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

Metal tile: description and parameters of the material

The metal tile is a roofing material made of galvanized steel sheets 0.8-1 meters wide, 1 to 8 meters long, and 0.37 to 0.7 mm thick (the greater the thickness and length of the metal tile sheet, the harder the roofing structure will be ).

The metal tile consists of several layers:

• outer layer - polymer, made of plastisol or polyester (made in a variety of colors: from burgundy and red to green);
• primer layer (guarantees quality basis under the polymer layer);
• passivating layer;
• galvanized metal layer;
• steel sheet.

The appearance of metal tiles is identical to natural tiles.

The metal tile is easy to install, lightweight and inexpensive

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

Soft bitumen roofing: features of roofing material

A soft roof is a wavy or flat sheets of bitumen, with approximate dimensions: 35-40 centimeters wide and 1 meter long ( different manufacturers produce sheets of different sizes). The color gamut is as wide as that of metal tiles.

The base is soft bituminous roof- fiberglass, playing the role of a connecting layer between two layers of oxidized bitumen.

The pluses of a bituminous roof include a variety of its forms: rectangular, two-layer form "for shingles", etc., as well as the noiselessness of the material and the ability to lay it on the roofs of even the most complex structures and shapes.

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

Metal roofing or soft roofing? Comparative analysis of materials

To comparative analysis was the most complete, it is necessary to highlight the main parameters for comparison:

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

Base for roofing material

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

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

The only difference between the base for these materials is the lathing: an ordinary stepped lathing is suitable for metal tiles (the step should be equal to the step of the tiled wave, i.e. approximately 30 cm), and flexible tiles need a continuous lathing structure.

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

The level of complexity of roofing and material consumption

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

In addition, this material is extremely economical: having built even the most difficult roof, the scraps will remain in best case 10-15%.
Metal shingles can also be installed without problems, however, only on single or double-pitched roofs.

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

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

Calculation of the approximate cost of materials

The price for metal tiles is low, basically you will have to spend money on glue and fasteners

Metal tiles, as already noted, are quite low in price: a sheet of material 5 millimeters thick (the optimal thickness of a metal tile sheet) costs about $ 13-15. Nevertheless, it is worth remembering that buying material is half the battle, the main expenses will fall on the complete set: glue, fasteners, etc., constituting at least 40-60% of the total budget for roofing work.

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

The price of a soft roof varies depending on the characteristics: type of bitumen, sheet thickness

One sheet of composite shingles will cost you $ 30-45. The guarantee for this material is at least 30 years, but in fact, such material serves faithfully for 50 to 70 years (of course, provided that it is handled and maintained correctly).

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

The warranty period for such coverage is 10-40 years. The most expensive kind flexible roof- flexible shingles coated with copper. Such a coating will last more than 100 years, but it costs prohibitively expensive: more than $ 70-80 for one square meter.

Construction of additional layers of roofing cake

In the case of soft tiles, you do not need any lining, noise-insulating material: due to its structure, it already dampens extraneous noises. That is why it is perfect for attic roofing.

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

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

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

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

In addition, metal tiles need extremely careful transportation and erection directly on the roof: at least 2, or even 3-4 people should do this. Fastening is done carefully and carefully, for which self-tapping screws with special rubber gaskets are used.

The soft roof is mounted by means of nails, as well as adhesive edging on the elements of the tiles, which are used to fasten adjacent tiles together. If the fastening of the soft roof was done correctly, then the nail heads will not be visible to anyone, because each subsequent layer of tiles will overlap, and the caps will be hidden by the following sheets.

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

So, if your goal is to cover the usual small one- or gable roof, then the question of which material to choose should not arise at all, the metal tile will fit perfectly. If the roofing material is selected for big house with viewing windows, intricate decorative elements on the roof, an attic and chimneys from fireplaces - the ideal, and sometimes the only option, is shingles.

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

Excellent operational properties, beautiful appearance, affordable price - all this is a modern roofing material soft roof... Let's take a look at the most popular coatings on the market and find out how to choose a good, reliable coating.

The main advantage of a soft roof is its ability to "cover" pitched roofs of any complexity, even structures with decorative domes and onions, with minimal waste. In addition, the coating has proven itself in various climatic conditions and can be used in northern regions... But how to choose a soft roof? Let's try to understand the issue.

A bit of history

A soft roof is a consequence of the modification of materials such as glassine and roofing felt. It is these well-known bitumen-type coatings that have become the "progenitors" of the new innovative material.

Manufacturers have improved the bituminous binder, namely, the cardboard has been replaced with a new strong and completely non-rotting base. To improve the performance characteristics, the surface began to be coated with armor plating. In the 60s, European soft roofing became a separate high-strength roofing material. It appeared in Russia much later, in the 90s. The coating immediately gained popularity and is widely used in both the northwestern and southern regions.

Soft roof structure

Before we start choosing a soft roof, let's figure out what the material is. Externally, the coating is small flat sheet with cutouts of a certain shape along one edge. At the heart of this material is a web of the finest glass threads, tightly pressed with an astringent composition into a single whole.

Important: the best soft roof is made exclusively from high quality glass sheets.

The glass base is impregnated on both sides with bitumen, which is necessary to prevent moisture and water from getting under the roofing material. In this case, exclusively modified bitumen is used, which is made with the addition of special polymer-type additives.

The front part of the roof is covered with stone granulate, most often manufacturers use basalt. The granulate is needed for two purposes. The first is to protect the soft roof from ultraviolet radiation. The second is to give the coating a certain color. The bottom layer is a self-adhesive base that is mounted to the roof batten.

Important: when transporting a soft roof, this self-adhesive layer must be covered with a film to avoid damage to the entrance and transportation of the coating or unloading.

Comparative characteristics of soft roofs from leading manufacturers

What is the best soft roof? The question worries all potential buyers. Manufacturers today offer coatings in different shapes and colors. Three companies are leaders in the construction industry - the American brand CertainTeed, the Italian company TEGOLA and Russian manufacturer Shinglas.

The manufacturer has been on the soft roofing market for many years and over the past 10 years it has been he who has unconditionally been the leader in this area. The reasons are easily explained - the highest quality and rich variety of products.

The main advantages of the CertainTeed soft roof

The coating has the highest strength - it is the best soft roof for a home located in an area with frequent hurricanes or strong winds.

Safety. The coating belongs to the class of moderately flammable materials that do not spread fire.

Highest thermal stability. The soft roof will withstand and very coldy and heat up to +110 degrees.

Best sound absorption performance.

Important: American shingles have been named the "quietest" roofing on the market. It is worth choosing it for those who do not want to listen to the sound of rain or hail.

The minimum size tolerance is 1.6 mm. For example from other manufacturers this indicator can be up to 6.4 mm.

Unique design. The petal shape is patented and belongs exclusively to the brand. Each flower is colored in a specific shade, which creates a unique color rendition.

Flexible roof tiles Tegola

Tegola roofing is the best soft honey-coated roof tile on the market. The concern's products are economical in price, safe to use and reliable. The fiberglass used in the production of roof tiles is environmentally friendly and extremely durable. Complete technology production is kept secret and unknown to the public. It is thanks to this approach that the manufacturer managed to achieve more high performance strength is higher than that of competitors.

Advantages of Tegola soft roof

Resistant to sudden temperature changes.

Durability. The bituminous layer is reliably protected by a copper coating applied not only on top, but also on the sides.

The tiles do not lose their color even after 10 years of use.

Ease of installation. The adhesive layer is securely mounted to the base of the lathing and does not require the use of additional equipment.

Beauty. Outwardly, the material looks like a full-fledged natural copper roof and can confuse even an experienced professional. It only weighs much less than metal tiles and is much easier to install.

Important: since 2004 the Tegola concern has also been operating in Russia. The opening of factories for the production of copper flexible tiles had a positive effect on the pricing policy, and the coating became much more affordable for the Russian buyer.

Shinglas soft roof

Shinglas is a good soft roof of reliable quality and various designs.

The main advantages of coverage

Resistance to temperature conditions.

Color fastness thanks to the use of quality pigments.

Highest elasticity and durability, thanks to which the coating can be used on roofs of complex geometric shapes.

High thermal insulation characteristics.

Environmental friendliness. All materials used in production are safe for humans and the environment.

Important: when installing Shinglas on a roof with an angle of inclination of up to 30 degrees, a waterproofing layer is required over the entire roof area.

This steel sheets with an applied stamped relief, forming on the surface the shape of a surface covered with natural ceramic tiles. The sheets have a rather large area - a width of about 1 meter, a length of 4-6 m. The metal is protected from corrosion by a galvanized layer and an external polymer coating, simultaneously performing a decorative function.

It is an elastic coating made on the basis of glass fiber coated with layers of modified bitumen.

There are two types of soft roofs, differing in format:

• roll... Outwardly, it resembles an ordinary roofing material, it is used mainly on flat roofs without a slope
• bituminous shingles... Implemented as separate sheets with cutting to form petals different shapes... Sheets (or shingles) are overlapped to create an attractive decorative effect and increase the tightness of the web
• sheet materials - ondulin, etc.

There is an opinion among users that the best soft roofing is significantly inferior to metal tiles in terms of strength, reliability and durability. To decide if this point of view is correct, you should consider the properties of both coatings.

Comparative analysis by main parameters

In order to decide which is better - a metal tile or a soft roof, it is necessary to take into account the mass of the features of these materials. There are a lot of positions for comparison, so for convenience we will divide them into separate items:

Requirements for the rafter system and lathing

The weight of metal shingles is about 2 times less than that of flexible shingles. This has a noticeable difference when calculating the total load on the rafter system, but with respect to individual structural elements, the difference is insignificant. For both coatings, the same support system is built, having the same parameters - the dimensions and pitch of the rafter legs.

The difference arises at the stage of creating the lathing. For the installation of metal tiles just install a series of planks with a significant step. The main condition is the correspondence of the step of the slats to the dimensions of the wave (relief) of the metal tile.

For the installation of a soft roof, a solid flat plane is required, which is provided either by dense laying of edged boards, or flooring made of plywood, chipboard, OSB, etc. Such a flooring allows you to strengthen the noise and heat insulation of the roof, but requires increased costs for the purchase and installation of materials.

Roofing carpet layers

Roof insulation technology does not depend on the type of coating, it is always performed using the same technology. Differences exist at the stage of direct installation of the roof.

produced directly on the battens without requiring additional layers.

For flexible roofs underlay required composed of similar material. Depending on the angle of inclination of the slopes, the carpet can have a solid shape, or be present only at transitions, junctions, in the ridge part or valleys (at large angles of inclination). Considering the cost of the carpet, which differs little from the price of the covering itself, the cost of purchasing materials and labor costs almost double.

Ease of installation depending on the shape of the roof

For laying metal tiles on the roof complex shape it is necessary to cut it into pieces of the appropriate configuration and size. This forms a large number of waste material, requires the use of additional elements for the design of valleys, abutments and other changes in the geometry of the roof.

With regard to shingles, the situation is more favorable, since unproductive waste in this case is much less... Moreover, cutting soft roofs is much easier and more convenient, can be carried out directly on site just before the installation of each shingle. At the same time, the installation of metal tiles on a roof of a simple shape is performed faster, since the sheet area is much larger than that of a soft coating.

About the weight and thickness of materials

Weight soft tiles is 7.5-15 kg / m 2, and the metal tile weighs from 4.5 to 6.5 kg / m 2. Given the presence of the underlay carpet, we can safely say that metal tile is much lighter and does not place undue stress on the roof structure. This strongly contradicts the popular belief that metal roofing is too heavy.

Comparing what is thicker - a metal tile or a soft roof, it is necessary to clarify what value is in question. The thickness of one soft coating layer is about 2.5-3 mm. The metal sheet has a metal thickness of 1-1.2 mm. But, given the height of the relief, it can be argued that the general the thickness of the metal tile is more than a soft finish. The exception is ondulin, some types of which have a wave like that of slate. In this case, the thickness increases in accordance with the shape of the relief.

Which roof has a longer service life

The service life of the material depends on many factors:

• conditions of service coverage
• installation quality
• regular care
• presence of additional loads or influences

For soft roofs, the warranty period declared by manufacturers is from 20 to 50 years (bituminous shingles), or 10-12 years ( roll materials). Metal tiles usually have a warranty period of up to 15 years.

Real the service life of a soft roof is much higher than metal tiles, due to the absence of corrosion and greater resistance to mechanical stress. Any indentation on the metal surface causes the polymer layer to peel off, leaving the zinc plating as the only barrier to moisture, which is not always able to retain moisture. A soft roof suffers much less from mechanical stress, having elasticity.

Fire safety

A soft roof, the reviews of the fire hazard of which are very contradictory, is a greater danger than metal tiles. Bituminous shingles have flammability class G3, which means an average degree of fire safety. It does not spread flame over the surface, but when a strong fire appears in the attic, it will not withstand and will ignite.

Unlike her, the metal tile is completely fire safe- it can only fail, but does not pose any danger. Flammability class of material - NG which means "non-flammable".

Blocking noise

With regard to noise insulation, definitely soft roof is in the lead... It is itself a noise isolator, while problems with the hum from metal tiles during rain are a fairly common headache for home owners and require appropriate measures.

If shingles do not need any additional elements, then the metal coatings are muffled with special materials or a layer of heat insulator.

Ease of care

Maintenance of both types of coverage is not a problem. At the same time, for metal tiles it is quite enough sometimes to remove small debris from the valleys and free the drains from blockages, then a rougher soft roof collects dust and small solid particles. In some regions, it has to be cleaned periodically, for which the coating is sprayed with water from a hose or other cleaning methods are used.

Winter: clearing snow and stress

Snow loads are a significant problem in most regions of Russia. The weight of the snow can reach tens of tons, which heavily loads the roof structures and the whole house. At the same time, these problems usually do not arise on metal tiles, since the surface of the sheets is very smooth. Snow comes off it easily, which makes it necessary to install snow guards.

On a soft roof, the situation is different. Its surface is covered with a rough layer of dust that keeps the snow on the roof. To clean the surface, you have to - leave about 5 cm of the cover, so as not to spoil the frozen and fragile surface of the soft roof.

Appearance: aesthetics and design

Discussing aesthetic merits roofing- a thankless job, depending on the personal tastes and preferences of each user.

The metal tile is quite wide and. In addition, manufacturers complete their products with a full set of additional elements - skates, valleys, abutment elements, cornices, gutters and other additional elements.

The soft roof is much poorer in this respect, but it is too. This applies only to ondulin, roll materials are used on flat roof and have no decorative value.

Which is cheaper: prices and installation costs

Prices for different types of roofing differ from each other:

• bituminous tiles - from 420 ₽ / m 2
• metal tile - from 330 ₽ / m 2
• ondulin - 210 RUB / m2

At the same time, any of these materials can cost several times more, which is determined by the country of manufacture, manufacturer and belonging to an elite collection. With the installation of material, there is about the same relationship.

After calculating all costs, it turns out that the installation of metal tiles is 30-40% cheaper than installing soft types of roofing. This is due to the presence of additional materials, which also require installation and, accordingly, costs.

Other differences

Metal tile corroded... This quality significantly reduces the service life, requires the use of certain types of fastening materials and processing methods. In addition, metal tiles are not resistant to wind loads due to the stiffness of the sheets.

If, a sheet, therefore, during installation, it is necessary to ensure the complete tightness of the cornice and end sections.

Another significant problem with metal tiles is condensation capacity, which the soft roof does not have. At the same time, the tightness of the fabric of the soft roof requires the formation of ventilation gaps or passages, while the wave height of the metal tile promotes the movement of air flows, and the rare installation of lathing strips enhances the ventilation of the under-roof space.

The only one the problem of a soft roof is ultraviolet which changes the color and strength of the coating web over time. Each manufacturer solves this problem in its own way, using various modifications of bitumen or different types materials for sprinkling.

When, where and what kind of roof is better to use?

Disputes about which material is preferable, which soft roof is better or worse, and whether metal roofing should not be installed, do not subside from the very first days of the appearance of these types of coverings on store shelves. Considering all factors, proceed from the size and purpose of the house.

For small optimal choice- metal tile, unpretentious and reliable. For a large and optimal choice - flexible tiles, which have heat and sound insulation capabilities, durable and easy to repair, resistant to wind and snow loads.

The final choice is the prerogative of the owner, since it is necessary to take into account his capabilities, preferences and other considerations.

Per modern materials it is difficult to keep track and only then, the demand for them decreases a little, you can consider their point of view of quality. Today, despite the enormous 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 to be on sale, they can be obtained only upon an individual request. On the construction market, you can purchase 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 for some reason the protective layer is removed, then you will have to quickly take action. Besides, this cover It has 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 a tile can be of various shapes, for example, hex, scales, diamond, rectangular, and so on. A sheet of such a tile is often called shingle. Different manufacturers can release materials different sizes therefore it is rather difficult to define them. For example, length and width bituminous shingles 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.

There is a mineral dressing as a protective layer on the surface of the material, which prevents the material from spreading during prolonged exposure to direct sun rays, 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 disadvantages; 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.

Base for roofing cake

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

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 view of the crate will be slightly higher, but you cannot do without it. When installing any roof, one should not forget about ventilation ducts. Metal roofs They are distinguished by their peculiarity to accumulate condensate, therefore, 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 boards.

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 of bitumen tiles from 7 to 9 kilograms. It follows from this that the rafter system can be made of wood of the same cross-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 parsimony 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 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 high-quality styling... 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 dollars.

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 are most often used construction stapler... Indicator of high-quality fasteners on soft roofs there will be secrecy of hardware.

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

Introduction to roofing

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

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

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

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

For fastening a soft roof, nails, staples of a construction stapler, special screws and other hardware can be used. It is worth replacing that if you are not strong in the construction business or simply do not want to engage in tedious shingle fastening, then you can purchase a self-adhesive product. In appearance, it does not differ in any way from standard bituminous tiles, but if you look at the material from the back side, then here you can see an adhesive base, which will give high-quality adhesion to the base.

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

Which is better: soft roofing or metal roofing? Pros and cons

Any developer before starting construction should study all the weak and strengths this or that product.

The metal tile has the following advantages:

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

To the disadvantages metal coatings the following can be added:

• For large areas, you will have to use long sheets, and this is not very convenient
• Metal is a tough material, so it is most advisable to use it on simple roof systems
• Low sound insulation and high thermal conductivity
• Cheap species have a poor-quality protective coating, so roof painting may be required

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

• Small size and weight of one shingle, therefore transportation and installation is easy
• Can be used on rafter systems of any complexity
• Good sound insulation

• Aesthetically attractive

The downside is this:

• Relative high cost
• Combustible
• As a base, you need a solid crate
• Installation requires favorable weather conditions

As for the last point, you should pay attention to it. Special attention... Since bitumen in the cold tends to crack and crumble, and in extreme heat it melts.

Sheet size and material weight

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

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

Now, let's look at the load that both coatings give on one square meter of the base. Metal tiles, despite their rather large dimensions, give a load of only 5 kilograms, but bituminous tiles are 8-12 kilograms.

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

Application area

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

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

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

Base requirements

As you already know, the metal tile belongs to rigid materials, therefore, as a base, you can use a sparse crate, created from boards or beams. The pitch of the lathing elements is selected based on temporary and permanent loads, as a rule, this value is in the range from 30 to 40 centimeters.

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

Bottom line: The price tag for the sheathing for bituminous shingles will be slightly higher, since there are additional components in it. If the main thing for you is saving, then choose metal tiles.

Difficulties of flooring

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

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

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

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

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

Soundproofing qualities

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

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

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

Metal roofing or soft roofing. Which is better in terms of aesthetics

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

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

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

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

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

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

Operational terms

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

The durability of metal tiles is on average 20-50 years. Surely many people immediately ask why there is such a large range of values? The fact is that only half of the service life depends on the quality of the material, and the rest is due to high-quality installation.

The performance of bituminous shingles is slightly better and their service life is 30-50 years. It is very important here to select high-quality bitumen, which has not been in the warehouse for many years.

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

Price tags

As I said, a lot of developers strive to purchase quality material at a low cost. Surely you are also worried about the question, which is cheaper: metal or soft roof?

After examining construction market it is safe to say that the price indicator of bituminous shingles is approximately one and a half times higher than metal shingles. But at the same time, it should be understood that there are different manufacturers and types of products, so here you need to approach the issue individually. As for the costs of installation work, the soft roof will be significantly more expensive.

Bottom line: If you are striving to create a budget roofing system, then purchase metal tiles.

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