Which roof is better - tips and comparison of types of materials

Which roof is more popular?

Today, the building materials market is very rich and is represented by a large assortment of roofing materials.

The most popular roofing materials today are:

• Metal tiles,
• Flexible tiles or soft roofing (roofing ruflex, tegola, or a domestic product - roofing technonikol).
• Euroslate or ondulin
• Natural (ceramic) tiles
• Corrugated sheet
• Seam roofing

This is largely due to:

• quality characteristics of roofing materials,
• accessibility,
• the need to possess certain skills for independent installation of a seam roof.

note

Soft roofing or metal tiles are universal roofing materials that are applicable in various geographical areas. The installation and operation of such roofing materials are very simple and do not require any special, complex measures.

Advantages and disadvantages of metal roofing

Metal tiles are steel sheets with a wavy profile that externally imitate natural tiles. The reverse side is treated with protective varnish, the front side is treated with polymer film. Estimated service life is 50 years, warranty is 10-15. The permissible roof slope is from 12 degrees.

Advantages:

• strength;
• corrosion resistance;
• large sheet area speeds up installation;
• light weight, no increased load on the rafter system;
• Fire safety;
• the profile shape promotes good ventilation of the under-roof space;
• aesthetics, many colors.

Flaws:

• rigid profile sheets are not suitable for covering curved roofs and roofs with a circular cross-section;
• a large percentage of waste (up to 30%), especially when covering broken roofs;
• Difficulty of processing: only cold cutting with metal tools. You cannot grind the grinder so as not to damage the polymer shell;
• scratches formed during installation must be immediately painted over with polymer paint to avoid corrosion;
• poor sound insulation: metal is a sound conductor;
• thermal conductivity;
• electrical conductivity: a lightning rod is required.

Read more about installing metal roofing on this page.

• How I made a roof of complex shape in winter at the Snegiri CP
• 260 m2 - for 1,300 thousand rubles.
• See 28 photosMy prices

Profiled sheet

This material is also called corrugated sheeting. The sheet is very similar to the previous option, but it can be even cheaper in cost. The profiled sheet is made from cold rolled steel, and then a protective coating is applied. The flooring is trapezoidal or wave-shaped. With the help of this nuance, the strength of the product increases.

Corrugated sheeting is inexpensive, but is more suitable for a pitched or gable roof Source tehpribory.ru

Advantages and disadvantages of soft roofing

Soft roofing (shingles, flexible tiles) is a material consisting of a fabric base (fiberglass, fiberglass, polyester), bitumen impregnation and granulated stone chips as an external covering. Some brands (in particular, French Icopal tiles) use copper foil instead of mineral granules. The tile backing is often self-adhesive, less often covered with silicon sand.

Note!

The average service life of a soft roof is 50 years, the warranty is from 10 to 50. The permissible angle of roof inclination is from 11 to 90 degrees.
There are models that can be laid at a lower slope, and there are also those that can cover negative areas. Pros:

• light weight, easy installation;
• when installed in warm weather, the tiles melt slightly under the sun, sinter and form a sealed continuous coating;
• the ability to design any pitched roofs, including domed, conical, curved;
• minimum waste during installation (within 5%);
• noiselessness, good thermal insulation;
• aesthetics, many colors, there are models with 3D effect. Many shingle shapes: hexagon, rectangle, beavertail, etc.

Minuses:

• due to its absolute tightness and flat shape, shingles place increased demands on the ventilation of the under-roof space;
• Although the material itself is comparable in price to metal tiles, in the end the roofing is more expensive due to the additional costs of underlayment and roofing cake with a complex structure.

Read about the cost of installing soft tiles in this material.

Roof shape

To select the necessary material for making a gazebo roof, special attention should be paid to the shape of the structure.

There are several main types of forms:

• Single pitch roof . This option is considered the simplest. The entire installation process can be done with your own hands without any problems and you will not need to spend additional money to hire workers. This roof option is used for gazebos that have a quadrangular shape.

Shed roof - the simplest design Source hi.decorexpro.com

• Gazebo with a gable roof . This option is also characterized by its simplest design and is used for rectangular buildings. It's easy to do all the work yourself, but there are several disadvantages. If you use a small angle of inclination, snow will accumulate on the surface. And if the angle is too large, then the view of the area will be reduced. From this we can conclude that this option is not suitable for every region.

When designing a gable roof, certain nuances emerge for its manufacture and operation Source classpic.ru

• Hip roof , also called hip roof. Building the structure will be a complication, and therefore it is not often possible to see a gazebo with a hipped roof. For manufacturing, two trapezoidal parts and two triangular parts are used.

Hip roofing is rarely found on gazebos Source small-house.ru

• Hip roof , which resembles a dome. To make the structure, you will need to use 4 or more triangular-shaped slopes. The aerodynamic properties of the structure are at the highest level, and therefore there is an option to reliably protect yourself and your loved ones from strong winds and precipitation.

The hipped roof gives the pavilion a touch of oriental style. Source 47dom.ru

• Gazebo with a round roof . This option is the most complex in construction. The angle of inclination can be different, and the shape will depend on this. The advantages of this variety include its spectacular appearance.

The round roof is complex, but it looks impressive Source yandex.kz
Owners of adjacent plots are concerned with the question of how to cover the roof of the gazebo in the country. There are many options. But it is necessary to make a roof only after the shape for the gazebo has been chosen. If a pitched structure is used, then it is advisable to use sheet material:

• profiled sheet;
• slate;
• metal tiles.

Materials for covering a pitched roof Source pro-firmu.ru
When constructing multi-faceted, hipped structures, there is no need to use sheet materials, since working with them is problematic and you will have to throw out a lot of waste. For this reason, experienced craftsmen use soft roofing, for example, bitumen shingles.

Advantages and disadvantages of ondulin roofing

Ondulin (Euro slate) is similar in composition to soft tiles: cellulose-fabric base, bitumen impregnation, basalt chips. Unlike shinglas, ondulin is rigid sheets of profile shape. Service life is about 20 years. The permissible roof slope is from 6 degrees.

Pros:

• lightness (a sheet of 1 by 2 meters weighs on average 6.5 kg);
• water resistance;
• like shinglas, ondulin sheets are glued together under the sun;
• simple processing (can be cut with a regular hacksaw);
• simple installation;
• resistance to rotting and corrosion;
• high chemical resistance;
• the price is lower than that of metal tiles and shingles;
• noiselessness.

Minuses:

• In hot weather, you should not walk on the roof: the softened coating may become deformed. It will no longer be possible to restore the profile shape;
• flammability;
• discoloration. The rate of color loss depends on the brand;
• poor resistance to biological factors - vegetation, fungus.

I wrote more about the advantages and disadvantages of an ondulin roof in this article.

Advantages and disadvantages of ceramic roofing

Natural tiles are made from clay using high-temperature firing technology (1000º). Service life - up to 150 years, warranty - 30. Roof slope from 30º (for some models from 22).

Pros:

• aesthetics, respectable appearance;
• strength;
• good noise/heat insulation;
• water resistance, chemical resistance;
• temperature resistance;
• color fastness: does not fade even over time;
• Fire safety;
• high maintainability.

Minuses:

• the heaviest weight among all coatings, increased load on supporting structures;
• highest price.

When installing, pay attention to the quality of the tiles: if there is a crack, the tile will break if water gets in and freezes.

See our work on installation of roofs made of natural tiles in the “our work” category.

Advantages and disadvantages of corrugated roofing

Corrugated sheeting – profiled galvanized steel with or without polymer coating. In its basic properties, corrugated sheets are similar to metal tiles, but are somewhat inferior to them in aesthetic terms. Service life is about 30 years. The slope of the roof is any, depending on the height of the profile and the pitch of the sheathing.

Pros:

• simple installation;
• Fire safety;
• light weight;
• water resistance;
• corrosion resistance due to a layer of zinc and polymer coating;
• versatility: sheets of the same color can be used for roofing, fencing, facade cladding of garages and other technical buildings;
• sheets with the highest profile can be used as a base for flat unused roofs;
• The price is comparable only to ondulin, everything else is more expensive.

Minuses:

• does not bend, not suitable for curved roofs;
• complexity of the cut (only canvas or metal scissors);
• high percentage of waste;
• conducts sound, heat, electricity.

Advantages and disadvantages of seam roofing

Seam roofing is flat sheets or metal in rolls. Separate blanks (pictures) are connected to each other by folds. Additionally, the folds serve as stiffening ribs. Service life depends on the material: galvanized steel - 30 years, aluminum - 80, copper and zinc-titanium - 100. Roof slope - from 7º.

Pros:

• with high-quality installation, the seam fastening is sealed and eliminates leaks;
• flexible sheets allow installation on curved roofs;
• if you have the tools – simple and quick installation;
• minimum waste.

Minuses:

• poor sound/thermal insulation;
• good electrical conductivity, lightning protection is required.

I wrote more about the nuances of installing a seam roof here.

Which roof is better?

When choosing a roofing material, you should follow the advice of professionals. If we talk about service life, then soft roofing and metal roofing will last you 20-30 years. Manufacturers guarantee that this period will be 30 years, or even more. But, in my experience, it depends on many factors. And first of all, it depends on the climatic conditions of your region.

As for the appearance, then, as they say, the taste and color... Both materials on the market are presented in a variety of colors and you will have the opportunity to choose the most suitable one.

An equally important issue when choosing a material for roofing is the issue of performance characteristics. A huge advantage, in my opinion, in this matter is noiselessness. This is especially felt on a roof covered with a soft roof. And as my experience shows, many people choose this material based on this characteristic.

Polycarbonate

The opposite of slate is modern, environmentally friendly, lightweight, flexible. Over the past 5-10 years, this material has become a real idol for dacha residents. Roofs, walls, full-fledged gazebos, and canopies are made from it.

In general, a very versatile option that is worth a closer look.

• Easy. Very light.
• Ecologically pure.
• Flexible - it can be used to make a roof of almost any shape.

• Highly flammable.
• Susceptibility to atmospheric and physical influences (after a hail storm, you may think about replacing the roof).

Our works

Reconstruction of the roof in Pozdnyakovo

Replacement of roofing in Dzerzhinsky

Roof installation in EKP "Monolith"

Reconstruction of the roof in Gorodishche

Roofing materials prices

If we talk about the cost of these materials, then for soft roofing and metal roofing the price is approximately the same and ranges from 200 r m2 to 500 m2.

This is the cost for the material, but please note that in the end, a roof made of soft tiles will cost slightly more, due to the fact that installation requires a more complex roofing pie.

note

We have already discussed in more detail which roofing is cheaper in this article. We compared the costs of materials and installation of roofing made from metal tiles, corrugated sheets, flexible tiles, roofing felt, ondulin and slate. You can see the calculations here.

Flexible (soft) tiles

Differs from other options in small sheets. If polycarbonate, for example, is sold in sheets of about 12 square meters, then flexible tiles are only a “leaf” of 0.33 square meters. As a result, there is no need to seriously measure and guess the dimensions of future roofing sheets.

• Flexible. Very flexible.
• Many different shapes and colors.
• The sounds of rain will be completely muffled by this roof.
• Economical use without waste.

• The need to build a frame from oriented strand board (OSB) or other similar plywood.
• Strong winds can tear off poorly attached shingles.
• High price, which is reduced due to waste-free construction.

So which roof should you choose?

I would choose a soft roof, because I believe that this is the material of the future, and it has a number of advantages over other roofing materials. Of course, it’s up to you to choose; my job is to give advice, professional advice.

If you are planning to build a roof for your home soon, I advise you to call me immediately. I will try to suggest which and how best to make a roof. I look forward to your requests, I’m glad to be of assistance.

If you have questions, ask directly in the form below.

+7(495) 241-00-59

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Dimensions

Despite the fact that gazebos visually seem small, constructing a roof for them also requires a serious approach, as when arranging a residential property. Before you begin to complete the task, you need to calculate in advance various types of loads: snow, wind and own. The last parameter implies the weight of the rafter area and roofing materials.

The roof structure of gazebos can be metal or wood. Wood is more practical, and metal is more stable. Any material has weight - this also needs to be taken into account. First, the roofing material and slope of the slopes are determined. Dimensions are calculated by cross-section and length, taking into account the dimensions of the supports. For better rigidity, it is necessary to install struts.

The diagram should contain information about them. The obtained values ​​are entered into an online calculator, using it to obtain all the required dimensions for installation.

Additional materials on the topic

Roof color selection

More details

Types of soft roofing

More details

Ondulin roof installation

More details

Your feedback, comments, questions

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Comments

Aristarkh V. 07/11/2012 17:03
-1 could you write the ratio of prices and quality of roofing types and is there any point in overpaying?

Reply | Reply with quote | Quote Consultation by phone +7(495) 241-00-59 Answered by Mikhail-Foreman moderator

I previously wrote that the main quality of a roof is not to allow everything that falls on it into the house to pass through, and everything else is like tuning), so all calculations are based on the wallet

Alexey 04/23/2013 10:29

-2 Hello! How familiar are you with liquid roofing (Ukreplen, Hydrolon, Tenoprok, etc.)? If you have experience using it, what would you recommend? The roof is unusable, on top of reinforced concrete slabs covering an unheated room, the climate is moderate. Thank you.

Reply | Reply with quote | Quote Consultation by phone +7(495) 241-00-59 Answered by Mikhail moderator

I can’t give you any advice on these coatings.

Andrey 12/31/2013 04:46

-7 How long can a metal tile roof last if the air humidity in the region reaches 90 percent? In your opinion, is it worth covering the roof with metal tiles or is there another, more profitable option in this climate?

Reply | Reply with quote | Quote Consultation by phone +7(495) 241-00-59 Answered by Mikhail moderator

With proper installation, the entire manufacturer's warranty period, which depends on the coating of the material.

Leonid 01/08/2014 16:15

-4 My country house is covered with slate, I keep dreaming of changing it to something more modern and functional. I’ll probably still choose metal tiles for myself.

Reply | Reply with quote | Quote Consultation by phone +7(495) 241-00-59 Answered by Mikhail moderator

Metal tiles or corrugated sheets.

Oleg 01/08/2014 21:48

-3 And I am in favor of a soft roof, I think that if you have to do installation, it is easier to deal with, while it is silent during operation and durable, and the material from which it is made is more environmentally friendly.

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Oleg 01/18/2014 10:46

-5 I have a soft roof at my dacha. I like it better because it has good sound insulation, it holds back snow well in winter, and it looks more beautiful.

Reply | Reply with quote | Quote Consultation by phone +7(495) 241-00-59 Answered by Mikhail moderator

I can't argue with you.

Leonty Isakov 09.28.2014 14:46

-5 The most reliable and durable, of course, is a metal roof. But at the same time the most expensive. This disadvantage is more than offset by the fact that such a roof rarely requires repairs, and you can always get by with “little blood” - tighten or replace loose screws, seal an existing crack with bitumen, or, less often, replace an entire sheet. And yet the question is: if there are other types of roofing that are cheaper, maybe it doesn’t make sense to overpay? After all, nothing is eternal in the world anyway...

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Sergey 08.10.2015 19:59

+5 Good afternoon, the urgent question is which roof to get? The second floor is a monsard, I can’t decide between flexible tiles or composite ones, and now a new product has come out - modular tiles. Please help me make the right choice. Thank you in advance.

Reply | Reply with quote | Quote Consultation by phone +7(495) 241-00-59 Answered by Mikhail moderator

Hello, Sergey, I can’t tell you about the modular one. Maybe you're talking about dune metal tiles?? Whether flexible or composite, everything is simple. Choose what you like best. The main difference in price is that composite tiles are more expensive and the complexity of laying composite tiles. Good luck!

Mikhail 10.10.2015 09:51

+2 Hello, can you tell me what is not expensive (very meager supply of funds), but the optimal material for the roof, appearance is not important, the main thing is that it is practical?

Reply | Reply with quote | Quote Consultation by phone +7(495) 241-00-59 Answered by Mikhail moderator

In your case, the optimal material is corrugated or metal tiles. Ondulin is not a very good material, the only plus is that it is light!

Svetlana 07/26/2016 18:05

-1 Lay out the profile. Slope 3%, area 130 m2. The man cheated - they didn’t follow. The room should be warm, but the profile lies directly on the boards. We think, rack our brains, how to fix the situation. Either remove this roof, insulate it, glue the sheets together slowly, or don’t touch the profile itself, but insulate it on top and make a soft roof. What is your advice?

Reply | Reply with quote | Quote Consultation by phone +7(495) 241-00-59 Answered by Mikhail the foreman moderator

I would not recommend gluing the sheets. It’s better to make it flexible, more reliable and ultimately cheaper.

Leo 08/28/2016 10:32

0 Mikhail, can you give specific examples of comparisons in terms of price, durability and popularity from your practice? After all, metal is expensive now, and what is more profitable to do, taking into account the roofing pie and preparation for the coating? I want to know briefly and without water the optimal roofing material for a house with an area of ​​100 m2

Reply | Reply with quote | Quote Consultation by phone +7(495) 241-00-59 Answered by Mikhail moderator

Hello, the choice of roofing material depends on several factors. First of all, you need to decide on the material - metal, bitumen. If the choice is not obvious, and you don’t care what you use, then you need to look at material costs. If the roof has a complex shape, then bitumen shingles definitely have more advantages, both in price and installation. If the form is simple, then the metal has no equal in price. I advise you to take metal tiles at least 0.5 mm, and cover according to your financial capabilities. The only thing is that I don’t see the point in chasing brands like ruuki, takaota, etc.

englisTed 02/17/2018 09:18

+1 I'll try it in my spare time :)

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Update list of comments

How to make a hipped roof for a gazebo with your own hands: drawings, photos, videos

Hello. In my opinion, the process of erecting a hipped roof for a gazebo is most clearly shown in the video, which will be attached just below.

I would recommend that you first study this issue in video format, and only then start reading the text, viewing drawings and photographs.

The construction of the roof in this video begins at 2 minutes. To understand the picture of everything that is happening, it makes sense to watch it in full, fortunately the video is short - 11 minutes.

What type of hipped roof will suit your gazebo

The most popular design solutions are tent and hip.

The tent version is common among square gazebos. It consists of four triangular slopes that converge at the top at one point without forming a ridge. Also, a similar design is used for hexagonal and octagonal buildings. Only the number of rafters increases, but the principle itself is the same.

Among rectangular gazebos, it is customary to use the hip type. It is made from the ends in the form of 2 triangular slopes and 2 trapezoidal slopes. The key difference between the two types is the presence of a purlin in the center of the roof. In the tent version, everything is attached to one point.

Having realized which type is right for you, you need to begin the process of its construction.

Construction of a hipped hip roof

We assume that the base of the gazebo is already ready - the foundation is securely poured, and the support pillars are level. This material offers a more aesthetic version of a hip roof than in classical construction. A small tower will be made in the center, which will emphasize the uniqueness of the structure (in construction it is called a “torus”).

First of all, it is necessary to make a wooden square in the center of the gazebo, to which the rafters will later be attached. This base is installed on support pillars, which are then removed.

After fixing this square using fasteners for beams, we install the rafters. The figure below shows rafters made of 150 by 50 timber.

After installing all the rafters, it is recommended to erect a small roof on the base of the second tier. It will add aesthetics, and the structure will take the shape of a turret. The figure below shows the installation process. It is simply placed on top and secured with self-tapping screws.

Next, the support pillars for the wooden square are pulled out, and the entire roof is sheathed with plywood. The result is an interesting design solution that produces a positive effect.

It is necessary to correctly calculate the grooves for the rafters and the angles of inclination, and then “tightly” fasten them together. For a hip roof, the optimal angle of inclination can be considered 30 degrees. Taras Khodorchuk uses a similar roof in his construction of a gazebo made of timber.

Construction of a hipped hip roof

The whole process is divided into several stages. It is more complex and expensive compared to the tent option, but quite feasible. To understand the terminology, use the figure, which shows a diagram with basic concepts.

1. The top trim is reinforced with boards (overlapping).
2. A tension beam is attached along the gazebo (on the long side). Metal corners are used for this.
3. Two meter racks are installed on the puffs.
4. To improve balance, temporary struts are installed; they allow you to fix vertically directed racks.
5. The tops of the posts are connected to the ridge purlin (the highest part of the roof).
6. Ordinary rafter legs are fixed in increments of 1 meter (attached to nails).
7. Diagonal rafters are attached so that they continue the ridge girder, that is, from its end side.
8. The frames are attached first to the diagonal rafters, then to the top trim in increments of about 65 cm.
9. Waterproofing is being laid and the roof is being laid.

Calculation of building materials

The amount of material is directly proportional to the size of the gazebo - the larger it is, the more it is needed. I suggest you study the approximate amount of construction resources that were needed to build a 3 by 3 meter wooden gazebo. It is quite standard and typical for most country houses.

Please note that in the previous block of information on the construction of a hip roof, a 4 by 4 gazebo was considered, that is, the amount of material for it was greater than the values ​​​​given below.

The 100 by 100 beam is used only to create the base; it has only an indirect relation to the upper part of the structure.

• Base - 5 beams (3 meters);
• Support pillars - 4 beams (2.3 meters);
• Entrance and stiffening - 5 bars (1 meter).

The 100 by 50 beam is already clearly used for the construction of the upper part of the gazebo.

• Rafters - 8 beams (2 meters);
• Crosspiece - 2 beams (4.3 meters);
• Top railing, railing - 7 beams (3 meters);
• Railings - 2 beams (1 meter).

In addition to the main structure, a number of other materials are needed: lining, floor and inch boards, slats, roofing, paint, cement, brick, nails, screws, impregnation. Depending on the region and country, prices can differ fundamentally, so it is difficult to estimate an average cost.

A cube of forest costs an average of 7,500 rubles. Based on these numbers, conclusions can be drawn.