Pros and cons of composite shingles

Homeowners have a wide range of roofing material options to select from, each with pros and cons of their own. A popular option, composite shingles are renowned for their longevity and adaptability. However, as with any material, they have benefits and drawbacks that should be taken into account before choosing.

A mixture of materials, including asphalt, fiberglass, and recycled goods, are used to make composite shingles. This combination produces a robust, long-lasting roofing material that can resemble more costly materials like wood or slate. They are generally simple to install, provide excellent weather resistance, and frequently have extended warranties.

Conversely, there might be certain drawbacks to composite shingles. When considering upfront costs, they may be more costly than conventional asphalt shingles. Furthermore, the longevity and quality can differ based on the manufacturer, and certain less expensive options might not offer the same degree of performance. In order to decide whether composite shingles are the best option for your house, it’s critical to carefully consider these factors.

Types of composite tiles

Various product types that are supplied to the construction market by different manufacturers are available for purchase:

• Metrotile composite tiles. A Belgian company that began close cooperation with the Russian Federation in 2002. All products entering the Russian market have the necessary certificates and quality marks. The material consists of a steel sheet, which is coated on both sides with a layer of aluminum zinc. The result is a durable, corrosion-resistant product. Stone chips, fixed using a special product produced by Metrotile, additionally protects the panels from the influence of the external environment. And the top layer (acrylic glaze) gives the product self-cleaning properties – contaminants are washed off from the surface during rain. The company produces various profiles (composite tiles Metrobond, MetroClassik, MetroShake, etc.).
• Composite tiles luxard. One of leading manufacturers of this type of tile in Russia and the CIS countries is the company "Techno Nicole». Made from hot-dip galvanized steel. The sheets are covered with several layers of different materials, each of which performs its own function. Roofing covering "Luxard" is a material that combines the strength of metal, resistance to aggressive environments and high aesthetic properties.
• Composite tiles gerard. The material is produced by the New Zealand company Ahi Roofing. The company produces various tile profiles (Classic, Heritage, Shake, etc.), imitating different materials (ceramic tiles, cedar shingles, wooden shingles). The coating is available in 12 color shades and 7 mixed colors (two-tone). Like all other types of ceramic tiles, “Gerard” consists of a steel sheet and several different layers that form a high-quality coating.
• Decra. Produced by the famous Finnish manufacturer of roofing systems – Icopal, which has been operating in the Russian Federation since 2005. Today, composite decra tiles are in definite demand on the Russian market, thanks to their positive characteristics (strength, frost resistance, fire safety). The manufacturer produces tiles of various shapes and colors (Classic, Stratos, Roman, Elegance). The full range of composite tiles can be found on the company’s official website https://www.icopal-russia.ru/kompozitnaia-cherepitsa-decra/.
• FEROOF. South Korean company that produces premium composite tiles. The products are distinguished by proprietary technological developments and individual design. The material is presented in several types (RIO, ZISSEN, DIVA, WOOD, VENETO), having a variety of colors and shapes.

Metrotile composite flooring

Composite roofing shingles combine strength, adaptability, and visual appeal to provide a contemporary substitute for conventional roofing materials. Their appearance is intended to resemble that of wood, slate, or tile, but they are more resilient to impact, fire, and weather. Despite their initial higher cost, they can save money over time due to their long lifespan and minimal maintenance requirements. To decide if composite shingles are the best option for your house, you must consider the advantages against the initial cost and the possibility of color fading.

Composite tiles: pros and cons

The kind of roofing under consideration has advantages and disadvantages, just like any other product. The benefits of composite flooring It possesses the qualities listed below:

• corrosion resistance, thanks to the aluminum-zinc coating (however, an important condition here is correct installation);
• light weight and fire safety;
• big choice of shapes and colors;
• flexibility and possibility of cutting material allow it to be used to cover roofs of various configurations;
• durability to temperature changes;
• high waterproof;
• guarantee coatings 30-50 years;
• basalt layer reduces noise from rain and hail.

Drawbacks:

• high price;
• if installed incorrectly there is risk of corrosion;
• It is not recommended to walk on this surface frequently, as this can lead to roof leaks.

Specifications

Composite tiles, no matter what kind, have a structure made up of multiple layers. The material’s foundation is steel sheet, which has a thickness of 0.3 to 0.5 mm. An alloy of silicon, zinc, and aluminum is applied to both sides of the sheet. The aluminum-zinc surface and natural stone chips (jade, jasper, basalt, and quartz) are covered in an acrylic composition from the exterior, and then they are covered in an acrylic glaze. Acrylic primer is applied to the aluminum-zinc coated sheet’s reverse side.

Zinc is a component that gives the tiles their resistance to scratches, cracks, and mechanical damage. The product’s top glaze layer shields it from UV rays, allowing the coating to last a long time without changing color.

A composite tile sheet’s measurements may differ from one manufacturer to the next, although they rarely differ significantly:

Roofing pie structure

A cold roof is a more straightforward design that consists of just the roofing material and a waterproofing membrane that is positioned beneath the tiles, in addition to the rafter system.

The film is first secured using a construction stapler, and then counter-batten screws are used to secure it. A slight sag of one to two centimeters should be present in the fixed sheet to allow for condensate drainage into the gutter and ventilation.

The intended structure of the roof—that is, whether it will be a warm or cold structure—determines the roofing pie diagram.

The counter-batten, which is used to lay the composite tiles, is fastened to the lathing.

The components of a warm roof are as follows (picture of pie diagram below):

1. Vapor barrier film that protects the insulation from steam penetration from inside the room.
2. Rafter system.
3. Thermal insulation layer, which is mounted between the rafters, leaving space for ventilation.
4. Waterproofing membrane. The material is laid with a sag of 4-5 cm, while the same distance should remain between it and the insulation.
5. Counter-lattice. Installed along the rafters and presses the waterproofing.
6. Lathing. Attached to the counter-lattice and serves as a base for the roof covering.

Roof angle

The recommended slope for Luxard Classic brand composite tiles, among others, is between 15 and 90 degrees.

Extra waterproofing materials are required when waterproofing a roof with a slight slope, up to 20 degrees.

Rolls of waterproofing are used to lay the tiles on a continuous floor on slopes up to 15 degrees in slope.

The coating serves only as decoration in these circumstances.

Calculation of the number of tiles

The area of the slopes, the roof’s shape, and the kind of tiles (each with a different usable area) all affect how many tile panels are used.

Divide the roof area by the tile sheet’s usable area to determine the required amount of material, then add 5% to the resultant value (recommended supply of material). The outcome is rounded to the nearest whole number.

Example calculation:

• Total roof area – 200 m2.
• Useful area of ​​a sheet of MetroBond tiles – 0.46 m2.
• Amount of material = 200/0.46 + 5% = 434.78… + 21.73… = 457 pcs.

Preparing the sheathing

Sheathing is appropriate for building 50×50 mm wooden blocks when the pitch of the rafter legs is up to one meter. Use of thicker beams is recommended if there is a greater space between the rafters.

A 2 cm space is taken from the counter-lattice’sedgefor the installation of the bottom beam. In order for the beams to span at least two rafter spans, the length of the sheathing components needs to be just over two meters.

The useful length of the tile panel should match the pitch between the slats. In order to provide excellent waterproofing and wind protection, a lock must be created between the covering elements.

The ridge’s shape is taken into consideration when mounting the top row of sheathing. Accordingly, the space between the outer edges of the beams on either side of the ridge for a semicircular product called "Metrotile" is 13 cm, and the space between the ribs is 12 cm. Depending on the ridge’s size (shelf width), these values could change.

Installation of composite tiles

1. Covering sheets are laid overlapping, top to bottom. Only the first row is attached to the upper edge of the sheet.
2. The second panel is laid under the first and nailed anodized nails in four places.
3. The next row is placed under the top one and both rows are secured by driving nails into the end of the sheet of the upper segment. Because the tiles have a rough surface, nail heads should be painted with weatherproof paint and sprinkle with mineral stones included in the repair kit.
4. The panels are laid in a checkerboard pattern, shifting the rows left and right. In places of overlap, no more than 3 sheets should meet. If the tiles are installed with an overlap on the eaves, the bottom row is fastened with nails from above.
5. After installation of the tiles, the arrangement work is carried out roof junctions to the chimney, walls, ventilation pipes, etc.P.
6. In general, the installation instructions for composite tiles are very similar to the installation process for metal tiles.

Cutting tiles

Diagram for installing sheets

A wonderful compromise between performance and affordability can be found with composite shingles. They are made to look like natural materials, such as wood or slate, but they don’t require as much upkeep or cost as much. For homeowners searching for a long-lasting roofing solution, composite shingles are a great choice due to their strength and resilience to inclement weather.

The environmental friendliness of composite shingles is another benefit. These shingles are an environmentally friendly option because many of them are composed of recycled materials. Furthermore, they frequently have outstanding warranties, giving homeowners who purchase them piece of mind.

There are a few drawbacks to take into account, though. The cost of installing composite shingles may be higher than that of regular asphalt shingles due to the possibility of professional installation. Furthermore, even though they are strong, they might not endure as long as certain natural materials like tile or metal.

The choice to install composite shingles should ultimately be based on your unique requirements, your financial situation, and the local climate. You can decide whether composite shingles are the best option for your house by weighing the advantages and disadvantages of each. They provide a stylish and adaptable solution that can improve the look and market value of your house.

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