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

Soft roofing (it is also flexible or bituminous shingles) is gaining more and more popularity in Russia, outstripping other roofing materials in terms of sales. There are several reasons for this. 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 the above is much more expensive, but this is justified by a number of advantages. Flexible shingles are flexible and durable, can be used on surfaces with a slope of more than 12%. It is lightweight for easy transportation and installation. Bituminous shingles do not lose their shape when deformed. The same cannot be said about roll roofing, which is less resistant to mechanical damage.

Choosing this material, many ask questions: “What manufacturer's product is better to choose? Which soft roof is better and how are they different? " Let's list the most popular series of shingles that are successfully implemented by the Pokroff Roofing Center:

• Tegola is a popular roofing tile, a leader in the European roofing market. 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 slightly higher than other coatings, but this is due to the presence in this collection of various color solutions and the provision by manufacturers of a 25-year warranty. The cost of this model is 350-500 rubles / m².
• Icopal is the oldest and most famous brand of bituminous roofing. It is produced in three configurations: shingles are rectangular, hexagonal, trapezoidal. The average price is 320-460 rubles / m².
• Shinglas is a coating designed specifically for Russia's changeable climate. The service life of the material is 20-30 years, while it is inexpensive and available to many. The cost of the 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. Roofing Center "Pokroff" cooperates directly with leading Russian and foreign manufacturers and guarantees high quality of the goods sold.

Excellent operational properties, beautiful appearance, affordable price - all this is a modern roofing material, soft roof. Let's take a look at 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 well in various climatic conditions and can be used in northern regions. But how to choose a soft roof? Let's try to understand the issue.

A bit of history

A soft roof is a consequence of the modification of materials such as glassine and roofing felt. It is these well-known bitumen-type coatings that became the "progenitors" of the new innovative material.

Manufacturers have improved the bituminous binder, namely, the cardboard has been replaced with a new strong and completely rotting base. To improve the performance characteristics, the surface was coated with armor plating. In the 60s, European soft roofing became a separate high-strength roofing material. It appeared in Russia much later in the 90s. The coating immediately gained popularity and is widely used in both the northwestern and southern regions.

Soft roof structure

Before we start choosing a soft roof, let's figure out what the material is. Externally, the cover is a small flat sheet with cutouts of a certain shape along one edge. At the heart of this material is a web 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 getting 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 to protect the 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 batten.

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

Comparative characteristics of soft roofs from leading manufacturers

What is the best soft roof? The question worries all potential buyers. Manufacturers today offer coatings in different shapes and colors. Three companies are leaders in the construction industry - the American brand CertainTeed, the Italian company TEGOLA and the Russian manufacturer Shinglas.

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

The main advantages of the CertainTeed soft roof

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

Security. The coating belongs to the class of moderately flammable materials that do not spread fire.

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

Best sound absorption performance.

Important: American shingles have been named the "quietest" roofing on the market. It is worth choosing it 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, from other manufacturers, this figure can reach 6.4 mm.

Unique design. The petal shape is patented and belongs exclusively to the brand. Each flower is colored in a specific shade, which creates a unique color rendition.

Flexible roof tiles Tegola

Tegola roofing is the best 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 roof tiles is environmentally friendly and extremely durable. The complete 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 Tegola soft roof

Resistance 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 tiles do not lose their color even after 10 years of use.

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

The beauty. Outwardly, the material looks like a full-fledged natural copper roof and can confuse even an experienced professional. It only weighs much less than metal tiles and is much easier to install.

Important: since 2004 the Tegola concern has also been operating in Russia. The opening of factories for the production of copper flexible 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 various designs.

The main advantages of coverage

Resistance to temperature conditions.

Color fastness thanks to the use of 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 installing Shinglas on a roof with an angle of inclination of up to 30 degrees, a waterproofing layer is required over the entire roof area.

A soft roof is a conventional name for the construction of a waterproof carpet made on the basis of cardboard, glass paper, non-woven base, covered with petroleum bitumen or a mixture of bitumen and polymer. This is a whole range of materials for roofing (roll materials, polymer membranes, bitumen shingles), for which a solid foundation is required when laying.

The composition of the material for covering a soft roof.

Soft shingles appeared about 30 years ago. She gained rapid popularity thanks to easy installation on junctions, skates, valleys. The composition of the soft roof is fiberglass or fiberglass, covered on both sides with oxidized bitumen. The special additives that make up the soft roof increase it frost resistance and sun rays, thanks to which the soft roof can withstand the temperature from -50 to +120 degrees Celsius.

From the outside, the soft roof is covered with stone or mineral chips, protecting the rooffrom the adverse effects of the environment. The inner side of the soft roof is covered with adhesive composition,with which it is attached to.

The self-adhesive surface is protected by a foil, so that 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 structures. Besides strength and durability,bituminous roofing has sound insulation properties, so the residents of the house will not be disturbed by the noise of rain or blows of hail. Soft roof does not leak water,and there is no need to worry that the attic or attic will be flooded.

Types of soft roof

Roll roofing is a multi-layer roofing carpet,consisting of high strength fiberglass, modified bitumen, a 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 fused with gas burners.

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

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

Cost of roll roofing materials per M 2 :

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

Membrane roofs are shingles different sizesperformed from various materials. The most popular are PVC membranes. They are made of polyvinyl chloride with the addition of highly volatile 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 are their environmental insecurity due to the high content of volatile substances, as well as the instability to bitumen-based materials.

Prices for PVC membranes per M 2 :

• Elon Super - 230-490 rubles;
• Decopran Е-А - 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. EPDM material (polymerized Ethylene-Propylene-Diene-Monomer) - the membrane consists of three layers: the upper layer of synthetic rubber,a middle layer made of reinforcing fiberglass mesh and a lower layer based on a polymer-bitumen material having a viscous-plastic structure. Upper layer gives flexibility and elasticity,and the bottom layer is durable and reliable. Flexible, strong and durable membrane roof resistant to atmospheric precipitationand does not need frequent renovation.

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

Prices for EPDM membranes per M 2 :

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

TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin) membranes are made on the basis of thermoplastic olefins. They also reinforced with fiberglass, polyester or fiberglass. These are the most advanced single layer roofing membranes. They are mounted by welding. TPO membranes, in contrast to PVC analogues, do not emit volatile substances,do not crack when the temperature drops outside.

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

Prices for TPO membranes:

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

Bituminous shingles are very similar to roll roofing, however, they have a slightly greater thickness.

It is so easy to install that it can be installed by a person who does not have a building education. Shingles come in a variety of shapes and colors.

The advantages of shingles include:

• low thermal conductivity;
• not susceptible to decay and corrosion;
• soundproofing;
• tightness;
• variety of colors and shapes;
• stylized as natural tiles.

Bituminous shingles cost per M 2 :

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

Technical characteristics of a soft roof:

• 1 m 2 of a soft roof with a thickness of 3 mm 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 the roofing sheets reaches 60 m;
• laying roof coverings with an angle of inclination over 120;
• service life is 50-100 years.

Working conditions with a soft roof:

Manufacturing lathing for soft tiles

1. Under the soft roof only solid crate, which fits into 2 layers.
2. All work to install the lathing is done from the bottom up.
3. The bars are attached to supporting structure roofs.
4. The lower crate is nailed behind the cornice board.
5. The roofing tape spreads horizontally in relation to the ridge. It is also fixed between the rafters and 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 step size of the rafters can fluctuate from 60 cm to 150 cm. With a step of 60 cm, you need to use 12 mm plywood or 20 mm board. With a distance between the rafters of 90 cm, plywood with a thickness of 18 mm or a board of 23 mm is used. For a maximum step of 150 cm, a 37 mm board or 27 mm plywood is taken.
7. Subsequent bars are attached in 37 cm increments.
8. The last bar attached to the skate board with nails. It is imperative to monitor the horizontal position of the beams.
9. After laying the crate, plywood sheets impregnated with a fire retardant and an antiseptic are nailed onto it. Leave gaps between sheets in 20 cm for natural ventilation.

Stages of installation of bituminous tiles

1. Shingles nailed to the base nails. If the angle of inclination of the roof 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 bitumen base is heated.
2. On the ridge of the roof, a special end carpet.
3. The first sheet of the soft roof is attached at the very eaves, 2 cm above the eaves bend.
4. The second sheet is placed butt to the first. Nails are driven in the perforation.
5. This is how bitumen shingles are applied to the entire roof from the bottom up, starting from the middle of the row.
6. All roof nodes treated with mastic for better sealing. The cold mastics include bitumen and roofing felt, and the hot ones are tar and tar.

The most popular materials for the repair of a soft roof is Izoplast, Unifrom, Isoelast on a bitumen-polymer base for the upper layer, and Uniflex, Technoelast, Bireplast for the lower layer.

Flaws (small cracks, roughness) are poured with bitumen, on mastic roofing material is glued,a layer of bitumen is applied on top, which is spread over the surface with a roller.

If depressurized old stuffthen the place under it dried with a burner,it is coated with bitumen, the material is put back and again poured with bitumen from above.

If a bubble has formed, then its 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 roll cloth, its complete replacement. The area with cracks is cleaned, glued with mastic and a new canvas is glued on top.

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

In places separation of joints the old canvas is lifted, the place is dried with a burner, coated with bitumen and put in place. The joint is again coated 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 cavities;
• new material is laid from the lower edge of the roof;
• seams are processed with bituminous mastic;
• another layer of coating spreads on top, and the canvas should overlap the junction of the first coating;
• if the leak is formed in winter, then a patch of roofing material is put in place of the leak, which is carefully heated with a burner; in the warm season, the entire canvas must be replaced.

Reviews on the use of soft roofing

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

Evgeny Boldenkov

Moss growth is inevitable on the flexible roof. Only Ruflex has a copper or zinc coating that prevents vegetation on the roof.

Valentin Ivanov

Ruflex has phenomenal sound insulation. Even with hail, 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 with resins. You can do everything yourself. Forever refused roofing material.

Dmitry Bogachev

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

Tamara Kislyakova

In fact, a soft roof is an improved roofing material. Like everything in recent years in construction (for example, the same one), he received several new layers. Prices for different types of products differ insignificantly, so such a roof can be built with almost 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 in 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 not everything, one of the main disadvantages of roofing material is its low tensile strength. Over time, the material just crumbled. IN modern variations one very important change appeared on the soft roof - the roofing felt received a very strong base - fiberglass.

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

The structure of bitumen itself 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 in real examples: photos of finished projects

The architects immediately realized that the improved coating can not only be covered in layers, rolling rolls, but also create new, completely unique materials for decoration on its basis. One of the options for the embodiment of the idea was soft tiles. Various types, shapes, shades allow you to create real architectural masterpieces. Look at the photo to see how unexpected and unusual the use cases can be soft tiles.

Types of soft roofs and the average price for 1 m²

If roofing material was used mostly for, then modern flexible rolls are a full-fledged construction material... It carries many functions. Made with the use of modern polymers, it is excellent, can act as finishing or preliminary layer.

Advice! On sale you will find all sorts of mastics, as well as polymer membranes and shingles. The roll covering is most conveniently laid on a flat roof, and bitumen shingles are most often used on roofs with complex relief.

Types and prices for soft bituminous shingles

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

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

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

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

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

bituminous shingles

Multicolor tiles will cost a little more. Most often these are foreign samples from the USA and Finland. The cost of a multicolor version is from 340 rubles per 1 m².

And finally, the ultra-modern option is the 3D effect tiles. This design is used for the "shingle" shape. Price square meter - from 430 rubles per 1 m².

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

bituminous tile TechnoNIKOL Shinglas

Types of coatings and prices for soft roll roofing

But the soft roofing material for the roof produced in rolls will cost almost several times cheaper than shingles. Its average price is from 180 rubles for a ten-meter roll. 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. Poorly tolerates temperature extremes and is used mainly for waterproofing temporary,.

roofing cardboard

• Fiberglass - is the basis for the manufacture of materials such as Uniflex, Linocorm, Stekloizol and Euroruberoid. Favorably distinguished by high resistance to negative environmental factors, 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 tries to profitably improve its composition in order to ensure an 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 allow moisture to pass through, it can be used together with other finishing materials.

The only thing that may cause difficulties is the installation of joints. It must be produced 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 structures. 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 disadvantages, 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 a roofing device, it is chosen for its ease of installation and long service life, good resistance to temperature extremes and fire. PVC membrane is afraid of solvents, incompatible with bitumen. Price from 420 rubles per m².

PVC membranes

Types and prices of a soft roofing brand "Technonikol"

Products of the brand "Technonikol" have long been loved by the Russian buyer for fairly affordable prices for roofing material and high quality products. Material produced different types and options for using reinforcing layers and coatings.

Let's consider the main ones, first in the budget segment:

• glass insulation. It is most often used for finishing and waterproofing. Differs in a durable fiberglass base, has a special protective layer of polymer film.

glass-insol

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

Products of the middle price category:

• linokorm. It is based on a special non-woven fiber based on polyester compounds. Coated with synthetic polyolefin bitumen. For ease of installation, equipped with a thermal indicator on the bottom layer;

linocorm

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

• bikroelast - is similar in composition to linocorm, but differs in a special manufacturing technology that makes the coating highly elastic. It can be mounted at air temperatures down to -10 degrees.

bikroelast

The average cost per square meter for these materials is from 500 rubles.

Premium materials:

• uniflex. For its production, ultra-strong and elastic SBS-bitumen is used, it is not afraid of temperature extremes. Due to the special layer of sand backfill, the roof can "breathe". That excludes 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

A soft roof, like any other building material, has its pros and cons that can influence the decision to purchase.

Among the advantages are:

Disadvantages:

• cost;
• if the installation technology is violated, moisture may enter.

This can lead to decay of OSB sheets; in winter, accumulated moisture can under pressure break the tightness of the coating and squeeze out the bitumen shingles.

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

Installation nuances: step-by-step instructions with a photo

Installation of a soft roof will not cause any difficulties, provided that the installation technology is followed.

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

Traditionally, slate and its derivatives from galvanized metal were used to cover the roofs of private houses. Despite the many advantages, these materials are obsolete. They are being replaced by modern analogues of roofing material and flexible shingles, which are distinguished 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 examination 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 in what way and by what technology they are being laid.

What is a soft roof

Soft roof is a collective concept of a 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 that differ both in composition and scope, and in laying technology. The choice of a specific material is determined by the area of \u200b\u200bthe roof, the angle of its slope and the need to create a full-fledged thermal insulation 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 cases. For example, during installation or repair flat roof garage or utility roomwhen 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 bituminous shingles. It comes in the form of rectangular modules called shingles. In its structure, shingles are similar to roll materials, because bitumen is the main component that ensures its waterproofing properties. A standard shingle consists of several layers.

Advantages and disadvantages of a soft roof

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

Before installing bitumen shingles, the sheathing is covered with sheets of plywood or OSB - 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 for the materials and the quality of the work performed. For example, the Technonikol corporation provides a 7-year warranty for polymer membranes, and for bitumen shingles - from 20 to 50 years, depending on the series;
• maintainability - damage and other flaws arising during operation on a flat roof carpet can be easily repaired by replacing the defective area. In the case of shingles, it is sufficient to replace only a few damaged shingles;
• reliability - bitumen-roll coatings and soft tiles are highly resistant to atmospheric precipitation, moisture, sharp temperature changes, fungi and microorganisms. Over the years, soft roofing only gradually loses its original appearance;
• ease of installation - unlike metal or composite roofing materials, bitumen-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 rainfall or blows from falling hail practically does not penetrate into 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 can be noted its low resistance to fire (class GP4 - highly combustible), due to the use of bitumen. Polymer membranes are slightly less flammable and have a flammability class G3 - normally flammable. In terms of spreading open flame, both types of materials belong to the RP1 group - flame retardant.

The second significant drawback is a low degree of thermal insulation without the use of modern heaters. Therefore, the use of bitumen roll coatings and PVC membranes without creating a full-fledged roofing cake is unjustified, especially if some kind of heating method is planned or has already been 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 shingles, will have the following structure:

• ventilation rack and lathing - the ventilation lath 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 cake. Due to this, excess moisture evaporates freely without being absorbed into the thermal insulation material. The lathing ensures the rigidity and strength of the base from the attic side;
• roof rafter system - wooden beams extending from the roof ridge at a certain angle (\u003e 15 o). Rafters act as supports that evenly distribute 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 thermal insulation materials. When moisture gets in, the membrane retains its excess. Due to ventilation, excess moisture evaporates, thereby keeping the insulation dry. The vapor barrier is usually installed from the attic side;

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

• thermal insulation - the most popular materials for insulating 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 due to its low efficiency. Both types of insulation can have different densityaffecting both the rigidity of the material and its thermal insulation qualities;

  
  When installing a soft roof on pitched roofs, a ventilation bar must be installed, which provides air flow into the under-roof space

• leveling material - moisture resistant plywood or OSB. A leveling material is necessary 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 polyester-based material. It is used when laying any soft tiles. In some cases, it is even used as a temporary roof covering. Required for additional insulation of the roofing cake;
• roofing - modern bituminous and bitumen-polymer materials. The cheapest and most affordable are roofing material, bikrost, rubemast, etc. The most expensive are various variations of bituminous tiles and polymer membranes. The choice of material depends entirely on the capabilities of the owners of the house and the exterior of the building.

Types of soft roof

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

PVC membranes

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

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

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

1. Flexible, textured PVC for high protection against moisture, UV rays, temperature extremes, etc.
2. A textile fabric made of polyester yarns that acts as a reinforcing layer. Provides the strength properties of the membrane.
3. Dark gray PVC surface. Provides increased stability of the membrane on the rough base.

The PVC membrane coating is supplied in rolls from 10 to 25 m long. The roll width varies depending on the manufacturer, but most often there are products with a width of 2.05–2.10 m. The coating thickness 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. In this case, the first scheduled repair of the roof is carried out no earlier than 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 indisputable advantages of PVC membranes include:

• strength and elasticity;
• vapor permeability;
• fire safety;
• light weight;
• high strength of the welded seam;
• ease of styling.

Among the disadvantages, it is necessary to note the high cost compared to analogs 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.

Basically, a PVC membrane is a highly specialized roofing covering designed to create soft roofs in flat roof structures.

Soft rubber crumb roof

Crumb rubber is a product of recycling old tires and is used as a coating for footpaths, playgrounds 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 previously prepared base. The result is a uniform and seamless roofing carpet that adheres tightly to the sub-base.

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

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

The advantages of a soft rubber crumb roof include:

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

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

The area of \u200b\u200bapplication of the soft rubber crumb roof is also limited to flat roofs. When distributing a liquid composition even over a surface with a slight slope, problems can already arise.

Flexible bituminous shingles

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

For the first time flexible bituminous shingles appeared in the United States 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 the different economic situation, but their demand is growing every year.

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

The advantages of shingles include:

• strength and reliability;
• wear resistance;
• relatively light weight;
• good sound insulation;
• high anti-corrosion properties;
• quick and easy installation;
• service life not less than 20 years.

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

Unlike other bituminous roofing materials, shingles need to be periodically cleaned of debris, leaves, tree branches, etc. Like bitumen roll coatings, shingles have flammability groups 3 and 4, which corresponds to normal and highly flammable materials.

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

Video: how to choose flexible shingles

Bituminous roll roofing

Soft roll roofing is a flat or pitched roof, for the device of which roll and waterproofing materials were used. The first group includes glassine, roofing felt, rubemast, bikrost, linocrom, etc. The second group includes materials under the trademarks Technoelast, Westoplast, Uniflex, Ekoflex and others. The standard width of any of the listed coatings is 1 m with a roll length of 10 m.

Unlike other roofing materials, bitumen 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 areas - for installing the roofs of country and outbuildings, as well as garages with flat and pitched roofs.

Bituminous roll coatings - a universal material for the device of both flat and pitched roofs

The advantages of roll roofing materials include:

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

In fact, roll roofs have only two significant disadvantages. The first is a relatively low service life when using cheap coatings (roofing material, rubemast, glass-fiber insulation), 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 soft roof manufacturers

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 optimal brands and positions. At the end of some of the sections below, there will be 2-3 reviews 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 the corporation "Technonikol"

The Technonikol Corporation is the largest Russian manufacturer of roofing, sound, hydro and thermal insulation, as well as materials used in transport and road construction.

For the installation of a soft roof, the corporation "Technonikol" 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 contains mastic compounds based on bitumen and polyurethane, which are among the best on the market in terms of price-quality ratio.

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

In fact, the Technonikol company has established 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 my personal practice I have come across the poor quality of bitumen-roll coatings. In 2015, I had to deal with the construction of a new country house on a personal plot. Wherein old cottage I didn't demolish it, but left it as a temporary warehouse for the instrument. 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 RKK-350 roofing felt 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, as it was not possible to build in winter. At the beginning of spring, the roof was completely finished. I chose the same RKK-350 as a temporary roof covering (for 2-3 years). Moreover, for six months its price has practically not changed. 3 months after laying the coating inside the building, leaks were found on the ceiling, which is absolutely excluded, because the material was laid strictly according to the technology on a flat surface, observing the overlap. After examination, several detachments were found along the joint in different places. In addition, the sprinkles flew off the bituminous canvas even when touched. Two conclusions can be drawn from this. Firstly, due to their popularity, Technonikol products are counterfeited, but I was just not lucky. 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 which material will come from. I cut off the assumption that the quality of TechnoNIKOL products had become worse immediately, since even the ratio of bad and good reviews the Internet is incommensurable. If everything were so bad, then people have long ago switched to using materials from other manufacturers. There are enough of them now.

Fused roll coatings from Technonikol are distinguished by their reliability and an 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 shows the price of products at the end of the first quarter of 2018.

Table: the cost of materials for a soft roof from the Technonikol company

Trademark	The 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
Bipole HKP	15 × 1 m	950
Linokrom CCI	15 × 1 m	1400
Uniflex EPP	10 × 1 m	1490
Technoelast EPP	10 × 1 m	2000
Flexible bituminous 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 we have a review about Shinglas shingles, and specifically about the Country collection. Advantages: quiet, easy to install, for a long time. There is practically no waste. Disadvantages: not found. What are tile sheets? This is a high-quality roofing sheet, on the front side covered with mineral chips of a certain color, and on the back having a sticky bitumen base. The color can be brown, red, green, blue and gray. Different collection has different shapes of tile petals. During installation, 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

We use bikrost and similar materials quite often. The material is most applicable in new garages or when renovating old ones. Built fast budget garage from concrete goods, sheathed everything with polystyrene, poured a screed over the floor slab and laid Bikrost. Good enough coverage and most importantly, that it is easy to work with. We take 4 mm with the obligatory dressing, so it peels less. The roofs are mostly unexploited, so I can say for sure that they are going away for 20-30 years. I don’t know how it is with 50 years, which they promise, but at many of our facilities more than 10 years have passed since Bikrost was laid, and nowhere are there leaks, no curling of material, or cracks. It probably also depends on what we are trying to do efficiently. It is better to immediately spend half a day more for the same garage than then go who knows where to glue or re-patch the strip. My plus sign for the material!

Nikolaev111

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

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

kristina-tn2017

https://otzovik.com/review_4339012.html

Video: master class on laying flexible tiles "Technonikol"

Flexible bitumen shingles Katepal

Katepal is a Finnish company that has been manufacturing soft bituminous roofing tiles for over 65 years. All Katepal materials are made from bitumen modified with rubber, 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 face layer of the shingles, which protects the roofing from natural influences. In this case, the granulate practically does not affect the durability and saturation of the applied dye. For coloring, a special proprietary pigment and technology are used, thanks to which the stone chips are deeply pressed into the bitumen layer.

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

Shingles from Katepal are presented in the following commercial series:

• Ambient - stylization for the medieval era;
• Foxy - tile with diamond-shaped petals;
• Rocky - shingle-like roofing;
• Katrili - stylization for volumetric and embossed drawing;
• Jazzy - tile with a smooth gradient on the petals;
• 3T - minimalism and restraint of Scandinavia;
• KL is the classic version of the hexagonal shingles.

The guaranteed service life of tiles from any range presented above is at least 15 years. The warranty period is extended to 25 years with the SuperBase branded underlayment on the sub-base.

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

Roof tiles Katepal are 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.