Until the leak is separated: how long will the roof of metal tiles, corrugated board, ondulin and slate will last

One important factor to take into account when selecting roofing materials is durability. Whether you choose slate, corrugated board, metal tiles, or ondulin, each material has a different lifespan and upkeep needs. Knowing how long these roofs usually last will help you make a decision that suits your maintenance preferences and budget.

When properly cared for, metal tiles can last up to 40 years, which makes them highly valued. Many homeowners find them to be a durable option because of their resistance to weathering, corrosion, and insect damage. Their lifespan can be further increased with routine inspections and sporadic maintenance, guaranteeing that your roof will last for many years.

Corrugated board is renowned for its strength and affordability. It is typically made of aluminum or galvanized steel. When conditions are right, these roofs can last for 20 to 30 years. Frequent inspections for corrosion or impairment, particularly in humid or coastal regions, can contribute to their longevity and preserve their structural soundness.

Ondulin is a lightweight roofing material with a moderate lifespan of 15 to 25 years that is made from cellulose fibers soaked in bitumen. Ondulin roofs are inexpensive and simple to install, but with time, wear and tear may need repairs. Drainage and ventilation must be done correctly to avoid moisture buildup, which can shorten its lifespan.

Slate roofs are known for their beauty and toughness; with proper care, they can last for up to 100 years or longer. This natural stone material is a sustainable option for both modern and historic homes because it is resistant to rot, fire, and insect damage. Slate roofs are a great investment because of their timeless appeal and long lifespan, even though they may cost more initially.

Metal Tiles Corrugated Board
Ondulin Slate

We examine the longevity of several roofing materials, including metal tiles, corrugated board, ondulin, and slate, in this article for "All about the roof." We’ll talk about how long each kind usually lasts before exhibiting wear or possible leaks. Homeowners can ensure their homes stay safe and secure over time by making educated decisions about roof replacement and maintenance by being aware of these timelines.

Shifer roof: old people here … place

Traditional slate has a convoluted and lengthy history as a roofing material. He initially surfaced at the close of the 1800s and gained popularity as a less costly substitute for costly shale. The word "slate" actually means "slate" when translated from German. Slate was widely used for roofing overlaps and interior and exterior home decoration for nearly a century, but in the early 1990s, evidence of asbestos carcinogenicity emerged, permanently harming the material’s reputation.

Asbestos is a fibrous material required for cement reinforcement. Put simply, asbestos fibers serve as a framework that keeps the cement from crumbling and cracking while giving the slate its shape. Producing this material would be nearly impossible without it. Chrysotilov, a less hazardous alternative to amphibol asbestos, which is highly carcinogenic, has been added to the slate. However, working with slate requires wearing protective glasses and a construction respirator with a filter, particularly if sawing and processing the sheets is required.

Nonetheless, despite its tarnished reputation and some installation challenges, thousands of developers choose to install slate at home across the nation each year. Furthermore, this is hardly surprising. The content proved to be successful:

  • lasting;
  • not subject to corrosion;
  • not a fuel;
  • easy to process;
  • does not heat up in hot weather;
  • not "noisy" during the rain;
  • cheap;
  • Durable.

Good bonuses overall for people unafraid of asbestos in the composition.

What depends on the service life of the roof from the slate

Slate is a delicate substance. Generally speaking, a rustic classic, it breaks easily from blows and the broken edges at the sheets on the overhang. Furthermore, the material is extremely heavy; depending on the thickness of the sheet, the weight of a slate with standard eight waves can range from 20.6 to 35 kg. Because of these two characteristics together, the way the slate was moved and installed on the roof greatly affects its service life.

Slate sheets in particular need to be laid carefully; never throw them. To make things easier for themselves, loaders who are relieved of responsibility can instead just toss heavy packs into the car or onto the ground. There won’t be many open conflicts because the slate is strong, but there are plenty of tiny fissures in the sheets’ structure. Such sheets eventually develop a network of real cracks, which cause them to crumble and weaken. For this reason, it’s crucial to load and unload materials correctly.

For the same reason, it is important High -quality installation. It is worth pouring fasteners into a sheet without sparkling – and microcracks or chips will appear in this place. And if you fix the sheets tightly, without elastic polymeric lining, then the slate can crack and fall apart due to changes in size under the influence of temperature. At the same time, despite more than a hundred -year history and worked out technology, it is not easy to achieve compliance with the rules for the installation of roofers. This stretches the installation process and increases their expenses, so some installers tend to violate the technology. After all, the owner of the house will notice the marriage in their work only after a few years.

The type of slate also affects the service life. The usual slope of the wave is standard with a sheet thickness of 5.8-6 mm, lightweight-5.2 mm and increased strength-7.5 mm. Naturally, The hardened option will last longer-40-50 years almost guaranteed, but it weighs almost 10 kg more. In addition, there is still flat slate. This is mainly facing material, but it is also used to block flat roofs. Rare enthusiasts cut the sheets into small squares and attach them to the roof. This is time -consuming, but the result is a very accurate imitation of an expensive shale roof. Only it will last less than the wave slate and, especially, slate – up to 40 years.

How to extend the "life" roof from the slate

Depending on the type of slate selected, a wave-type roof has an average lifespan of thirty to forty years. However, this time frame can be increased to 50–70 years:

  1. Control the process of unloading the slate And, if possible, its loading. Warn the workers that you will check the sheets, set fines for failure to comply with your requirements.
  2. Hire a qualified mounting brigade. Again, with compulsory phased quality control of work.
  3. Use painted slate. This is not only a matter of aesthetics, but also durability: the paint makes the sheets of the slate more smooth, so the snow “clings” worse for them; Because of it, asbestos cement practically ceases to import moisture, which leads to a slowdown in its internal destruction; The painted sheet is better protected from ultraviolet radiation and the effects of aggressive substances.
  4. Regularly clean the roof from snow, to avoid excessive load on the roof and icing in the spring.
  5. Update paint, when she faded or other defects appeared. The factory paint lasts for about 10 years, then the roof must be periodically repainted to extend its service life.
  6. Do not forget About small repair of old roofs. Slavifa is Portland cement with asbestos. Therefore, small chips and cracks can be closed with the same cement.

In the event that the roof is composed of regular slate rather than painted slate, dirt and lichen will eventually start to grow on it. Not only is it unsightly, but it also damages the material. Such a roof can have its service life extended by pressure washing it, allowing it to dry, applying an antiseptic treatment, and priming it.

Ondulin roof: with concern for ecology and wallet

Ondulin roofing appears to be painted slate from the outside. However, this is a misleading impression because the structure and characteristics of this material are essentially different.

Moreover, neither cement nor asbestos are present in Ondulin. These are sheets of compressed cellulose fibers that resemble waves, covered in bitumen and coated in one of four common colors: red, gray, green, or brown. Ecological roofing material is the end product. Of course, Ondulin has many benefits when it comes to environmental friendliness. This content:

  • convenient in installation;
  • inexpensive;
  • easy;
  • plastic;
  • waterproof;
  • Snow snow without snow retainers well;
  • Reduces noise.

Regarding Ondulin’s service life, this is a question for which there is no clear solution.

How much ondulin will last on the roof?

It’s not too bad that the manufacturer guarantees the material’s water resistance for 15 to 20 years. Additionally, he typically writes about 50 years of operation in advertising avenues. But it’s reasonable to doubt the latter given the presence of bitumen in the composition. Furthermore, there aren’t many actual instances of ondulin roofs from at least thirty years ago.

The soft material ondulin gets even softer in the summertime heat. Bitumen provides excellent waterproofing and works well for flat roofs because it literally "floats" at high temperatures. However, he maintains the form poorly, to the point where even the manufacturer advises against crawling out onto the roof in hot weather. There are many instances where the "swim" material on the Ondulin roof requires blocking after ten to fifteen years. Usually, the manufacturer will argue that this resulted in an installation technology violation in these kinds of cases, but it’s hard to prove.

However, there is no denying the rapid fading of ondulin, particularly green. Of course, the roof keeps shielding from the rain, but not many people will appreciate such a deaf appearance.

Generally speaking, consider 20 years of operation when selecting ondulin as your roofing material. This period can be extended with proper installation and maintenance, but it will not lessen fading in any way.

How to increase the life of the roof from Ondulin

There is no need to worry about transportation because, unlike slate, ondulin is not easily damaged while being transported. However, the caliber of the installation is crucial:

  1. You can not save on nails – use at least 20 pieces per sheet of ondulin.
  2. The step of the crate should be exactly the same as the manufacturer recommends, or less. An increased step will lead to the waves on the roof.
  3. Ondulin must be laid on the roof when the minimum temperature per day is at least 0 ° C, and the maximum is not more than 30 ° C. Better when the scatter is even less-10-20 ° C.
  4. When laying a leaf ondulin, you can not stretch or squeeze. Yes, the material is elastic, but its deformation during installation over time leads to the flow of the roof.

Furthermore, it’s critical to service the roof correctly. Ondulin’s rough surface causes dirt and dust to settle slowly, allowing lichens and mosses to grow there. As a result, you must frequently clean the roof in the spring or fall. The roof needs to be cleared of snow during the winter as well. We do not recommend checking Ondulin’s ability to withstand a 2.5 m snowdrift, despite the manufacturer’s claim. This is because the sheets become fragile and tan at temperatures below zero.

Corporal roof: modern, technological, reliable

Squeezed out of thin-leaved steel were corrugated board, profiled sheet, and metal profile, which are materials used for walls and roofing. These waves or corrugations serve as stiffeners, preventing the sheet from folding longitudinally and enabling the material to support loads of hundreds of kilograms per square meter. Such bearing capacity is unmatched by any other roofing material. Furthermore, corrugated board

  • lasting;
  • easy;
  • easy to install;
  • durable;
  • does not rot and is not affected by insects;
  • does not absorb moisture.

A profiled sheet for the roof is usually composed of 0.5–0.7 mm thick galvanized steel. Although it would seem that a thin steel sheet would rust and leak quickly, this is not the case: The corrugated board has a 50-year service life. And the coating holds the key to such durability.

How the service life of the profiled sheet depends on the coating

The typical service life of a galvanized profiled sheet is very short, lasting no more than 15 years when installed on a roof. However, corrugated board of this kind is rarely used for roofing; instead, sheets coated with a polymer are typically used. Depending on the type of coating, a profiled sheet with this kind of reliability against water, air, and aggressive substances has a service life of 25 to 50 years due to the polymer layer.

  1. Polyester. The cheapest type of polymer coating, which is applied with a thin layer of 25 μm. Nevertheless, it provides a professionalist for the service life from 25 years or more.
  2. Matte polyester. This coating is like an ordinary polyester, but it is not smooth, but rough and apply it with a thicker layer. Hence the longer service life – 30-35 years.
  3. Pural. This coating is made on the basis of polyurethane – a polymer that is very resistant to mechanical damage. The polymer is applied with a thick layer of 50 μm, which ensures the service life of 50 years or more.
  4. Plastic. Very thick coating of 200 microns from PVC. This type of coating protects corrugated board well from mechanical damage and aggressive substances, ensuring the service life of 30-40 years In the non -fire climate.
  5. PVDF. Durable coating from a mixture of PVC and acrylic. It is not applied with a very thick layer, but due to high resistance to mechanical and chemical influences allows the profiled sheet to calmly lie on the roof 40 years or more.

Though not all, these are the most common kinds of coatings. Several dozen of them exist, including the patented coatings of top steel producers. Regardless of the term, however, the general idea remains the same: given an identical composition, a thicker coating will protect against mechanical damage more effectively, and a polyurethane protective layer will last far longer than a polyester one.

How to extend the service life of a corrugated board

Similar to slate, the longevity of a roof is significantly influenced by the proper installation of a profiled sheet:

  1. It is important not to damage the polymer layer: the sheets need to be placed carefully, do not walk on them in shoes with metal elements in the sole, do not put tools on them.
  2. The step of the crate must correspond to the chosen brand of the profiled sheet and the slope of the roof. For example, a profiled sheet C21 with a slope of less than 15 ° is laid on a crate with a step of not more than 300 mm.
  3. It is better to seal the places of overlap for any slope, even if according to the rules of installation it is optional.
  4. In areas with a large snow load, the roof must be periodically cleaned from snow in winter in order to prevent its compaction and the gathering of snow "slabs". This can not only damage the polymer layer, but also simply dangerous.
  5. The corrugated board is attached only with special roofing self -tapping screws with a sealing gasket. She will close the hole and protect it from corrosion. Moreover, they need to screw them so as not to squeeze the gasket, otherwise corrosion will begin to develop at the place of fastening.

In contrast to Ondulin and Schifer, the professionalist essentially doesn’t require the service.

Metal tape roof: technological material, classic shape

Of the four roofing materials, metal tiles are the most "young" and are closely related to corrugated board. It’s also composed of thin steel sheets, but the steel has profiles across as well as along. This is why a metal roof starts to resemble a roof made of natural tiles quite a bit.

The metal tile comes in various profile types, just like a profiled sheet. However, she is more of an aesthetic choice; the strength is a tiny alteration in the form of the compressed "tiles," which either has no effect at all or very little. Another explanation for the variations in color is aesthetics. In addition to the traditional RAL palette, the metal tiles also feature unique color schemes and even coatings that accurately replicate the rugged appearance of clay skulls.

The benefits of materials are the same otherwise.

How long will the roof of metal tiles last

We won’t linger on polymer coatings because there is no distinction between metal tiles and corrugated board because they are both made of steel. However, the sheet’s thickness might change. The metal tile’s typical thickness is between 0.45 and 0.5 mm, but 0.35 mm is also a lightweight option. Even though the thickness difference might not seem like much, there are extra years of roof service for every tenth of a millimeter. Consequently, in order to save money, lightweight metal tiles are typically utilized for temporary structures; however, they are not appropriate for covering the roofs of individual homes.

Specifically, producers of metal tiles often offer a guarantee of only 5–6 years for lightweight sheets and 10–15 years for sheets with a standard thickness and the simplest polyester coating. This is linked to a higher rate of corrosion in extremely thin metal as well as a higher chance of damage to that material during installation or when it is lifted to the roof. Naturally, the warranty period is usually shorter than the actual length, but the ratio is still kept. The lifespan of lightweight roofing materials is much shorter—up to 25 years—than that of standard metal roofing with a purple coating, which can last up to 50 years.

The service life is somewhat impacted by the metal tile’s shape as well. One general rule applies: the greater the number of stiffness ribs and their height, the greater the load that a sheet of metal tile can withstand. These variations can give the entire roof several more years in conditions found in snowy areas.

How to extend the life of a roof of metal tiles

Metal roof tiles have a 30- to 50-year lifespan, or they may "please" rust for the first five years after installation. The details make a difference:

  1. Choose a metal metal of 0.5 mm, and with a zinc layer of 258 g per 1 m². It is not worth saving on the quality of the material, then you will have to pay for this in the literal sense of the word.
  2. Follow the installation rules or make sure that they are observed by roofers. Basic rules are the same as for corrugated board.
  3. Once a year, inspect and clean the roof. Transverse profiling is well affected by aesthetics and badly – on the surface of the surface. Although the surface of the sheet of the metal tile is smooth, dirt, leaves, branches are still lingering in the recesses and waves, and this over time can damage the protective layer.
  4. Follow the requirements for the minimum bias. The metal tile cannot be laid on roofs with a slope of less than 14 °, otherwise its service life will greatly decrease.
  5. Before buying, make sure that the profiling is high -quality – the sheets should lie in a dense pile. If this is not the case, then the metal tile was produced on an old or poorly tuned machine, because of which the sheets will be difficult to hermetically a sealed.

Don’t forget about the coating, though; a purple protective layer lasting 50 years is far superior to a polyester one lasting 25 years. even when savings are factored in.

Longevity is an important factor to take into account when selecting roofing materials such as slate, metal tiles, corrugated board, or ondulin. Based on variables like installation quality, maintenance requirements, and climate, each type has a unique lifespan and durability.

Metal tiles are known for their sturdiness; with the right maintenance, they can endure for 40–70 years. They are a popular option in a variety of climates due to their resistance to impact, rust, and weathering. You can greatly increase their lifespan with timely repairs and routine inspections.

Strong and reasonably priced, corrugated board usually lasts 20 to 30 years. The quality of the material and installation can affect how long it lasts. Applying protective paints or sealants on a regular basis helps lessen rust and wear.

Ondulin is a cheap, lightweight roofing material that typically lasts 15 to 30 years. In order to prevent cracks or breakage, proper installation and routine maintenance are essential for ensuring its durability. In sunny climates, UV-resistant coatings can extend its lifespan.

Slate roofs are prized for their elegance and toughness; with proper care, they can last for 50–100 years or longer. They are a premium option due to their inherent resistance to rot, fire, and insects; however, in order to maximize longevity, they occasionally need to be inspected and damaged tiles need to be replaced.

Selecting the appropriate roofing material requires weighing initial expenditure against long-term resilience. Any roof’s lifespan can be considerably increased by routine inspections, prompt repairs, and protective coatings, guaranteeing that it will continue to offer dependable protection for many years.

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Alexandra Fedorova

Journalist, author of articles on construction and repair. I will help you understand the complex issues related to the choice and installation of the roof.

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