Tile-effect steel roofing or bitumen shingles: which suits your roof?

Prepare the supports for tile-effect steel to the product instructions. A common arrangement uses battens and counterbattens above a suitable roofing underlay. Bitumen shingles require a continuous deck with sufficient stiffness and a smooth, even surface. The exact deck and additional layers depend on the system and site conditions.

Include the substrate when calculating material quantities, labour and the weight of the complete roof. Repair an uneven or damaged deck before laying shingles, as irregularities can show through the thin covering. Straighten uneven battens before fitting steel sheets. Pulling the sheet down with screws can distort it.

Check the minimum pitch in the documentation for the exact product. It may depend on the underlying layers and the way the joints are formed. At shallow pitches, pay particular attention to watertightness, drainage direction and the manufacturer’s conditions for use.

Confirm that the selected model is suitable at the measured pitch in the proposed build-up. A general description of steel sheets or shingles cannot establish this. Check changes in slope and penetrations separately, since these details can determine whether the proposed solution will work.

On a roof with many valleys and short slopes, prepare a cutting layout. Modular steel sheets can be easier to deliver and handle on individual sections. Sheets cut to length may make good use of material on long, straight slopes. Allow for offcuts with either format.

Shingles come in small units, which still need a setting-out plan and correctly detailed flashings. Take particular care at valleys, chimneys and edges. A flexible covering still needs a planned junction. Use the roof drawing to estimate both material quantities and working time.

Indoor noise depends on the entire roof assembly, including the substrate, insulation, airtightness and internal lining. Rain striking a loose sample tells you little about the sound level in a finished bedroom. Compare roof assemblies with similar construction and the same room use.

Insulation, ventilation, windows and shading all influence summer temperatures. PIR boards can provide high thermal resistance where thickness is limited. For sound insulation, check the performance of the proposed roof build-up separately.

Incorrect fasteners, heat damage to cut edges and metal swarf left on the coating can cause problems with steel sheets. Carry sheets without bending them and align the profiles when joining them. A coat of ordinary paint will not restore the properties of a factory finish damaged during cutting.

For shingles, pay attention to deck preparation, fastening and conditions during installation. Temperature limits and jointing methods are product-specific. Use compatible components specified for the system. For both coverings, the eaves and roof penetrations deserve close inspection.

Add the substrate, protective layers, flashings and installation to the price of the covering. Include delivery and preparation of the existing roof. A square-metre rate that includes a complete deck covers a different scope from one that excludes it. Compare prices for the complete assembly in the design.

Both roofs need inspections and clear drainage paths. Read the warranty terms for required inspections and permitted repairs. The warranty period differs from the actual service life. Replacing a local area also depends on the availability of matching material and the condition of adjacent sections.

For a simple roof, compare cut-to-length and modular steel sheets using delivery costs and the cutting layout. For shingles, price all the layers needed to form the deck. Then consider pitch, appearance and the installer’s experience. Preparing the substrate can change the order of the quotations by price.

Have both complete roof assemblies priced. Each quotation should list the layers, their quantities and installation costs. This will show where the difference between tile-effect steel and bitumen shingles arises.

Tile-effect steel offers a choice of cut-to-length sheets and shorter modules. Bitumen shingles need a suitable continuous deck. Choose a system that fits the design and compare the installed cost of the finished roof.