Work with soft soft roof types and. Bitumen tiles as one of the modern types of soft roofing: device, pros and cons. Soft cover options

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 such important advantages as noiselessness, ease of installation, the absence of a large amount of waste, the ability to cover even the most complex roofs, service life up to 50 years.

There are two main forms of release of this material: soft roof 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, it is also 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 color solutions and a 25 year manufacturer's warranty. The cost of this model is 350-500 rubles / m².
• Icopal - the oldest and most famous brand 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.

Excellent performance, beautiful appearance, affordable price- everything is modern roofing material soft roof. Consider the most popular types of coatings on the market and find out how to choose a good and reliable coating.

The main advantage of a soft roof is its ability to “cover” pitched roofs of any complexity, even structures with decorative domes and onions, with minimal waste. In addition, the coating has proven itself in various climatic conditions and can be used in northern areas. But how to choose a soft roof? Let's try to understand the issue.

A bit of history

Soft roofing is a consequence of the modification of materials such as glassine and roofing material. It was these well-known bituminous coatings that became the "progenitors" of a new innovative material.

Manufacturers improved the bituminous binder, namely, the cardboard was replaced with a new, durable and completely non-rotting base. To improve performance, the surface was coated with armoring powders. In the 60s, European soft roofing became a separate high-strength roofing material. In Russia, it appeared much later in the 90s. The coating immediately gained popularity and is widely used both in the northwestern regions and in the south.

The structure of the soft roof

Before you start choosing a soft roof, let's figure out what the material is. Externally, the coating is a small flat sheet with cutouts of a certain shape along one edge. At the heart of this material is a canvas of the finest glass threads, tightly pressed with an astringent composition into a single whole.

Important: the best soft roof is made exclusively from high-quality glass sheet.

The glass base is impregnated on both sides with bitumen, which is necessary to prevent moisture and water from entering under the roofing material. In this case, only modified bitumen is used, which is made with the addition of special polymer-type additives.

The front part of the roof is covered with stone granulate, most often manufacturers use basalt. The granulate is needed for two purposes. The first is the protection of a soft roof from ultraviolet radiation. The second is to give the coating a certain color. The bottom layer is a self-adhesive base that is mounted to the roof sheathing.

Important: when transporting soft roofing, this self-adhesive layer must be covered with a film to avoid damage during transportation of the coating or unloading.

Comparative characteristics of soft roofs from leading manufacturers

What is the best soft roof? A question of concern to all potential buyers. Today, manufacturers offer coatings of different shapes and colors. leaders construction industry are three companies - the American brand CertainTeed, the Italian company TEGOLA and the Russian manufacturer Shinglas.

The manufacturer has been on the market of soft roofs for many years and over the past 10 years it has unconditionally held the palm in this area. The reasons are easily explained - the highest quality and rich variety of products.

Key Benefits of CertainTeed Soft Roofing

The coating has the highest strength - it is the best soft roof for a house located in an area with frequent hurricanes or strong winds.

Safety. The coating is classified as a moderately flammable material that does not spread fire.

Highest thermal stability. The soft roof will withstand both severe frosts and heat up to +110 degrees.

Best sound absorbing performance.

Important: American shingles are named the "quietest" roofing on the market. It is worth choosing for those who do not want to listen to the sound of rain or hail.

The minimum size tolerance is 1.6 mm. For example, for other manufacturers, this figure can reach 6.4 mm.

Unique design. The shape of the petals is patented and belongs exclusively to the brand. Each flower is painted in a certain shade, which creates a unique color rendition.

Flexible tile Tegola

Tegola roofing is the finest honey coated soft tile on the market. The concern's products are economical in price, safe to use and reliable. The fiberglass used in the production of tiles is environmentally friendly and heavy-duty. The full production technology is kept secret and unknown to the public. It is thanks to this approach that the manufacturer managed to achieve higher strength indicators higher than those of competitors.

Advantages of soft roof Tegola

Resistant to sudden temperature changes.

Durability. The bituminous layer is reliably protected by a copper coating applied not only on top, but also on the sides.

The tile does not lose color even after 10 years of use.

Ease of installation. The adhesive layer is securely mounted to the base of the crate and does not require the use of additional equipment.

Beauty. The material outwardly looks like a full-fledged natural copper roof and can confuse even an experienced professional. It only weighs much less than a metal tile and is much easier to install.

Important: since 2004, the Tegola concern has been operating in Russia. The opening of a factory for the production of flexible copper tiles had a positive impact on the pricing policy, and the coating became much more affordable for the Russian buyer.

Shinglas soft roof (Shinglas)

Shinglas is a good soft roof of reliable quality and diverse design.

The main advantages of coverage

Temperature resistant.

Color fastness due to the use of high-quality pigments.

The highest elasticity and strength, thanks to which the coating can be used on roofs of complex geometric shapes.

High thermal insulation characteristics.

Environmental friendliness. All materials used in production are safe for humans and the environment.

Important: when laying Shinglas on a roof with a slope of up to 30 degrees, a waterproofing layer is required over the entire roof area.

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 sunbeams 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 the adverse effects of the environment. The inner side of the soft roof is 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 various shapes, and can imitate the roofs of old houses, castles, 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.

When 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 various sizes performed 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 roofing 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 for adhesive, which is inferior in strength to the weld. An exception are composite EPDM membranes, the bottom layer of which consists of a polymeric material based on bitumen. 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 also belong to the latest generation waterproofing materials and therefore 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 full trim, 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 stuff, 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 felt 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 growth of moss on a flexible roof is inevitable. 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 the best option will be Finnish manufacturers. They have a wide selection of colors. And for the Russian winter will be an excellent choice.

Tamara Kislyakova

In fact, a soft roof is an improved roofing material. Like everything in construction lately (for example, the same one), he received several new layers. Prices different types products differ insignificantly, so such a roof can be built practically on with different architectural features. But the wear-resistant characteristics have gone far from their ancestor - a simple roofing material. In this review, we will consider the types of soft roofing, the pros and cons of using this material, and also examine the range of products that are presented on the construction market of our country.

As we noted earlier, the basis of the building material is still the same roofing material. It has been used for decades for roofs, has high wear-resistant characteristics. Thanks to this quality, manufacturers of modern roofing materials have paid attention to it. However, durability is far from everything, one of the main disadvantages of roofing material is its low tensile strength. Over time, the material simply crumbled. IN modern variations soft roofing, one very important change appeared - the roofing material received a very strong base - fiberglass.

Fiberglass consists of fiberglass filaments and organic resins. There are several classes of material strength. This material was taken as a reinforcing coating.

The very structure of bitumen has also changed. It included more advanced additives that increased its resistance to negative environmental factors: low temperatures, overheating, high humidity, and so on.

What a soft roof looks like on real examples: photos of finished projects

The architects immediately realized that the improved coating can not only be layered, rolling out rolls, but also create new, completely unique finishing materials on its basis. One of the options for implementing the idea was a soft tile. A variety of types, shapes, shades allow you to create real architectural masterpieces. Look at the photo, how unexpected and unusual use cases can be soft tiles.

Types of soft roofs and average price per 1 m²

If roofing material was used mostly for, then modern flexible rolls are a full-fledged construction material. It carries many functions. Made using modern polymers, it perfectly can act as finishing or pre-layer.

Advice! On sale you will find various kinds of mastics, as well as polymer membranes and shingles. Roll coating is most convenient to lay on a flat roof, and shingles are most often used on roofs with complex terrain.

Types and prices of soft shingles

As we noted above, soft tiles are a complex multilayer product. The top layer most often consists of a protective coating, mainly spraying of basalt and slate chips is used.

The dressing layer is already fixed on the SBS-bitumen layer itself. Sometimes natural oxidized bitumen can be used. This material is not durable, and it is better not to buy such a soft roof option. Since its characteristics will be much inferior to synthetic. The latter stretches well, does not tear under tension and has high wear-resistant characteristics. All these layers are mounted on a fiberglass base already known to us. The bottom layer has a special sticky impregnation, which is protected by a special film.

Based on the characteristics and quality of the coating of each of these layers, it is possible to distinguish types of products, which in turn have a different cost.

Soft tiles may have different shape. The most common variations of "petals": oval, hexagon, brick, rectangle, rhombus. There are also more non-standard types of facets.

There are variations not only in shape, but also in shades. colors. There are a great many of them. The most popular are red-red, brick or brown shades. The cheapest tiles are monochrome. The cost as of September 2018 is approximately 235 rubles per 1 m².

shingles

Multi-color tiles will cost a little more. Most often these are foreign samples from the USA and Finland. The cost of a multi-color option is from 340 rubles per 1 m².

And, finally, an ultra-modern option - tiles with a 3D effect. This design is used for the form of "shingles". Price square meter- from 430 rubles per 1 m².

Among the types and implementation options new technology most often, TechnoNIKOL Shinglas soft roofs are noted for their high quality. The cost of such tiles is from 250 rubles per 1 m².

shingles TechnoNIKOL Shinglas

Types of coatings and prices of soft roll roofing

But the soft roofing material for the roof produced in rolls will cost almost several times cheaper than bituminous tiles. Its average price is from 180 rubles per ten-meter roll. The low cost makes this material a leader among budget options.

There are several options for roll roofing, depending on the base used:

• Roofing cardboard. It does not have a long service life. On average, the warranty period is limited to 8 years. It does not tolerate temperature extremes and is used mainly for temporary waterproofing,.

roofing paper

• Fiberglass- is the basis for the manufacture of such materials as Uniflex, Linokorm, Stekloizol and Euroruberoid. Favorably differs in high resistance to negative factors external environment, as well as a warranty period of up to 15 years. It is with such materials that the roofs of residential buildings are covered.

uniflex

Soft roof: types and prices of membrane materials

Olefin, rubber and polyvinyl chloride - these materials are used to create a strong membrane base. Each manufacturer is trying to profitably improve its composition in order to ensure even higher quality of the product and increase its service life.

Types of roofing membranes:

• EPDM– universal polymer material based on rubber and reinforcing polyester mesh, which is widely used in construction. EPDM does not pass moisture, can be used in tandem with other finishing materials.

The only thing that may cause difficulties is the installation of joints. It must be done with glue. This method is not as reliable as welding. The cost of such a membrane is 490 rubles per m².

epdm membrane

• TPO membrane. They are used for waterproofing, and other building structures and facilities. The material combines the best qualities of rubber and plastic. The olefin coating is reinforced with fiberglass or polyester mesh. It tolerates temperature changes well. Among the minuses, experts note the low elasticity of the material. The price of this material is quite high - from 650 rubles per m².

TPO membrane

• PVC– membranes are the cheapest and available material. For roofing, it is chosen for its ease of installation and long service life, good indicators of resistance to temperature extremes and fire. PVC membrane afraid of solvents, incompatible with bitumen. Price from 420 rubles per m².

PVC membranes

Types and prices of soft roofing brand "TechnoNIKOL"

Products of the TechnoNIKOL brand have long been loved by the Russian buyer for fairly affordable prices for roofing material and high quality products. Material is released different types and options for the use of reinforcing layers and coatings.

Consider the main ones first in the budget segment:

• stekloizol. It is used most often for final finishing and waterproofing. Differs in a strong fiberglass basis, has a special protective layer from a polymeric film.

stekloizol

• bicrost. The material is based on fiberglass. The upper part is covered with oxidized bitumen. Durable due to thickness. Must be mounted using guides.

Products of the middle price category:

• linocorm. Based on a special non-woven fiber based on polyester compounds. Coated with synthetic polyolefin bitumen. To simplify installation, it is equipped with a thermal indicator on the bottom layer;

linokorm

• bipole- has a fiberglass base and a polymer-bitumen coating. Differs in high adhesion, can be mounted on vertical surfaces;

• bicroelast- similar in composition to linokorm, but differs in a special manufacturing technology that makes it possible to make the coating highly elastic. It can be mounted at air temperatures up to -10 degrees.

bicroelast

The average cost of m² for these materials is from 500 rubles.

Premium Materials:

• uniflex. For its production, heavy-duty and elastic SBS-bitumen is used, it is not afraid of temperature changes. Due to the special layer of sand backfill, the roof can "breathe". That eliminates the occurrence of areas of decay.

uniflex

• ecoflex. Perfect option for work and further operation. High-quality elastomeric material resistant to frost and temperatures up to plus 120 degrees. Service life - at least 30 years.

Pros and cons of using the material

Soft roofing, like any other building material, has its pros and cons, which can affect the purchase decision.

Among the advantages are:

Flaws:

• price;
• Moisture can get in if installation technologies are violated.

This can lead to rotting of OSB sheets; in winter, accumulated moisture can, under pressure, break the tightness of the coating and squeeze out bituminous tiles.

Pay attention to the fact that the branches of trees adjacent to the building, if possible, do not touch the tiles. Pets can also spoil the tightness of the masonry.

Installation nuances: step by step instructions with photos

Installation of a soft roof will not cause any difficulties, subject to the installation technology.

We offer to study in detail all the stages of work for laying soft tiles at home with complex geometry.

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 flat roof garage 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. According to its structure, flexible tiles are similar to rolled 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.

Before laying bituminous tiles, the sheathing is covered with plywood or OSB sheets - this ensures a tighter fit of the roofing material

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. Over the course of many 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, the sound of 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. According to the spread of an open flame, both types of materials belong to the group RP1 - non-propagating flame.

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 pie is unjustified, especially if some kind of heating method is planned or already implemented in the house.

Soft roof structure

The most common variant found in private and suburban construction This 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;
• rafter system roofs - 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, 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 heaters can have different density, affecting 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 of shingles 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

To classify a soft roof, there are different approaches, but we recommend using conditional division into types depending on the roofing material. This is convenient and does not create additional confusion, as is the case with the consideration of the front surface of coatings or classification according to 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.

The PVC membrane consists of several layers, although it is almost impossible to determine this visually

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.

When laying the PVC membrane, special welding equipment is used.

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.

As a matter of fact, PVC membrane is a highly specialized roof covering intended for creation of soft roofs on objects with a flat roof structure.

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. Average fraction size crumb rubber 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.

Rubber crumb for soft roofing is obtained by processing old car tires

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 distributing a liquid composition, even on a surface with a slight slope, 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 tiles "Jazz" from the corporation "TechnoNIKOL" have a total shingle size of 100 × 33.5 cm. Tiles under the trademark "Sonata" are somewhat 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.

Flexible shingles are one of the most popular roofing materials in Europe and the USA.

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 to be periodically cleaned from debris, leaves, tree branches, etc. Like bituminous roll coatings, shingles have flammability groups 3 and 4, which corresponds to normally 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

Soft roll roofing is a flat or pitched roof, for the device of which rolled 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.

Bituminous roll coatings are a universal material for both flat and pitched roofs.

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 drawbacks. 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 produce materials with stone chips in red, green, blue and other bright colors to improve the aesthetic qualities of roll roofing.

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.

Flexible tiles from TechnoNIKOL have an excellent appearance and low cost, especially compared to European counterparts

In fact, the TechnoNIKOL company has proven itself only from the best side, although negative reviews can also be found on the Internet. 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 deal with the construction of a new country house on a personal area. Wherein old dacha I did not demolish, 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.

Fusion coated roll coatings from TechnoNIKOL are distinguished by their reliability and optimal price-to-quality ratio

To get acquainted with the materials of the TechnoNIKOL company used for the installation 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"

Trademark	Size	Average cost (rub.)
PVC membranes
Ecoplast V-RP	per m 2	437
Logicroof V-SR		519
Logicroof NG		849
Bituminous roll coatings
Bikrost TKP	10×1 m	910
Bipol HKP	15×1 m	950
Linokrom Chamber of Commerce and Industry	15×1 m	1400
Uniflex EPP	10×1 m	1490
Technoelast EPP	10×1 m	2000
Flexible shingles
Finnish tile Accord	per m 2	260
Shinglas Ranch		295
Shinglas Quadrille		401
Shinglas Rumba		401
Shinglas Country		472
Shinglas Foxtrot		565

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 easy, 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. Enough 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 the promised 50 years, but many of our facilities have been laid for more than 10 years, 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. Russian rule the thicker the better doesn't 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.

The Finnish company Katepal has been producing shingles for over 65 years - this ensures that their quality is time-tested.

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;
• KL is a classic version of 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 service life, but their 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 specifications.

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.