What is better: metal tiles or soft roofing - comparison of materials. Worthy rivals: metal tiles and soft roofing. Which is better, metal tiles or flexible ones?

It's not easy to choose the right one.

Metal tiles- a roofing covering made of metal wave-shaped sheets, which are sprayed with a protective layer of polymer enamel.

Variety of shapes, color solutions, determine the popularity of the coating.

Soft roof(otherwise - flexible (bitumen) tiles) - roofing tiles based on modified bitumen and fiberglass and granulate. Granulates with outside provides the base with different color shades, and the bottom self-adhesive adhesive layer provides reliable installation coverings.

Soft roofing or metal tiles: advantages and disadvantages roofing data.

TO merits metal tiles include:

• strength coatings;
• wide range of colors;
• durability;
• waterproof;
• ease of installation;
• non-flammability;
• ease tile sheet.

The disadvantages are:

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

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

Advantages and disadvantages of soft roofing

Soft tiles also have their pros and cons.

Its advantages include:

Identified deficiencies soft tiles:

• high price;
• installed only on solid sheathing;
• susceptible to burning.

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

Which material is easier and cheaper to install?

Installation of any roofing involves its own characteristics, depending on the characteristics of the material.

Let's compare the installation of metal and bitumen shingles by indicators:

• by price;
• installation difficulties.

Cost Cost

If we consider separately the price of tiles based on the roof area, then the cost of both coatings is approximately the same: The price difference may depend on the manufacturer. When purchasing, you should rely on the experience of specialists:

• metal tile sheets should be take in reserve, since during installation there can be a lot of waste;
• When installing a soft roof, there is almost no waste, however, you'll have to spend money on the sheathing, laying it in a continuous manner. This type of lathing can be justified: in this case, the insulating characteristics of the roof increase and the sound insulation qualities increase. But it is not always necessary, especially if the attic space is non-residential.
• in places prone to leaks, it is recommended under bitumen shingles lay special lining materials to provide ;
• for the installation of roofs under metal tiles or under soft roofs have approximately the same cost (eaves, drains, end strips, gutters).

Thus, the cost of a supply of metal tile coverings is much lower than for the equipment of a continuous roof sheathing, laying underlay carpets under a bitumen roof, therefore, in general you will have to spend almost twice as much on a soft tile covering.

Difficulty of installation

Difficulty of installation

Complexity laying metal tiles and soft roofs yourself approximately the same:

1. metal tiles are laid with self-tapping screws, and sheets of soft roofing are glued and nailed; to calculate the roof, you can use ours;
2. metal tile sheets are lighter, this allows you to spend less physical effort on styling. Soft sheets packaged tiles are heavier, so the only difficulty that may arise is lifting the material onto the roof;
3. metal tiles are more difficult to cut than soft tiles;
4. laying metal tile sheets costs a lot less time than its soft counterpart.

NOTE!

Installation of soft roofs should be carried out at temperatures not lower than +5° C. At low temperatures, when pressed, the material may be deformed and the adhesive seal will be affected.

Installation temperature is the only difficulty in laying flexible roofing compared to metal tiles. But, since roofing Most often performed in the warm period, this circumstance is not always relevant.

In general, you can quite easily handle it yourself both when covering the roof with metal tiles and when installing a bitumen coating.

Comparison of dimensions and technical characteristics

Dimensions and weight coating material are considered to determine the load of covering material on roofs.

Dimensions and weight of materials

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

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

Soft roofing is made using shingle strips length 100 cm, width - up to 33.7 cm.

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

Thus, the load on the roof rafter system of large sheets of metal tiles is much less than sheets of bitumen roofing.

Comparison of technical characteristics

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

• The noise insulation properties of metal sheets are significantly inferior to those of bituminous material. Compensate for this deficiency when laying metal tiles, you can use laying;
• when laying metal tiles, it is necessary to install, which is not required for bitumen coating due to the rough surface that can retain snow;
• with good non-flammability of metal tiles, g A flexible roof, on the contrary, is susceptible to burning.

Coating characteristics

Characteristics of durability, color fastness, strength, resistance to external influences, environmental friendliness, water resistance of metal tiles and bitumen shingles almost identical. The coating can retain its properties in different climatic conditions differently. All characteristics and indicators are focused on regions of temperate climate.

Conclusion: metal tiles or soft roofing, which is better?

So, flexible tiles or metal tiles, which is better? Based on all the material indicators, it is quite difficult to decide on the choice of coating.

Metal tiles and soft roof It’s not for nothing that these are the most popular covering materials: their technical characteristics allow you not to think about replacing the roofing for many years, and the range of colors, variety of material configurations, and brightness can decorate the structure and give it individuality.

Bituminous shingles allow you to realize the most daring design solutions , as it is capable of covering the most ornate roofs with many bends and slopes.

Metal tiles are cheaper than flexible tiles, but at the same time, soft tiles have excellent sound insulation and are well suited for attic roofs.

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

metal tiles or soft roofing

Metal tiles are suitable for more strict - two- or three-slope roofs, which have few inclined ribs and are free of hard-to-reach places.

Useful video

Comparison technical characteristics coating data in video format:

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

Types of soft roofing

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

Roll

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

Advantages:

• low price;
• high installation productivity.

Flaws:

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

Roll roofing is laid on top cement screed coated with a primer to improve adhesion. Before gluing, the cut strips must rest for at least a day to straighten.

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

Bituminous shingles

This material is also called segmented soft roofing. During the production of their bituminized sheet, segments are cut out. During installation, they are glued to the base using mastic applied at the factory and secured with roofing nails.

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

Advantages:

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

Flaws:

• high price;
• high labor intensity of installation;
• Extreme care is required during installation.

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

Which soft roof is better? Each has its own scope of application.

Soft roof structure

A modern flexible roofing sheet is a complex multi-layer system.

Bitumen base

The supporting structure is a sheet of thick cardboard impregnated with bitumen or a sheet of fiberglass. It ensures the strength of the roofing material. Bitumen for impregnation is acidic or alkaline.

Sprinkles

A layer of mineral chips with the addition of a coloring pigment protects soft cardboard from mechanical damage. Coarse-grained topping traps snow and complicates its natural descent from the slope.

The best manufacturers soft tiles use basalt chips without impurities; in budget lines, cost-reducing additives can be added to basalt.

Base: fiberglass or cardboard? What's better?

Initially, cardboard was used as a base for soft tiles. It is affordable but has limited durability. IN modern models Fiberglass is increasingly being used for flexible tiles.

This material is better in quality and several times more durable than cardboard. In addition, he has almost significantly lower specific gravity with equal strength. This allows you to reduce the load on the rafter system.

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

Advantages of a soft roof

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

1. Wide choice of shapes and shades, aesthetic appearance.
2. Affordable price.
3. Long service life. The material is not subject to rust and rotting.
4. High tightness.
5. Elasticity allows for use on roofs complex shapes, including curved, conical and dome. No other material is suitable for this.
6. Low percentage of waste when cutting;
7. Resistance to ultraviolet radiation, changes in temperature and humidity.
8. Excellent sound insulation and thermal insulation properties. For a private home, the roof becomes an additional layer of insulation. The sound of rain is practically inaudible even in gazebos and open verandas.
9. Installation is quite simple and can be done independently

The material also has a number of disadvantages:

1. Not applicable on slopes with a slope of less than 12 degrees.
2. Required solid sheathing.
3. Necessarily device ventilation ducts for guard rafter system from high humidity.
4. High surface roughness. This leads to the accumulation of dust and small debris. Moss may grow in shady areas. In winter, the roughness prevents the natural melting of snow.
5. High requirements for installation accuracy. Only correct and careful installation will ensure high quality coating and aesthetic appearance.

The advantages of a flexible roof significantly outweigh its disadvantages. More and more homeowners are choosing inexpensive and easy-to-use material.

Features of flexible tiles

When choosing roofing material, you should consider following features flexible tiles:

1. Base material. Affects the strength and durability of the coating. If funds allow, it is better to stick with fiberglass canvas.
2. Type of bitumen impregnation. Modified SBS bitumen is the best impregnating material today.
3. Type of coating. Basalt chips create the most durable and durable coating layer. It does not glare in the sun, creating the “cheap roof effect.”
4. Bitumen mastic, applied to the underside of the segments, loses its adhesive properties over time and attaches worse to the base. Therefore, it is better to install soft tiles no later than six months from the date of production.

Installation features

Installation of flexible tiles does not require special qualifications of workers or the use of expensive equipment. It is better to choose a hot sunny day for installation. High air temperature will further soften the mastic and improve adherence to the base, especially on roofs of complex shape.

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

The laying of segments begins with the cornice elements. The lower part is glued to a layer of mastic applied to the reverse side, and the upper part is nailed. Each subsequent layer of segments is shifted laterally by half an element. Ridge elements, places where they join other slopes, walls, pipes, etc. coated with bitumen mastic.

Comparison of manufacturers

How to choose the right manufacturer?

Foreign brands are traditionally famous for their high quality and wide selection of shapes and colors. The price is also high. It is justified by the long service life of the coating and the absence of the need for work to replace it.

Which companies are the most popular? The leaders of the ratings are often:

1. FinnishKatepal. Traditional Finnish quality and excellent soundproofing properties.
2. GermanDoсke. The budget line has a 20-year warranty. The premium line offers a 50-year warranty.
3. ItalianTegola. The widest selection of shapes, patterns and palettes. Production is localized in Russia.

Among local manufacturers, we can note the Shinglas trademark of the TechnoNIKOL company. It produces a wide range of roofing materials based on fiberglass. Single-layer models are quite affordable in price, and even top-end two-layer models continue to be affordable.

Comparison of manufacturers' pricing policies

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

For consumers with higher needs for reliability and durability of the roof, premium product lines are offered in the range of 700-1300 rubles/m2. The most expensive models can reach 3,500 rubles/m2.

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

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

Conclusions: which flexible tile to choose

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

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

For canopies, gazebos and auxiliary unheated buildings, you can choose a similar one in color and pattern flexible roof from the same manufacturer from the budget line.

The choice of roofing material determines the service life and design features rafter system and sheathing. 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 of building materials:

• Ondulin
• Bituminous shingles
• Ruberoid
• Linocrom, etc.

Each of them has their 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 production of 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 have a polyester (PE) coating, 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. The best ratio is 275 g of zinc for each 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. Bitumen shingles, according to the characteristics declared by the manufacturers, can last a maximum of 25 years, but only if we are talking 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.

By purchasing 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
• Most optimal thickness metal tiles 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.

When choosing reliable and durable materials with excellent aesthetic properties, the question often arises: what is better - metal tiles or soft roofing? At first glance, they have approximately the same performance characteristics, minimal price differences and relatively simple installation technologies. How does everything actually stand when you carefully compare them?

Structure and dimensions of metal tiles

Metal tiles are profiled sheets made from thin-sheet cold-rolled steel by stamping using special equipment. To protect against corrosion, layers of galvanization, a passivation layer, and decorative coating polymer-based and protective mounting film.

Important! A roof covered with metal tiles looks very aesthetically pleasing and attractive, since many manufacturers use classic and unique profiles and textures, as well as color shades that can be easily matched to any facade design. Coating colors are available not only in solid colors, but also in textured ones. All shades are standardized and match color cards RR or RAL.

The sheets have longitudinal and transverse stiffening ribs, which ensure their high strength and prevent irreversible deformation as a result of mechanical stress. At the same time, they are quite light (weight up to 6 kg/m2) and do not create significant load on the roof.

The standard sizes of metal tiles are as follows:

• length can vary between 0.5-3.6 m;
• standard width is 0.5-1.12 m;
• sheet thickness – 0.4-0.5 mm.

Structure and dimensions of soft roofing

Soft roofing is roofing materials made on a bitumen base with the addition of dyes. These include:

1. Ondulin is a material obtained by pressing purified cellulose fibers impregnated with bitumen and ether resins. Externally, it is a rigid sheet with a wavy profile with dimensions of 2x0.95 m and a thickness of 3 mm. Available from minimum set color ranges, does not contain toxic elements, is resistant to high humidity.
2. Soft tiles - are made on the basis of fiberglass or fiberglass with impregnation with bitumen, impregnation with dyes and the possible application of stone chips. The dimensions of the sheets are 100x33 cm with a thickness of 2-3 mm. Has high resistance to ultraviolet radiation, abrasion, mechanical stress and sudden temperature changes, available in a wide range of colors.

Important! The main advantage of using flexible tiles is minimal amount waste when installing any type of roof. Due to the small size of the sheets, it is possible to carry out exact calculations material and save money.

1. Ruberoid - inexpensive roll roofing material, made on the basis of cardboard, fiberglass or polyester, which is impregnated with bitumen on both sides, and a layer of stone chips can be applied to the front side. Its dimensions are 1x10 m with a thickness of 1-3 mm. Able to withstand temperature changes, ultraviolet radiation and high humidity.

Comparison table for installation, maintenance and operation conditions of metal tiles and soft roofing

A comparative table of the conditions for their installation, maintenance and operation will help determine which is better for roof cladding - metal tiles or soft roofing. It reflects the basic requirements and nuances of installation, allowing you to determine the possibility or necessity of using a specific material in certain conditions.

	Metal tiles	Soft roof
Material processing methods	Cutting with scissors, a hacksaw or a grinder at minimum speed, followed by applying a protective coating to the steel.	Cutting can be carried out with any available hand tool cutting tool. No protective coating is required.
Laying base	Lathing with a pitch equal to or less than the wavelength of the profile or a solid base.	Only a smooth, continuous flat base.
Requirements for the levelness of the base	Deviations from evenness of up to 10 mm are possible.	Deviations of more than 0.5 mm are not allowed.
Mounting method	Self-tapping screws.	On nails, self-tapping screws, by melting the material or with an adhesive base, depending on the type of soft roof.
Minimum slope angle		Depends on the type of material. For example, laying roofing felt is possible on flat roof with an inclination angle of 5°.
Possibility of moving on the roof	Permissible, but only with special shoes to prevent damage to the protective layer.

It follows from the table that it is very difficult to say unambiguously which roof is better, since the requirements for their installation do not coincide perfectly; the materials have different requirements to the base and methods of fastening. However, when it is technically possible to install all types of materials, then metal tiles become the winner.

Advantages and disadvantages of installing a soft roof

Using one of the types of soft roofing as a roofing material allows you to obtain the following advantages:

• the material has a minimal coefficient of thermal expansion, so it can withstand sudden temperature fluctuations without deformation or damage to the joints;
• increased resistance to any precipitation;
• high level sound insulation to reduce the noise of precipitation;
• relatively simple technology installation, as it does not require the use special tools and the material is easy to process;
• minimum amount of waste when covering roofs;

Important! If you need to cover a roof with a minimal slope or complex geometry of the slopes, then the answer to the question of what is more profitable from a financial point of view - a soft roof or metal tiles - then the choice is clear in favor of the first. It is easy to process and has minimum dimensions sheets and ensures tight contact with the base.

• lack of windage, thanks to which the roofing sheathing is not afraid of any wind loads;
• high level of tightness of the joints created;
• long term operation;
• there are no industrially produced roofing materials cheaper than any type of soft roof;
• no tendency to corrosion, fungus, mold or pests;
• no need to update the decorative coating.

The disadvantages of a soft roof include:

• lengthy installation process due to the small size of the sheets (with the exception of roofing felt) and the need to control the tightness of the joints;
• low resistance to ultraviolet radiation, which is fraught with loss of the original color shade;
• high requirements to the base for installation;
• minimal fire resistance;
• impossibility of installation when negative temperatures environment.

Advantages and disadvantages of metal tiles

The main advantages of metal tiles include the following:

• excellent decorative properties provided by a wide selection of sheet profiles, types of coatings and the availability of not only plain but also textured finishes;
• resistance to sudden temperature changes, all types of precipitation, chemically active substances and pests;
• increased fire resistance;
• absence of toxic substances and components;
• good mechanical and plastic properties that can withstand significant mechanical loads;
• service life up to 50 years;
• the ability to select technical characteristics of the material for any operating conditions and budget;
• installation on an uneven surface is allowed, including for the purpose of leveling the plane of the slopes.

The disadvantages of metal tiles are as follows:

• minimum level of noise insulation;
• high coefficient of thermal expansion, which can be fraught with deformation or depressurization of joints;
• difficulty in transportation due to the need to prevent bending of the sheets, which can threaten damage to the protective layer and irreversible changes in the shape of the profile.

Comparison results

The question of which is better - metal tiles or flexible tiles - is multifaceted, since it is necessary to take into account many factors and nuances in each case. With a formal approach, taking into account the disadvantages and advantages, metal tiles are more profitable, since its disadvantages are insignificant and can be easily eliminated.

If you do not take into account the pros and cons of materials, and take into account only the technical capabilities of their installation and operation without taking into account their decorative properties, then in this case a soft roof is the most justified choice.

Shingles are now used to cover 90% of residential roofs in the United States. This new generation is confidently gaining popularity in the domestic market. Externally, soft tiles resemble traditional ceramic tiles, but surpass them in numerous advantages. Durable, lightweight, practical and attractive material is available in a huge variety. How to choose the right soft tiles, their type, shape, color, and which manufacturer to choose?

No. 1. Composition of flexible tiles

The material called flexible tiles, popularly also called soft tiles, bitumen shingles, roofing tiles, shingles and even shingles named after the main domestic manufacturer of the material. It is sold in the form of small flat sheets of various shapes and colors. High performance qualities are due to production technology.

Soft tiles consist of the following layers:

Deserves special attention polymer additives used to modify bitumen. The properties of soft tiles depend on them. The following are usually used as additives:

Is there some more oxidized bitumen, which is obtained by treating bitumen with oxygen, starting the process artificial aging. Due to this treatment, service life, resistance to low and high temperatures. In terms of elasticity, such bitumen is inferior to SBS-modified, but is cheaper and is fully applicable in domestic conditions.

The type of bitumen used can be determined by external inspection of soft tiles. It is enough to pull the corner of the top layer, and if the bitumen stretches, we see its modified version; if it breaks, it is oxidized.

No. 2. Advantages and disadvantages of flexible tiles

The peculiarities of the production of soft tiles determine their excellent performance qualities, which, in turn, create great demand. Among the main advantages of flexible tiles:

• ease of installation and transportation due to its low weight and compact size. There will be no need to construct a reinforced rafter system, and this is a significant saving;
• possibility of use for organization of roofs of complex shapes, even domed, and there will be minimal waste;
  
• resistance to all negative environmental factors However, it is necessary to choose soft tiles of the appropriate composition. The material is not afraid sun rays, moisture, ice, frost, corrosion, so it can boast high durability (about 50 years), and manufacturers provide a multi-year guarantee for their products;
• the material does not fade in the sun and does not change its color over time;
• excellent heat and sound insulation, allowing you to maintain an optimal microclimate in the house and not suffer from noise during rain;
  
• beautiful appearance, a huge selection of colors and shapes, the ability to imitate natural tiles;
• health safety;
• soft tiles – dielectric, therefore there is no need for a lightning rod;
• resistance to fire, since combustible bitumen is covered with stone particles on top.
  

Among the disadvantages note:

Soft tiles – universal material for covering roofs, public and commercial buildings, industrial structures. Roofing tiles are installed on roofs with a slope of more than 12 degrees, and if the slope is more than 45 degrees, then each element will have to be reinforced with 2-4 nails.

No. 3. Why are flexible tiles better than their competitors?

Among the main competitors of flexible tiles are: roofing coverings, such as slate, metal tiles and natural tiles. Soft tiles are more expensive than the first three analogues, but buyers often prefer them, because they superior to slate and ondulin on aesthetic qualities, durability, amount of waste and ease of installation. Metal tiles can compete in appearance, but its disadvantage is a lot of noise during rain and the possibility of corrosion when the protective layer is deformed. Flexible tiles are quiet and are not afraid of rust.

All that remains is natural tiles, which boasts record durability, neutrality and excellent appearance, which manufacturers of soft tiles strive to repeat in their collections. However, the natural analogue is much more expensive, requires reinforcement of the rafter system, is difficult to install and requires periodic monitoring of the condition of the roof and replacement of damaged elements.

No. 4. Types of flexible tiles according to the method of cutting sheets and color

Roofing material is usually evaluated based on a variety of parameters, with appearance being taken into account first. Aesthetics depends not only on the color, but also on the shape of the element. Today, manufacturers of soft tiles offer us such Sheet cutting options:

• shingles;
• rhombus;
• rectangle;
• oval;
• hexagon;
• "brick";
• "beaver tail";
• "dragon tooth"

Variety of colors even more. Tiles in red-brown, green and blue shades are popular, but the choice is not limited to this. Manufacturers have learned to create not only monochromatic products, but also with a transition from one color to another, and the possibilities modern technology allow you to paint in almost any shade, and with a 3D effect. Changing the color of the topping and base, the shape of the sheet and the pattern on it, as well as the glossiness and dullness parameters allows you to achieve original effects or complete resemblance to clay or wooden tiles.

You can find it on sale three-layer soft tiles, which differs from the usual two-layer not only in price and even higher performance, but also in appearance. The third layer is applied with a slight offset, which allows you to achieve the effect of volume and relief, and this has a positive effect on the aesthetics of the coating.

No. 5. Types of soft tiles by modification

Installation of a roof made of bituminous shingles requires the use of elements of different modifications:

No. 6. What to consider during an external inspection?

Sometimes a visual inspection will tell you much more about the quality of soft tiles, rather than the manufacturer’s description of the technical characteristics. To choose high-quality flexible tiles, When purchasing, pay attention to the following points:

Soft tiles are sold in packs of 22 elements, which approximately corresponds to 3 square meters. m finished coating. Packaging weight ranges from 5-8 kg for single-layer products and up to 20 kg for multi-layer products. Experts recommend using elements from different packages during installation - this guarantees that the roof will be aesthetically pleasing, even if the color of the material in different packages is slightly different. The quality and durability of a roof made of soft tiles depends on the preparation of the base - violation of the technology can lead to a significant reduction in service life.

No. 7. The best manufacturers of soft tiles

The United States is considered the trendsetter in the field of flexible tiles, because it is there that the material is most popular, at least for now. Major companies such as Owens Corning, GAF and CertainTeed operate there, but their products are poorly represented on the domestic market, since analogues from European companies are not inferior in quality and variety, and are cheaper. A couple of years ago, due to the crisis and the decline in European production, the soft tile market shrank by almost a third, to which domestic manufacturers could not help but respond, who instantly increased their turnover and flooded construction stores with its products. Which soft tile manufacturers can you trust?

1. Tegola– an Italian company, operating since 1973, is a leader among European countries in terms of production volumes of bituminous shingles. The manufacturer’s priority is not only performance, but also appearance, so in the company’s collections you can find unique tiles, for example, with copper coating. In total, the manufacturer offers several collections, with a dozen forms and about a hundred different colors. Factories and representative offices are located in 73 countries around the world, and thanks to the launch of a plant in the Ryazan region, high quality has become more affordable for domestic buyers.
   
2. Katepal OY is the largest Finnish manufacturer of soft tiles, selling them under the Ruflex brand. It has been operating since 1949, selling products to countries in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. In production, improved bitumen of the highest quality is used, which ensures frost resistance of the products. The manufacturer takes into account Russian climatic features and supplies the domestic market with products that best suit their specifications. The variety of species, of course, is not the same as that of the Italian competitor, but still very rich and allows you to choose suitable option. The assortment includes double-layer tiles. Prices are above average.
3. Icopal is another large Finnish manufacturer that offers high-quality tiles manufactured using modern equipment and using the best materials. Only SBS-modified bitumen is used, the range is small, but includes all the most popular colors and shapes, prices are average.
4. IKO is a company whose production facilities are located in Canada, Belgium and Slovakia. The range of soft tiles is huge, there are custom-designed shapes, and the variety of shades is very wide. The tiles are produced mainly using oxidized bitumen, prices are average.
   
5. CertainTeed is one of the few American companies whose products can be found on the domestic market. The assortment is amazing; some products have no analogues and are not found in other manufacturers. The price is high.
6. BRAI is an Italian manufacturer offering soft tiles with copper coating.
7. Kerabit is a Finnish company distinguished by a sufficient range and high quality of products. Prices are average.
8. Group of companies "TechnoNIKOL" produces famous soft tiles Shinglas and Tilercat. Industrial capacity is constantly growing, customers are offered new colors and shapes of the material. All products comply with European quality standards, but at the same time they cost 1.5-2 times cheaper than foreign analogues. There are, of course, elite, expensive options, but, regardless of the price, all products are different good quality and durability. The company offers several collections of soft tiles: the material differs in shape and color, number of layers (there are multi-layer products), there are also products with record performance qualities, and they are guaranteed for 50 years.
   
9. Group of companies "Döke Extrusion" has two factories in Russia, has been operating since 2005 and has representative offices in almost all regions of the country. The choice of tiles is sufficient, oxidized and SBS-modified bitumen is used, the warranty for economy-class products is 20 years, for more expensive ones - 50 years.

Soft tiles are an almost ideal roofing material that will last for decades, you just need to choose quality product, what the name of the manufacturer will help with, and to carry out the installation correctly.