How to choose the best roofing sheet for house in 2024?

By
Rajat Piplewar

The Ultimate Guide to Roof Sheet Design and Plastic Roof Sheets

A roof is a fundamental element of any structure, serving as a barrier between the interiors and the outside world. While providing protection against external elements, roofing sheets also add to the aesthetic appeal of your house. Choosing the right roofing sheets for your home construction or renovation project can be a significant investment. Hence, it is essential to explore the newest innovations in roofing materials and the improvements made to traditional materials like asphalt shingles. Here’s an overview of the latest trends in roofing materials, including shingles, metal, and others, along with information about whether these new trends are better or worse than older ones.

roofing sheets

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What is a Roofing Sheet?

Roofing sheets play a vital role in any structure as they form the essential component of a roof. These sheets ensure the durability of the roof structure, providing protection against various elements such as pollutants, weather conditions, and dust. Choosing the right roofing sheet involves considering factors like lifespan, qualities, and its impact on the overall property. Roofing sheets are available in different materials, each with its unique qualities and suitability for different roof types. The selection of an appropriate roofing sheet depends on the specific requirements of the roof, including the desired lifespan and durability.

Purpose of Roofing Sheets

The primary purpose of a roofing sheet is to provide protection to the interior of a structure, including the house, yard, or any other space, against pollutants, weather conditions, and dust. Its role is crucial in ensuring the longevity of the structure and creating a comfortable and habitable environment inside.

Varieties of Roofing Sheets

Roofing sheets come in various types, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the most popular varieties:

Corrugated Roofing Sheets

Roofing sheets

Corrugated roofing sheets are widely used in industries, including architecture, construction, packing, printing, and the medical sector. They provide excellent protection and have better durability and strength due to their rippled structure. These sheets can withstand severe impacts from falling objects and require little maintenance.

Types of Corrugated Roofing Sheets

  • Galvanised Steel Sheets: These are carbon steel sheets coated with zinc, produced through a process known as continuous hot dip. They are affordable, durable, and easy to install but may rust over time in humid or coastal areas.
  • Polyester Painted Sheets: Used in agricultural structures, these sheets are affordable but require maintenance and are prone to scratches.
  • PVC Plastisol-Coated Sheets: Lightweight and weather-resistant, these steel sheets are treated with primer paint and PVC.
  • Bitumen Sheets: Made from bitumen, these corrugated sheets are waterproof, durable, and long-lasting.

Metal Roofing Sheets

Metal roofing sheets

Metal roofing sheets are eco-friendly solutions as they can be recycled. Generally made of tin, zinc, aluminium, and copper, metal roof sheets offer numerous styles, textures, and colours. They are easy to install, customizable, and can withstand extreme weather conditions like heavy rains, snow, and even fire. Metal roofs are excellent insulators and are widely used in garden buildings, garages, backyards, household cladding, and industrial roofs.

Plastic Roofing Sheets

Plastic roofing sheets

Widely used for commercial and domestic roofing, plastic roofing sheets provide protection against UV radiation and extreme weather conditions. They are majorly used in temporary structures, farmhouses, vehicle parking garages, and bungalow claddings. Plastic roofing sheets are easy to install, flexible, corrosion-resistant, lightweight, and resistant to extreme weather conditions. They offer good insulation from high temperatures and sound, and are more durable than traditional asphalt shingles.

Polycarbonate Roofing Sheets

Polycarbonate roofing sheets

Polycarbonate is an amorphous and transparent thermoplastic, comprising carbonate groups in its structure. They have large-scale applications in industrial and commercial areas. Due to their transparency, polycarbonate roofing sheets are ideal for structures where ample sunlight is required, such as gardens, patios, swimming pools, and warehouses. Polycarbonate sheeting is lightweight, highly durable, UV-resistant, fire-resistant, and has low maintenance costs.

Homeowners are always looking for ways to make their homes more stylish and unique. When it comes to roofing, there are a few design trends that are gaining popularity. One trend is using multiple colours on the roof, adding contrast and interest to the exterior of your home. Another popular trend is using different textures and materials to create a more custom look.

Roofing PUF Sheet

roofing sheets

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PUF (polyurethane foam) sheets are becoming increasingly popular due to their many benefits, including resistance to weather and fire damage. They are easy to install and can be adapted to fit any roof size or shape.

Aluminium Roofing Sheets

roofing sheets

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Aluminium is a popular choice for roofing because it is durable and low maintenance. Aluminium sheet roofs are energy-efficient, reflecting heat away from home in summer and keeping the heat in during winter.

Bamboo Roofing Sheets

roofing sheets

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Bamboo is a versatile and sustainable material. Bamboo sheet roofing is strong, durable, lightweight, and easy to install. It adds a natural beauty to your home and is an eco-friendly option.

Rubber Roofing Sheets

roofing sheets

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Rubber sheets for roofing are mostly used to repair damaged roofs. Made from Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer Rubber, they provide heat resistance and waterproofing properties.

Colour-Coated Roofing Sheets

roofing sheets

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Colour-coated sheets are available in a variety of colours and provide a unique look for your home. They are more durable and require less maintenance than traditional roofing materials.

PVC Roofing Sheets

roofing sheets

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PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) is known for its durability, resistance to weather and chemicals, and low maintenance costs. PVC roofs are made from recycled materials and are 100% recyclable at the end of their lifespan.

Fibre-Reinforced Plastic Roofing Sheets

roofing sheets

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Fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) sheets are strong, durable, lightweight, and easy to install. They are a great option for both new construction and repairs, providing excellent protection against high winds and heavy rains.

Roofing Sheets: Price in India

Type of Roofing SheetsPrice Range in India per sq metre (approximate)
Corrugated roofing sheetsRs 300-Rs 500
Metal roofing sheetRs 250-Rs 350
Plastic roofing sheetsRs 650-Rs 1,800
Polycarbonate roofing sheetsRs 800-Rs 1,200

What is the Price of a 12-Foot Roofing Sheet?

The price of Fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) roofing sheets may vary depending on the material used, size, etc. A roofing sheet in the size range of 6-12 feet may have a price range of between Rs 180 to 400 per square meter. Mild steel and aluminium roofing sheets are also available in the same price range.

How to Choose the Best Roofing Sheet for Home?

While choosing, keep the following factors in mind:

  • Weight: Consider the weight of the roofing sheets, as this could impact the structural integrity of your house.
  • Weather Conditions: Study the local climate to decide on the material, depending on how tough and heat-resistant it needs to be.
  • Colour: Explore various colour options to select one that matches the overall aesthetics while meeting functional needs.
  • Energy Efficiency: Understand the thermal properties of the roofing materials and choose one that can lower your energy bills.
  • Cost: The price of the roofing sheets depends on the quality and brand, which must be taken into account while deciding the overall construction cost.
  • Maintenance: Some materials may need higher maintenance than others, so it is a crucial factor you cannot overlook.

Important Terms in Roofing Sheet Design

Sheet roofing is a popular choice for house roofs in India due to its versatility. Here are some common terminologies related to sheet roofing house designs:

  • Gable Roof: A roof design with two sloping sides that meet at the ridge of the roof.
  • Hip Roof: A roof design with four sloping sides that meet at the ridge of the roof.
  • Mansard Roof: A roof design with two sloping sides and a flat top.
  • Gambrel Roof: A roof design with two sloping sides on each side of the roof’s ridge.
  • Flat Roof: A roof design that is completely flat.
  • Corrugated Roofing: Sheet roofing with ridges and grooves, providing strength and durability.
  • Standing Seam Roofing: Sheet roofing with interlocking seams that stand above the roof’s surface.

Understanding these terminologies will help you identify and select the appropriate sheet roofing design for your house. It enables you to make an informed decision when choosing the right sheet roofing material for your home.

Benefits of Colour Roofing Sheets

The latest roofing sheets are available as colour-coated sheets, which are more advantageous than conventional sheets. Colour-coated roofing sheets are known for their durability and flexibility. They are available in varied shapes and sizes, based on their applications, such as in offices, parking spaces and garages, godowns and warehouses, industrial units, restaurants, etc.

Some of their benefits are:

  • Resistance to extreme weather conditions like harsh summer heat, winters, or heavy rainfall.
  • Made of lightweight materials such as aluminium or steel, they also have strength and sturdiness.
  • Easy to work with and flexible, making their installation smooth.
  • Durable and able to bear extreme weather conditions.
  • Resistant to corrosion, making maintenance easy.
  • Good thermal insulation, ideal for locations with extreme summer heat.
  • Totally recyclable for future use, as the material can be melted and processed to design newer roofing products.
  • Enhance the aesthetics of the building, unlike other products such as fibre or plastic.

While traditional roofing options, which include asbestos-cement sheets, RCC roofs, and GI roofing sheets, are still used, materials such as Fibreglass, asphalt, and metal roofing are gaining popularity for manufacturing roofing sheets. One of the reasons for their popularity is that they come with many benefits like durability and innovative shapes compared to conventional roofing materials. Moreover, there are modern roofs with FRP skylights, which have captured the attention of buyers.

Conclusion

Choosing the right roofing sheet design and material is crucial for the longevity and aesthetic appeal of your home. With various options available, from traditional materials to innovative plastic roof sheets, it’s essential to consider factors like durability, weather resistance, and maintenance. By understanding the latest trends and benefits of different roofing materials, you can make an informed decision that suits your needs and enhances the beauty of your home.

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