Over the past few years, there’s been a real boom in soft roofing installations for private homes and commercial buildings. Even the rather pricey price tag doesn’t deter many. In architecture, such roofs look truly beautiful and impressive. But each type of roofing has its own nuances that you should be aware of before making a decision. In this article, we’ll discuss the construction of soft roofing tiles, their pros and cons. We’ll also explore the turnkey installation process, the stages of the work, their features, and cost in detail.
Tile roofing: pros and cons
Let’s start by explaining what soft roofing is, what it’s made of, and how it’s constructed. The fabric is based on fiberglass matting, which is combined with a mixture of bitumen and stone granules. The stone chips provide rigidity and strength, while the bitumen solution protects against moisture. The cost is primarily determined by the complex production technology.
Advantages of soft tiles:
- Durability. Bitumen roofing doesn’t dry out over the years from sun exposure, doesn’t rot, and isn’t susceptible to mold. Manufacturers position this type of roofing as “the most durable,” citing a service life of up to 50 years. This is the main factor justifying the price.
- No corrosion. The vast majority of modern roofing materials are made of metal, which inevitably rusts if the protective layer is damaged even slightly. With a turnkey soft roof installation, this problem is eliminated.
- Excellent sound insulation. The annoying sound of rain and hail, and the creaking of the wind—these are the costs of living under metal roofing or corrugated sheets. When installing flexible roofing, the room is completely insulated from noise from above.
- Fire safety. The flammable bitumen composition is reliably protected by a granular layer. The coatings are resistant even to direct contact with open flames, do not catch fire, and do not transmit it.
- Easy repair. The flooring is laid in sections rather than a continuous roll, so if damaged, a single section can be repaired without affecting the integrity of the entire structure.
- Versatile installation . Flexible tiles are easy to install on any shape or line. Turnkey installation of a roof with complex configurations using flexible tiles is less expensive than installing individual ceramic tiles.
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Glass fiber reinforced with bitumen is an environmentally friendly mixture that doesn’t emit harmful substances even when heated. Another advantage of soft shingles is their appearance. The variety of colors and designs available is simply astonishing. The most attractive are the models with 3D patterns, although they are more expensive than standard ones.
Disadvantages of elastic roofing:
The need for periodic inspection and maintenance.
The risk of roof damage from mechanical impacts is extremely low, but it does exist. If the seal is compromised, moisture can penetrate under the slab, and its prolonged presence can lead to roof deterioration. With regular inspections, defects will be detected early, and localized repairs can be carried out for next to nothing. During inspections, be sure to clear the surface of debris. Maintenance is the key to the longevity of the material.
Difficulty of installation.
This isn’t so much about the actual installation of the slabs, but rather about all the turnkey work and preparatory processes involved in roof installation. Installing flexible shingles requires special sheathing, a good ventilation system, and other essential requirements. This increases both the cost of construction materials and the cost of turnkey installation.
One of the disadvantages of bitumen roofing is its high price. However, cost is a relative concept. Compared to metal roofing, bitumen roofing is indeed more expensive. However, compared to natural roofing, the price of flexible imitation roofing is significantly more competitive. Prices vary depending on the characteristics, manufacturer, and model, and the range is very wide – approximately 8$-16$ per square meter.
Turnkey soft roof installation: step-by-step technology, nuances, cost
Installing a roof with shingles, like any other roofing project, begins with design, measurements, calculations, estimates, and drawings. The subsequent process is similar, but there are also significant differences.
Rafter system
The unique feature of soft roofing installation is that it can be installed on flat roofs. Well, almost flat. The minimum slope angle, according to technical regulations, is 11%. Flat roofs are very rare in private home construction, as they are impractical. Most often, the slope of eaves for bitumen is around 15-22%. The main criterion for determining the optimal slope angle is wind load.
The roof truss system is installed using a standard design. The rafter spacing should be no less than 60 cm and no more than 1.5 m. The optimal distance between rafters, taking into account the cost of building materials (expenses) and the structural stability, is 1 meter. Flexible roofing does not require additional frame reinforcement. The cost of truss system installation is approximately 7$-10$ per square meter.
Filling: vapor barrier, insulation, water barrier
A vapor barrier is an essential component of any roofing project, regardless of the material chosen. Its function is to prevent the vapors that constantly form in living spaces from penetrating the insulation layer and beyond. If the insulation gets wet, its thermal insulation properties are significantly reduced. Don’t skimp on a vapor barrier. A good membrane doesn’t significantly affect the overall cost of the project, but it extends the life of the insulation for years. Vapor barrier installation costs range from 2$-4$ per square meter.
Insulation is the key to warmth and, indirectly, dryness in a home. The most popular material with a good price-quality ratio is mineral wool. For moderate climates, 15cm thick slabs are sufficient. It’s important that the sections fit tightly together. Insulation installation in Moscow and the surrounding region starts at 2$ per square meter.
Waterproofing is a layer designed to protect the roofing structure from moisture by trapping it on the surface. Even if the shingles are installed very well, some moisture still seeps in, and condensation from vapors constantly forms.
For flat roofs that accumulate snow, liquid waterproofing is recommended for added reliability. For a normal slope, a waterproofing film or membrane is used. Experts consider diffusion membranes to be the most effective. Thanks to their tapered micropores, they can release condensation from the inner layers upwards, but prevent moisture from penetrating downwards toward the insulation.
Sometimes roofers suggest homeowners save on construction materials by using a diffusion membrane as both a vapor barrier and a waterproofing agent. This insulation option is acceptable, but not suitable for all climates.
Lathing
The sheathing itself is the key feature and, indeed, the difficulty of turnkey soft roofing installation. The material adheres tightly to the surface, perfectly following its contours. Therefore, a standard slatted structure with gaps is not sufficient; a continuous, level platform is required. In construction, the term “carpet” has become common for the base under which soft roofing is laid.
There’s a lot of debate about whether counter battens are necessary under a soft roof. No, at least, they’re not a necessary element. The role of counter battens is to create a ventilation gap between the waterproofing and the roofing to allow moisture to escape. Since bitumen products are non-corrosive, they’re not susceptible to moisture. A basic ventilation system will handle condensation from under the roof. Counter battens would simply add unnecessary cost and strain to the structure.
So, here are the instructions for installing solid sheathing:
- A dense plank sheathing is fastened across the rafters. The sheathing is almost continuous, using boards 2-2.5 cm thick and 10 cm wide. A symbolic gap of about 10 mm is left between the boards. This gap is necessary to accommodate the wood’s expansion due to moisture and heat.
- The next step is installing additional sparse sheathing. The spacing between the slats depends on the size of the plywood or OSB sheets used as the underlay. The calculation is made so that the board rests on three rows of slats when laid.
- Thick plywood or OSB boards are installed over the sheathing. Preferably, the material should be moisture-resistant. Avoid tightly fitting sheets; a gap of approximately 10 mm is needed here to allow for natural expansion of the wood.
As for the cost of the work, installing a two-layer underlayment under soft shingles costs 1$-2$ per square meter. Not all roofing crews complete this preparation stage as thoroughly as described in the instructions. However, poorly installed underlayment can lead to problems one day.
Laying soft tiles
Installation of roofing consists of the following steps:
- Installing a drip cap. This is a steel angle designed to reinforce the eaves overhang. Thanks to the drip cap, liquid running down the slopes will not seep under the slatted structure.
- Roof underlayment installation. Flexible roll material made of a bitumen-polymer composition is laid on a wooden platform. The purpose of the underlayment is to create a perfectly flat surface. A self-adhesive backing simplifies the installation. The sheets are installed overlapping and secured with galvanized nails. All joints and abutments are treated with bitumen mastic for a better seal. Cost: from 1$.
- Laying the roofing. The choice of starting line isn’t particularly important, but if the eaves line is wide, it’s best to start from the center. The starting strip is applied parallel to the eaves, spaced 15-20 mm from the edge. Despite the adhesive backing, the strip is secured with nails.
Proper and secure installation of the starting strip is key to a smooth and beautiful installation of the remaining rows of roofing. When fastening the strip, nails must be driven straight and never dig into the roofing with their heads. The goal is to firmly press the strip to the base without damaging its structure. The cost of final roofing starts at 10$ per square meter.
Turnkey soft roof installation is a complex and meticulous undertaking that requires skill and expertise. Each stage of the work must be completed with due diligence and high quality. If even one roof element is faulty, the defect will sooner or later manifest itself in the form of minor, and possibly major, problems.
We strongly advise against undertaking such major projects yourself or with the help of pseudo-specialists offering competitive prices. If you entrust your roofing to our company, you’ll have the services of a qualified engineer and a team of professional roofers.
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