7 tips for choosing shingles( soft): types and manufacturers

Contents

1. №1.The composition of shingles
2. №2.Advantages and disadvantages of the
3. # 3 shingles. How are shingles better than competitors?
4. №4.Types of shingles according to the method of cutting sheets and color
5. №5.Types of soft tile modification
6. № 6.What to consider when an external examination?
7. №7.The best manufacturers of soft tile

Flexible tile today is used to cover 90% of the roofs of private houses in the United States. This roofing material of the new generation is confidently gaining popularity in the domestic market. Externally, soft tile resembles a traditional ceramic, but bypasses it for many advantages. Durable, lightweight, practical and cute material is presented in a huge variety. How to choose a soft tile, its appearance, shape, color, and which manufacturer to prefer?

№1.Composition of

shingles A material called is also called soft tile, shingles, roofing tiles, shingles, and even the shinglass named for the main domestic material manufacturer. It is sold in the form of small flat sheets of various shapes and colors. High performance due to production technology.

Soft tile consists of the following layers:

• base is fiberglass, much less often organic pulp. Fiberglass is obtained from the molten mass of inorganic glass, the fibers are interconnected due to special additives. Fiberglass canvas today produce wet and dry methods .The first involves a strong grinding of raw materials, foaming of the mass on the formation of the canvas, on top of which the binder and film are applied. The dry method involves squeezing the molten glass mass through dies and forming fibers that are woven together to form a web. After processing the canvas with binders, drying occurs;
• bitumen layers with polymer additives( often one or two).Bitumen - resinous organic matter of natural origin, which is impregnated fiberglass to give the future product such properties as flexibility, strength, resistance to critical temperatures. To improve the performance of shingles, bitumen is modified with polymer additives ;
• The top decorative layer of is made of basalt granulate, silicon or slate crumb. It gives the product the necessary color, brings it closer to the aesthetics of natural tile, and also plays the role of additional protection from mechanical damage, moisture, ultraviolet rays, and prevents the bituminous layer from melting under the action of high temperatures. Dressing also increases strength and durability. Basalt is the most preferred and common coating option. Its particles are tight to each other and better fixed on the surface. slate tends to absorb oils contained in bitumen and change color;
• bitumen-polymer layer with self-adhesive base ;
• film to protect the previous layer.

polymer additives that modify bitumen deserve special attention. Properties of a soft tile depend on them. As additives, commonly used:

• styrene-butadiene-styrene ( SBS), also known as artificial rubber or thermoplastic, makes bitumen more elastic, resistant to frost and high temperatures. Great for use in regions with cold climates and sudden temperature changes, so in the domestic context it is the best option;
• atactic polypropylene ( APP) allows bitumen to withstand very high temperatures, makes it resistant to sunlight, but does not protect against frost - an option for regions with a hot climate.

There is also oxidized bitumen , which is obtained by treating bitumen with oxygen, starting the process of artificial aging. Due to this treatment increases service life, resistance to low and high temperatures. In terms of elasticity, such bitumen is inferior to SBS-modified, but it is cheaper and fully applicable in domestic conditions.

It is possible to determine the type of bitumen used during external examination of soft tile. It is enough to pull the corner of the upper layer, and if the bitumen will stretch, we have its modified version, if it breaks - oxidized.

№2.Advantages and disadvantages of

shingles Features of the production of soft tiles cause its excellent performance, which, in turn, give rise to great demand. Among the main advantages of shingles:

• ease of installation and transportation due to low weight and compact size. A reinforced roof system does not have to be built, and this is a significant savings;
• the possibility of using for the organization of roofs of complex forms of , even dome-shaped, with waste being at least ;
• resistance to all negative environmental factors , however, you must choose a soft tile of the appropriate composition. The material is not afraid of sunlight, moisture, ice, frost, corrosion, mold, therefore boasts high durability( about 50 years), and manufacturers give their products a long-term warranty;
• material does not fade in the sun, does not change its color over time;
• excellent heat and sound insulation , allowing you to keep the optimal climate in the house and not suffer from noise during the rain;
• beautiful appearance , a huge selection of colors and shapes, the ability to imitate natural tile;
• health safety;
• soft tile - dielectric , so there is no need for a lightning rod;
• resistance to fire, as the combustible bitumen on top is covered with stone particles.

Among the shortcomings of the , we note:

• the relatively high price of the .Compared with metal or slate roofing tiles are, of course, more expensive, and in comparison with natural tile material seems to be a budget option. In any case, the cost of buying shingles is paid off with its durability and minimal waste;
• need to build a solid foundation , on which the installation of the material. The base is made of edged board( expensive option), plywood, but its performance is not the best, or OSB-plates. The latter are considered the best solution;
• installation can not be carried out at negative temperatures , but there is one trick here. If, before laying the tile, to hold it in a warm room and warm it with a building dryer, the installation can be carried out up to a temperature of 150 ° C.

Soft tile is a versatile material for covering the roofs of private houses, public and commercial buildings, industrial buildings. Roof tiles are mounted on roofs with a slope of more than 12 degrees, and if the slope is more than 45 degrees, then you will have to reinforce each element with 2-4 nails.

№3.How are shingles better than competitors?

Among the main competitors of shingles are roofing materials such as ondulin, slate, metal tiles and natural tiles. Soft tile is more expensive than the first three analogues, but buyers often prefer it because it is superior to slate and ondulin in aesthetic qualities, durability, waste and ease of installation. The metal tile can compete in appearance, but its disadvantage is a lot of noise during rain and the possibility of corrosion during deformation of the protective layer. Flexible tiles are quiet and rust is not afraid.

All that remains is natural tile, which boasts record-breaking durability, neutrality and an excellent appearance that soft tile manufacturers are so eager to replicate in their collections. However, the natural counterpart is much more expensive, requires strengthening the truss system, has difficulty in installing and needs periodic monitoring of the condition of the roof and replacement of damaged elements.

№4.Types of shingles according to the method of cutting sheets and color

Roofing material is usually evaluated by the mass of parameters, and the appearance is taken into account first. Aesthetics depends not only on the color, but also on the shape of the element. Today, manufacturers of soft tiles offer us such sheet cutting options:

• shingles;
• diamond;
• rectangle;
• oval;
• Hexagon;
• "brick";
• "beaver tail";
• "dragon tooth".

Some of them are designed to imitate natural material, such as ceramic tiles, others to give the roof an original look. Almost every manufacturer seeks to submit these standard names in its own way, to distinguish the product against the background of analogues from competitors. In addition, in the collections of companies engaged in the manufacture of soft tiles, you can find products and other forms.

A variety of colors even more. The tile of red-brown, green and blue shades enjoys popularity, but the choice is not limited to it. Manufacturers have learned how to create not only monochromatic products, but also with the transition from one color to another, and the capabilities of modern technology make it possible to paint almost any shade, and with a 3D effect. The change in the color of the dressing and the base, the shape of the sheet and the pattern on it, as well as the glossiness and dullness of the parameter, allow one to achieve original effects or a complete resemblance to clay or wooden tiles.

On sale you can find three-layer soft tile , which differs from the usual two-layer, not only the price and even higher performance, but also the appearance. The third layer is applied with a slight offset, which allows to achieve the effect of volume and relief, and this has a positive effect on the aesthetics of the coating.

№5.Types of soft tiles for modification

Installation of a roof of shingles requires the use of elements of various modifications:

• ordinary tiles is the one that forms the rows and constitutes the main part of the roof covering;
• ridge tile is used for arranging the joints of the roof slopes and ridge, gives the roof a finished look;
• eaves tile is designed for arranging eaves, that part of the roof that takes on the greatest load in the autumn and spring, being exposed to the effects of thawed snow and ice. Elements of such tiles have an increased thickness;
• skid-eaves tile combines the characteristics of the two previous types and is universal.

№6.What to consider when an external examination?

Sometimes a visual inspection, rather than a manufacturer’s description of the technical characteristics, will tell a lot more about the quality of soft tile. To choose high-quality flexible shingles, when buying pay attention to the following points:

• flexibility .A quality product must be flexible and elastic - this is a guarantee of its durability and practicality. To test the flexibility, it is enough to try to bend the material, not fold in half, and bend a little. A quality product without any problems will bend, and then return to its former state;
• odor of bitumen should not be , because this is the first sign that it actively evaporates, and this threatens to lose elasticity in a short time;
• stone crumb coating should be uniform and dense, not crumbling. If more than 2 g of crumb falls from one shingle, this product is of poor quality;
• The presence of self-adhesive surface greatly facilitates the installation of shingles, but it is important that no more than 6 months pass from the moment the product is manufactured, otherwise you will have to deal with a building hairdryer;
• The thickness of a single-layer shingle must not be less than 4 mm. Multi-layered elements will be somewhat thicker, they have increased resistance to moisture and wind.

Soft tile is sold in packs of 22 elements, which roughly corresponds to 3 square meters.m finished coating. Packaging weight ranges from 5-8 kg for single-layer products and up to 20 kg for multilayer. Experts recommend using components from different packages during installation - this is a guarantee that the roof will be aesthetic, even if the color of the material in different packages is slightly different. The quality and durability of the roof of soft tile depends on the preparation of the base - the violation of technology can lead to a significant reduction in service life.

№7.The best manufacturers of soft tiles

The US are the trendsetters in the field of shingles, because it is there that the material is most popular, at least for now. Such large companies as Owens Corning, GAF and CertainTeed operate there, but their products are poorly represented on the domestic market, since their counterparts from European companies are not inferior in quality and diversity, but are cheaper. A couple of years ago, due to the crisis and the decline in production, the European soft tile market shrank by almost a third, to which domestic manufacturers could not fail to respond, who instantly increased turnover and flooded construction stores with their products. Which tile manufacturers can you trust?

1. Tegola is an Italian company that has been operating since 1973 and is the leader among the countries of Europe in the production of shingles. The priority of the manufacturer is not only performance, but also the appearance, so you can find unique tiles in the company's collections, for example, with copper coating. In total, the manufacturer offers several collections, with a dozen forms and about a hundred different colors. Factories and representative offices are located in 73 countries of the world, and thanks to the launch of a factory in the Ryazan region, high quality has become more affordable for the domestic buyer.
2. Katepal OY is the largest Finnish manufacturer of soft tile, selling it under the trademark Ruflex. Works since 1949, sells products to countries in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. At production the advanced bitumen of the highest quality is used, providing frost resistance of products. The manufacturer takes into account the Russian climatic features and supplies to the domestic market the most suitable products according to its characteristics. The variety of species, of course, is not the same as that of an Italian competitor, but it is still very rich and allows you to choose the appropriate option. In the range there is a double-layer tile. Prices are above average.
3. Icopal is another major Finnish manufacturer that offers high-quality shingles made on modern equipment and using the best materials. Only SBS-modified bitumen is used, the range is small, but includes all the most popular colors and shapes, prices are average.
4. IKO is a company whose production facilities are located in Canada, Belgium and Slovakia. The range of soft tiles is huge, there are actually developed forms, the variety of shades is very wide. Tiles are mainly produced using oxidized bitumen, prices are average.
5. CertainTeed is one of the few American companies whose products can be found on the domestic market. The range is amazing, some products do not know analogues and are not found in other manufacturers. The price is high.
6. BRAI is an Italian manufacturer offering soft tiles with copper coating.
7. Kerabit is a Finnish company characterized by a sufficient range and high quality products. Prices are average.
8. Group of companies "TehnoNIKOL" produces the famous soft tiles Shinglas and Tilercat. Industrial facilities are constantly growing, customers are offered new colors and shapes of the material. All products comply with European quality standards, but they are 1.5-2 times cheaper than their foreign counterparts. Of course, there are elite expensive options, but, regardless of the price, all products are of good quality and durable. The company offers several collections of soft tiles: the material is different in shape and color, the number of layers( there are multi-layered products), there are also products with record-breaking performance, and they are guaranteed for 50 years.
9. Douquet Extrusion Group of Companies has two factories in Russia, has been operating since 2005 and has representative offices in almost all regions of the country. The choice of tile is sufficient, oxidized and SBS-modified bitumen is used, the guarantee for economy-class products is 20 years, the more expensive - 50 years.

Soft tile is almost an ideal roofing material that will last for decades, only you need to choose a quality product, what the manufacturer's name will help you with and how to install it correctly.