Which is more durable: soft tiles or metal tiles? Comparison of metal tiles and soft roofing: which is better.

(bitumen shingles) and metal tiles are approximately equivalent roofing materials that combine reliability, durability and aesthetics appearance. Therefore, when the average developer is faced with the problem of choosing one of these materials, he, as a rule, is lost. Meanwhile, you just need to compare some of the features of these two materials and determine which of them are more preferable in a particular construction case. Let’s do this now to answer what is better: soft roofing or metal tiles.

Let's start with the most basic thing - understanding what the materials we are going to compare are made of and what they look like.

Metal tiles are profiled sheets with longitudinal and transverse corrugation, imitating the shape and pattern of ceramic tiles. It turns out pretty similar. From a distance you can’t tell that these are not piece tiles, but metal modules.

The structure of metal tiles is complex; in cross-section, it consists of several layers. It is based on a thin sheet of steel 0.4-0.7 mm, coated with zinc on both sides, with a thickness of at least 18-20 microns. Next, passivating layers and primer are again applied on both sides. To finish, the bottom side of the module is painted with protective paint, and a polymer is applied to the top - polyester, pural, plastisol, etc.

Bituminous shingles are a different type of material; these are narrow strips (shingles) with cutouts in the form of rectangles, diamonds, petals, etc. When laid on the roof, these parts form the basis of a unique pattern inherent in a particular type of product.

Flexible tiles also have a multilayer structure, which is based on fiberglass, “wrapped” in a shell of modified or oxidized bitumen. Stone chips-granulate are applied to the front layer, and a bitumen-polymer adhesive composition is applied to the bottom layer, allowing the shingles to be glued together without the use of mastics.

Thus, both of these materials claim to be similar to natural tiles and have a multi-layer complex structure that ensures durability and reliability.

It's time to start comparing, using the most significant characteristics as a guide.

Criterion #1 - size and weight

If you look at metal tiles, it immediately becomes clear that it is difficult to install alone. The sheets of material are quite large: length - 0.5-7.5 m (usually up to 4.5 m), width - 1.12-1.19 m. Accordingly, difficulties may arise with raising them to a height and securing them to the rafters. Therefore, manufacturers usually do not produce modules longer than 4.5 m.

Such problems do not arise with bituminous shingles, since the material is produced in the form of small-sized shingles. Standard: length – 1000 mm, width – 337 mm. It is easy to lift shingles to a height and carry out installation activities, even if the team consists of only one person.

As for the total weight of the roof, metal tiles turn out to be lighter, despite the size of the sheets. The weight of 1 m2 of roofing made from it is about 5 kg, from soft tiles - about 8-12 kg.

Conclusion: Metal tile modules are larger in size than asphalt shingles, but ultimately, metal tile roofing weighs less and places little stress on the rafters.

Criterion #2 - scope

Both materials are used on pitched roofs with a minimum slope angle of about 12-14°. Moreover, soft tiles are truly universal. It is suitable for roofs of any shape, even the most complex - with domes and turrets. Bituminous shingles are very light in weight and size, so they can easily cover surfaces with kinks and bends. In valleys and corners, it is enough to bend the shingles so that they take the desired shape. This type of installation produces very little waste, usually no more than 3-4%.

There is a different approach to metal tiles; as a rule, they are laid only on the simplest roofs, with straight lines of slopes. If the shape of the roof has a lot of kinks and details, then it can be a real headache for the developer. Firstly, there is a lot of trimming to be done, in some cases there may be up to 30% of the material left over. Secondly, endless cutting will raise the cost of the roof, but will naturally reduce its quality due to the formation of open edges that will need to be painted over to avoid corrosion.

Conclusion: soft tiles are more versatile and allow you to cover a roof of any shape, complexity and configuration with a minimum amount of waste.

Criterion #3 - type of base

Metal tiles are traditionally mounted on a latticework made of boards or beams. The sheathing pitch is selected in accordance with the wavelength of the module - as a rule, it is 350-400 mm.

To install bitumen shingles, you will need a more complex sheathing - continuous, usually consisting of two layers. The first layer is sparse, the same as in the case of metal tiles, the second layer is solid flooring made of plywood, OSB or boards.

Conclusion: sheathing for bitumen shingles is a more complex system, and, accordingly, more expensive, requiring more expensive materials. Choosing metal tiles, on the contrary, will help reduce foundation costs.

Criterion #4 - complexity of installation

Installation of metal tiles is considered simpler, since the sheets are large and allow a short time cover large areas of the roof. Moreover, the installation process is not associated with a large number of professional secrets, so self-taught craftsmen often decide to do this work on their own, showing excellent results.

The situation is more complicated. Any mistake during installation will immediately affect the quality, sometimes leading to a complete loss of performance characteristics. Therefore, when laying soft tiles, it is recommended to contact roofers with qualifications and experience.

If we talk about labor costs, then, on average, the process of covering a roof with a soft roof lasts 3 times longer than installing metal tiles. Although there is a second side to the coin. For an experienced roofer, installation of metal tiles can become more difficult due to the “sluggishness” and bulkiness of the sheets.

To transport them to a height to the installation site, special wooden supports are used, along which they are lifted in a vertical position. This process requires a minimum of two workers. More convenient in this regard are bitumen shingles, the small size of which allows one roofer to lift them onto the roof and install them, without the use of transport devices.

The installation of metal tiles, performed only on simple pitched roofs, can be called unconditionally easy. Various kinks complicate this process due to multiple cuttings. In this case, labor costs increase to maximum limits, often exceeding similar indicators for a soft roof.

Conclusion: on simple single- or gable roofs, if there is a team of 2 or more people, installation of metal tiles is simpler. And, conversely, on complex, wavy or multi-pitched roofs, or when installation is carried out by one roofer, it is better to choose soft tiles to simplify the work.

Criterion #5 - soundproofing properties

Metal tiles have a significant drawback - “noisiness”, which manifests itself during rain and hail. To eliminate this problem, a heat-insulating layer (at least 150-200 mm thick) is laid under the metal tiles, which additionally plays the role of sound insulation. Such measures are especially necessary when arranging a residential attic, of course, if the sounds of drumming from bouncing raindrops do not fit into your idea of comfort.

Bituminous shingles are absolutely silent; there is no need to lay special soundproofing layers for them. Therefore, it is perfect for arranging any roofs, including those where insulation is not structurally provided, for example, in summer attics, gazebos, garages, etc.

Conclusion: If the quietness of the roof is important to you, but a thick layer of insulation (which undoubtedly increases the cost of the structure) does not fit into your plans, choose bitumen shingles. For a warm roof, the cake of which contains an insulating layer, you can choose any material - it will not play a significant role in terms of sound insulation.

Criterion #6 - design capabilities

Both materials look great when laid on the roof.

Metal tiles imitate classic ceramic tiles, so they look very natural. Moreover, there are a large number of profiles with different wave sizes and their geometry. Some of the most popular profiles are Monterrey, Supermonterrey, Cascade, Joker.

In addition to the variety of profiles, the range of metal tiles is striking in the number of color options. There are about 100 of them! This means that a metal tile roof can have almost any shade that fits into the architectural ensemble or your personal preferences.

Soft roofing is absolutely not inferior in terms of design possibilities, thanks to which almost any architectural ideas can be brought to life. The appearance of a soft roof, first of all, depends on the shape of the bitumen shingles. The most famous of them are diamond-shaped, hexagonal, rectangular, oval, “beaver tail”, “shingles”, etc.

As for colors, there is also a huge variety in this regard. There is both a monochrome material, the petals of which are painted in one color, and multicolor - using a variety of colors and shades (necessarily combined with each other).

The great advantage of the appearance of a soft roof is the hidden fasteners. The shingles are attached to the base using a self-adhesive bottom layer and small nails, overlapped by the top row of shingles. The metal tile modules are secured to the sheathing with special self-tapping screws, which, despite the caps painted to match the roof covering, remain visible.

Conclusion: The range of both materials is huge, both in shape and color. The choice of a specific product is a matter of personal taste.

Criterion #8 - durability

The service life of roofing material depends on its wear resistance. For metal tiles, this factor is related to the type of polymer coating. Material made from polyester is considered to be of lower quality, while material made from pural is considered to be of higher quality. Wear resistance is also directly dependent on the zinc content, which must be at least 275 g/m2.

On average, the durability of metal tiles is estimated by manufacturers to be between 20-50 years.

Bitumen roofing can last 30-50 years. The period depends on the quality of the bitumen used (oxidized is better than modified), the type of base, and the thickness of the protective layer.

Conclusion: The service life of both materials is approximately the same and, with proper installation and selection of high-quality material, can reach 50 years.

Criterion #9 - cost

Soft tiles are more expensive than metal tiles. On average, if we consider only materials, the price differs by 1.5 times. But, in addition, under a soft roof it is necessary to lay an underlay carpet, as well as a continuous sheathing (preferably made of FSF or OSB-3 plywood). All this costs additional money.

In addition, the installation of bituminous shingles is also more expensive, taking into account the time required and the need for professional skills.

Conclusion: Metal roofing is a more budget-friendly option than soft roofing.

In conclusion - what is better?

According to some parameters, metal tiles are more suitable, and according to others, bitumen roofing is more suitable. You need to choose by weighing and assessing the importance of each factor for a particular case. For example, low sound insulation of metal tiles may not play a role on the roof of a barn, outbuilding or other non-residential building. And on the attic roof, on the contrary, it can become a strong argument in favor of bitumen shingles.

We invite you to watch a video that talks about the main features and differences between metal tiles and soft roofing - this will help you make the final and correct choice.

The service life and design features depend on the choice of roofing material. rafter system and lathing. What is better, soft roofing or metal tiles? To answer this question, it is necessary to consider the characteristics of each material: its cost, installation time and service life.

Soft roofing and metal tiles: main characteristics

The concept of soft roofing includes a large number building materials:

Ondulin
Bituminous shingles
Ruberoid
Linocrom, etc.

Each of them has its own performance characteristics. The most popular are bituminous shingles and ondulin.

Metal tiles are made from sheet metal by rolling. The difference between the types mainly lies in the color of the material, as well as the quality of the protective layer.

Cost of materials

Of course, there are a huge number of manufacturers producing both soft roofing and metal tiles, but if you comparative analysis materials of approximately the same quality, you can determine the most advantageous material for installation.

Metal tiles. From 330 to 360 rub. per m 2
Bituminous shingles from 420 to 540 rubles. per m 2
Ondulin in the range of 210-240 rubles. per m 2

Of course, it seems that the most profitable option is to purchase and install ondulin. But if you take into account the service life and appearance of the product, as well as the need to purchase additional roofing materials: wind strips, QSB slabs (for bituminous shingles), the preference for metal tiles becomes obvious. The price of the product is also influenced by the thickness of the sheet metal used in production, but in general, the golden mean in the price-quality position remains 0.5 mm material.

Cost of installation work

Another aspect that significantly influences the choice of roofing material is cost. installation work.

If you compare soft bitumen roofing and metal tiles, the advantage of the latter becomes obvious. So installation work will cost on average 30-40% cheaper.

Of course, the overall price you will have to pay for laying roofing material is affected by the complexity of the roof itself. So the cost of installing metal tiles may increase if you have to cover broken roof, and in this case, the costs of materials also increase. Where bitumen shingles can simply be bent, the metal sheet has to be cut and joined together, covering this place with a special profile.

Therefore, when calculating the total cost, the following must be taken into account:

Cost of material including connecting, ridge and wind strips
Price for work taking into account the characteristics of the roof

How does sheet thickness affect cost?

The difference in soft roofing mainly lies in different technological processes for producing materials. Metal tiles may also differ in sheet thickness and the percentage of zinc content in this material. These two criteria can significantly affect cost and performance and strength characteristics. What to look for when choosing metal tiles:

Coating. High-quality material is coated with a special varnish protective agent. The budget and most common versions are coated with polyester (PE), more expensive materials (PUR), which significantly affects their durability. Matte protective layers (MatPUR, Purex, MatPE) have also appeared; products with this index are not only reliably protected, but also look more aristocratic
Zinc content. This coefficient is a decisive factor influencing service life. Most best ratio is 275 g of zinc per square meter. This product will last at least half a century
Thickness. Affects damage received during transportation and installation work, as well as the duration of operation. The ideal thickness is about 0.5 mm

Layers of metal tiles

How to make a choice and take into account service life

The type of soft roof can affect its service life. So, for example, ondulin will last about 7-10 years. If the intensity of solar radiation is low, this period can last up to 15. Bituminous shingles, according to the characteristics declared by the manufacturers, can last a maximum of 25 years, but only if we're talking about about expensive types of soft roofing. Metal tiles with a high zinc content and a thickness of about 0.5 - 0.7 mm will normally last about 40-50 years.

Appearance matters

To make a choice, it’s a good idea to pay attention to the appearance of the product. And not only what bitumen or metal shingles look like at the very beginning of operation, but how they will look several years after installation. Or bitumen shingles?

Ondulin. Loses color saturation. In case of strong solar radiation, it may lose its original attractiveness to a large extent.
Metal tiles. After a period of approximately 10 years, the paint will begin to fade and the roof will have to be repainted to restore its original appearance. At least that's what the manufacturers indicate. In practice, it is clear that even if the color fades a little, it is not enough to repaint the roof
Bituminous shingles. The appearance remains original even after decades throughout its entire service life.

When calculating the total cost of a product, it is necessary to take into account not only the costs of purchasing the material itself and components, but also its maintenance.

Installation work, which is cheaper?

If you need to cover a flat roof, definitely the cost of laying metal tiles will be cheaper than soft roofing. This is explained by the fact that the installation of bitumen shingles has to be carried out almost piece by piece, in small fragments, which significantly affects the installation speed. If there is a broken roof, the cost will be almost the same.

Before you start installation, you need to know. Not every tool is suitable for this task. It is strictly forbidden to cut metal tiles with a grinder! This will lead to a reduction in the service life of the material.

Having acquired the necessary tools, you can begin installing the roof. The basis for laying metal tiles is the sheathing. Read about how to make a sheathing for metal tiles. The article contains installation instructions, as well as expert advice.

Calculation of a rigid sloping roof must be made using the formula 1 * 1.5. The resulting area must be multiplied by this coefficient
The most optimal thickness of metal tiles is 0.5 mm. By choosing such material you can avoid unnecessary costs and overpayments.
When installing bitumen metal tiles, it is imperative to fix each fragment with special nails

Video about soft roofing and metal tiles

Comparison of soft roofing and metal tiles. A roofing materials specialist will help you figure out which roof to choose.

So, you have decided to start building your own country house. And already at the project stage you need to decide on the roofing material. Many people decide on the choice of roofing and wonder: " What to choose? Which roofing is better: metal tiles or bitumen flexible tiles?". It is impossible to give an unambiguous answer to such a question. In this article we will try to describe the differences between these materials, their advantages and disadvantages.

First let's give short description each of these roofing materials. Both of these materials are designed for pitched roofs with a slope of more than 12 degrees.

5. Snow retention

The difference in the coating of flexible tiles and metal tiles affects the different ability of snow avalanches. On a roof made of bituminous tiles, snow usually lingers and the likelihood of an avalanche from such a roof is minimal. Although some manufacturers of soft tiles have snow retention elements in their designs. They are installed as needed, depending on the snow content of the area and the angle of the roof.

As for metal tiles, the situation is different. Snow gradually accumulates on the smooth surface of the metal tile, and at a certain moment the snow-ice mass can fall off the roof in an avalanche, creating a great danger to the health and life of people. Also, when such a “snow cap” disappears, the drain is damaged and simply bent or torn out. Therefore, snow retention on a metal roof is a necessity that you need to remember and immediately plan to install a snow retention system.

6. Other Features

Regarding metal tiles. Due to the good thermal conductivity of metal, condensation often forms on the back side of metal tiles, so be responsible when installing waterproofing, vapor barriers and roof insulation.

The next feature is the ability of metal to accumulate static electricity and attract lightning strikes, so it makes sense to think about installing a lightning protection system on a metal tile roof. On a soft roof, the need to use a lightning rod is not so great, but it is desirable.

Metal is susceptible to corrosion, so when installing metal tiles (especially with economical polyester coating), try to ensure that the areas of cuts and accidental damage to the coating are treated and painted over. If the polymer and galvanized coating on the surface of the metal tile is damaged, then rust and corrosion will not take long to appear.

Bituminous shingles do not have this drawback; they do not rust and are not subject to rotting and corrosion. The only enemy of bitumen is ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, in the production of bitumen shingles, oxidized (artificially aged) bitumen is used, which is more resistant to UV rays. And, of course, the main protector of bitumen is the outer coating of stone granules.

Resistance to wind is better with bituminous shingles, since the sheets have a small format and are hermetically glued together. Metal tiles have some windage due to the large format of the sheets. Many people have probably seen videos from places where a hurricane was raging or a strong wind was simply blowing, which tore off sheets of metal from the roof.

7. Installation

Installing a metal tile roof is not difficult on a simple roof. But the greater the complexity of the roof, the more difficult its installation. Metal tiles can be installed in almost any weather. There are restrictions when cutting metal tiles - it is not recommended to cut it with a grinder (an angle grinder with an abrasive disc), but you must use special metal scissors, an electric hand-held circular saw or a jigsaw. The metal tiles are fastened to the step sheathing using special roofing screws with a rubber gasket. Over time, the rubber gasket may lose its elastic properties, and the self-tapping screw may become loose, which will lead to roof leaks, so high-quality fasteners and correct installation are the key to longevity of the roof.

Laying soft bitumen shingles is also not a complicated process, and the complexity of the roof has virtually no effect on the complexity of installing such tiles. The shingles of asphalt shingles are attached to the base with roofing nails, and are additionally connected to each other by an adhesive layer on the back of the tile. The nail heads are covered with the next sheet of tile, so the fasteners on a soft roof, unlike metal tiles, are hidden. During operation, sheets of soft tiles “sinter” together, forming a monolithic and hermetic coating with hidden fastening.

But flexible tiles have some installation restrictions:
- it is not recommended to install soft tiles in cold weather at subzero temperatures (there are special technologies for installing soft roofs in winter, but this increases the cost of roofing work);
- when installing in hot weather, you should not walk on bitumen shingles located on the sunny side of the roof. This can ruin its surface due to the fact that the bitumen high temperatures softens.

What conclusion can be drawn from all of the above in this article?

If you are building a small summer country house With gable roof, and the budget is limited - then inexpensive metal tiles in this case will be the best choice.

If the roof of a large country house or cottage is being built, which will have an insulated attic and where you plan to live all year round, then when choosing a roofing material it is better to pay attention to flexible bitumen shingles. In addition, very often in such large houses or cottages the roof has a rather complex configuration, and as we wrote above, flexible tiles are an ideal roofing material for complex roofing.

Naturally, each person has his own opinion. Usually the choice depends on various factors, and very often the main one is the financial side of the issue. We just made a small comparison of these materials and made some recommendations. It’s up to you to decide what to choose, metal tiles or flexible tiles. Do not forget that there are also other roofing materials: cheaper and more expensive, more or less durable, different in weight, type and aesthetic qualities. Time will tell which material is better. We only wish that your choice turns out to be correct and acceptable specifically for you.

Good luck with your construction and long service to your home!

The team at Roofing Solutions.

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It is very easy for an ordinary person in the construction business to get confused in the terms and many names that accompany the correct choice of metal tiles. Elite, Cascade, Monterrey, plastisol, polyester, pural; Finnish or Swedish metal tiles, or maybe Lipetsk?

What is better: metal tiles or flexible tiles, or even bitumen tiles? What does all this mean and how to make the right choice?

The device is quite an expensive and time-consuming matter, and you want to make this choice once and for all. To the question: which roof is better, flexible tiles or metal tiles? It is impossible to give a definite and correct answer.

In order to choose the optimal roof for yourself, you first need to decide on the main functions that will be assigned to it.

Any roof is characterized by the following parameters:

compound;
price,
complexity of installation;
noiselessness;
environmental friendliness,
warranty period.

Attention!

It is very important to select the roofing material before installing the rafter system and before filling the sheathing, because The thickness of the rafters must be designed not only for the snow load, but also for the weight of the roof itself.

In addition, for each type of roofing material, the roof sheathing is done at a certain pitch.

Definition of basic concepts

Today, metal tiles are one of the most popular roofing materials for pitched roofs. Abroad it is mainly used for roofing industrial buildings.

Until recently, flexible tiles aroused a lot of suspicion among consumers due to their external resemblance to armored roofing felt. Although in fact, they have nothing in common with each other.

The basis of roofing felt is a rotting base - cardboard, and the basis of bituminous shingles is fiberglass. In addition, the quality of bitumen is completely different. We get the conclusion: the similarity between roofing felt and bituminous shingles is exclusively external.

Flexible tiles are ideal for cottage construction. For example, in North America the question of soft tiles or metal tiles does not arise at all, and about 80% of cottage houses have a roofing covering of soft tiles.

Comparison of material compositions

If you need to figure out what roofing material you need: bitumen shingles or metal tiles, you need to determine their main characteristics, which include the composition of the materials.

Composition of metal tile profile sheet

The zinc layer prevents metal corrosion and also forms the basis for the passivation layer. The primer layer serves as the basis for applying a polymer coating, which protects the metal tile from harmful factors. The type of polymer coating determines the cost of the metal tile.

Types of polymer coatings:

Polyester.The base is glossy polyester paint. Thickness - 25 microns. Advantages: good color fastness, withstands any climatic conditions, the most inexpensive of all coatings.
Matte polyester. The base is polyester paint with a matte surface. Thickness - 35 microns.
Advantages: good color fastness, mechanical resistance, withstands any climatic conditions.
Pural. Base polyurethane. Thickness 50 microns. Advantages: good temperature stability, high corrosion resistance, good color fastness.
Resistance to mechanical damage is higher than that of polyester, but lower than that of plastisol.
Plastisol. PVC base (polyvinyl chloride), embossed surface. Thickness 200 microns. The most resistant to weathering and mechanical damage.
It is recommended to choose light shades in hot regions, because... they burn out less.
PVDF. The base is polyvinyl difluoride (80%) and acrylic (20%) has a glossy finish. Thickness 27 microns. The most durable coating, resistant to mechanical damage, does not fade, suitable for aggressive environments, such as the sea coast.
In addition, it is ideal for walls and has self-cleaning properties.

A comparison of the characteristics of the main polymer coatings is presented in the table

Composition of bitumen shingles sheet

The main components of the profile sheet of bitumen shingles:

Let's look at each coating layer:

The main layer is high-strength fiberglass;
Improved and modified bitumen of the highest quality;
The top outer layer is basalt topping;
Frost-resistant and self-adhesive bitumen-polymer coating;
Protective layer- silicone film.

As can be seen from the description, the compositions of metal tiles and bitumen shingles are completely different. The best coating option for metal tiles is pural. Equally important for preventing corrosion is the zinc content. Accordingly, the more zinc, the better the anti-corrosion protection.

The bitumen profile sheet of flexible tiles contains special polymer additives that increase the durability and reliability of the soft roof.

Basic parameters of profile sheets

These roofing materials vary in profile sheet size.

The length of profile sheets of metal tiles can be produced standard size or to order. The advantage of ready-made profile sheets is that they are manufactured and packaged at the factory; they are always in stock. Available in lengths of 0.45 m, 1.2 m, 2.2 m, 3.6 m.

Also, sheets can be made “to the desired size”, the minimum length is 0.5 m, the maximum is up to 6 meters. The length of the sheet can be selected depending on the roof design. The cutting step of the sheet is equal to the wavelength of the tile. Sheets are available in thicknesses: 0.45 mm, 0.5 mm, 0.55 mm and 0.8 mm. Sheet profile heights are 15 mm, 18 mm, and 23 mm.

Soft tiles are flat, 3 mm thick, and can have a variety of geometric shapes. You can create interesting and beautiful mosaic designs from soft tiles.

Both materials are quite light. The weight of flexible tiles is 5 kg per 1 square meter of roofing. Metal tiles are slightly heavier, but do not require reinforcement of the rafter structure.

For both materials you can choose a rich range of colors. Metal tiles and bitumen shingles do not lose their aesthetic appearance over time: they do not fade in the sun.

Comparison of materials costs. What material will the roof be more expensive from?

When choosing metal tiles or soft tiles, one should not forget about the issue of cost. The use of soft tiles is a more expensive roofing option.

The reason for the increase in roofing costs: the additional use of a lining layer of euroroofing material and a moisture-resistant slab.

Installation features

And bitumen shingles do not take much time and are quite simple. The difference is in the laying technology: soft tiles are laid on solid sheets of OSB (oriented strand board) or moisture-resistant plywood, and metal tiles are laid on sheathing.

Some types of bitumen shingles have an additional self-adhesive layer on the bottom, which significantly speeds up their installation.

Attention!

When installing a roof made of soft tiles, special attention must be paid to ventilation.

In the first years, miscalculations and savings may go unnoticed, but after a certain period of time they can lead to a reduction in the operational life of the roof.

Bitumen shingles are suitable for roofing of any complexity and the most intricate roof design.After installation, there is virtually no waste of soft tile materials. And for metal tiles, waste after installation can range from 5% to 40%, depending on the length of the sheet.

The advantage of both materials is the ability to install even on an old roof. Metal tiles and soft tiles are equally easy to repair and dismantle, after which the profile sheets can be reused.

Comparison of noise and sound insulation indicators

Potential buyers who cannot decide on the choice of metal tiles or bituminous shingles may have doubts in favor of metal tiles due to low noise and sound insulation rates. During rain and strong wind it creates a “drum effect”.

The following factors increase the noise level of a metal tile roof:

insufficient roof insulation;
the roof angle is too steep;
poorly executed lathing;
profile sheets are poorly secured or with an insufficient number of screws.

These doubts cannot be called groundless, but proper installation will significantly reduce the noise of the roof. Soft tiles have good noise and sound insulation properties. Bitumen shingles are the quietest roofing.

Comparison of environmental safety

Metal tiles are more environmentally friendly. When heated in the sun, asphalt shingles emit an unpleasant odor and evaporate carcinogens.

Comparison of reliability and strength

Metal tiles have a drawback - they are susceptible to corrosion. The corrosion resistance of metal tiles depends on the amount of zinc contained in the profile sheets. Accordingly, the more zinc there is, the less likely it is for metal corrosion to occur. The maximum zinc content per square meter is 275 g.

Bituminous shingles are not at all susceptible to corrosion. However, there have been cases when a bird’s beak pierced not very high-quality bitumen shingles. In addition, soft tiles are susceptible to shedding of stone chips.

During a thunderstorm, metal tiles can accumulate an electric charge and the installation of a lightning rod is mandatory. On the surface of soft tiles electric charges do not accumulate.

Separately, it is worth noting that bitumen shingles are flammable materials, but the roof itself is not a flame spreader, i.e. If sparks or firecrackers fall on the roof, they will not set it on fire. The outer layer protects the roof from fire. When exposed directly to fire, soft tiles will begin to melt, but will not burn.

Comparison of service life. Which lasts longer?

For metal tiles, the warranty period from the manufacturer is 10-15 years, and for soft tiles - 20 years. In fact, the service life of both materials is up to 50 years.

It remains to decide: metal tiles or bitumen shingles, which is better. Both roofing materials are equally reliable and safe materials with an affordable price.

Based on the results of comparisons of all indicators, you can create a summary table.

According to the main characteristics, metal tiles and bituminous shingles are not inferior to each other in quality. Therefore, when choosing, you must rely on operating conditions, the shape and design of the roof, as well as aesthetic preferences.

During the construction of a house, important stage is the roof covering. A wide range of modern coatings allows you to form the roof of a building from completely different materials. As a result, the owners country houses often face a choice; metal tiles or soft roofing – which is better to buy? Each raw material for roof formation has its own characteristics that must be taken into account in order to obtain a durable structure that can protect against bad weather.

Soft roofing is also commonly called bitumen shingles. The material is sold in the form of rolls and sheets measuring 35x100, which are attached using a layer of self-adhesive. For production, fiberglass, bitumen, styrene, etc. are used. Special production technology provides a high level of flexibility, elasticity and strength, thanks to which the material is able to cover a roof of any level of complexity.

The production of metal tiles is based on steel. After forming the figure, the resulting sheet is coated on top with a zinc solution to protect it from corrosion, and on the bottom with a polymer substance that will keep the structure unchanged. Like the previous option, metal tiles are used for any type of roof with an angle of more than 12 degrees. To increase the service life and create an aesthetic type, it is customary to regularly cover the roof with stone chips, which will significantly increase its strength.

Types of soft roofing

The development of technology leads to the emergence of more and more materials needed for the home. Therefore, to facilitate the search for the required unit, it is customary to classify the entire range of products.

There are 4 types of soft roofing on the domestic market:

The above types of coatings are available on the market in various designs, which allows you to find a material suitable for the exterior of a particular home.

Which is better to choose?

Before buying material, you should determine which type of roofing is best used in a particular case.

The choice of suitable building material is influenced by several factors:

Lifetime. Despite the strength of metal tiles, this material is inferior to soft roofing in durability. Average service life of metal products at proper care is about 45-5 years, while asphalt shingles will last about 70 years. This situation is explained by the high level of sensitivity of the former to moisture.
Difficult to install. Due to its size, metal tiles are a heavy material for creating a roof yourself. It is enough to glue the bitumen shingles onto the textile sole of the roofing pie using special glue. Additionally, the material is capable of uneven surfaces.
Roof type. Bitumen products are the most versatile materials. Good specifications And physical properties allow it complex designs with numerous bends or protrusions. Metal raw materials with purpose effective use It is better to use on simpler roofs. IN otherwise craftsmen will be forced to process the tiles in order to obtain a blank for a certain part of the roof.
Lathing design. To cover, it is necessary to install a continuous flooring and a lay-out carpet on the rafters of the roofing pie, which entails the cost of money and time. In the case of metal tiles, it is enough to carry out waterproofing, secure the membrane with control rafters and carry out installation.
Noise insulation. Soft tiles are considered the quietest. Thanks to its elastic structure, it absorbs sounds from the external environment during rain, hail, etc. To get rid of the noise of metal tiles, you should install a special heat-insulating layer, which will prevent further propagation of sound.
Appearance. The range of roofing materials of both types includes about 200 different color options and models. Metal tiles are distinguished by wavy standards, and bitumen products are distinguished by the type of cutting of shingles. Additionally, you can choose any color material. Roofing products can be mono- or multi-colored, with a glossy or matte effect. The decision on which is better: metal tiles or soft roofing, in this case is decided by the owner of the house in accordance with his own preferences.
Price policy. The complexity of bitumen production is reflected in the increased market price, which exceeds the cost of metal tiles by almost 50%. Installation costs are also increased by the purchase of additional building materials that will be needed during the work process.

Choosing the right shingles should depend on the individual preferences of the home owner. Based on the above criteria, it is possible to select a material that can fully satisfy the needs of the owners.

What do we end up with?

Regardless of what kind of tiles are used - soft or metal - it is important that the roofing installation is carried out correctly. The roof should be provided with a ventilation and vapor barrier system, which will keep the “roofing pie” in good condition. The roofing sheets themselves must partially overlap each other to prevent precipitation from getting inside the structure.

It is better not to use bituminous shingles when carrying out repair work in summer or winter time. The material can deform under the influence of temperatures and lose its technical characteristics. It is easier to install metal tiles with the help of several craftsmen who will help fix, process, and carry large sheets of material.

Therefore, choosing the right roofing material should be based on your own preferences.

Watch the video: which roof is better to choose - soft or metal tiles.