In the modern roofing market, metal tiles have taken root quite firmly. However, foreign manufacturers, struggling with the shortcomings of this material, began to look for new solutions and technical ways in this area. As a result of this “struggle”, composite roofing was created, and immediately composite roofing declared itself with its positive characteristics. The material of this article is devoted to its properties.
Composite Coating Structure
Composite coating is produced by many Asian and European manufacturers. It is relatively expensive.
But still it was able to take root in regions with a developed economy due to the fact that it combined the positive properties of metal, bituminous, ceramic and polymer sand tiles.
Along with the combination of many positive properties of the mentioned roofings, their main disadvantages were eliminated.
Composite tile (metal tile with stone dressing) is a multi-layer steel roofing sheet coated on both sides with an aluzinc alloy. The role of a decorative and protective coating is natural stone chips, covered with a layer of matte glaze on top (Footnote 1).
The form of production of this roofing material is small profiled sheets with a length of 1.4 m, a thickness of 0.4 m. If we compare aluminum zinc with a conventional zinc-based coating, then the first one has a high resistance to corrosion.
In addition, the durability of the material is given by an acrylic primer and basalt granulate, applied sequentially on aluzinc. The acrylic layer protects the base of the coating from ultraviolet radiation.
The granulate has a high wear resistance and gives the roofing its color. An acrylic glaze is applied to the top layer of the material, which protects the base from the effects of the external environment.
Due to its structure, the composite coating is resistant to temperature changes, so consumers can use it on construction sites with different climatic conditions.
Thanks to the uniqueness of the profiles of this piece of composite material, an imitation of a ceramic tile coating is created.This makes composite roofing an ideal option for roofing buildings that belong to historical monuments and giving roofs a new and unique look.
Installation of composite material
The installation of composite roofing is very similar to conventional metal roofing. Depending on the profile used, it is recommended to carry out installation on roofs with a slope angle of 12-15 degrees.
The surface of the composite material has a roughness. This prevents mass snow from the coating and makes it possible to use the material on roofs that are rarely serviced.
The small size of roofing sheets leads to a reduction in installation costs and the possibility of use on roofs with complex architectural forms.
A crate is arranged under the sheets with a step of 370 mm. The need for a base device in the form of a plywood substrate is eliminated. The composite material is attached to the crate with anodized nails.
Thanks to the locks that it has, the possibility of moisture getting under the coating is excluded. As a result, when laying the coating, it is possible to exclude the waterproofing layer, although this is not recommended on mansard roofs.
Installation work with composite tiles can be carried out both at negative (-10) and high (+30) temperatures.
When laying the coating, there is no need to strengthen the roof structure and, accordingly, the foundation of the house, because the load of the material per 1 sq. m is only 6.5 kg.
Advice.The service life of this coating is quite long, so do not use ordinary self-tapping screws for mounting, so that during operation it is the fasteners that do not speed up the process of replacing or repairing the roof. Note that, compared to metal tiles, the composite coating is attached to the ends of the material, and not on top.
Important benefits
Composite roofing has become one of the high-quality and reliable coatings due to a huge set of advantageous indicators:
- the quality of the steel base provides strength and lightness to the entire coating, which allows you to create an economic roof lathing;
- high anti-corrosion and mechanical properties;
- excellent water resistance;
- acoustic properties are close to those of natural tiles;
- resistance and durability in various climatic zones;
- eliminates the need for delicate care;
- a wide variety of colors;
- high fire-resistant properties;
- cost reduction in the repair and arrangement of the roof due to the ease of installation;
- can be used on roofs with a roof slope of 12 degrees;
- coverage guarantee 30-50 years;
- lightness of the material greatly simplifies transportation and installation on the roof;
- when exposed to temperature conditions, the linear dimensions of the metal profile do not change;
- the combination of fastening to the end gives the roof structure strength and resistance to wind loads;
- the flexibility of the material makes it possible to make changes to the bends of the roof;
- light weight expands the field of architectural solutions;
- suitable as a new coating, and for the reconstruction of roofs;
- due to the basalt coating, rain noise is reduced;
- resistance to scratches and mechanical damage;
- permissible slope angle when laying - 90 degrees;
- fastening features and the shape of the sheets exclude the ingress of moisture in the places of overlap;
- waste-free installation;
- elegant look of the coating;
- complete safety;
- resistance to UV radiation.
Advice. In case of damage to the top layer during transportation, it is recommended to use paints and granules for composite materials.
Below is a table from a major roofing manufacturer (Footnote 2) on the benefits of composite shingles
| Composite tile Grand Line |
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| Composite tiles brand Decra |
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| Composite tile Luxard |
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| Composite tile of the Belgian manufacturer Metrotile |
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Technology guarantees
Why is composite roofing superior to other tiled roofing? The answer is simple - aluminum-zinc coating.
As we said at the beginning of the article, the steel sheet is coated with a special alloy on both sides. So, it provides the roofing material with a service life approximately 10 times higher than a zinc-coated roof.
thus, such a coating can be chosen even for a design such as Sudeikin's roof.
The technology of applying aluminum zinc to a metal surface has been used in industry since 1972. Thanks to the optimal combination of aluminium, silicon and zinc, a durable roof covering has been created.
Aluminum gives the steel base resistance to corrosion processes. Zinc protects the cut edge and gives resistance against mechanical influences. The silicon in the alloy ensures that the coating has excellent formability and adhesion between the protective alloy and the steel.
Thanks to the addition of stone chips (basalt), the material is guaranteed to be protected from fire as a result of sparks from the chimney or a nearby building. In the event of a strong fire, the collapse of the sheets is not dangerous due to the low weight of the sheets.
Having a lot of positive features and technological guarantees, composite roofing is a reliable new generation roofing. In addition, the quality and appearance contribute to bringing it into the category of elite roofing coatings.
Various models of composite coating profiles make it possible to use it both on commercial and administrative buildings, and in suburban elite construction.
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