Among the materials for arranging the roof, there are many options that have almost the same characteristics. For example, if you take metal tiles and bitumen roofs, then both options are quite reliable, durable and have an attractive appearance. In addition, the cost of materials is also almost the same. All this can lead developers to a standstill when they are faced with a choice - a metal tile or a soft roof. But to solve this problem, you need to compare and analyze the features of both types of roofing materials and draw conclusions.
Design Features
The first step is to consider the design features of both materials. The fact is that there is a fundamental difference in structure. And the only thing they have in common is that each type of coating imitates natural tiles.
Metal tile
So, this is a multilayer roofing material. This product is made of rolled steel. The thickness of the steel can vary from 0.4 to 0.7 mm. It is recommended to use roofing steel with a thickness of at least 0.5 mm for production - with a smaller thickness, the product can deform under stress. The longevity of a thinner sheet is also reduced.
So that the rolled steel is sufficiently protected from corrosion, the metal on each side is coated with a layer of zinc. The thicker this protective layer, the longer the metal tile will serve. Also, steel is covered with a passivating layer - this is an oxide film that prevents active rusting.
A decorative protective layer is applied on both sides of the material. With the back of the product painted with special paints. The front side is covered with various polymers - it can be polyester, plastisol, pural. The future durability of the roof coating and the resistance to fading under the influence of direct sunlight, as well as resistance to various kinds of mechanical damage, depend on the technical characteristics and thickness of the polymer layer.
Finished steel coils are profiled on the equipment and then cut into sheets by size. The appearance of the roof will depend on the type of profile. But in general, imitation of clay tiles is obtained at a high level.
To understand which is better - a metal tile or a soft roof, now we should consider in detail the bitumen tile.
Features of a soft roof or bituminous tile
The latter is more flexible in comparison with a metal product. The basis of the soft roof is fiberglass or any materials similar in characteristics. Raw materials for the production of bituminous tiles should be tear-resistant, and also resistant to putrefactive processes.
On this basis, modified bitumen is applied from each side. These are special additives from polymeric materials. Due to these additives, the soft roof is able to maintain elasticity at low air temperatures. Thanks to this, the roof covering will not crack even in very cold climates.
The bottom layer of soft roofing materials is covered with adhesives. The adhesive layer is covered with a protective film. Before installation, this film is removed. On the outside, a soft roof or shingles is covered with a decorative protective layer - it is a mixture of mineral chips with pigments and polymer resins. This coating is necessary to protect the bitumen layer from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. Also significantly increases resistance to mechanical stress.
Sheet roofing is made in the form of shingles of various configurations. Thanks to curly petals and a special color, a finished roof made of soft materials can look original and attractive. But those who choose - a metal tile or a soft roof, you need to remember that the bitumen tile has visual differences from the classic tile.
Weight and overall dimensions of the material
These parameters determine the convenience in the process of installation, the ability to do the work yourself. In addition, the loads exerted on the foundation and walls in the house depend on the mass. Sometimes this can be critical.
The metal tile is made in the form of profile sheets. The width of such a sheet can be in the range from 1.12 to 1.19 m. The length of the sheet is from 0.5 to 7.5 m. Laying small sheets can be done by yourself. But in this case, the mass of joints will be visible on the coating - this affects not only the appearance of the roof, but also the operational parameters. The standard length of one sheet is approximately 4.5 m. For the installation of such material, you will need to attract helpers. Sheets of large sizes are made mainly for individual orders.
Soft roofs are supplied in shingles. The format is relatively small - 100-337 mm. Installation is easy with one person. If you choose which roof is better - soft or metal based on installation, then soft is definitely easier and more convenient to install.
It is also worth paying attention to the difference in weight. One shingle of a soft roof is less in mass than a sheet of metal tile. In this case, the total weight of the shingles is about 8-12 kilograms per square meter, while one square meter of metal tiles weighs only 5 kilograms or a little more. Which is better - a metal tile or a soft roof? For these reasons, the choice is obvious.
Application specifics
The choice between flexible or metal tiles makes sense only if the roof is installed on a pitched roof with tilt angles from 12 to 14 degrees.
Due to their greater elasticity, bituminous materials are suitable for installation on complex roofs with conical, hemispherical and even broken surfaces. The shingles are small in size, the attachment technology is simpler - all this contributes to material savings. If you compare the soft roof and metal, then on complex roofs the amount of waste bitumen shingles will be only about 4 percent.
Metal tiles are often purchased on simple roofs with the most even slopes. Also this material is suitable for multi-gable roofs. If you try to use a metal product on a curved surface, this will lead to the formation of a large number of joints, the need for additional processing against corrosion of the cut edges. Also, waste will exceed 30 percent of the materials. This greatly complicates the installation process and increases the cost of installation.
As you can see, the advantages of a soft roof over a metal tile for complex roofs make us opt for bituminous tiles.
Base
The metal tile has a certain rigidity. For installation, a rather rare crate is suitable, which is made of a bar or board. The greater the angle of inclination of the roof slopes, the wider should be the step of installation of the crate elements. Thus, they reduce the snow load on the roof surface. For a battens under a metal tile, 350-400 mm is considered a standard step.
When choosing which is better - a metal tile or a soft roof, you need to consider that bituminous tiles are laid only on the most even surface. Here you need a continuous crate of mainly sheet materials. The sheet crate is stacked on top of the rarefied. This is much more expensive and more difficult during the installation process, since it is necessary to exclude significant differences in elevation at the joints.
Installation and its features
You also need to compare the metal and soft roofs in terms of installation.
Installation consists of several stages. The first of them is the installation of a layer of waterproofing, counter battens and battens. Under metal roofing, this process will require significantly less time and labor compared to a continuous crate and a special lining carpet for bitumen materials. If the question is what to choose - a metal tile or a soft roof, then the metal tile wins by the complexity.
Next, we compare the rise of the material to the installation site. Bitumen roofing has a greater advantage here. The weight of the shingle is small, the dimensions are also small. To lift a sheet of metal tiles, helpers will be needed, and sometimes special devices. During lifting, you must work as carefully as possible so as not to damage the protective layer on the polymer coating.
The next aspect that will help to decide which is better - a metal tile or a soft roof, is the speed of installation work. Installation of metal can be performed as soon as possible on simple roofs. Work can be done independently. To work with shingles, you must have experience and special skills - dismantling glued shingles is quite complicated. Errors in work can lead to the fact that the coating will not be able to cope with its functions. The installation speed of flexible tiles is three times slower than arranging a coating of metal tiles.
Functionality
When considering which roof is better - soft or metal, you need to pay attention to certain points. We will consider them in detail.
The metal tile is characterized by increased windage. In areas where strong winds blow, there is an increased risk of disruption of the roofing. The risk increases if errors were made during installation. Roofing from bituminous tiles is more reliable. The coating sticks to the base crate, so this option is better in places with severe winds.
Fixture of sheets of metal tiles is carried out on self-tapping screws. Under them you need to make holes first. Each hole can subsequently become a hotbed of corrosion - the integrity of the protective coating is violated. There is a washer on the screw. It must seal the hole - if it does not fit well, then the sheet material will quickly become worthless. In areas where the climate is very humid, heavy rainfall prevails, there should be no choice between metal tiles or soft roofs. In this case, only bituminous tiles. Its flooring is a sealed cake of several layers. It is glued with special mastics. Such a roof successfully resists moisture.
Soundproofing
To identify which roof is better - a metal tile or a soft roof in these parameters will also not be difficult. Metallic materials are noisier. The metal tile does not extinguish the sound of rain and wind. Also, vibration is transmitted to the structure. To compensate for this drawback during installation, it is recommended to use special vibration isolation pads. Still need to perform thermal insulation with a heater.
As for the bitumen roof, here the sound insulation indicators are higher. Even if during installation they did not take into account the layer of sound or thermal insulation materials, then the sound of rain and gusts of wind will not be heard.
Architectural expressiveness
Also consider the pros and cons of a soft roof or metal in this aspect. Usually, developers make a choice. But if the construction is private, it is important that the roof is combined with the overall design of the house.
Modern manufacturers provide a very wide selection of different options for metal tiles of different profiles and colors. The market is ready to offer more than 100 different shades. This allows you to choose the best option for houses of any type.
As for bituminous tiles, there is also a choice - manufacturers offer petals of various shapes and colors. In addition to monochrome options, there is a large selection of species with a more complex color, where several shades are used immediately. This will add expressiveness and originality to the mounted roof.
Maintainability and terms of operation
One of the key criteria when choosing a metal roof or soft roof is durability. It is also important to evaluate the level of maintainability. External factors can affect the integrity of the flooring and destroy it.
How will the roof behave in snowfall?
In winter, when avalanches descend, it is better not to get close to the house - this can be dangerous. That is how it will be if the roof tile is laid. It has a smooth surface, and quite a lot of snow can collect on it. At one point, this snow may fall down so that the gutters will vomit thoroughly. Therefore, it is recommended to build snow retention systems.
As for the soft roof, it has a rough surface. The snow that accumulates on the roof will not come off like an avalanche. Therefore, snow retention systems can be dispensed with.
Metal tile and its resource
According to manufacturers, the life of a metal tile depends on the characteristics of a particular option. Longevity as a whole is determined by a period of 20 to 50 years. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the thickness of the steel sheet, the thickness of the protective zinc layer, the characteristics of the polymer protective coating.
It is on these parameters that you should pay attention when choosing a metal tile. When buying, it is important to check that the sheets are even, the external coating is of high quality. Also, it will not be superfluous to get acquainted with the certificates of manufacturers.
If the elements of the flooring are damaged, then replacement with new ones is possible. The main thing is that the profile exactly matches. Installation of patches is also allowed.
Flexible tile and its durability
The life of bitumen roofing materials is from 30 to 50 years, which is quite a lot. The exact period depends on the type of bitumen, the characteristics of the substrate, the thickness of the protective outer coating.
If the bitumen roof is damaged, then it is enough to install a patch of the same material or completely replace the shingle. If the work is done carefully, the repair place will not be evident.
Cost of materials
Consider the reviews. Which is better - metal tile or soft roof in terms of cost? This is an important factor when choosing. If we compare the price of the materials themselves, then the bitumen tile is one and a half times higher than the metal counterpart. The reviews say that a soft roof will be cheaper.
But installation costs are also important. If for the arrangement of the roof from a steel sheet, you need to additionally purchase bars, films and self-tapping screws. To lay the bituminous tiles, you will need bars, sheet plywood for the crate, mastic, as well as nails for fasteners.
You also need to consider that the installation of a soft roof is best entrusted to professionals, while the installation of metal can be done independently.
Reviews
When choosing a soft roof or metal tile, owner reviews are an important factor. Many say that metal products are not so bad. If you close your eyes to noise, waste during installation, then with the right approach, you can achieve high performance. About 70 percent of buyers say that metal will cost more than a soft roof. But we are talking about a quality product with a thick zinc layer. Everyone is happy, as high-quality metal can withstand any load.
Which is better - a metal tile or a soft roof? Reviews are clearly not in favor of the latter. Not everything is so simple with her. These are inexpensive roll coatings, as well as elite ones with a long service life. If you need to make the roof as quickly and cheaply as possible, then you can buy a roofing material. If quality is important, then it will be much more expensive than a metal roof.
Conclusion
So, we compared both roofing materials and their features. All materials are equally good, but only when they are of high quality. Much also depends on the manufacturer.