Soft roof for walls: ingenuity or failed idea?

The discussion about roofing materials frequently revolves around three factors: affordability, durability, and visual appeal. One creative concept that has aroused interest is the use of soft roofing materials for wall construction. Traditionally, because they are weather-resistant and insulating, materials for roofs have included metal, asphalt shingles, and even tiles. On the other hand, soft roofing materials—which are usually employed on slopes—are currently being explored for vertical surfaces.

Advocates contend that adding soft roofing materials to walls can have a number of advantages. These substances, like rubber or synthetic membranes, are renowned for their adaptability and water resistance. This flexibility may allow for a smooth transition from roof to wall, improving security from leaks and moisture infiltration. Furthermore, supporters contend that utilizing the same material for the wall and roof could simplify upkeep and construction, lowering overall costs.

However, there are good reasons to be concerned about the use of soft roofs as wall coverings. They draw attention to the fact that although these materials are excellent at shedding water on slopes, they might not work as well when applied vertically. Unlike roofs, walls are subject to a different kind of gravity, which could result in pooling or insufficient drainage. Furthermore, soft roofing materials might not provide the same degree of resilience or impact resistance needed for vertical surfaces, particularly in regions subject to inclement weather or normal wear and tear.

The aesthetic appeal is another thing to think about. Although soft roofing materials may not have the same visual impact when applied vertically as traditional roofing materials, they still often enhance the overall appearance of a building. Achieving a cohesive architectural design may present challenges due to structural considerations, texture, and color variations.

Using soft roofing materials for walls, in conclusion, is an interesting example of how creativity and functionality can coexist in the building industry. Critics stress the significance of taking into account structural integrity, durability, and aesthetic harmony, while supporters see potential benefits in terms of efficiency and functionality. The argument for soft roofs instead of walls will probably change as material technology advances, influencing upcoming developments in building architecture and construction.

A new look at the old material: what is bitumen facade tiles

Bituminous and flexible facade tiles are similar in many ways. This is all the same fiberglass that has been covered in a layer of granulatory or polymer-bitumen mixture and dusted with basalt crumbs. variations in the finer points.

First off, while low-cost flexible tiles can be produced using a standard bitumen binder, only SBS-modified bitumen is utilized to create soft roofs for walls. The tiles’ vertical orientation is the cause. Connecting should be elastic so that they are firmly held on the basis and offer a sealed coating. In these circumstances, regular bitumen would fracture very rapidly.

Second, there is only ever one layer of facade tiles. Furthermore, bitumen tiles come in two or even three layers. This is also a result of the installation being done vertically; a soft roof for walls should have little to no parrhus or else the coating will tear off in a strong wind or just fall.

Lastly, sketching. Facade tiles typically have a texture that mimics brickwork. Furthermore, bitumen tiles are either an imitation or an abstraction of different natural tile variations.

Other than that, bitumen tiles and facade tiles are the same.

Advantages of bituminous facade tiles

Asphalt facade tiles are a respectable choice for the house’s exterior walls:

• inexpensive;
• easy;
• easy to install;
• resistant to chemical influences;
• sunproof;
• moisture resistant;
• noise -absorbing;
• resistant to damage by insects and fungus;
• creating a sealed wall coating;
• durable – usually lasts more than 30 years.

Aesthetics is frequently one of the benefits of the soft roof for walls, but we won’t do this because of the dubious nature of this claim. Facade tiles, despite their many benefits, are merely imitations and easily identifiable as such. No matter how much the material’s appearance and resemblance to brick masonry are altered in advertisements, flexible facing tiles can be mistaken for real brick at a great distance.

What are the shortcomings?

Facade tiles are a novel material available in the Russian market. As a result, the primary source of information is the websites of the manufacturers. Thus, they don’t often discuss the flaws. They are, in fact, quite large:

1. Smell. The soft roof heated in the sun smells of bitumen, and this fact will not change if it is fixed on the wall of the house. Immediately after installation, this smell will be strong, then gradually disappears, but will not completely leave.
2. Installation on continuous base. OSB stages are expensive material. If the wall of the house itself is made of OSB as often happens in frame buildings, then this method of installation of flexible facade tiles is not a problem. But if the house, for example, is a wall from a gas block, the need to install a focusing and steering plate puts a cross on an attempt to save on the cladding of the house.
3. Crumbling crumbs. Basalt crumbs are gradually crumbling even with bitumen tiles. If the soft roof is vertically fixed on the wall, then this process will inevitably accelerate. Of course, the tiles of basalt crumbs will not lose completely, but the crumbling particles will open the path to bitumen to the rays of the sun, which will be destroyed under their influence.
4. Nervous -vehicle. They brought the sofa into the house – they shut a piece of plaster from the wall. If a piece of flexible facade tiles turns out to be at the place of plaster, it will be extremely difficult to repair damage – the finish races are quickly fused into one, and it becomes impossible to separate them from each other with time.
5. Tightness. This is the property of a soft roof for walls – at the same time, both the advantage and the lack of material. The bitumen coating will not allow the house to “breathe”, so it is necessary to either make a ventilated facade, or organize a compulsory supply and exhaust ventilation system in the house. Otherwise, the walls will be drew, and after a while mold will appear on them.

Because of these drawbacks, it is preferable to avoid cladding permanent residences with bituminous facade tiles. However, it works well for garages, frame cottages, and outbuildings like barns, warehouses, and sheds.

Is it possible to sheathe a house with a flexible tile?

As we’ve already mentioned, flexible tiles and bitumen facade tiles are similar. Is it implied that the two materials are interchangeable?

Both yes and no. Facade tiles are not made to be used as roofing, so doing so is not possible. On the other hand, it functions in the opposite way: a regular soft roof’s races can be fixed to the wall with great success. It is important to avoid using three-layer bitumen tiles for this as they are heavy and can be challenging to fix vertically.

Flexible tiles with a rectangular pattern work best when installed on a wall. both balanced and unbalanced. The "Dragon tooth" form’s asphalt tiles and associated collections also have a nice appearance.

However, the traditional "cell’s" soft roof and wave-patterned walls work well. Except in structures where the walls seem to continue into the roofs. Since hexagonal and domed houses, for instance, lack a facade, it is quite possible to decorate both the walls and the roofs with flexible tiles that are the same color and shape.

Manufacturers and collections

Not every producer of flexible tiles makes facade tiles. Specifically, she is not included in lists of giants like Katepal and Tegola. There are just two major brands that carry this material in the Russian market: Technonikol and Docke. Additionally, a number of Chinese producers offer soft roofs for walls; these products are sold in markets for construction. However, this facade tile’s quality is questionable.

Flexible Facade Tiles Docke Brick

German-based Docke produces facade and soft roof materials. Brick is the single collection of tiles that represents the Facade brand. The collection mimics the appearance of the brick wall, as the name suggests. It has five different textures:

1. Vagasi is a beige-gray texture inspired by the old walls of mossy color of chopped stone stone.
2. Mature chestnut – texture for brown clinker brick.
3. Strawberries – facade panels, the color of which is imitated by a classic red clay brick.
4. Sandy – texture for sandy bricks, popular in Europe. The seams are light.
5. Amber – facade tiles are also sandy color, but it has more homogeneous and contrasting texture. The seams are gray.

Docke presents the Brick collection as the ventilated facade’s final component. Consequently, if facade tiles are fastened without being checked, the warranty will be voided. She also has a sizable Docke—30 years.

Soft roof for walls Technonikol Hauberk

One of the biggest producers of bitumen products in Russia is Technonikol. Nearly all of the bitumen tiles available in the Russian market were manufactured at the Techno-nickel factories. Consequently, it is not unexpected that the business chose to include Hauberk facade tiles in its collection.

Technonikol, in contrast to Docke, simultaneously produces two collections of facade tiles:

1. Under a stone. The collection includes three colors: under quartzite, slate and travertine.
2. Under the brick. The collection includes more than 10 textures that imitate brickwork of various types: from traditional red brick to gray "Gothic".

There are over 15 different textures available for Hauberk facade tiles. The designer now has more options thanks to this. Furthermore, accent zones can be made by combining flexible tiles. For instance, making the corners darker will contrast and visually conceal the joint.

Rules for the installation of flexible tiles on the wall

The foundation device is the first step in installing flexible tiles on the wall. OSB-3 or moisture-resistant plywood is used in its construction.

Using a 2-mm thick wooden beam with another wooden beam on top of another wooden beam is the easiest method for creating a ventilated facade. A capillary cut will be created between the wall and the counter scheme if the beam is mounted directly on the wall and has acrylic tape glued to one of the sides. Acryl tape is not required when installing on wind or hydraulic protection.

Depending on the material of the wall, dowels or wood are used to firmly fasten the beam vertically. The fastening step is 10–15 cm, and the timber installation pace is 30 cm. The base’s foundations are connected to the scope further along the bars (nearby rows’ plate joints shouldn’t cross over one another). A 3–4 mm space must be allowed between the plates in order to account for the material’s expansion due to temperature.

The level is used to verify that the completed base is level and in the same plane. Then, even if the OSB is below ground, homes without basements need to treat them with an antiseptic material to stop them from decomposing. Although there is a minimum processing height of 15 cm, it is recommended to apply the composition to the lower 0.5 m for reliability.

Marking is done right before the soft roof is installed on the walls to guarantee an even racing mount. Typically, a plumb line and a lace are used for marking. Here’s how additional installation is carried out:

1. The facade tiles of different packages are mixed so that the color of the facade is uniform.
2. In the tiles of the first row, "petals" are cut off with a construction knife.
3. The hound fastening begins below, retreating from the corner of the house 5-10 mm. Before installing from each tile, both the first and subsequent rows, remove the film that protects the adhesive layer.
4. The tiles of the first row are attached close to each other at 8 nails each. In this case, the nails are located in a checkerboard pattern at the level of 1/3 and 2/3 of the remaining width.
5. The tile of the second row is attached so that its "petals" reach the lower edge of the first row. The nails are driven directly under the lower glue strip on the sides from the section between the "petals", if another mounting method is not indicated in the instructions.
6. The third and subsequent rows are mounted with a displacement of a relatively lower row by half a petal. To simplify the shift at the top of the gont, notches are made.
7. Window and doorways, external and internal angles of the walls are designed using special corners with bitumen sprinkling, which are released in the color of the soft roof for walls. Fixed corners with an overlap of 5 cm and a step of 30 cm on both sides with the help of self -tapping screws.

Following installation, they are heated if any of the "petals" did not adhere to the lower row’s adhesive layer. Another option is to apply special mastic to the lower gont and apply pressure to the "petal" problem area. Using the same hair dryer to find such superfluous areas while using the least amount of power is convenient.

Once thought to be an inventive solution, soft roofs on walls have caused controversy among experts and homeowners alike. Proponents contend that these roofs provide design flexibility, enabling distinctive architectural expressions and advantages in energy efficiency. They assert that by extending roofing materials down the walls, they improve weatherproofing and insulation and may eventually lower maintenance costs.

Critics draw attention to a number of issues, though. Durability is one of the main problems. On the other hand, soft roofs on walls might sustain more damage than traditional roofs, which are directly exposed to weather conditions like rain, snow, and UV rays. This weakness may cause deterioration to occur more quickly, necessitating more frequent maintenance or replacements.

Aesthetic appeal is another bone of contention. While some find it appealing that roofing materials blend seamlessly into walls, others contend that this can look strange or out of place, particularly in traditional or historic neighborhoods where respect for architectural conventions is deeply ingrained.

In addition, pragmatic factors like cost-effectiveness and installation complexity are taken into account. The installation of soft roofs on walls may call for specific methods and supplies, which could increase the cost of the initial building or renovation. To evaluate whether this strategy fits within their budget and long-term objectives, homeowners must compare these elements to the benefits they believe they will receive.

In summary, the idea of soft roofs for walls offers a unique combination of real-world difficulties and creativity. Although it presents potential benefits in terms of energy efficiency and design flexibility, issues with cost-effectiveness, durability, and aesthetics are still major concerns. It will be interesting to see if this trend sticks around in architectural design or if it just fizzles out as a fad. That depends on how materials science continues to progress and how homeowner tastes change.

Walls with soft roofs: clever concept or bad idea? This article investigates the viability and efficiency of covering vertical walls with soft roofing materials—such as synthetic membranes or shingles—that are typically used for roofs. It explores whether this strategy improves aesthetic appeal and offers long-lasting protection from the weather, or if maintenance problems and structural integrity make it ineffective. This article seeks to clarify whether using soft roofs for walls is a smart invention or a concept best left untested by analyzing benefits and potential drawbacks.

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