Top 6 Best Roofs With Their Pros And Cons

Which roof is more popular?

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

The most popular roofing materials today are:

1. Metal tile,
2. Flexible shingles or soft roofing 
3. Euroslate 
4. Natural (ceramic) roof tiles
5. Corrugated board
6. Seam roof

This is largely due to:

• quality characteristics of roofing materials,
• availability,
• the need to master certain skills for self-standing seam roofing.

In addition, for the measurement of the slope of the roof, you can get help from an online slope intercept form calculator, which will help you to get your calculation done easily.

Soft roofing or metal shingles are versatile roofing materials that are applicable in different geographic areas. Moreover, installation and operation of such materials for the roof are very simple and do not require any special, complex measures.

1. Advantages and disadvantages of metal roofing

Metal shingles are steel sheets with a wavy profile, externally imitating natural shingles. In addition, the inside is treated with a protective varnish, the front side – with a polymer film. Furthermore, estimated service life – 50 years, warranty – 10-15. The permissible roof slope is from 12 degrees.

Advantages:

• strength;
• corrosion resistance;
• large sheet area speeds up installation;
• lightweight, there is no increased load on the rafter system;
• Fire safety;
• the profile shape contributes to good ventilation of the roof space;
• aesthetics, many colors.

Disadvantages:

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

2. Benefits and disadvantages of a delicate rooftop 

Delicate material (shingles, shingles) is a material consisting of a textured base (fiberglass, fiberglass, polyester), bitumen impregnation, and granular stone chips as an outside covering. 

A few brands use copper foil rather than mineral granules. The support of the tiles is frequently self-glue, less regularly covered with silicon sand. 

Benefits: 

• lightweight, simplicity of establishment; 
• at the point when introduced in a warm climate, the tiles liquefy marginally under the sun, heat, and structure a water/air proof consistent covering; 
• the capacity to configuration any pitched rooftops, including the arch, funnel-shaped, bent; 
• least waste during establishment (inside 5%); 
• silence, great warm protection; 
• style, many tones, there are models with a 3D impact. Many types of shingles: hexagon, square shape, beavertail, and so forth. 

Disadvantages: 

• because of the outright snugness and level shape, the shingles set expanded expectations for the ventilation of the under-rooftop space; 
• Albeit the actual material is tantamount in cost to metal shingles, thus, the rooftop is more costly because of the extra expenses of underlayment and material cake with an intricate design.

3. Advantages and disadvantages of onduline roofing

Ondulin (euro slate) is similar in composition to soft tiles: cellulose-tissue base, bitumen impregnation, basalt crumb. Unlike shingles, ondulin are rigid sheets of a profile shape. Service life is about 20 years. The permissible roof slope is from 6 degrees.

Pros:

• lightness (a sheet of 1 by 2 meters weighs on average 6.5 kg);
• water resistance;
• like shingles, sheets of ondulin stick together under the sun;
• simple processing (can be cut with an ordinary hacksaw);
• easy installation;
• not susceptible to decay and corrosion;
• high chemical resistance;
• the price is lower than that of metal tiles and shingles;
• noiselessness.

Cons:

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

4. Advantages and disadvantages of ceramic roofing

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

Pros:

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

Cons:

• the largest weight among all coatings increased load on the supporting structures;
• highest price.
• When installing, pay attention to the quality of the tiles: if there is a crack, the tiles will break if water gets in and freezes.

5. Advantages and disadvantages of corrugated roofing

Decking – profiled galvanized steel with or without polymer coating. In terms of its main properties, the profiled sheet is similar to a metal tile, but it loses somewhat aesthetically. 

Service life is about 30 years. The slope of the roof – any, depends on the height of the profile and the pitch of the lathing.

Pros:

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

Cons:

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

6. Advantages and disadvantages of standing seam roofing

Seam roofing is a flat sheet of metal in rolls. Additionally, the rebates function as stiffeners. Furthermore, service life depends on the material: galvanized steel – 30 years, aluminum – 80, copper and zinc-titanium – 100. Roof slope – from 7º.

Pros:

• with high-quality installation, the folded fastening is hermetically sealed, eliminates leaks;
• In addition, flexible sheets allow installation on curved roofs;
• in the presence of a tool – simple and quick installation;
• As a result, minimum waste.

Cons:

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