Soft roof: types and prices, photos of the best options and installation methods. Choosing a good soft roof What types of soft roofs exist

There is a very wide variety of roofing materials on the modern construction market. Without exaggeration, the most popular of them can be called metal and bituminous tiles, since both materials have an aesthetic appearance and a long service life.

Therefore, when building a house or when carrying out repairs on the roof, many owners of private houses have a question - a soft roof or: what is better and how to choose the best material? It should be noted that the choice of material for roofing should be determined at the design stage of the truss system, since the structures must be designed for a certain weight of the roofing and the base under it, and these parameters can vary significantly.

The main differences between bituminous and metal tiles are the properties of the materials of manufacture

Before proceeding to consider the criteria for choosing a material, it would be nice to get acquainted with information about its structural structure, since many aspects of its operation also largely depend on this factor.

Structure of a metal tile

Metal tiles are profiled metal sheets with longitudinal and transverse relief stripes, which in combination imitate the pattern of natural ceramic tiles.

The finished canvases of this material have a rather complex structure, consisting of several layers, which contribute to the protection of the metal and give the roofing material aesthetics.

As you can see from the name, the basis for the manufacture of such a roofing material is metal, most often - steel sheet, which can have a thickness of 0.4 to 0.7 mm.

The first layer that is applied to steel is a zinc coating. It protects the substrate surface from corrosive attack. external environment. Galvanizing is carried out on both sides of the sheet.

The next one is a passivating layer, it is also applied to the metal sheet on both sides. Such a coating is a microscopic film in thickness, which also works to protect the metal.

The last top coat performs two functions - protective and decorative. It can have different colors and consist of different polymeric materials - plastisol, pural, polyester and other polymeric compounds are used in this capacity.

Metal sheets covered with such multi-layer protection acquire a finished “tiled” appearance after passing through a special line, in which the main link is a special machine that gives the metal a certain relief pattern.

Bituminous tiles - structural structure

Flexible tiles also consist of several layers, but radically differ from metal tiles in their structure and materials used for their manufacture.

It consists of narrow sheets, usually 1 meter long and 300 to 500 mm wide. On one edge of the canvas, a contour correct or irregular pattern is cut in the form of various geometric shapes, while the other side of the sheet is perfectly even. After laying the individual elements of the soft roof on the crate of the truss system, when they are combined, a single sheet is formed on the roof surface, which perfectly protects the roof from various types of atmospheric influences and gives it an aesthetically attractive appearance.

Flexible tiles are made on the basis of fiberglass or polyester - the base layer is located in the middle part of the material structure.

On both sides, the base is covered with high quality modified bitumen. Bitumen is an excellent waterproofing agent and gives the material flexibility, as it is quite elastic.

The top color layer usually consists of granules made from stone chips.

The lowest layer of the flexible tile sheet is a self-adhesive bitumen-polymer composition, which is temporarily protected by a siliconized protective film until the material is installed on the roof surface. Before laying the coating on the base protective film removed.

From these descriptions, we can conclude that both types of roofing somehow imitate natural tiles and due to the multi-layeredness they are a reliable moisture-resistant material. The main difference between the appearance of the coatings is that the metal tile has a pronounced relief pattern, and the bituminous one forms almost flat surface roofs.

Criteria affecting the choice of roofing material

The evaluation criteria include the following factors that directly affect the choice of roofing:

• The cost of the material is one of the determining criteria when choosing a roofing, as a good owner always seeks to save the funds allocated for construction. This also includes the cost of installing the coating on the truss system.
• The aesthetic side of the future roof.
• The complexity of the installation of roofing on the truss structure. This factor is especially important if the work is planned to be carried out independently.
• The design of the base (battens) for coating and the weight of the material must be taken into account, since the parameters of the main details of the truss system will depend on this factor.
• Duration of operation of the coating in certain climatic conditions. It takes into account winter and summer temperatures and their differences, wind strength, snowfall and the frequency of rainfall in a particular region.
• Environmental safety of the coating.
• Heat and sound insulation qualities of the roof being constructed.

It is these criteria that must be given the most objective assessment before choosing one or another roofing material.

Cost of materials

Price for roofing- this is most often the first parameter that the homeowner pays attention to, especially if funds for construction are limited.

The metal tile, it would seem, has more affordable price compared to soft roofing. However, there are some nuances during installation, which sometimes indicate that it is becoming a more economical material, as it gives a minimum amount of waste. In addition, for laying a soft roof, you do not need to purchase various components, and when installing metal tiles, you will need elements for decorating the valleys, the ridge, as well as the perimeter around the chimney and ventilation pipes. When determining the required amount of metal tiles, it is necessary to add at least 15% of the total amount of material to it.

If it is planned to cover the truss system of a hip or hipped roof with a metal tile, then the amount of purchased material will have to be increased by 30 ÷ 35%, since a large amount of waste will inevitably remain during cutting.

Therefore, when choosing a coating, in order to compare the economic aspect, it is necessary to study the installation technology of both materials, and then make a list and calculate the cost of all auxiliary elements. Only after that it will be possible to conclude which option will be more profitable in terms of cost.

What do you need to know about metal roofing?

Information about the cost of this roofing, as well as what you need to pay special attention to when, with overview manufacturers presenting their products Russian market, can be gleaned from a special publication of our portal.

What is the average price of bituminous tiles from various manufacturers - indicated in the table below, which presents the most popular model ranges of this material:

The cost of installation work

In assessing the cost of coverage, an important point is the payment for the installation of material on the truss system. It should be noted right away that the installation of metal tiles will cost much less than the flooring of a soft roof.

However, if a complex design of the truss system is chosen, with asymmetric slopes, dormer windows and other elements that are connected to the main structure, then working with metal tiles will also be expensive. Particularly difficult areas will be the places where pipes pass - they require very careful sealing.

Works on the installation of a soft roof take more time, as they require a more careful approach, so their price is higher, unlike metal tile flooring.

In addition, in the installation of soft roofing, there are some important nuances that complicate the work and also increase the cost of work.

Laying soft shingles has many nuances

Before you take the liberty self coverage roofs with shingles, you should familiarize yourself in detail with the mass of nuances that accompany this process. How the base for a soft roof is prepared, and how it is carried out - all this is covered in detail in a special publication of our portal.

The price for installation work on the flooring of both materials can vary significantly depending on the region of construction, as well as on the complexity of the design of the truss system.

Exterior roofing design

The second criterion, which is certainly paid attention to, is the appearance of the coating, since it directly affects the design of the entire exterior of the house.

Both considered roofings look quite respectable, however, not each of them will suit a certain style decision in which the building is intended to withstand.

• Metal tiles can have different relief patterns, and some of them perfectly repeat the shape of natural ceramic tiles. There are varieties of this roofing, which, like soft roofs, have an external decorative coating with granulate, and after laying on the roof, such a metal tile is almost impossible to distinguish from natural ceramic material. However, it should be borne in mind that such collections have a much higher price than metal tiles with a conventional polymer coating.

Sheets covered with granulate look more respectable and solid, since they do not appear either glossy or even matte sheen, which can give the roofing surface some visual “frivolity”.

• Soft tiles, as mentioned above, have a variety of cutting edges, so when combining its sheets into one coating, each of the models creates its own unique pattern.

If sheets with cuts of the correct geometric shape are selected, then the roof will be kept in a strict style.

When choosing a romantic design, sheets are used that at first glance have a chaotic arrangement of cut elements, but when assembled, an interesting “fabulous” roofing solution is obtained.

soft roof

To the virtues of soft bituminous roofing compared to metal tiles, hidden fasteners of the material can be attributed. On a roof covered with such tiles, it is impossible to notice the fasteners, since each of the upper sheets overlaps the lower one, where they can be located. Besides, quality material has an effective adhesive layer, which often allows you to completely abandon other fixing parts.

Cloths of metal tiles are fixed to the crate with self-tapping screws with large caps. True, it should be noted that usually these fasteners do not look very sloppy, as they are produced in different colors, corresponding to the shade of the selected roofing.

Both metal and bituminous tiles differ from many other coatings in the richness of the color range, which includes more than a hundred different shades.

Lathing under the roof, features of installation of the coating

There are cardinal differences in the installation technology of these two materials, starting from the base under them and ending with the fixing elements. So, a crate made of timber (boards) is installed under the metal tile, installed in increments of 350 ÷ 400 mm, since the metal sheets are quite large and strong, and such a base will be quite enough.

How difficult is it to install metal roofing?

The large dimensions of the sheets and the pronounced relief greatly simplify the laying of such a coating - when combining the tile pattern, the risk of making a serious mistake is minimized. - read in a special publication of our portal.

For the flooring of bituminous tiles, a sparse crate will not be enough, since the material is more flexible and requires a solid rigid base. Therefore, sheets of plywood or OSB 10 ÷ 15 mm thick are fixed on top of the rafters and counter-battens of the batten, which will create solid foundation under laying of a soft roof. In this case, of course, it will be necessary to take into account that the purchase and installation of material for a continuous crate will require additional, rather considerable costs.

So, what is the conclusion on this criterion

The base for soft tiles is more difficult to install, and work on it will take more time and consumables.

Work on the installation of the sheathing for metal tiles at this stage is more economical, simple, and performed much faster than the arrangement.

About the process of fixing the roofing material itself onto the prepared base, it can be said that cutting and fixing a soft roof is much easier than fitting metal sheets.

For flexible tiles, it is not necessary to purchase additional shaped parts that are used when installing metal tiles, with the help of which the internal and external corners of the structure, as well as the ridge element, are formed.

Installation work on bituminous flooring will take much more time, but they can be carried out alone, which cannot be done with metal tiles - lifting, laying and fixing metal sheets will be very time-consuming operations.

To rise to the height of bituminous tiles, it is not required accessories, and in order to feed bulky metal sheets up without deforming them, they construct special guides from a wooden beam or board from the ground to the roof, along which the material is transported to the installation site. To carry out these works, two or three pairs of working hands are required. And at the same time, special precautions are required - the sharp edges of the sheets do not cost anything to cause serious injury.

If you choose a coating on a regular one without additional kinks and turns, it will be quite simple to install a metal tile on its slopes, since you do not have to measure and make cuts along the diagonal of the sheet. If rafter system has complex shapes, or a tented or hip design, then it will be easier to use practically waste-free shingles.

Weight and dimensions of roofing

These criteria are especially important to take into account if you plan to work on your own, or with one or two assistants, since the material will have to be lifted to a height and laid on a prepared base.

• For example, sheets of metal tiles are quite large, so it will be quite difficult (most likely even impossible) to lift and lay it alone. So, the length of a tile sheet varies from 500 to 7500 mm, but usually, in order to completely cover the width of the roof slope, a length of 4500 mm is enough, so this parameter is often considered the standard. The width of the sheets can vary from 1000 to 1200 mm, therefore, taking into account these dimensions, the most convenient methods for lifting, laying and fixing the roofing should be foreseen in advance. Despite the large dimensions, the weight of 1 sq. m. of metal tiles is about 5 kg, which means a sheet having a size of 4500 × 1190 = 5.4 square meters. m., will weigh 27 kg. On the one hand - a little, but taking into account cutting hands edges, preventing deformation (bends, creases), especially under conditions of possible wind exposure, a rather complicated operation is obtained.

• Coping with bituminous tiles is much easier, since its sheets are 1000 mm long and only 317 ÷ 337 mm wide, therefore, given this parameter, it will not be difficult to raise it to the height of the roof. The specific gravity of a soft roof is even slightly higher than that of a metal tile, and ranges from 8 to 12 kg / sq. m, but the convenience of its transportation lies in the fact that it is not necessary to immediately raise a large amount of material to the roof. It is quite possible to submit it in parts, unlike a whole sheet of metal tiles.

The weight of any coating is taken into account not only because of solving the problems of lifting to a height and installation, but also from the calculation of the load on the truss system.

Coating Applications

Both roofing materials are used to cover roofs with minimum angle slope of 12÷14 degrees. The upper limit is not marked.

• Bituminous tiles can be called a universal material, as it can be used for any, even the most complex structures roofs and not only for them.

Due to its flexibility, it can be used for domed, semi-circular and other types of roofs with various projections, built-in balconies, ordinary or dormer windows and other architectural details.

It's perfect for upholstery as well. unusual shapes, as it is easy to fix on any shape of the walls. In this case, the material will not only help to create an original, completely exclusive exterior of the facade of the building, but also waterproof the walls. In addition, soft tiles in themselves have heat and sound insulation qualities, which cannot be said about metal tiles. Bituminous tiles can be used to decorate any bends and breaks in the roof, so you do not have to purchase additional drains for the valley or ridge elements.

• Metal tiles are a rigid roofing material, so it is quite difficult to design roofs with an intricate configuration with it. It is most suitable for truss systems with rectangular or square slopes.

It is also used for hip roofs, but in this case, too much waste is obtained, which means that you will have to purchase material 30 ÷ 35% more than the surface area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe slopes, which will lead to unjustified costs.

In addition, each joining of the hard coating planes requires the installation of additional elements, and they, as a rule, have a rather high price. Sometimes, with particularly complex roof configurations, the cost of additional profile elements is comparable to the cost of the roofing material itself.

You also need to know that when cut, the protective coating of the sheets is broken, which significantly reduces the duration of its operation. Therefore, it is recommended to immediately cover all cuts with anti-corrosion paint, and this is also an extra waste.

Soundproofing qualities of materials

Another quality that is very important to many homeowners is protection from outside noise.

metal tile

• Metal tiles have almost no sound insulation, so if it is chosen to cover the roof, and there is no desire to listen to the sound of hail and rain, then you will have to spend money on insulation material, even if it was planned to make the attic cold.

Usually, as a heater for metal roofs is used mineral wool with a thickness of at least 100÷150 mm, which perfectly absorbs sounds and creates silence in the premises of the house.

• Flexible tiles, together with the base on which it is fixed, create excellent sound insulation, since when drops fall on such a roof, sound resonance is not created. For this reason, if it is not planned to arrange a warm living room in the attic, a roof covered with a soft roof can do without insulation material. However, in most cases, homeowners tend to insulate the slopes - thermal insulation of the entire house will only benefit from this.

From the foregoing, we can conclude: if you want to maintain silence in the house under any weather conditions, and at the same time do not overpay for insulation, it is recommended to choose a soft roof. If the thermal insulation "pie" is included in the roof project, then you can choose one or the other material.

Lifespan of roofing

The duration of operation of any roofing material depends on its quality, production technology and proper installation.

• The durability criterion for a metal tile depends on the thickness of the protective layers, both the outer - polymer, and the inner zinc, and on the type of external coating. Detailed information about the technical characteristics of this material can be found in the article recommended above.

The service life of metal tiles is estimated by its manufacturers, and most often it ranges from 25 to 50 years. If the manufacturer himself establishes a short guaranteed period of operation of the roofing material, then it is best to refuse to purchase such a product. In addition, it must be remembered that there is a very large amount of low-grade counterfeit material on the market, which is disguised as the brands of well-known metal coating companies.

• Bituminous shingles are less often counterfeited, as it is difficult to reproduce all the technological processes for its production. Its functional potential is 30÷50 years or more, and depends on the quality of the materials used for the manufacture, the thickness of the base and the protective coating. An important role for the durability of soft tiles is played by the characteristics of bitumen, which retains its flexibility and serves as a reliable waterproofing layer.

Let's summarize what has been said...

In conclusion, based on the above information, it is worth summarizing the comparison of two roofing materials. These conclusions, made for each of the criteria, will help you figure out which of the materials is more suitable for a particular structure.

• The roofing material is made on different bases - it is metal and fiberglass, so one of them consists of rigid sheets, the other of flexible sheets.
• The metal tile has a relief, and the bituminous tile has a flat surface.
• The cost of a metal coating is lower than a soft roof, but given the nuances of consumption, the total cost of materials may well be equal.
• Mounting roofing on the flooring of metal tiles will cost less than the arrangement of a soft roof. However, this factor will directly depend on the design features of the roof.
• Since each house is designed in a certain style, the choice of design, which can include color, relief and features of the decorative coating, remains "on the conscience" of the owner of the house or the designer who is entrusted with drafting the project.
• For a normal two pitched roof it will not be difficult to install any of the coatings. When choosing complex rafter systems, to a greater extent fit soft roofing material.
• For a metal tile, a sparse lathing from a board is sufficient as a basis. For the bituminous version, only a rigid solid base is needed.
• If you take specific gravity based on 1 m²., then we can conclude that soft tiles weigh more than a metal sheet. But due to the large dimensions, the latter is more difficult to transport to the place of work and to climb to the roof.
• The metal tile does not isolate the premises under the roof from noise and therefore will require the installation of additional soundproofing materials. Unlike it, a soft roof in combination with the base is an excellent sound insulator.
• The service life of both coatings is approximately the same, but it depends on the originality of the product, the quality of the selected material and strict adherence to technological rules installation.

Now, having compared all the pros and cons, it will be possible to draw up a preliminary project with the dimensions of the roof and determine what additional elements will be required for the installation of roofing material. After that, with a list of everything you need, you can go to a hardware store or to an Internet site for information on price levels. And only after a preliminary calculation of all the "accounting" will it be reasonable to make the final choice in favor of one or the other coverage.

At the end of the article - a short video with a comparison of the properties of metal and soft shingles

Video: what to choose - a metal tile or a soft bituminous coating?

Traditionally, slate and its derivatives made of galvanized metal were used to cover the roofs of private houses. Despite a lot of advantages, these materials are obsolete. They are being replaced by modern analogues of roofing material and flexible tiles, which are characterized by increased reliability and low cost, which is especially important in the realities of our country.

The device and features of a soft roof

Before proceeding to a detailed consideration of the advantages and disadvantages of a soft roof, you should understand its structure, as well as the features of the materials used. This will allow you to clearly imagine how and by what technology they are laid.

What is a soft roof

Soft roof is a collective concept roof structure, consisting of modern insulating materials and roofing of various compositions.

For the device of a soft roof can be used different kinds coatings, differing both in composition and scope, and in laying technology. The choice of a specific material is determined by the area of ​​​​the roof, its angle of inclination and the need to create a full-fledged heat-insulating cake.

When creating a soft roof, the following roofing coatings are used:

In private construction, when creating a soft roof, as a rule, bitumen-roll and bitumen-polymer coatings are used, as well as bituminous mastics. Polymer membranes are used only in special occasions. For example, when installing or repairing a flat garage roof or utility room when it is required to insulate the roof, while creating a minimum pressure on the roof structure.

Typical device diagram

The most popular material for soft roofing in individual construction is shingles. It is produced in the form of rectangular modules, which are called shingles. In its structure, flexible tiles are similar to roll materials, because the main component that provides its waterproofing properties is bitumen. Standard shingle consists of several layers.

Advantages and disadvantages of soft roofing

Soft roofing and the materials used for its installation, like other types of roofing, have several advantages and disadvantages that affect their performance. In addition, the shortcomings narrow the scope of their application.

The advantages of a soft roof include:

• service life - the average service life of soft roofs exceeds 20 years. Often the manufacturers themselves give a guarantee on the materials and the quality of the work performed. For example, the TechnoNIKOL Corporation provides a guarantee for polymer membranes for 7 years, and for bituminous tiles - from 20 to 50 years, depending on the series;
• maintainability - damage and other flaws that occur during operation on a flat roof carpet are easily repaired by replacing the defective area. In the case of shingles, it is enough to replace only a few damaged shingles;
• reliability - bitumen-roll coatings and soft tiles are highly resistant to precipitation, moisture, sudden temperature changes, the effects of fungi and microorganisms. During years soft roofing only gradually loses its original appearance;
• ease of installation - unlike metal or composite roofing materials, bituminous roll coatings and soft tiles can be laid independently, without the involvement of specialists. Moreover, most branded manufacturers complete the material with detailed step by step instructions for installation;
• good sound insulation - soft roofing absorbs extraneous sounds and noises. Due to this sound heavy rain or blows from falling hail practically does not penetrate inside the building. This is especially felt in houses where, when installing a soft roof, a full-fledged layer of thermal insulation was laid.

Among the significant disadvantages of a soft roof, one can note its low resistance to fire (class GP4 - highly combustible), due to the use of bitumen. Polymeric membranes are slightly less flammable and have a flammability class G3 - normally combustible. Distribution open flame both types of materials belong to the group RP1 - flame retardant.

The second significant drawback is the low degree of thermal insulation without the use of modern heaters. Therefore, the use of bitumen-roll coatings and PVC membranes without creating a full-fledged roofing cake unjustified, especially if some heating method is planned or already implemented in the house.

Soft roof structure

The most common option found in private and suburban construction is a gable roof. A roofing cake of this design, when laying flexible tiles, will have the following structure:

• ventilation rail and lathing - the ventilation rail provides a gap between the lathing and the vapor barrier layer, which is necessary for free ventilation of the under-roof space and the roofing pie. Due to this, excess moisture evaporates freely, without being absorbed into the heat-insulating material. The crate provides rigidity and strength of the base from the side of the attic;
• roof truss system wooden beams coming from the roof ridge at a certain angle (>15 o). Rafters play the role of supports, evenly distributing the load exerted by the weight of roofing materials and thermal insulation;
• vapor barrier - an insulating membrane that absorbs moisture. It is necessary for the protection of hygroscopic heat-insulating materials. When moisture gets in, the membrane retains its excess. Due to ventilation, excess moisture evaporates, thereby keeping the insulation dry. The vapor barrier membrane is usually laid from the side of the attic;

  
  When constructing a pitched soft roof, the vapor barrier is mounted from the side of the attic, and the waterproofing material is mounted on top of the thermal insulation layer.

• thermal insulation - the most popular materials for warming a soft roof are modern heaters based on extruded polystyrene foam and mineral wool. The former are produced only in slabs with a thickness of 3 cm or more, the latter in slabs and rolls with a thickness of 5 and 10 cm. There is also a thinner mineral wool, but it is better not to use it because of its low efficiency. Both types of insulation can have different densities, which affect both the rigidity of the material and its thermal insulation qualities;

  
  When constructing a soft roof on pitched roofs, a ventilation rail must be installed to ensure air flow into the under-roof space.

• leveling material - moisture resistant plywood or OSB. Leveling material is needed to create a completely flat surface. This condition is mandatory when laying soft tiles. Otherwise, a sufficient level of insulation will not be achieved, which can lead to moisture ingress into the under-roof space;
• lining carpet - lightweight and durable multi-layer material based on polyester. It is applied at laying of any soft tile. In some cases, it is even used as a temporary roof covering. Necessary for additional insulation of the roofing cake;
• roofing - modern bitumen and bitumen-polymer materials. The cheapest and most affordable are roofing material, bikrost, rubemast, etc. The most expensive are various variations bituminous tiles and polymer membranes. The choice of material depends entirely on the capabilities of the owners of the house and the exterior of the building.

Types of soft roof

There are various approaches to classifying soft roofs, but we recommend using a conditional division into types depending on the roofing material. This is convenient and does not create additional confusion, as in the case of considering front surface coatings or classification according to the installation technology.

PVC membranes

Polyvinyl chloride soft roofing or PVC membrane is laid both on the prepared concrete floor slab and on top of the roofing cake. The membrane consists of polyvinylchloride homogeneous mass, special plasticizers, fillers and additives. The use of additional components provides the final material with increased strength and insulating qualities.

In most cases, the membrane has a multilayer structure, consisting of at least three technological layers.

1. Flexible, textured PVC that guarantees high protection against moisture, UV rays, temperature extremes, etc.
2. Textile fabric made of polyester threads, acting as a reinforcing layer. Provides strength properties of the membrane.
3. Surface in dark gray PVC. Provides increased stability of the membrane on the rough base.

Membrane PVC coating is supplied in rolls with a length of 10 to 25 m. The width of the roll varies depending on the manufacturer, but products with a width of 2.05–2.10 m are most common. The thickness of the coating depends on the type of membrane, but not less than 1.2 mm.

The average service life of a PVC membrane is at least 30 years. At the same time, the first scheduled repair of the roof is carried out no earlier than in 15–20 years, provided that the roof is an unexploited object. Otherwise, the first repair may be required much earlier.

The undeniable advantages of PVC membranes include:

• strength and elasticity;
• vapor permeability;
• fire safety;
• light weight;
• high strength of the weld;
• ease of installation.

Among the disadvantages, it is necessary to note the high cost compared to analogues from bitumen, as well as a limited scope. As mentioned earlier, the membrane can be laid on a pitched roof, but for this, the technology must be strictly observed, which requires work experience and the availability of special equipment.

In fact, PVC membrane is a highly specialized roofing coating designed to create soft roofs on objects with flat design roofs.

Soft rubber crumb roof

Rubber crumb is a recycling product of old tires and is used as a coating for footpaths, children's and sports grounds, as well as flat roofs. On average, the size of the rubber crumb fraction does not exceed 2–3 mm.

To create a soft roof from tire processing products, a bituminous base is used, to which polyurethane and thiokol mixed with crumb are added. The resulting bitumen-rubber mass is poured onto a pre-prepared base. The result is a homogeneous and seamless roofing carpet that fits snugly to the rough base.

Some manufacturers produce roofing with the addition of crumb rubber in the form of tiles 500 × 500 mm in size and 10 mm thick. Most often, they are a universal material and can be used both as a roofing material for exploited roofs, and for the construction of sidewalks and paths.

The advantages of a soft roof made of rubber crumb include:

• high wear resistance;
• anti-slip effect;
• resistance to aggressive environment;
• vapor permeability;
• safety and environmental friendliness.

Among the shortcomings, it is worth noting the laying technology and scope. The laying technology is specific, so it takes time to study and retrain when it comes to professional workers. In addition, without experience, laying the coating yourself is almost impossible.

The scope of soft rubber crumb roofing is also limited to flat roofs. When distributed liquid composition even on a slightly sloping surface, problems can already arise.

Flexible shingles

Bituminous shingles are a modern roofing material that overlaps during installation and is fixed on galvanized nails. The size of the shingle depends on the manufacturer and its shape. For example, flexible tile "Jazz" from the corporation "Technonikol" has full size shingle 100×33.5 cm. Tiles under the brand name "Sonata" are slightly smaller - 100×31.7 cm. It should be borne in mind that this is the full size. The visible size of the tiled petals is 12–15 cm smaller.

For the first time flexible shingles appeared in the USA more than 100 years ago. Currently, this type of roofing is the most popular in the construction of private houses. In Russia, bituminous tiles are not so popular due to a different economic situation, but its demand is growing every year.

The advantages of flexible tiles include:

• strength and reliability;
• wear resistance;
• relatively small weight;
• good sound insulation;
• high anti-corrosion properties;
• quick and easy installation;
• service life of at least 20 years.

Among the shortcomings, low frost resistance should be highlighted, which, with a sharp temperature drop and long negative temperatures, can lead to the formation of cracks, ruptures, delaminations and other deformations.

Unlike other bituminous roofing materials, shingles need periodic cleaning from debris, leaves, tree branches, etc. Like bituminous roll coatings, shingles have 3 and 4 combustibility groups, which corresponds to normal and highly combustible materials.

The high cost compared to rolled roofing and metal tiles is also a significant disadvantage. Therefore, if the task of installing a soft roof is to save as much as possible, then this roofing material will definitely not work. In this case, it is better to consider more traditional types of soft roofs.

Video: how to choose a flexible tile

Bituminous roll roofing

A soft roll roof is a flat or pitched roof, for which roll and waterproofing materials were used. The first group includes glassine, roofing material, rubemast, bikrost, linocrom, etc. The second group includes materials under the trademarks Technoelast, Westoplast, Uniflex, Ecoflex and others. Standard Width of any of the listed coatings is equal to 1 m with a roll length of 10 m or more.

Unlike other roofing materials, bituminous roll coatings are universal. In urban construction, they are most often used on the roofs of multi-storey buildings and public institutions, and in private and suburban construction - for the construction of roofs of summer cottages and outbuildings, as well as garages with flat and pitched roof.

The advantages of roll roofing materials include:

• reliability and durability;
• maintainability;
• high soundproof qualities;
• simple installation technology.

In fact, roll roofs have only two significant shortcomings. The first is a relatively low service life when using cheap coatings (roofing material, rubemast, glass isol), which does not exceed 10 years, and the second is an unattractive appearance. Some manufacturers to improve the aesthetic qualities of roll roofing produce materials with stone chips in red, green, blue and others. bright colors.

Leading manufacturers of soft roofs

To review the leading manufacturers of roofing and insulation materials, we used the Yandex.Market platform, where, based on the user rating, we chose the best brands and positions. At the end of some sections below, 2-3 reviews will be given for the products of the companies in question. If necessary, you can always study other reviews on specialized portals on the Internet.

Materials for soft roofing from TechnoNIKOL Corporation

TechnoNIKOL Corporation is the largest among Russian manufacturers of roofing, sound, hydro and thermal insulation, as well as materials used in transport and road construction.

For the installation of soft roofing, TechnoNIKOL Corporation offers more than 7 types of roofing roll coatings and waterproofing materials, more than 10 positions among polymer membranes, as well as 5 brands of flexible bituminous tiles.

In addition, the company's line includes mastic compounds based on bitumen and polyurethane, which are among the best on the market in terms of price to quality ratio.

In fact, the TechnoNIKOL company has established itself only with better side, although on the Internet you can find and negative feedback. I will not undertake to justify all the bad things said about the materials from TechnoNIKOL, but in personal practice I also encountered poor quality bitumen roll coatings. In 2015, I had to build a new country house on a personal plot. At the same time, I did not demolish the old dacha, but left it as a temporary warehouse for tools. In addition, there was a kitchen and a bedroom on the second floor. Unfortunately, over the long years of operation, the old roofing fell into disrepair, so it was decided to replace it with roofing material of the RKK-350 brand from TechnoNIKOL. The material is intended specifically for the top layer of the roofing cake and has shown itself only from the best side. The construction of a new country house was postponed until the next season, since it was not possible to build in the winter. In early spring, the roof was completely completed. As a temporary roofing (for 2-3 years), I chose the same RKK-350. Moreover, for six months its price has not changed much. 3 months after laying the coating inside the building, leaks were found on the ceiling, which is absolutely impossible, because the material was laid strictly according to the technology on a flat surface in compliance with the overlap. After inspection, several delaminations were found along the joint in different places. In addition, the dressing flew off the bituminous canvas even when touched. Two conclusions can be drawn from this. Firstly, due to their popularity, TechnoNIKOL products are faked, but I was just unlucky. I took material from local entrepreneurs. Secondly, the material from different batches can be very different - the company has many points of production, and it is not clear from which one the material will come across. The assumption that the quality of TechnoNIKOL products has become worse, I immediately cut off, since even the ratio of bad and good reviews on the Internet is incommensurable. If things were that bad, then people would have switched to using materials from other manufacturers a long time ago. There are enough of them now.

To get acquainted with the materials of the TechnoNIKOL company used for the construction of a soft roof, there is a table below, which also indicates the price of products at the end of the first quarter of 2018.

Table: the cost of materials for soft roofing from the company "TechnoNIKOL"

Reviews about the products of the company "TechnoNIKOL"

Today's review is about Shinglas shingles, and specifically about the Country collection. Pros: quiet, easy to install, long lasting. Virtually no waste. Cons: None found. What are tile sheets? This is a high-quality ruberoid sheet, on the front side covered with mineral chips of a certain color, and on the back with a sticky bituminous base. Color can be: brown, red, green, blue and gray. A different collection also has a different shape of the petals of the tile. When installing, you should: 1. Take sheets from different packages to get a uniform pattern. 2. Use galvanized nails. 3. Do not drive nails too deep into the sheets. Installation is very simple, especially for gable roofs like mine.

Karp Zalivnoy

http://otzovik.com/review_3578574.html

Bikrost and similar materials are used quite often. Most of all, the material is applicable on new garages or when repairing old ones. Built a fast budget garage from concrete goods, sheathed everything with foam plastic, poured a screed over the floor slab and laid Bikrost. Fairly good coverage and most importantly, comfortable to use. We take 4 mm with obligatory topping, so it peels less. The roofs are mostly unused, so I can say for sure that 20-30 years are leaving. I don’t know how it is with 50 years, which they promise, but on many of our objects it has been more than 10 years since Bikrost was laid, and there are no leaks, no twisting of the material, no cracks anywhere. Probably, it also depends on what we try to do qualitatively. It is better to immediately spend half a day more on the same garage than to go who knows where later to glue or re-lay the strip. My plus material!

Nikolaev111

https://forum.derev-grad.ru/krovlya-v-derevyannom-dome-f7/bikrost-t1974.html

"Technomast" No. 21 - the coolest mastic. What I want to say is that for me this is the most reliable and excellent mastic. When it dries, it is very elastic, if you have movement in the structure being processed, it does not crack, but simply stretches, it is elastic in work, it can be a little thick, that is, you need to adapt to application, since the thinner the layer, the better it works. The Russian rule, the thicker the better, does not work here. It is necessary to make a thin layer of waterproofing, wait for drying and repeat the procedure. You can not make a new layer on top of the wet one. Waterproofing will work only after drying. The surface must also be cleaned and dried. It should be borne in mind that it is this mastic that has a wide range of actions, that is, it can be used both for underground waterproofing and for roofing, since it has high heat resistance.

kristina-tn2017

https://otzovik.com/review_4339012.html

Video: master class on laying TechnoNIKOL shingles

Flexible shingles Katepal

Katepal is a Finnish company that has been manufacturing soft shingles for over 65 years. All Katepal materials are made from rubber-modified bitumen, which improves the flexibility of the coating and its service life by 2 times compared to tiles made from oxidized bitumen and other modifications.

The Finnish company uses stone granulate as the front layer of the tile, which protects the roofing from natural influences. At the same time, the granulate practically does not affect the stability and saturation of the applied dye. For coloring, a special proprietary pigment and technology are used, thanks to which stone chips are deeply pressed into the bitumen layer.

Flexible tiles from Katepal are represented by the following trade series:

• Ambient - stylization for the medieval era;
• Foxy - tiles with diamond-shaped petals;
• Rocky - a coating that resembles a shingle roof;
• Katrili - stylization for volumetric and embossed pattern;
• Jazzy - tiles with a smooth gradient on the petals;
• 3T - minimalism and restraint of Scandinavia;
• K-L- classic version hexagonal shingles.

Warranty period of roof tiles from any line presented above is at least 15 years. When using branded SuperBase underlayment on the area of ​​the rough base, the warranty period increases to 25 years.

If we compare the most affordable flexible tile Katepal with the domestic counterpart from TechnoNIKOL, Finnish products are of better quality due to more refined production technology and longer term service, but its cost is almost 2 times higher. TechnoNIKOL has a similar cost line of the Classic series with the same warranty period, comparable performance and technical characteristics.

Katepal tile is a high quality roofing material produced according to European standards. You can safely recommend it for purchase if, for some reason, solutions from domestic manufacturers do not suit you.

Soft roofing is a conventional name for the design of a waterproofing carpet made on the basis of cardboard, glass paper, non-woven base, coated with oil bitumen or a mixture of bitumen with a polymer. This is a whole range of materials for roofing (roll materials, polymer membranes, bituminous tiles), for which a solid base is required when laying.

The composition of the material for covering soft roofs.

Soft tiles appeared about 30 years ago. She quickly gained popularity thanks to easy installation on junctions, skates, valleys. The composition of the soft roof is fiberglass or fiberglass, coated on both sides with oxidized bitumen. Special additives that are part of the soft roof increase its frost resistance and sunlight, thanks to which the soft roof withstands the temperature -50 to +120 degrees Celsius.

From the outside, the soft roof is covered with stone or mineral chips, protecting the roof from adverse effects environment. Inner side soft roof covered adhesive compound, with which it is attached to.

The self-adhesive surface is protected by a film, thanks to which the roof does not stick together. In addition to rolls, flexible roofing is represented by cuts of various shapes, and can imitate the roofs of old houses, castles, and architectural buildings. Apart from strength and durability, bituminous roofing has soundproofing properties, so the residents of the house will not be disturbed by the sound of rain or hail. Soft roof does not pass water and do not worry that the attic or attic will be flooded.

Types of soft roof

Roll roofing is a multilayer roofing carpet, consisting of high-strength fiberglass, modified bitumen, self-adhesive layer on the inside and colored stone granules on the outside. The roll is rolled out on the roof in two layers and fired with gas burners.

In case of partial replacement bubbles burst and new layers are deposited on top. Roll roofing has a number of advantages:

• water resistance;
• frost resistance;
• low price;
• ease of installation.

The cost of roll roofing materials per M 2 :

• Technoelast - 101 rubles
• Uniflex - 93.54 rubles.
• Ecoflex - 70.40 rubles.
• Bipol - 66.83 rubles.
• Linocrom - 64.33 rubles.

Membrane roofing is shingles of various sizes, made from various materials. The most popular are PVC membranes. They are made of polyvinyl chloride with the addition of high volatility plasticizers. Due to this, PVC membranes are considered the most flexible of all types of membrane roofing. PVC membranes are welded using jets of hot air. In addition to high elasticity, the advantages of PVC membranes include:

• fire resistance;
• 9 color options (more than other types of PVC membranes);
• resistance to UV radiation;
• resistance to temperature extremes and precipitation.

The main disadvantages of PVC membranes is their environmental insecurity due to the high content of volatile substances, as well as instability to bitumen-based materials.

Prices for PVC membranes per M 2 :

• Elon Super - 230−490 rubles;
• Decopran E-A - 235−270 rubles;
• Krovlelon E-A - 265−300 rubles;
• Alkorplan 35276 - 360 - 452 rubles;
• Ogneizol-TPA-1 - 180 rubles

A whole group of roofing membranes belongs to EPDM membranes. Material EPDM (polymerized Ethylene-Propylene-Diene-Monomer) - membranes consists of three layers: the top layer of synthetic rubber, a middle layer made of a reinforcing fiberglass mesh and a bottom layer based on a polymer-bitumen material having a viscous-plastic structure. Upper layer gives flexibility and elasticity, and the bottom layer is strong and reliable. Flexible, strong and durable, membrane roof weather resistant and does not need frequent repairs.

Rolls of EPDM membranes are available in lengths up to 60 m, thanks to which it is laid with a minimum number of seams. EPDM membrane glued on adhesive composition, which is inferior in strength weld. The exception is composite EPDM membranes, the bottom layer of which consists of polymer material bitumen based. In addition to the advantages of conventional EPDM membranes, composite membranes can be laid on molten bitumen. They are stacked in rows from bottom to top, starting from the center. In addition to roofing, EPDM membranes are used to cover the surfaces of sumps, septic tanks, swimming pools, ornamental ponds, because they are waterproof and resistance to deformation.

Prices for EPDM membranes per M 2 :

• Giscolene - 340 rubles;
• Elastosil T - 1200 rubles;
• Akvalasten-E - 96 rubles / piece;
• Elon - 70 rubles / piece;
• EPDMPROOF - 300 rubles;
• OVOPROOF DA-K - 413 rubles.

TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) membranes are made from thermoplastic olefins. They also reinforced with fiberglass polyester or fiberglass. These are the most perfect single-layer roofing membranes. Mounted by welding. TPO membranes, unlike PVC analogues, do not emit volatile substances, do not crack with a strong drop in temperature outside.

Although, in terms of elasticity, TPO membranes are somewhat inferior to EPDM and PVC membranes. However, thanks to high strength and the ability to withstand temperatures down to -62 0 C, they are recommended for use in the northern regions, as well as in places where subject to high deformation. They are also the latest generation of waterproofing materials, so they are resistant to mold and mildew.

Prices for TPO membranes:

• Firestone - from 12 USD;
• Membrane "Bauder" Thermofin F 12, reinforced - from 34 USD;
• Membrane "Bauder" Thermofin FTL 15, unreinforced - 510 c.u.

Bituminous shingles are very similar to rolled roofing, but are slightly thicker.

It is so easy to install that a person who does not have a building education can mount it. The bituminous tile has various forms and is issued in different flowers.

The advantages of shingles include:

• low thermal conductivity;
• resistance to decay and corrosion;
• soundproofing;
• tightness;
• variety of colors and shapes;
• stylization under a natural tile.

Shingles cost per M 2 :

• Northland Alaska - 462 rubles;
• Monaco - 895 rubles;
• Plano Claro - 411−499 rubles;
• Jazzy - 418 rubles;
• Grand Manor - 1830;
• Esten - 567 rubles;
• Leonardo CU - 2110 rubles.

Technical characteristics of a soft roof:

• 1 m 2 of a soft roof 3 mm thick weighs 1.3-5.5 kg;
• soft roof density 8.5−11.5 kg/m2;
• thickness of roofing membranes 0.8−2 mm;
• membrane width 0.9−15 m;
• the length of roofing cloths reaches 60 m;
• laying roof coverings, with an inclination angle of more than 120;
• service life of 50-100 years.

Working conditions with a soft roof:

Making a crate for soft tiles

1. Under a soft roof is done only continuous crate, which fits in 2 layers.
2. All work on the installation of the crate is carried out from the bottom up.
3. The bars are attached to load-bearing structure roofs.
4. Behind the cornice board, the lower crate is nailed.
5. The roofing tape spreads horizontally in relation to the ridge. It is also fixed between the rafters and the bars of the counter battens.
6. The first block is placed in the cornice area. The second is installed behind the lower edge of the first at a distance of 30-35 cm. The pitch of the rafters can fluctuate from 60 cm to 150 cm. With a step of 60 cm, you need to use plywood 12 mm thick or a board 20 mm thick. With a distance between the rafters of 90 cm, plywood 18 mm thick or a board of 23 mm is used. For a maximum step of 150 cm, a 37 mm thick board or 27 mm plywood is taken.
7. Subsequent bars are fastened in increments of 37 cm.
8. Last bar attached to the skateboard with nails. Be sure to monitor the horizontal position of the bars.
9. After laying the crate, plywood sheets impregnated with flame retardant and antiseptic are nailed on it. Leave gaps between sheets at 20 cm for natural ventilation.

Stages of installation of bituminous tiles

1. Tiling sheets nailed to the base nails. If the roof slope is less than 24 0, then 4 nails are used. If the angle is greater than 24 0, then 6 nails are used. The final connection of the tiles into a single sheet occurs later when the bituminous base is heated.
2. A special end carpet.
3. The first sheet of a soft roof is attached at the very eaves, 2 cm above the cornice inflection.
4. The second sheet is placed butt first. In places of perforation, nails are driven in.
5. This is how bituminous tiles are applied to the entire roof from the bottom up, starting from the middle of the row.
6. All roof units treated with mastic for better sealing. Cold mastics include bitumen and roofing material, and hot - roofing felt and tar.

by the most popular materials for the repair of a soft roof is Isoplast, Unifrom, Isoelast on a bitumen-polymer basis for the top layer, and Uniflex, Technoelast, Bireplast for the bottom layer.

Flaws (small cracks, roughness) are filled with bitumen, on mastic ruberoid is glued, a layer of bitumen is applied on top, which is distributed over the surface with a roller.

If depressurized old material, then the place under it dried with a burner it is smeared with bitumen, the material is put back and again filled with bitumen from above.

If a bubble has formed, then cut crosswise, the places of the cut are carefully glued with mastic, any moisture is removed, and the cut roof is put back.

When cracks form on the rolled web, complete replacement. The area with cracks is cleaned, glued with mastic and a new canvas is glued on top.

If on a roll web a depression has formed then the place of the depression is cut crosswise, a patch is applied to the base, and the place of the cut is smeared with mastic.

In places separation of joints the old canvas is lifted, the place is dried with a burner, smeared with bitumen and put in place. The junction is again smeared with bitumen.

Overhaul:

• it is necessary to remove the old coating and twist it into a roll;
• the base is poured with a screed to eliminate cracks and depressions;
• new material is being laid from the lower edge of the roof;
• seams are processed with bituminous mastic;
• another layer of coating spreads from above, and the canvas should overlap the junction of the first coating;
• if a leak has formed in winter, then a patch of roofing material is placed in place of the leak, which is carefully heated with a burner; in the warm season, the entire canvas must be replaced.

Feedback on the use of soft roofing

The main disadvantage of flexible tiles is that in winter snow does not roll off the roof, as from metal tiles, but a huge snowdrift accumulates. Of the pluses, the biggest is the lack of noise during the rain.

Evgeny Boldenkov

The inevitable growth of moss on flexible roof. Only Ruflex has a copper or zinc coating that prevents the appearance of vegetation on the roof.

Valentin Ivanov

Ruflex has phenomenal sound insulation. Even with hail, the sound is completely absorbed. This is a big plus.

Georgy Zharikov

Egor Zhernosek

Roll roofing materials are ideal for covering garages. No need to mess around with resin. Everything can be done by yourself. Forever abandoned roofing material.

Dmitry Bogachev

Blue and blue colors look very nice. For Russia, Finnish manufacturers will be the best option. They have a wide selection of colors. And for the Russian winter will be an excellent choice.

Tamara Kislyakova

Soft roofing (aka flexible or bituminous tiles) is gaining more and more popularity in Russia, outstripping other roofing materials in terms of sales. This is due to a number of reasons. This coating has important benefits such as noiselessness, ease of installation, lack of a large number waste, the ability to cover even the most complex roofs, a service life of up to 50 years.

There are two main forms of release of this material: soft roofing in rolls and flexible shingles. The last of these is much more expensive, but this is justified by a number of advantages. The flexible tile is flexible and durable, and can be used on surfaces with a slope of more than 12%. It is light in weight, making it easy to transport and install. The bituminous tile does not lose the form at deformation. This cannot be said about rolled roofing, which is less resistant to mechanical damage.

When choosing this material, many people ask themselves: “Which manufacturer’s product is better to choose? Which soft roof is better, and how do they differ? We list the most popular series of flexible tiles, which are successfully implemented by the Pokroff Roofing Center:

• Tegola - a popular tile, the leader in the European market of roofing materials. In our country, she also uses in great demand, due to its strength characteristics and the availability of models for harsh climatic conditions(Nordic, Alpin, Alaska). The retail price of the material is 300-400 rubles / m².
• Ruflex is a tile that perfectly withstands temperature changes and is not subject to corrosion due to the fact that only high-quality SBS-modified bitumen is used in its production. The price of this material is somewhat higher than other coatings, but this is due to the presence in this collection of various colors and the provision of a 25-year warranty by manufacturers. The cost of this model is 350-500 rubles / m².
• Icopal is the oldest and most famous brand of bituminous roofing. It is produced in three configurations: shingles have the shape of a rectangle, hexagon, trapezoid. The average price is 320-460 rubles / m².
• Shinglas is a coating designed specifically for the Russian changing climate. The service life of the material is 20-30 years, while it is inexpensive and accessible to many. The cost of tiles is 200-400 rubles / m².

Summing up, let's say that it is almost impossible to determine which soft roof is better. We advise you to choose it according to the color scheme, the shape of the pattern and the price that suits you best. In any case, it is important to purchase this material from a reliable company. Pokroff Roofing Center cooperates directly with leading Russian and foreign manufacturers and guarantees the high quality of the goods sold.