What is better metal or soft roof - the pros and cons
Developers are beginning to choose roofing for the roof at the stage of creating a project of the house. In search of the best option, most are guided by 3 roofing requirements: durability, reasonable cost, and attractive appearance. Under this description fit many modern materials, including metal and shingles. These coatings differ in the form of release, composition and method of installation, they have in common their practicality and long service life. In this article we will tell you what is better - a metal tile or a soft roof?
Characteristics of materials
The roof is the most complicated constructive unit, on the quality of the construction of which the service life of the whole house depends. The reliability of the roof is influenced by the roof frame, the composition of the roofing pie and the finish coating. Each of the materials has pros and cons, which must be considered during installation and operation:
- Flexible roof. This group of roofing materials has many names, it is known by the term shingles, shingles or shinglas. The flexible roof is a modern polymer coating in the form of strips 35 cm wide and 100 cm long with a figured edge, which are glued to the base of the roof using a self-adhesive layer. The bituminous tile possesses high decorative potential, visually it imitates a classical tile.
- Metal tile. Metal tiles are called profiled sheets of galvanized steel with a wavy relief, resembling the shape of a traditional ceramic tile. This roofing material has a paint or polymeric coating that gives the desired color and protects against corrosion and mechanical damage. Composite metal sprinkled with colored stone chips, which has an interesting texture. The sheets are 110–120 cm wide and 0.4–6 m long.
Important! When determining which roof is better, from soft tiles or from metal, consider the disadvantages and advantages of coatings. The choice is made based on the climatic conditions in the region of construction, the type and nature of the use of the building, the financial possibilities and taste preferences of the developer.
Composition
Composition во многом определяет срок службы, надежность и отношение к факторам окружающей среды кровельного материала. It depends on him how long the roof will serve, how reliable it will be, and how to maintain it. Compare coatings have the following composition:
- The metal tile is made of galvanized steel sheets with a thickness of 0.45-0.9 mm. The metal intensity of the zinc layer in most grades is 275 g / m2, this zinc content reliably protects the material from corrosion. The bottom surface of the sheet is covered with a protective varnish, and the top - with a polymer coating to prevent rust and scratches on the electroplated layer. In the production of metal used modern polymers (Pural, plastisol, polyester), which are resistant to temperature extremes and weathering.
- The flexible roof belongs to bituminous roofing materials. It is made of durable glass fabric, impregnated with modified bitumen, which is resistant to temperature extremes and cracking. On top of the shingle sprinkle with the booking composite crumb, which gives color and texture to the roofing, as well as protects against mechanical effects.
Note! When deciding which roof is best for your home, consider the climatic factors. The flexible roof has a rough, rough surface that traps snow on the slope. The metal tile, on the contrary, is smooth, so the snow slides off it. If the slope of the roof with the same coating of 15 degrees, then it must be equipped with snow guards.
Roofing Cake
The topcoat is just the visible part of the roofing pie, which consists of many layers that improve the performance of the material. All components of the structure work in a comprehensive way to extend the life of the material. Depending on the type of roof, the roofing pie has the following features:
- Гибкая черепица укладывается на основание, в состав которого входит пароизоляция, утеплитель, гидроизоляция, контробрешетка, дополнительная обрешетка, сплошная обрешетка из ОСБ или влагостойкой фанеры и подкладочный ковер. Roofing Cake для этого материала должен обладать прочностью, паропроницаемостью и хорошо вентилироваться. Soft roof весит до 15 кг/кв.м, но укладывают ее на сплошную обрешетку не поэтому, а из-за того, что она не держит форму самостоятельно. Подкладочный ковер необходим, чтобы защитить нижнюю поверхность материала от повреждений.
- Metal tile is a fairly light but very durable roofing material. The square meter of this coating weighs up to 6.5 kg, so it is mounted on a trellised crate with a pitch of 50-100 cm. Installation of metal tile is cheaper at the expense of savings on sawn timber for the base, an average of 200-500 rubles per square meter can be saved. The composition of the roofing pie for it also includes vapor insulation, insulation, waterproofing, counter grilles and lathing.
Many developers are tormented by the question, metal or flexible roofing is better for the device of the roof of a private house, guided by the price of the finish coating. The flexible tile costs only 15-20% more expensive, but additional expenses for reinforced crate and lining carpet will increase the cost of roofing work even more.
Installation Features
When deciding which roof is better, it is necessary to take into account the specifics of the installation of materials, especially if the roofing works have to be carried out independently. The complexity of the installation affects the cost and duration of the process. Installation of comparable roofing has the following features:
- The flexible tile is glued with a self-adhesive layer, protected by a silicone film, to the lining carpet. The process of laying shingles takes a long time. In addition, it is recommended to work with this material at a temperature of + 5- + 15 degrees, since the cold makes it brittle, and at high temperatures bitumen softens. Therefore, installation of shingles perform only in the warm season.
- The metal tile is laid in all weather conditions, as it does not respond to temperature changes. Sheets are layered with an overlap to prevent leakage of moisture. For fixing metal use roofing screws with a rubber press washer, covering the holes. Installation is performed only by the cold method, without using welding or grinders, so as not to damage the polymer coating.
Experienced craftsmen say that shingles are more difficult to install, since laying tiles takes a lot of time. However, if the roof is of complex shape, then working with a soft material is easier and cheaper, so that each of the coatings has its advantages.


Comparison
Every homeowner seeks to choose a quality, beautiful, but inexpensive floor covering for the house. No matter, soft roof or metal tile, both of these materials have excellent performance characteristics and are not inferior to more expensive counterparts. To make a choice, you can rely on the following criteria:
- Life time. The guaranteed service life of metal tiles is 20-25 years, in real conditions with proper maintenance it will last 50 years. The flexible roof serves up to 70 years, as it does not twitch corrosion.
- Flammability Metal tile is a non-combustible material, so it is used in buildings with an increased risk of fire. Bitumen roofing is highly flammable, therefore it is not used for the construction of baths and houses equipped with fireplaces and solid-fuel stoves.
- Noise Metallic coatings have a high resonating capacity, so they increase noise during rain or hail. Soft roof, on the contrary, perfectly dampens sounds, it is used without additional noise insulation, even if the attic of the house is habitable.
Important! When purchasing a roofing material, pay attention to certificates of conformity of quality, to GOST, according to which products are manufactured. If the manufacturer does not provide such documentation, it is a reason to think about the quality of coverage.
