Polymer Shingles: Advantages And Disadvantages, Installation Features, The Cost Of A Polymer Sand Roof

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

Characteristics and installation of polymer tiles

Polymer materials are widely used in construction and are also used for roofing. Tiles made of modern polymers have a number of properties that ensure high quality and durability of the roof.

Content

• 1 How did polymer shingles appear?
• 2 Technical characteristics of polymer roofing material

• 3 Correct laying of polymer shingles on the roof

  3.1 Video: installation of polymer sand tiles

• 4 Roof operation
• 5 Reviews

How did polymer shingles appear?

Clinker or ceramic tiles in the 20th century were a popular material due to the availability of raw materials and simple manufacturing technology. Such shingles were not transported over long distances due to the high weight and fragility of the products. These disadvantages significantly influenced the practicality of clay tiles of those times, and therefore manufacturers were actively developing polymer compositions that could increase the strength and reduce the weight of the tiles. As a result, clay and cement were replaced by a polymer (plastic) mass with fine sand. While the composition is hot and elastic, the elements of the tiles are formed.

Polymer shingles do not have the same drawbacks as their clay counterpart.

This is how polymer shingles appeared, superior in characteristics to porous clay products. To date, the material is relevant when creating different types of pitched roofs, and for arranging the most durable coating, components and additional elements are produced from a polymer composition.

Technical characteristics of polymer roofing material

The use of polymer compositions made it possible to obtain a qualitatively new material, which turned out to be more practical than natural tiles. As a result of a well-thought-out composition and technological production, polymer tiles have received the following technical characteristics:

• resistance to sudden temperature changes, which allows the material to be used in the range from -65 to +100 ° C;
• the absence of a large number of pores in the structure and, as a consequence, a low coefficient of water absorption;
• minimal risk of developing fungus, mold on the roof;
• strength during transportation, mechanical stress, long-term operation;
• compliance with sanitary, fire-prevention, epidemiological standards.

Modern manufacturers produce all the necessary types of polymer shingles for roofing roofs of any configuration

Polymeric roofing products have clear advantages over clay or other porous shingles that have a positive effect on the operation of the roof. The main advantages of polymer tiles are as follows:

• acceptable cost due to the availability and low price of raw materials;
• resistance to any kind of corrosion, decay and mold development;
• resistance to fading due to the presence of a UV stabilizer in the mass;
• high dielectric properties, ensuring the safety of the roof against lightning;
• the possibility of using on various types of roofs with a slope angle of at least 15 °.

The interesting shape of polymer tiles makes the roof quite original

Strength, durability and practicality distinguish polymer sand tiles from natural options. At the same time, polymer products are also characterized by a number of disadvantages, which are always taken into account when choosing the type of roofing. The main disadvantages of polymer tiles are as follows:

• despite the resistance of the material to temperature extremes, in conditions of abrupt climatic changes, the tile is characterized by linear deformation. As a result of this, there is a displacement in the area of tool joints and depressurization of the coating;
• some manufacturers use low-quality raw materials and offer tiles with poor performance;
• the average weight of a shingle tile reaches 2 kg, and the total mass of the material is quite large and requires a reliable rafter system and frequent lathing.

Polymeric tiles are easy to attach, but it is important to master the technology of their installation and accordingly strengthen the rafter system

Correct laying of polymer tiles on the roof

The process of laying any tile requires careful preparation. The significant weight of the material affects the design of the rafter and batten system, which must support the weight of the roof covering. The exact parameters are determined depending on the characteristics of the elements, since manufacturers produce various modifications of polymer tiles. Often, for the manufacture of roof trusses, a bar with a section of 60x180 or 50x150 mm is used, because the weight of a tile per 1m ² does not exceed 22 kg. The wood should not have a moisture content of more than 15%, otherwise the structure may deform. In this case, the pitch between the rafters is from 600 to 1,000 mm.

Before installing polymer shingles, it is necessary to lay all layers of a standard roofing cake with the device of the necessary ventilation gaps

The main stages of the installation of polymer tiles are as follows:

1. A waterproofing film is pulled over the rafters and fixed with a counter-lattice made of bars with a section of 40x40 or 50x50 mm.

   

   Waterproofing protects the roof space from moisture accumulation

2. A transverse lathing is mounted with a pitch of about 350 mm. To do this, use bars with the same parameters as for the counter-lattice. In the area of the valleys, a continuous crate of boards is mounted.

   

   The main lathing is laid parallel to the eaves of the roof and is attached to the bars of the counter-lattice

3. The lower ebb is mounted according to the technology of arrangement of the selected type of roof. Next, lay out the first row of tiles, taking into account the location of the protrusion and the locks on the inside of the elements. The remaining rows of tiles are sequentially laid using roofing screws and fixing the parts to the locks.

   

   Elements of polymer tiles are laid from bottom to top, starting from one of the corners of the roof

4. In conclusion, ridge and side elements are mounted, giving the roof a complete look.

   

   After laying the main covering, the ridge and wind bars are mounted

Video: installation of polymer sand tiles

Roof operation

Polymer sand or plastic types of tiles are much more practical to use than clay products. This is due to the high strength of modern elements. At the same time, it is possible to extend the service life and preserve the appearance of the roof by following simple operating rules. Roof maintenance is carried out taking into account the following principles:

• if during installation the self-tapping screws were very tightly screwed into the tiles, then the deformation of the coating is possible. Therefore, the fastening of the parts should be loosened, since with thermal expansion the tiles move;
• materials for hydro and vapor barrier must be durable and of high quality, which will allow you not to dismantle the roof to replace them for many years;
• when installing a weather vane, snow holders or other additional roofing parts, it is important to take into account the preservation of the tightness of the coating and carefully seal the holes and cracks;
• a drainage system is necessary to minimize the effect of moisture on the roof structure.

Reviews

Various options for tiles based on polymer structures are characterized by low cost and practicality in operation. To ensure a long service life of the roof, it is worth purchasing products from well-known and reputable manufacturers who have extensive experience in this area.