Everyone wants to build a reliable roof so that it does not get wet and does not go anywhere. Among the huge selection of materials that can be used in the role roofing, there is one very interesting and popular instance - bituminous roofing. This is a rather complex "sandwich", consisting of modified bitumen layers, fiberglass between them, self-adhesive material and stone granules.

The characteristics of flexible shingles are very impressive, but they have both advantages and significant disadvantages. They can significantly affect the comfort inside the house and the subsequent operation of the roof, so it is necessary to describe them. Now we will consider in detail all the "pros" and "cons" of this building material, we will study the characteristics and everything that the consumer needs to know.

The device of soft tiles and its composition

It should be noted right away that this is not bitumen, which is used for roofing and is known for its fragility. Flexible tile is a multi-layer building material that has great strength, wear resistance and even flexibility, unlike conventional bitumen. Let us consider its structure in more detail in reverse order.

1. Silicone film. It is designed to protect the adhesive surface so that dust, moisture, and small debris do not fall on it. Soft tiles are cleaned of this film when gluing, some models need to be additionally moistened or heated to a certain temperature before gluing (read on the manufacturer's packaging).
2. Self-adhesive layer. Flexible bituminous tiles have a special layer of adhesive polymer, which increases its adhesion to a continuous crate. Thanks to him, it is firmly held in place, does not slip or fall off, it can be left unattended before fastening, everything is measured and weighed.
3. modified bitumen. It plays many roles: shock absorption, isolation from cold, noise, hardening of tiles and the like. In any soft roof roof, this layer is present and more than 40% of all its useful properties are due to him.
4. fiberglass or reinforcement. It is located between two bituminous layers, provides strength and increased flexibility of the tile. Thanks to him, she will not be able to break under heavy physical exertion.
5. Upper bituminous layer. Its functions are the same as described above. Additionally, it is made for fastening protective material, which covers the entire tile.
6. stone granules or other natural substitute. This is the topmost layer that protects against ultraviolet radiation, mechanical damage, overheating and other things. Such a device of soft tiles allows it to get the benefits of many building materials and serve for decades.

If we consider the coating with shingles in terms of price and quality, then the material is quite cheap. Multilayer structure containing natural materials, reinforcement and polymers - really what is needed for the construction of a roof in regions with a type of climate "it is possible and better."

The main advantages of soft tiles

Each roofing material has “pluses”, here it is necessary to proceed from the specific task that is assigned to it. Now we will consider the advantages of soft tiles over slate and metal roofing on a residential building.

• Noiselessness. Many have abandoned the use of metal flooring, since it is quite unpleasant to be in the attic during rain, especially if you do not have thick insulation that isolates noise. A bituminous tile roof suppresses sound and absorbs shocks, there will be no noise in the room even with hail.
• Rich color range. Due to the wide variety of mineral filling (practically any mineral), the coating can take on any color, houses with soft tile roofs look luxurious and harmonious.
• Thermal insulation. The transfer of cold through the material is much less, since bitumen plays the role of a heater.
• Gain roof structure not required - one of significant benefits tiles. Its weight fluctuates within 6 kg per 1 m 2.
• The ability to create complex geometric structures, tiles are easy to install, cut and fasten to the surface. Even an inexperienced craftsman can nail the building material to the substrate.
• Profitability. Of course, the price of bituminous tiles will not please everyone (from 150 to 1600 rubles per 1 m 2), but it has practically no waste during installation - only 3%. At this time, the waste of the metal roof reaches 50%.
• Possibility of easy repair. This is the main advantage of bituminous shingles, because if damaged, you do not need to change a large section of the roof, it is enough to remove 1 section of building material and screw another without any problems.

In the advantages of flexible tiles, you can also add it appearance, but this can be controversial, as many people like slate or metal flooring. But anyway, soft roof looks luxurious and in many European countries it has long been the number one choice.

Cons of soft tiles or a big fly in the ointment in honey

You probably noticed that not every dacha or a private house has a soft top. It's all about the shortcomings of this material, which are not so few. Now we will consider all the disadvantages of soft roofing and see why many consumers are afraid of bituminous roofing like fire and prefer traditional slate.

1. Resistance to aggressive environments and sudden changes in temperature is low. Constant frosts and warming during the day can form cracks in the upper layer of bitumen. UV radiation still affects the structure of the polymer.
2. With the constant ingress of moisture into the structure, fungus and mold can form, which is not very acceptable, especially if the attic is residential.
3. The need to install a continuous crate. The main disadvantage of soft tiles, since it is a lot of labor. Needs to be leveled and screwed over the entire area OSB boards or similar material on which the roof is installed.
4. Considering the shortcomings of soft tiles, one cannot fail to mention its burning. Bitumen melts and even ignites at high temperatures.

There are also subjective disadvantages, such as appearance and cost. As for the latter, not everyone will be able to pay 1500 r per 1 m 2 for shingles. Therefore, despite the positive feedback about soft tiles and its advantages, it still remains not the most popular roofing material in the Russian Federation (but its demand is growing). Many prefer cheaper roofing, accepting its excessive noise and poor insulation.

We have considered the common advantages and disadvantages of flexible shingles, but there are many more nuances that you can read about on the site in articles about the installation and operation of certain types of roofing. We also bring to your attention a video about shingles, which tells in detail about its pros and cons:

Being engaged in the choice of roofing material for their own home, each developer tries to find a coating that would meet three main criteria. The first is reliability. The second is beauty. And the third - the optimal ratio of price and quality. An example of such a material is bitumen, or shingles. Let's talk about it in more detail, and also analyze the pros and cons of flexible tiles.

Material Features

Roofing from bituminous tiles

First, let's deal with the question of what a flexible tile is:

• Firstly, it is a multilayer composite material based on fiberglass. It is he who affects the strength characteristics of the product.
• Secondly, to be able to use roof tiles as protection, they must be waterproof. Therefore, it consists of two layers made from special mixtures based on bitumen - hence its second name "bituminous".
• Thirdly, basalt dressing gives the tiles a presentable appearance. The color and shade of the material depends on it. In addition, the dressing perfectly copes with the sun's rays and mechanical stress.
• Fourthly, the underside of the material is treated with a special adhesive, so the tiles are classified as self-adhesive coatings. And this simplifies the installation process, while increasing the convenience of the work being done. By the way, the adhesive layer is closed with a special protective film, which is removed before work.

The flexible tile itself is shaped like shingles of various configurations. It is usually fastened with nails, and the self-adhesive layer provides a tight connection with the plane on which the material is fixed. If we talk about bitumen, which is used in the production of such tiles, then its brand, and, accordingly, the quality characteristics will depend on the brand of roofing. That is, these two indicators are directly dependent on each other. The higher the grade of bitumen, the better the tile in terms of quality, and the longer its service life.

For example, the world-famous Shinglas brand. One of its models - "Classic" - contains bitumen enriched with oxygen. Its service life is guaranteed for 20 years. Or a more advanced Jazz model, which uses a brand of modified bitumen. Its service life is 25 years under the manufacturer's warranty. In addition, this model can be mounted even at low temperatures, since such a flexible tile has increased rates elasticity and frost resistance.

Advantages of roofing material

The advantages of flexible tiles are obvious - it is not in vain that it is a very popular roofing on the building materials market:

1. This is one of the most prestigious and beautiful roofing materials. Its price is slightly higher than that of a metal tile, but much lower than that of a natural counterpart.
2. In terms of cost-effectiveness of installation, it practically has no equal. Here, the length of the element, equal to one meter, is taken into account. cut off by required size The shingle can be used elsewhere on the roof. That is, waste is minimized.
3. If you choose shingles, you will end up with an almost noiseless roof. Compare it with a metal tile in this regard is not even worth it.
4. On hot days, bituminous tiles heat up less than metal ones. In addition, it is absolutely not subject to corrosion and does not lose its original color under the sun.
5. It is 100% sealed construction. The shingles are tightly connected to each other using an adhesive on the back of the material. They do not bend from the wind load. So, getting moisture under them is nonsense.
6. Transportation of this material is quite simple. It can be transported by any means of transport, for example, by car, but only with an open top. And the weight of the package is not so great, so one person can easily lift it.
7. And the last is a simple and easy installation.

Flaws

There are no obvious disadvantages of shingles. Basically, all the shortcomings are associated either with improper installation, or with the quality of the material itself. To avoid the second moment, buy a product from trusted manufacturers whose brand is well-known.

Questions and answers

Flexible tiles - some installation features

What is its waterproof rating? Here it is necessary to take into account that tiles are not the only material that covers the roof of a building. it layered construction, which includes:

• The first layer is boards, moisture-resistant plywood or OSB boards.
• The second layer is a waterproofing roll material laid in overlapping strips.
• The third layer is the shingle itself.

The multi-layer construction of the roofing is already a guarantee. And there is no need to talk about the insulating qualities of the material. After all, no one will produce a product through which water passes and lay it as the main protection on the roof. In addition, the mounted tile is a monolithic coating.

Can shingles be considered a type of roofing material? No. The fact is that the production of roofing material is based on cardboard, which is susceptible to rapid decay. Yes, and bitumen in the manufacture of roofing material is used of reduced quality.

Can strong wind tear off such a roof covering? Can not. Numerous tests and tests have shown that the shingles are firmly attached to the base of the roof structure. Two types of fasteners are used here - glue and nails. So be sure of your roof.

Conclusion on the topic

As you can see, this roofing material has pros and cons, but there are more first ones. Of course, it is necessary to focus on the installation process, because the quality of the result depends on it. At least that's what the experts say. A slight deviation from the laying technology can lead to irreparable consequences, the main of which is a roof leak. And this is an unpleasant factor that will require new financial and labor costs.

When choosing a material for roofing, the owner is presented many options. This topic becomes as relevant as possible if you need to cover a complex-shaped roof, as well as avoid the disadvantages inherent in other coatings. Against this background, the roof of bituminous tiles looks advantageous. Considering such material as shingles as a coating, the pros and cons of which are clearly balanced in favor of the former, developers make the right choice.

The advantages of bituminous shingles are appreciated in the construction of houses around the world, and will be mentioned in detail below. It is worth saying that this coating meets all the requirements for a modern roof, with low labor costs for construction and short terms.

Kinds

Roof tiles have been used in construction for more than a hundred and fifty years. Production technology has changed over time, for example, in the middle of the last century, American manufacturers used two types of compositions as the main material: cardboard and fiberglass. The advantages of shingles have made them popular to such an extent that half of all roofs are built using this material. With some improvements, such a basis for shingles has survived to this day.

At the present stage, the described material is a tile consisting of several layers. The basis of a bituminous tile carries out function of a framework or a frame, it is made of the fiberglass impregnated with bitumen. These two substances, being in interaction, allow to provide high strength of bitumen layers.

Other performance qualities are achieved, thanks to which the material is convenient to use when constructing a roof of complex shapes. The production does not end there, the inner surface of the tiles is covered with a special adhesive, which is covered with a protective film before use.

The outer plane, which is subject to more serious requirements in terms of resistance to mechanical, thermal and other types of impact, is treated with various compositions. Among them is found basalt granulate, fine crumbs of mineral origin, slate dressing. The outer coating, in addition to the decorative function, which is also very important, also performs a protective one.

Differences in shape

According to the type of cutting, the types of shingles are divided into six main forms:

• beaver tail;
• dragon tooth;
• shingles;
• brick;
• rectangle;
• rhombus;
• hexagon.

The ridge and cornice parts are covered special kind soft tiles.

Different manufacturers usually use standard sizes tiles, the length of which is 1000 mm, the width is 317 mm. The thickness depends on the upper covering layer, and varies within 3 mm (for example, technonicol bituminous tiles have a thickness of 3.8 mm).

The material also differs in quality, what you should pay attention to when buying. Minor defects, as well as the high crumbling of the covering material, indicate that a roof made of such material will last less than the allotted time, therefore, it is worth refrain from buying inferior products. The roof device implies long-term operation, high-quality material guarantees the preservation of performance up to 50 years of operation.

Advantages

Like any material, bituminous tiles, the pros and cons of which we will consider below, have a scope. For example, direct mounting it on the roof frame, allowed at temperatures not lower than five degrees. And also, if the angle of the slope of the roof plane is less than 12 degrees, it is necessary to choose another material.

The production technology, as well as the characteristics of the ingredients used, determine the advantages of bituminous tiles, among which are:

Along with a large number of advantages, one should also point out the disadvantages of shingles, which are not so many.

Practicality, functionality, durability - all these advantages of soft tiles favorably distinguish it from other roofing coverings.

What features this material has, how to prepare a base for it and what technology to mount it with - you can find out below.

First of all, consider the pros and cons of flexible tiles.

The soft tile has many benefits:

• Aesthetic appearance. The line of soft roofs is distinguished by a variety of colors and shapes, which allows you to decorate the roof in any style. In our country, the brand is very popular, with which you can create rectangular, oval, hexagonal and many others. geometric shapes roofs
• Resistance to mechanical damage, pollution, water, mold and temperature changes. Worker temperature regime ranges from -45 to 110 0 C, which is great for Russian frosts.
• Durability. With, operation and periodic maintenance, a soft tile roof will last more than 50 years.
• . In the event of a breakdown, any structural element can be easily replaced without rearranging a whole row. At the same time, the surface of the tile does not fade and does not peel off over time, which eliminates the need for regular touch-up.
• Easy installation. With the appropriate skills and tools, installing a soft roof will not take much time. And this is not to mention the minimum waste during the process.

Unfortunately, the coverage is not without some shortcomings:

• Strict requirements for conditions and temperature during installation. It is possible to lay tiles at a temperature of +5-10 C. The same applies to climatic conditions: it is strictly forbidden to lay tiles in rain or when high humidity, since the base of the material will begin to rot.
• high cost, which is not particularly felt due to the service life of the coating.
• Difficulty of installation. Soft roofing needs reinforced beams and walls for installation. Therefore, specialized companies use the generally accepted frame technology.

Positive qualities of tiles

Composition and technical characteristics

Tiles are produced in the form of individual plates, which have width within 0.3 - 0.45 m, thickness 3 - 5 mm and length up to 1 m. Composition of soft tiles:

• front part: ceramic granulate of basalt or mineral wool;
• multilayer construction of bitumen and the base material - non-woven polyester or fiberglass;
• rear end: self-adhesive type bituminous layer, protected by a polyethylene film. The film is removed before installation.

The main material from which the tiles and the insulating carpet under them are made is non-woven polyester, fiberglass with bituminous impregnation. The first one is distinguished by high tensile strength, due to which it is used in areas where there is a maximum load among the entire structure - these are skates, valleys and other junctions.

The structure of flexible tiles - photo

Fiberglass coating is cheaper than polyester models, and therefore it is used as the main coating and in places without requirements for increased strength. More details and characteristics .

Statistically, more than 30% of heat escapes through the roof, which forces a responsible approach to the choice of insulation.

Preparation as a guarantor of durability: roofing cake for shingles

Before installing soft tiles, it is necessary to carry out a series of preparatory work for :

• provide;
• mount;
• apply waterproofing (this stage can be combined with vapor barrier);
• create a system.

After that, you can proceed directly to the laying of shingles.

NOTE!

When arranging a roofing pie, it is necessary to strictly follow the sequence described above. However, the insulation step can be skipped if an attic is planned cold roof limited to the installation of a waterproofing layer.

roofing cake

Flexible tiles - preparation of the crate

The crate acts as structural strengthening and provides ventilation to the roof. During installation, the bars of the counter-lattice are first laid, and on them - the main part of the crate. It is they who form the gaps included in slope ventilation system, which provides air circulation, condensate removal and minimizes rotting of the rafters.

For flexible tiles use solid plywood sheathing, oriented strand board and other smooth materials without joints. Before installation, it is recommended to make sure that the humidity of the plates is less than 20%.

The plates themselves are installed "in a run" with a gap no more than 2-3 mm. When choosing the pitch of the rafters and battens, they are repelled by the possible load that the roof will experience. It depends on climatic conditions, precipitation, temperature, wind and general design building.

Soft tiles are suitable for arranging the roofs of private houses and cottages, as well as country baths and other structures.

Lathing for soft tiles

Warming

If necessary, an insulated room or attic is used for insulation for flexible tiles. Recommended by specialists based on basalt or glass wool. They are easy to install and are suitable even for hard-to-reach places. At the same time they do not form cold bridges and well protected from temperature extremes.

CAREFULLY!

Minimum material thickness - 150 mm, and for regions with severe frosts - 200 mm or more.

Laying and installation of the coating

For a sloping roof, it is necessary to use, which will perform the functions and. For roofs with steep pitches the angle of inclination is more than 20 0 it is possible to not completely lay the layer. It will be enough to get by with insulation on the ridge, panels at the ends and cornice overhangs.

The most important stage of work during installation is the installation of cornice tiles and the first row. It is necessary to strictly follow a clear direction along the entire row and observe equivalent distances. The tile is fastened with the help of special holes that are made in the factory.

Complete installation takes seven steps:

1. A special carpet is laid on the covering of the crate in areas where the structure experiences the maximum load. These are the ends of the roof, valleys, overhangs and junctions. The carpet is spread over the base along the eaves, the resulting seams are sealed and glued. After gluing, there are edges that fixed every 20 cm. When laying in valleys, it is necessary to leave the carpet at a distance of 7 cm, and then glue the resulting edges with a width of at least 10 cm after cutting. To avoid damage to the carpet when cutting tiles, it is recommended to place a thin plank or piece of plywood under the tiles.
2. Installation of metal cornice and front strips. This will protect the structure from decay and moisture, fix the carpet more firmly along the cornices and frontal joints. The cornice-type plank is fixed with nails, which are located in a checkerboard pattern with a step of 10 cm. Also on overhang it is necessary to equip the entrance with a thickness of 2 cm. By exactly the same principle, the gable strips are subsequently mounted.
3. Arrangement of valleys. An important stage of work, since in these areas the roof made of soft tiles is especially susceptible to destruction from moisture. For sealing, a carpet is laid in the valleys, and its edges are fastened with nails. Step between nails - 10 cm. To ensure water resistance, a waterproofing carpet is used, which is installed in 10 cm increments. The color of the carpet should be matched to the appearance of the tiles.
4. Eaves tiles: installation on overhangs. This element is mounted on top of the metal protection, cornice and carpet. The protective film is removed from the shingles, then the tiles are laid to the eaves and nailed in the perforations. The next step is the laying of ordinary tiles, the sheets of which will overlap the places where the cornice is attached.
5. using our online calculator.
6. Installation of ordinary tiles. It is laid on top of the cornice row. This type of tile has curly cutouts that form the roof pattern and special recesses for precise joining of tiles. Start laying from the center of the slope, moving towards the ends. For even installation, it is recommended to make horizontal markings with chalk. It will especially help in cases where the roof has places with broken geometry. All tiles are nailed in 2-3 cm increments, four nails are needed per tile. If the slope is 45 0 or more, then six fasteners will be needed. Subsequent rows of tiles are laid in such a way that the lower edge of the petals is flush with the grooves of the tiles of the previous row.
7. Installation of tiles on skates. For installation in skates, it is necessary to separate special sheets of tiles (they have a size of 0.25-0.33 m) and perforation lines. After separating the sheets, the fragments of the tile are laid on the ridge, and then they are nailed with two nails on each side. Each row of tiles must overlap the previous one. with an overlap of 2-5 cm. It is necessary to cut the tiles along the ridge so that the waterproofing layer is open by 7.5 on both sides. As for the roof at the place of trimming, it must be treated with glue for at least 10 cm and glued.
8. Installation of tiles on valleys. In places where a roof made of flexible tiles adjoins vertical surfaces, a triangular block of wood is installed. This will reduce the risk of shingle deformation at the folds. At the same time, ordinary tiles, together with the lining carpet, should go over it. The next step - installation of valley carpet 30 cm high above the vertical surface and the roof slope. Its edges are coated with adhesive, and its upper edge with sealant on silicone base. After that, everything is covered with a metal bar.

The first example of a soft tile roof - photo

The second example of a shingle roof - photo

With pitched slopes with an angle of 30 0, roofing strips are also used from metal. They are installed at the junction, end (wind slats) and eaves (drip slats).

Soft tiles are a durable and stylish roof that will allow you to long years take care of the roof of the building. It remains only to correctly prepare the design and carry out the installation.

Useful video

Answers to questions about shingles in the next video: