I can say for sure: do not look at foreign manufacturers, because they produce products for their region. Purchase materials from your area and then, they will meet the requested requirements.

Roof cake base

Surely, you have at least once met these roofing materials and understand that bituminous shingles are elastic, and an embossed metal sheet has a fairly strong rigidity and will not bend under its own weight. The base for metal tiles and bituminous products are significantly different. In the first case, it is most advisable to build a discharged crate of boards or beams, when a continuous one is created when laying soft materials.

Identical products can be used as lumber for both battens. The only differences between such substrates will be plywood sheets or smallpox boards with a backing carpet. The lining evens out the resulting base and acts as additional waterproofing.

The costs for a solid type of lathing will be somewhat higher, but you cannot do without it. When installing any roof, one should not forget about ventilation ducts. Metal roofs are distinguished by their ability to accumulate condensate, so here, in addition to ventilation, additional layers of waterproofing may be needed. In residential construction and roof insulation, in this case, it is better to use hydrophobic thermal insulation materials, for example, foam glass or expanded polystyrene plates.

The materials under consideration are practically in the same weight category: the weight of one square meter of metal tiles is in the range from 5 to 7 kilograms, and bitumen tiles from 7 to 9 kilograms. It follows from this that the rafter system can be made of wood of the same section, and the pitch of the lathing elements will also be similar.

Conclusion: From an economic point of view, the cost of a base for a metal roof will be slightly lower than for a soft one.

Complexity of installation work

Flexible materials are easy to install. They are elastic, small in size and can be cut with an ordinary knife. These products work very well on complex roofing systems such as domed or multi-gable roofing systems.

It is not even necessary to talk about the economy of the material. Any piece that you cut from the main blade can be used later when the rest of the metal sheet can be simply thrown away. Just think, the waste when laying metal tiles is 40-60%, when when laying bituminous material this figure in rare cases exceeds 10%. Due to such losses, the metal sheet is used only on straight and primitive structures, where there is a minimum of structural elements in the form of valleys and height differences.

Conclusion: Metal sheets have a much larger coverage area, so it is quite easy to work with them. Laying shingles is also quite simple, but it is a rather long and tedious process. In addition, before installation, it is very important to mark the plane so that the shingles fit in even rows.

Cost of materials

A little higher, I already said that the metal tile is in the low price segment. For example, a 5mm thick sheet can be purchased for $ 12-14. In addition to buying the material itself, you will have to spend money on solutions, additional elements and fasteners, the price of which will be half of all purchased products.

Manufacturers of metal tiles give a guarantee for their products, for each company it is different and varies from 5 to 20 years. In many cases, the durability of the material depends on the thickness of the product itself, the protective layer, maintenance during operation and quality installation. The average durability of this coating varies from 30 to 50 years.

Now, let's take a look at shingles. Its high cost should be noted right away. The price tag per square meter of composite roofing will be about $ 30-40. The manufacturer's warranty in this case is much longer and for some brands it comes up to 30 years. If there was a high-quality installation during the flooring, and timely maintenance during operation, then the material can lie on the roof for up to 70 years. The price for a simple tile is much less, only $ 7-20 per square.

Many developers ask me: "Which soft tile is better?" Today, these are copper clad shingles. It can hold out on the roofing plane for up to 100 years, but the price tag per square meter is quite high, it is $ 70-80.

Conclusion: The cost of a particular coating is often decisive. If you want to create a durable and high-quality roof, then I advise you to consider bituminous materials with a price tag above average. In case of tightness in the budget, you can purchase metal tiles, but see that only high-quality components are used as a protective layer, so you will get material with the longest possible operation and at an affordable price.

Installation nuances

In no case should metal tiles be cut with power tools, in particular with a grinder. Sparks flying in all directions easily burn through the polymer film, therefore, there can be no question of any protective layer after operation. In addition, the metal sheets are quite thin and can bend if handled carelessly. When transporting and handling, do not work independently. The minimum number of people for this process should be 2, but it is best to invite a couple more workers.

As a fastener for metal roofs, it is advisable to use a self-tapping screw with a rubber lining, and when laying bituminous tiles, small nails or staples of a construction stapler are most often used. An indicator of high-quality fasteners on soft roofs will be the secrecy of hardware.