What material to choose for the roof of a wooden house? The better to cover the roof of the house: types and features What material is better for the roof of the house

The house can be recognized from afar - by the roof. It is its expressiveness that largely determines the appearance of the building. Not only the shape of the slopes is important here, but also the roofing. There are a large number of materials for roof finishing, and choosing the right one often becomes a matter of not only practicality, but also prestige.

To begin with, it is worth distinguishing between the concepts of “roof” and “roof”, often referred to as synonyms. The roof is a complex multilayer structure that protects the house from precipitation and other influences from above. Roof - one of the elements of the roof, its final layer. It is she who takes the brunt of the combined forces of nature. Therefore, the main requirements for roofing materials are simple: they must be reliable, strong and durable.

Modern materials for pitched roofs are conventionally divided into three groups:

Rigid. This includes all types of metal tiles, profiled and smooth-rolled sheets, asbestos-cement and corrugated bitumen sheets.
Piece. This group includes type-setting ceramic, bituminous, clay, cement-sand tiles, as well as porcelain stoneware and slate.
Exotic. Straw, reeds, turf, other natural materials and various designer finds.

Metal

This type of roofing is most popular today in low-rise and cottage construction. It uses aluminum and copper profiles, galvanized steel and titanium-zinc alloys. Metal tiles, corrugated board, sheet or roll roofs are produced from these materials.

Metal tile. Expressive lightness

The metal tile repeats the classic laying of natural tiles, pleasing to the eye. Such a relief is obtained by stamping galvanized steel or aluminum with a paint and varnish coating. The variety of colors and textures of polymer coatings, various forms of stamping and simple installation - all this makes metal tiles the most popular roofing material.

Advantages

The low weight of the metal significantly reduces transportation costs and does not create additional load on the roof frame.
Sheets of metal tiles are easily and quickly attached to the crate with the help of roofing screws - 2 people lay up to 100 m2 per day.
High resistance to corrosion, incombustibility and excellent color retention make this roofing material reliable and durable.
The metal tile is on sale with a full set of accessories and drains.
This material wins in comparison with bituminous or natural tiles both in price and in the cost of preparatory and installation work.

To disadvantages metal tiles often carry high noise during rain and wind. However, the matter is not in the material, but in the device of the roof itself. With properly executed flooring, metal sheets fit snugly against the crate and do not knock on it. The same applies to the organization of drainage. The fraction of drops and gusts of wind with a properly installed metal tile will not disturb even the inhabitants of the attic floor.

Decking

It is known that a stiffener adds strength to an object. It is on this principle that corrugated board is created - profiled or corrugated sheets of galvanized steel.

The disadvantages and positive properties of this roofing material are similar to the characteristics of metal tiles. But there are also a number of features:

Waves of corrugated board can be of different heights and have the shape of a trapezoid, a sinusoid, a semicircle, etc.
Coating with multi-colored polymers emphasizes the uniqueness of the configuration of this roof and makes it a completely independent product, one might even say - a competitor to metal tiles.

Decking or metal tiles are just a matter of taste, as many experts note.

seam roof

This coating is made of sheet or rolled galvanized steel, copper and zinc-titanium. It is also possible to apply a polymer layer. The peculiarity of the seam roof is the method of installation. The sheets here are bent at the edge in the form of a groove, which is called a fold. The groove-to-groove connection forms a reliable lock without through holes and completely eliminates roof leakage. Lying folds are used for horizontal fastening, standing - for vertical arrangement of sheets on a slope. After connecting the elements, the seam seam is rolled up manually using a mallet or special tools. There are also models with a self-locking lock.

Advantages

Quick and easy installation. The thickness of the material varies from 0.45 mm to 0.80 mm. The sheets have a width of 60 to 80 cm.
The roof is resistant to corrosion over the entire area, as the sheets are tightly inserted into each other and do not leave the slightest chance for aggressive environments.
The smooth surface promotes good running off of water and a descent of snow.
The low weight of the material allows the use of lighter roof support structures.

Flaws

Only highly qualified specialists with professional tools will be able to mount correctly.
Loses in appearance to any tiles.
Requires additional noise insulation and grounding.
You can't walk on the seam roof. If you need minor repairs, this is very inconvenient.

Classics and contemporaries: slate

Profiled sheet non-metal roofing is an economical option for covering pitched roofs of simple geometry.

Classical asbestos-cement slate is obtained from a mixture of Portland cement, asbestos and water, forming into corrugated sheets. Cement fiber slate is reinforced with cellulose, polyacrylic or short linen fibers.

Advantages

Low thermal conductivity.
Good noise reduction.
Not hot.
Ready for painting. This increases the service life.

The sheets are laid along the slope of the roof on a wooden crate and fixed with screws or galvanized nails, under the caps of which rubber washers are placed. Each sheet is overlapped by another by one wave and by 1.5-3 cm with a sheet of the upper row, it depends on the steepness of the roof.

At the stage of transportation and installation, the main disadvantages of slate appear:

Fragility.
Requires extremely careful storage, transportation and installation.
Leaks occur due to damage and displacement of individual elements, as well as loosening of roof fasteners.
Requires regular maintenance, repair and renewal.

Euroslate is recycled cardboard or organic fibers pressed into corrugated sheets and bonded with bitumen. Covered with a colored vinyl-acrylic polymer with good color fastness. Also, paint can be added to the material at the production stage.

Advantages

Lightweight and durable. Withstands snow up to 300 kg/m2.
Doesn't rot or rust.
Excellent noise absorption.
It bends. Suitable for surfaces with a radius of curvature from 5 m.

Flaws

The material is very sensitive to ultraviolet radiation. Heats up quickly and can sag on the batten if not thick enough.
Bitumen crumbles under the influence of freezing and thawing water.
combustible
Due to the displacement of the layers, roof leaks occur.

Tiling: a living legend

Tiles have been established on the roofs of houses since time immemorial. More than 5000 years ago, it was already widely used in East Asia. In Europe, tiles became popular in the 16th century - and for a long time determined the architectural image of the Old World. Today it is still relevant - both classic clay and improved with the help of modern technologies.

Natural tile is a durable, strong and environmentally friendly material. According to the initial raw material, it is divided into cement-sand, polymer-sand and ceramic. All types have a service life of up to 100 years, they perfectly tolerate low temperatures, do not burn, and extinguish the noise of rain and hail.

Ceramic tiles are made from clay, molded under high pressure and fired at temperatures above 1000 0C. It turns out a sintered shard that does not allow moisture to pass through. There are several basic forms for different types of roofs and installation methods. The kit also includes special elements (end, passage, side, etc.), the number of which increases with the complexity of the roof geometry.

Advantages

Service life up to 100 years, manufacturer's warranty - 20–30 years.
The highest resistance to non-mechanical influences: humidity, ultraviolet radiation, temperature changes.
The type-setting principle allows literally wrapping shards around any bends of the roof.
Environmentally friendly material.
It is easy to replace the damaged item.
Good soundproofing.
Unconditional prestige.

Flaws

Rather expensive material, especially high-quality glazed tiles.
Installation is done manually. This increases the cost of the work.
Large weight of elements. As a result, increased requirements for the strength of the roof frame.
Fragility. It manifests itself with a certain physical impact.
Suitable only for low-rise residential construction. In other cases, the use of a tiled roof is most often not rational.

Cement-sand and polymer-sand tiles made from sifted sand and fastened with a cement or polymer binder. Coloring occurs during the manufacturing process when an inorganic pigment is added to the solution. Most often, the colors range in brick tones - from yellow to dark red and brown, but green and black are also popular.

Cement-sand tiles are almost identical in properties to natural ones, but cost 2 times cheaper. Polymer-sand tiles have more unique advantages:

It is lightweight and durable. It weighs 2 times less than ceramics - 21 kg / m2.
Does not require reinforced rafters.
Does not break during transportation and installation.
The disadvantages include:
Toxic dyes added by unscrupulous manufacturers.
Poor-quality polymer-sand tiles manifest themselves after 2-3 seasons, when it starts to burn out.
Builders also complain about the lack of elements necessary for laying tiles.

Bituminous tiles. Soft approach

Soft bituminous tiles - small flat sheets with curly cuts along one edge. The range of colors - from traditional red to decorative mosses. The color and roughness of the texture gives a stone or mineral powder. In terms of expressiveness, it almost surpasses other roofing materials.

Advantages

Solid waterproofing layer. When heated in the sun, bitumen softens and firmly glues all the elements together.
Complete absorption of the noise of the elements. The soft material perfectly dampens the impact of rain and hail.
Light weight.
Easy installation. Bituminous tiles fit perfectly even on roofs with complex geometries.
Due to its "rubber" properties, it does not attract atmospheric electricity. A lightning rod on such a roof is not needed.

Flaws

Difficult repairs that require professionals. One sheet cannot be replaced.
A solid base and cushioning carpet is required. This leads to an increase in the cost of the roofing system.
Ventilation of the under-roof space is obligatory.
It is impossible to walk on the flooring in hot weather, as it is rumpled, stains remain. Need special holes.

What is the best roof? There is no definite answer to this question. Today we will look at the most popular ones (we will name their pros and cons), but first we will list some points that should be taken into account when buying a roofing product:

Types of roofing materials: 1 - ceramic tiles, 2 - cement-sand tiles, 3 - bituminous tiles, 4 - metal tiles, 5 - slate, 6 - corrugated board, 7 - seam roofing, 8 - copper roofing.

Estimated loads. They can be conditionally divided into two groups: the first is the own weight of the structure, the second is the mass of snow cover plus the wind force inherent in your region.
The architectural design of the building. A sketch of the project of the house will determine the type of roof. Based on the dimensions, shape, design features of the structure, the roofing system and its coating are selected.
Durability and fire resistance. Agree, it makes no sense for the roof of the house to purchase material whose service life is a couple of years, or, conversely, to lay supernovae products on the barn that can last 100 years.

Now we list the warranty periods for the most popular roofing materials today (note that the actual service life can be several times higher than these figures - it all depends on the observance of the technology during installation and use):

The warranty period for soft tiles is 20 years.
For metal tiles - up to 15 (this depends on the type of polymer coating; does not apply to the color retention of the product).
For natural tiles - up to 30 years (many manufacturers provide a guarantee for frost resistance, but they cannot vouch for the safety of the material when exposed to vapors).
The slate will last up to 10 years.
Wavy bitumen sheets - all 15.
Roofing steel and corrugated board - up to 20 years.
- 40 years.
Seam materials - up to 20 years.

The roof is one of the most important structures of any building: from a summer shower to a multi-storey building. After the construction of the roof, no special investments are required during its operation. In order for this to be so, and for the roof to serve for a long time, clearly fulfilling its functions, it must be constructed from high-quality durable material.

Therefore, to ensure warmth and dryness in the house, it is important to choose the right roofing material, and only then lay it in accordance with building codes and standards.

To date, many hardware stores offer modern roofing materials: tiles made of metal, ceramics, clay, bitumen and slate. Naturally, each option has its own advantages over others, but due to the specific properties of some roofing materials, their installation can cause serious difficulties for the craftsmen who have started installing them for the first time. Therefore, before starting work on laying the roof, let's figure it out, but what will your roof be made of?

The choice of material for the arrangement of the roof

First of all, when choosing a roofing material, it is necessary to look not at its aesthetic qualities, although this is also important, but at its weight. If the construction of the walls is light enough, and the foundation leaves much to be desired, then in this case not every roofing material can be used for arranging roofs. For example, natural ceramic tiles can weigh up to 60 kg per square meter and, of course, they are hardly suitable for light and prefabricated structures.

Pitched roof materials

metal tile

The lightest and, most importantly, inexpensive roofing material for roofs located at an angle is a metal tile. Its weight does not exceed 4.5 kg per 1 sq. m. Easy to install, durable in operation, it is perfect for frame buildings, which often do not have a foundation. And the rich color palette of the anti-corrosion coating of the metal tile will allow you to choose it for any architectural solution. For laying this material, it is necessary to properly prepare the base to which the roof will be attached.

Since the material is susceptible to corrosion from the back, it must be carefully insulated with special hydro- and vapor barrier materials, which will become an obstacle to the accumulation of moisture under the sheets. It is also necessary to provide effective ventilation and use high-quality heat-insulating materials for the roof in order to completely exclude the formation of "cold bridges" and, as a result, fogging and corrosion of the inner part of the metal tile.

This material is perfect for simple roof shapes, without architectural frills. The disadvantage of metal tiles is excessive "noisiness", falling rain can pretty much spoil the nerves of the household, but the use of noise-absorbing insulation under the sheets can fully solve this problem.

Clay tile

Clay tiles on the roof look gorgeous, especially if the facade of the building is stylized accordingly. Remember the red tiled roofs of the small Montenegrin town of Budva. The whole city looks like a single architectural ensemble only thanks to the same tile covering.

There are some features and conditions for laying tiles. Since these roofing materials are very heavy, it is necessary to provide reinforcement of the roof structure in the form of installing thick-walled beams and lathing between them. All this leads to an increase in labor costs and financial investments in the arrangement of the roof, but, in general, the laying of tiles itself will not cause difficulties, its installation can be performed by anyone who knows how to hold a tool in their hands. Of the advantages of clay tiles, one can note high durability and a small amount of waste during installation.

Materials for soft roofing

If metal or clay roofing materials are best used for simple pitched roofs of the correct geometric shape, then flexible roofing tiles are perfect for complex roofs. Its weight is slightly higher than its metal counterpart (no more than 8 kg / m2), and the advantages are obvious: it can take any shape, which means it can fulfill the most incredible design idea and decorate even a non-standard roof with its appearance. In addition, the rich color scheme of the coating will make it an adornment of the entire building.

When laying shingles, one should take into account the fact that the surface under it must be solid, made of plywood or solid wooden lathing. This material has a very important property - high sound absorption, which will provide an ideal microclimate in the house.

Ondulin

The most popular material for arranging a roof is rightfully ondulin or shingles. Due to its weight and ease of installation, it allows you to cover a large area of the roof in a matter of hours. Ondulin - the best material for a roof today. When installing it, great attention should be paid to the quality of the crate. It should be stiff enough so that under wind loads there is no rattling or vibration. A wide choice of colors of the material in combination with low weight allows it to be used for any type of roofing.

Slate

It is impossible not to mention the once popular building material - slate. Previously, no one wondered what material is best for roofing, since the choice was small: roofing material or slate. It is easy to install, very durable and is perfect for constructing the roof of a barn or a small country house. But one should take into account the fact that slate is an asbestos-containing material and its use in houses where people will constantly be is not recommended. In addition, the lack of coloring of this roofing material, except for the standard gray color, does not allow you to decorate your home in any way. But the price of the material is one of its main advantages. Since this is a fragile material, the number of sheets used to cover the roof depends on its quality. Choose slate from proven, well-established manufacturers. Otherwise, you run the risk of "paying twice": the low-quality material will begin to beat and break even during the laying process.

Roll materials for roofing

Such materials, as a rule, are used for arranging roofs with a slope angle of not more than 60 degrees, since it is extremely inconvenient to lay them on a pitched roof with a large angle. The materials used for flat roofing are bituminous, bituminous-polymer based, as well as made of polymeric materials or made in the form of mastic. But all of them have one thing in common: properly laid materials must provide sufficient elasticity, not dry out in the scorching heat and not crack during severe frosts.

As a rule, all roofing materials have a long service life, subject to the laying technology and proper subsequent operation. But in order to choose the right building materials for the roof, you should know more about these parameters.

For example, the maximum age of a roof made of sheet copper is practically unlimited, it will look great and protect your home from bad weather even after 150 years. In addition, the copper roof does not require any maintenance at all, and if necessary, it is easily repaired. Its only drawback is its high cost, but in comparison with other materials that require major repairs after a certain time, it turns out not so expensive.

Roll materials for bitumen-based roofing do not have such a solid age of operation as that of a copper coating, but, depending on the weather conditions in which the roofing materials will be, they will be able to withstand all types of precipitation for 25-50 years. Of course, large temperature fluctuations will not pass without a trace for a soft roof, the scorching summer sun can adversely affect the elasticity of this material, and severe frosts will make it brittle. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the condition of the roof covering and, if necessary, carry out minor or major repairs.

Roof repair materials

If, nevertheless, the roof has become unusable and precipitation, instead of flowing down the gutters, stubbornly flows into the house, it is necessary to repair it. In specialized stores, various mastics and mixtures are available for sale, which allow you to perform partial repairs of the roof, extending its life for several years. So, for example, liquid rubber will allow you to effectively deal with cracks in the coating on complex and hard-to-reach areas of the roof, sealing them, creating a single whole with the laid material. The old coating does not need to be removed, it must be well cleaned of dust and moisture and degreased for better contact.

To repair metal roofs, new sheets are used, changing them to those that have become unusable. If the sheet is still covered with rust and water oozes slightly through it, problem areas can be painted with anti-corrosion paint. After this procedure, the roof can still last a couple of years, waiting for a major overhaul. Other types of roofing are treated in a similar way: if one section of the roof fails, then it is simply replaced with new “details”.

A flat roof covered with bituminous roll materials is repaired by applying patches to cracks or holes formed, observing the laying technology. Materials for the repair of soft roofs of the same composition as the roof are used for better connection between them.

Roof waterproofing materials

Waterproofing is an extremely important process for arranging a roof. If you do not carry out work on waterproofing the roof in time, you can practically destroy it, since atmospheric precipitation will provoke rapid wear of roofing materials. And then the arrangement of the roof will need to start over, spending money and time to dismantle the old and install a new coating.

The requirements for waterproofing materials are:

moisture resistance,
elasticity,
temperature range of use,
mechanical strength,
resistance to ultraviolet radiation.

To roll waterproofing include: roofing material and its improved modern counterparts - glass roofing material, euroroofing material, rubemast, isol. Using such material, you will need to process the seams with a special burner - to ensure water tightness. Such materials are used if the roof slope is not more than 60 degrees.

No seams, strength, durability and even roof reinforcement are the advantages of liquid waterproofing. This is a polymer material applied with a sprayer. First, the roof is coated with the first layer, then a rubberized film is laid, then liquid waterproofing is applied. When applying such waterproofing, it is important to adhere to the temperature regime.

Film waterproofing consists of an upper and lower surface. The film is laid down with the side with an antioxidant layer that allows air and moisture to pass through, but only in one direction. The films are fastened with self-tapping screws to the crate, and overlaps are provided at the joints.

One of the newest materials diffusion membranes. They also let moisture through in one direction. Low permeability membranes are used in attics and cold roofs. Membranes of normal permeability in cases when the temperature drops below -25°C in winter. But three-layer superdiffusion membranes are suitable for all types of roofs and can be used in any climate.

And it is also necessary to pay attention to the heat-saving functions of the selected material, this will allow in the future to save on heating or air conditioning of the home.

When answering the question of which material is best for roofing, you need to take into account its type, durability of the material, its cost and ease of installation. Subject to the technology and the necessary parameters for laying roofing materials, you can be sure that "under the roof of your house" you will be dry, warm and comfortable.

The main structural difference between a flat roof and its pitched counterpart is a small surface slope, not exceeding 1-3%. Precipitation falling on such a plane does not roll down, but lingers on it. And of course, even if there is a slight crack, they leak.

We can say that this is a disadvantage of a flat roof. However, when choosing suitable roofing materials, a negative characteristic turns into a minor feature.

Flat roof roofing materials cannot be chosen according to the principle of “relevance in the new season”. All sorts of fashionable ondulines and flexible tiles are not suitable. And here's why: despite their decorative effect and undeniably good performance when working on pitched roofs, they are not able to form a continuous moisture-resistant carpet. And this is how a flat roof should be: absolutely airtight, with a minimum of seams - to ensure that moisture cannot seep under the layers of the roofing cake.

Suitable options are:

bituminous roll materials;
polymeric membranes;
mastics.

All these coatings in the composition of the roofing carpet are dense enough to provide good waterproofing of a flat roof, and elastic enough to normally perceive thermal and mechanical influences. Moreover, each material has its own characteristics - in terms of functionality, installation method, durability, cost. Therefore, if you are planning to cover a flat roof, but still do not know how, then we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the characteristics of the main materials.

Option #1 - bituminous materials

These are materials in rolls, which are a solid base impregnated with oxidized or modified bitumen. Supplied in rolls, 10-30 m long, about 1 m wide.

There are the following types of bituminous materials:

ruberoid;
rubemast;
stekloizol;
euroruberoid or bitumen-polymer membrane.

Ruberoid

Ruberoid can be called one of the most common waterproofing coatings both in the Soviet period and now. In fact, it is cardboard impregnated with bitumen. On one or both sides of the roofing material there is a protective backfill (sand, asbestos, talc, etc.). The durability of a roof made of roofing material is 5-10 years.

The roofing material has minimal water absorption, so there is no doubt about its waterproofing properties. It is resistant to atmospheric phenomena and mechanical stress, thanks to which it is able to withstand rain, hail, and snow blockages.

Unfortunately, roofing felt is not resistant to extreme temperatures: it melts in the heat (above 50°C) and cracks in the cold. Therefore, it is not necessary to count on long-term operation, without repairs. The average life span of a roofing material is 5-10 years. However, in defense of this material, we can recall that it is inexpensive, and its installation is quite simple. The rolls are rolled out on the roof and glued onto the base with bituminous mastic with careful sizing of the seams - that's all.

Rubemast

Rubemast, in fact, is the same roofing material, but already an improved, more modern version of it. It is also made on the basis of roofing paper, but differs in a thicker bituminous layer on the underside. Due to this, rubemast is characterized by increased plasticity, it is less susceptible to cracking under mechanical stress and temperature changes. Therefore, its service life is longer than that of a conventional roofing material - about 15 years.

Rubemast refers to the welded materials. Its laying is carried out by melting the bottom layer with a propane torch or solvents.

Stekloizol

Stekloizol (glass roofing material, glass mast) already belongs to somewhat different materials, although outwardly it differs little from roofing material and rubemast. All the difference is in the filling. As a basis in glass roofing material, fiberglass or fiberglass coated with bitumen is used. A layer of granular bedding is applied on top of the material, and a fusible film is fixed on the bottom. Accordingly, the installation of glass mast is carried out by fusing.

Fiberglass, unlike cardboard, does not rot. They are the "reinforcement" of the material, holding the flexible bitumen together and keeping it from cracking. Accordingly, stekloizol is more durable than roofing material and rubemast. Its service life reaches 20 years.

Euroruberoid

Despite the advantages of all the listed materials, euroruberoid is a step above them - the most modern and functional bituminous coating. However, it is not entirely correct to call it bituminous, it is more correct to call it bitumen-polymer. Euroroofing material contains bitumen modified with various additives, for example, pieces of rubber, which gives the final material special flexibility and waterproofing properties.

The basis of euroroofing material is fiberglass (canvas, fabric) or polyester (polyester). These materials are synthetic, non-rotting, durable. On both sides of the base, a bituminous binder is applied, consisting of bitumen, additives and fillers. Protective layers of a polymer film or bulk materials (shale, sand, talc, etc.) are fixed at the top and bottom of the canvas.

Installation of euroroofing material, as a rule, is carried out by melting the lower bitumen-polymer layer with a burner and then gluing it to the roof. This laying method is typical for coatings with a polymer (indicator) film. The material with an already existing self-adhesive layer is more convenient in installation. Fixing it on the roof is as easy as shelling pears - just remove the protective film and stick the canvas on a pre-prepared place.

You can learn about the characteristics of euroroofing material using the example of the Technoelast material from TechnoNIKOL by watching a short video:

Option #2 - polymer membranes

This type of materials appeared in our country relatively recently, but has already gained immense popularity. Polymer membranes are a qualitatively different type of roofing roll coverings, which endure mechanical loads, temperature changes and are characterized by increased elasticity. The membranes are supplied in rolls, up to 20 m wide, up to 60 m long. Such impressive dimensions allow you to create coatings with a minimum number of joints and seams (which can threaten to leak).

Not the last role in the secret of the popularity of membrane roofs is their durability, far superior to all other options. Their service life is at least 30-50 years.

Installation of membrane roofs is quite simple, therefore, it is carried out in a short time. According to experienced roofers, the installation of membranes is 1.5 times faster than the laying of bituminous roll coatings (under the same conditions).

Depending on the polymer that forms the basis of the web, membranes are divided into 3 types: PVC, TPO and EPDM.

PVC membranes

The basis for PVC membranes is polyvinyl chloride with a "reinforcement" of polyester mesh. To increase the elasticity of the material, volatile plasticizers (about 40%) are introduced into the PVC composition, which are gradually released after installation.

PVC membranes come in a variety of colors, but unfortunately they tend to fade in the sun.

The PVC sheet during installation is first mechanically fixed (telescopic fasteners), and then, laying the second sheet overlapping on it, the joints are welded with hot air. Another option is diffusion welding. In this case, a solvent is applied to the surface of the membrane (at the seams), after which the panels are lashed and a load is placed on top.

TPO membranes

The production of TPO membranes is based on thermoplastic olefins. For reinforcement, fiberglass or polyester mesh is used. However, membranes of this type are able to work without internal support, so unreinforced TPO sheets can also be found on the market.

Since there are no volatile plasticizers in the composition of the material, it is considered more environmentally friendly than its PVC counterpart. And the most frost-resistant than all other membranes (can withstand up to -62°C).

The connection of TPO rolls into a monolithic roof surface is carried out, as a rule, with the help of a hot air jet.

EPDM membranes

EPDM membranes are rolled material based on rubber reinforced with polyester mesh or fiberglass. It differs from other membranes in increased elasticity (about 400%) and a lower price.

In addition to pure EPDM, which have a rubber base, composite materials are produced. Their upper layer is traditionally rubber, and the lower one is flexible bitumen-polymer.

EPDM are insensitive to bitumen and its modifications. Therefore, the installation of membranes is allowed to be performed on top of the old bituminous roof, excluding its dismantling and simplifying the repair process.

EPDM installation is carried out by connecting the seams with double-sided self-adhesive tape. This method is less reliable than the welded method used for PVC and TPO membranes, and therefore requires the additional use of adhesives. A ballast mounting option is also possible, in which the membrane laid and fixed with telescopic fasteners is covered from above with pebbles, crushed stone, etc.

Interesting information about the characteristics, advantages and features of the production of EPDM membranes is presented in the following video:

Option # 3 - mastics

The use of rolled materials, one way or another forming seams at the joints, is not a prerequisite for creating a soft roof. There is an alternative - roofing mastics. With their help, you can create an absolutely monolithic, seamless roof surface with a service life of about 3-10 years.

Mastic is a viscous fluid mixture that, when applied to the surface of the roof, hardens under the influence of air. The result is a homogeneous monolithic coating, without seams. In this case, we are talking about the use of mastics as materials for creating mastic roofs. But they are also used as adhesives when installing a roofing carpet made of rolled materials.

Mastics contain organic binders, mineral fillers and special additives that improve the characteristics of the material. In the air, after being applied to the roof, the mastic already hardens in an hour and turns into a smooth elastic film.

According to the type of application, mastics are cold and hot. Cold ones are already ready for use, they can be applied to the roof without prior preparation. Hot - it is necessary to warm up to a temperature of 160-180 ° C. Cold mastics have become more common, since their application is easier and is not associated with the risk of burns. But hot mastics are more economical and harden faster, almost before our eyes.

Depending on the composition, mastics are:

bituminous;
bitumen-rubber (with rubber crumb);
bitumen-polymer (with polymer components);
polymeric.

Bituminous mastics - the simplest in composition, contain petroleum bitumen, a filler and an antiseptic. For mastic roofs, this type of material is not recommended, due to the small operating temperature range.

By adding crumb rubber to bitumen mastic, manufacturers get another material that is more suitable for roofing - bitumen-rubber mastic. After drying, it forms a durable and flexible coating that can withstand harsh operating conditions and extreme temperatures. With the help of bitumen-rubber mastics, you can not only create a mastic roof, but also repair many other types of rolled roofs.

Bitumen-polymer mastics are obtained by modifying petroleum bitumen with various polymers - rubbers, petroleum polymer resins, artificial waxes. After drying, they form a continuous flexible membrane with high waterproofing properties. They are also used for gluing and repairing rolled bituminous materials.

And the last version of the mastics that can be used for self-leveling roofs and repair of rolled ones is polymer compositions. They do not contain bitumen, their functional properties are determined by the content of synthetic resins and polymers. The roofing membranes obtained with the help of polymer mastics are distinguished by their elasticity, resistance to UV radiation, and durability.

Polymeric compositions, by right, are considered the most resistant. What features do they have? And how to apply them to get a reliable mastic roof? Watch the video - there are answers to these questions:

What material is better to choose?

After reading the information about the characteristics of each material, one thing remains - to choose, starting from the desired functional features of the future roof. Do you want to lay the roof yourself? The easiest way to do this is with the use of roofing material or its modern built-up analogues. The most optimal material in terms of quality, ease of installation and durability is euroruberoid, especially one that has a self-adhesive bottom layer.

It is not difficult to build a mastic roof, but its service life is limited and usually is 3-5 years. The highest quality polymer mastics last longer - up to 10 years. However, in any case, mastic is an excellent solution for budget construction and repair, due to its low price.

If you choose the material according to the degree of durability and reliability, not paying attention to the price, then polymer membranes certainly win here. Most likely, the installation of these coatings will have to be entrusted to specialists, which also entails a general increase in the cost of the roof. But the membranes will last much longer (30-50 years) than any other analogues, so their increased cost is fully justified.

There is no bad weather,

Every weather is a blessing.

But when nature is harsh on us,

The roof must be tightly covered!

Few people know that the expression "to have a roof over your head" was not originally identical to the expression "to have housing in general." The fact is that the poor inhabitants of many African countries build their dugouts literally without a roof, so that the building is not considered a house in the full sense of the word, and you would not have to pay tax for it. Extremely rare precipitation in those countries makes it possible to live without a roof over your head, and during periods of rain simply cover the dwellings with tarpaulin or polyethylene. As an option: such an under-house is simply covered with wide leaves, which will protect from the weather, and in fact are not a roof.

The harsh nature of less hot regions does not allow such liberties, and the roof in the house is designed, first of all, to protect residents from precipitation: rain, snow. Its second function is thermal protection. Keeping a building at a comfortable temperature for existence is the task of not only the walls, but also the roof. Both functions are performed not so much by the frame as by the outer covering, called the roof. It is the roof that mainly provides water tightness and thermal protection.

Since ancient times, residents of countries with an unfriendly climate have used various materials for roofing: straw, wood, animal skins. Later - clay and metal.

In Rus', the roof was made mainly of wood (with waxing for better moisture protection) and fastened with a tiled method (nails were prohibitively expensive). Laying "ploughshare" or "male", made without a single nail, served as a good protection for the huts at any time of the year. Wood, both for huts and for roofing, was taken durable, proven for centuries. The best material was Siberian larch. Incredibly strong, very resinous, it is still the backbone of Venice and forms the basis of many old European bridges.

No matter how strong and reliable wood is, it somehow has a short service life compared to metal, concrete, clay.

The roofs used to be completely pitched, therefore they required additional reinforcing structures (beams) and the creation of attics.

Over time, flat roofs, without slopes, firmly came into use. They have a number of disadvantages compared to a pitched roof (there is no drain, the need for cleaning from heavy rainfall, sometimes a drain is needed, which also has problems). But there are also pluses: exploitability (i.e., something can be placed on them), no need to create an attic, lower cost compared to pitched, convenient installation of equipment (antennas, air conditioners, etc.), more convenient exit (no need to use outdoor stairs), more convenient repair.

However, flat roofs must be protected in a special way, because the precipitation from it does not disappear by itself.

The main types of materials for covering flat roofs 2019

bituminous;
polymeric membranes;
bulk mastics.

Bitumen roofing materials for flat roofs

Ruberoid

The most common waterproofing material today. Its composition is cardboard impregnated with bitumen. On one or both sides, the roll is sprinkled with protective sand, talc, asbestos, etc. The service life of the roofing material is on average 5-10 years. Almost does not absorb moisture, resistant to mechanical stress and damage: snowdrifts or heavy hail are not terrible for him. And this material is afraid of temperature. At 50 degrees and above, it will melt, and in severe frost it will crack. But it is easy to operate and install and relatively cheap.

Popular brands of roofing material:

Medium-density roofing felt for roofs where no hard loads are planned.

Filling: powdered talc.

Density: 300 g/sq.m.

Roll size: 1x15 meters.

Average price: 270 rubles per roll.

Advantages:

low price;
ease of storage and transportation;
can be ordered in pallets (each - 40 rolls).

Flaws:

resistant to extreme temperatures;
lengthy installation.

Glassine P-250 1×20 m

Thin roofing material without sprinkling - for roofs that are not planned to be used at all or roofs that are not subject to serious loads (heavy snowfalls, hail).

Manufacturer: TechnoNIKOL

Filling: absent.

Thickness: 1.1mm.

Roll size: 1x20 meters.

Roll weight: 3.5 kg.

Average price: 160 rubles per roll.

Glassine P-250 1×20 m

Advantages:

very low price;
relatively small weight.

Flaws:

no protective coating.

Differs in the increased density and greater resistance to tearing. It is used for roofs that are planned to be heavily loaded (machinery, installation of equipment, etc.) or in harsh weather conditions.

Producer: "KRZ", Ryazan.

Filling: powdered talc.

Density: 300 g/sq.m.

Roll size: 1x15 meters.

Average price: 450 rubles per roll.

Advantages:

high density, tear resistance, durability.

Flaws:

the price is above average;
installation will require a number of auxiliary materials that must be purchased separately.

Visually about how to lay roofing material on the roof:

Rubemast

Improved version of ruberoid. It differs only in a thicker layer of bitumen on its underside. Thus, its plasticity, resistance to cracking increases. The service life of such material can reach up to 15 years.

Popular manufacturers of rubemast:

Producer: CJSC "Soft Roof", Samara.

Filling: abrasive crumb (upper side).

Weight: 375gsm

Roll size: 1x10 meters.

Roll weight: 29 kg.

Average price: 565 rubles per roll.

Advantages:

high density;
increased tear resistance.

Flaws:

the price is much higher than that of a conventional roofing material;
rolls are heavier.

Rubemast RNP-400-1.5

Producer: Korda LLC.

Coating: film + double-sided fine-grained coating.

Density: 400 gr/sq.m.

Roll size: 1x10 meters.

Rubemast RNP-400-1.5

Advantages:

filling and film on both sides;
very high resistance to tearing and cracking.

Flaws:

rolls are heavy, add significant weight to the roof;
the price of rubemast increases significantly with increasing density.

Stekloizol

Outwardly, it is very similar to roofing material and rubemast, however, it has significant differences from them. It is based not on cardboard, but on fiberglass (fiberglass). And it is this material that is impregnated with bitumen. On the one hand there is a filling, on the other - a thin fusible film. The installation itself is also carried out by welding.

Fiberglass significantly outperforms the cardboard base, as it does not rot. Also, the dense base does not allow the upper layers to crack. Hence the durability of the coating and the service life of up to 20 years.

Popular manufacturers of glass isol:

Stekloizol R HPP 2.1

Producer: TechnoNIKOL, Russia.

Roll size: 1x9 meters.

Material thickness: 2.1 mm.

Roll weight: 18.9 kg.

Average price: 400 rubles per roll.

Stekloizol R HPP 2.1

Advantages:

crack resistance, high density;
with proper laying, it forms a flat, without bumps, surface.

Flaws:

the price is higher than roofing material and rubemast;
in a roll only 9 sq.m. material.

Stekloizol U K-3.5

Manufacturer: Russia.

Filling: gray crumb.

Roll size: 1x9 sq.m.

Thickness: 3mm.

Roll weight: 32.5 kg.

Average price: 550 rubles.

Stekloizol U K-3.5

Advantages:

very high density and durability.

Flaws:

big weight;
high price.

Euroruberoid (bitumen-polymer membrane)

It is similar to its predecessors (roofing material, rubemast, stekloizol), but in terms of execution it is at a much higher level. Today, among bituminous coatings, this material is the most modern and highly functional. It is based on fiberglass or polyester.

Impregnation - bitumen with various additives (eg pieces of rubber) and fillers. On both sides of the roll there are polymer films and / or bulk materials (talc, sand, shale). Installation of euroroofing material is carried out either by heating one of the layers, or - if there is a self-adhesive material on one side - by removing the protective film and gluing it.

Popular brands of euroroofing material:

Euroruberoid HKP 2.5 mm

Manufacturer: TechnoNIKOL.

Sheet thickness: 2.5 mm.

Average price: 48r/sq.m.

Euroruberoid HKP 2.5 mm

Advantages:

domestic manufacturer provides an affordable price;
available in various thicknesses;
high quality material.

Flaws:

The material is rare and hard to find.

How to correctly choose euroroofing material - in the video:

Polymer membranes

Not so long ago, a material that appeared on the market is very popular in roofing. Does such a coating perfectly tolerate mechanical stress? Temperature fluctuations and much more elastic than bituminous materials. In addition, the membranes are supplied in much larger rolls compared to roofing felt: up to 60 meters long and up to 20 meters wide, so much less seams are obtained during installation.

The term of effective operation of such material: 30-50 years.

Membranes are divided (depending on the base material) into PVC, TPO and EPDM.

PVC membranes

You can order rolls in different colors. Only over time the colors fade in the sun.

Popular brands of PVC membranes:

Logikroof V-RP RAL 9001 1.2 mm (2.1 x 25 M). Various color performances.

Manufacturer: TechnoNIKOL.

Sheet thickness: 1.2 mm.

Roll size: 2.1x25 meters.

Average price: 410 rubles per roll.

Logikroof V-RP RAL 9001 1.2 MM (2.1 x 25 M)

Advantages:

performance in various colors;
light weight of the material;
high strength and durability.

Flaws:

relatively small area of the roll;
volatile substances are not environmentally friendly.

PVC membrane laying technology - in the video:

Ecoplast V-RP GRAY (T) 1.5 MM (2.1 X 20 M). Color: grey.

Production: TechnoNIKOL.

Sheet thickness: 1.5 mm.

Roll size: 2.1x20 m.

Average price: 390 rubles per roll.

Advantages:

increased thickness and strength.

Flaws:

color performance - only gray;
volatile substances are not environmentally friendly;
relatively small roll area.

TPO membranes

There are no volatile substances in this membrane, therefore it is less hazardous to the environment than PVC membranes. In addition, this material can withstand temperatures up to -60 °C. without deformation.

Popular manufacturers of TPO membranes:

Manufacturer: Carlisle, USA.

Sheet thickness: 2.03 mm.

Roll size: 3.05x30.48 m.

Average price: 1300 rubles per roll.

Advantages:

very high insulating properties;
great tear resistance;
ease of installation;
large roll area.

Flaws:

high price.

Sheet thickness: 1.83 mm.

Roll size: 2.44x30.5 m.

Average price: 1500 rubles per roll.

Membrane FireStone UltraPly TPO 1.83mm reinforced

Advantages:

quality and many years of experience of the manufacturer;
big rolls.

Flaws:

high price.

Video instruction for laying TPO membrane:

EPDM membranes

It is based on rubber, reinforced with fiberglass or polyester mesh. Compared to other membranes, it has a much higher strength and, oddly enough, a lower price.

Such a material can be made not only on the basis of rubber, but on the one hand have a bitumen-polymer coating. Also, this material can be mounted on old bitumen without dismantling the latter.

More details about this material - in the video:

Popular manufacturers of EPDM membranes.

Manufacturer: Firestone, USA.

Sheet thickness: 0.8 mm.

Roll size: 20 sq.m.

Average price: 370 rubles per roll.

Butyl rubber film "GISCOLENE F"

Advantages:

maintains temperatures from-70 to +130 gr.S.
small thickness;
increased resistance to mechanical damage.

Flaws:

small roll area.

Manufacturer: Firestone, USA.

Sheet thickness: 1.02 mm.

Roll size: 9.15x30.5 m.

Average price: 600 rubles per roll.

Film butyl rubber EPDM membrane Firestone width 9.15m

Advantages:

high strength;
large rolls.

Flaws:

there are no special ones.

Bulk mastics

Roll materials for roofing have one significant drawback: the presence of seams and joints that need to be very carefully worked out from leaks. Joints are weak points in the resulting roof.

With the help of bulk roofing materials, it is possible to make an integral coating and not resort to complex laying of rolls.

The disadvantage is the short service life of such coatings: only 3-10 years.

Roofing mastics are viscous masses that harden over time when exposed to air. Mastics are also used during the installation of rolled roofing as a fastening material.

Self-leveling roofing mastics come in cold and hot applications. Cold ones are already ready for application, while hot ones must be heated to 160-180 degrees C.

Mastics are divided into: