Choosing a roof covering ondulin or corrugated board, what is better?

The choice of roofing is a responsible step in the construction of the house, because the timing and convenience of the roof depend on the correct choice. When choosing a roofing material, preference is often given to inexpensive and popular types of coating, such as profiled metal sheets or euro-slates. At the same time, the question often arises: what is better - ondulined corrugated board? In order to make a reasonable choice, it is necessary to consider the characteristics of these materials and their features.

What is ondulin?

Ondulin, or Euroshield - these are corrugated cardboard sheets impregnated with bitumen under high pressure. It is flexible and quite light - the weight of one sheet does not exceed 7 kg, while impregnation provides excellent protection against moisture. Ondulin is a few standard colors, its surface is slightly rough, velvety to the touch. It is a soft material that can be easily cut into size, drilled and pierced with nails, which ensures its easy and quick laying.

In operation, ondulin has a number of advantages:

• Low price and long service life( 25-50 years);
• Lightweight material that does not require the installation of a continuous crate. Does not heavier buildings, unlike traditional slate;
• Due to its ease of handling and flexibility, it can be used to cover roofs of complex shape with valleys, abutments, turrets;
• Easily withstands a snow load of up to 0.5 meters;
• Has an excellent noise absorption;
• Not subject to corrosion, damage to microorganisms;
• Warms up and freezes slowly enough, so it does not form condensation and ice;
• Environmentally safe material, does not contain asbestos.

However, in addition to the merits, ondulin has a number of drawbacks:

• Fire hazard. Bituminous impregnation easily ignites and supports combustion;
• Burns in the sun for several years and changes color;
• Rough surface retains dust, debris, and in winter - snow, therefore requires periodic cleaning;
• On the northern side of the roof, in humid places often covered with moss and lichen;
• In the sun it softens, it becomes fragile in the frost, therefore, in hot weather and in frosts, ondulin can not be mounted and subjected to loads;
• In the Russian market there are often counterfeits of ondulin that lose their performance for two to three years.

What is corrugated board?

Roofing - metal zinc-coated sheets of undulating cross-section, covered with protective varnish or polymer paint. Profiled sheeting has a different profile, the height of the wave, the thickness of the material itself. The width of the sheet is usually about one meter, and the length of the manufacturer cuts into standard sheets of 6 meters or along the length of the ramp to order. The weight of a square meter of material is from 5 to 8 kg. Mount the corrugated board to the roof using special screws with a sealing washer.

Advantages of corrugated board include:

• Low price, service life - up to 50 years;
• Absolutely not combustible, which is actual for houses with stove heating, fireplaces, to cover the roof of baths;
• Does not require reinforced lathing, it is enough to lay boards in steps of 0.3-0.5 meters;
• When ordering the length of the sheet according to the size of the slope, the number of joints is minimal;
• Thanks to the wavy profile, it can easily withstand not only the snow load, but also the body weight of a person. Strength does not decrease in the heat and in frost. Therefore, installation can be made at any time of the year;
• The surface of the corrugated board is absolutely smooth, so it does not detain snow, debris and water;
• Profiled sheeting does not fade, does not corrode while maintaining the integrity of the coating;
• Eco-friendly material, does not contain harmful substances.

Disadvantages of corrugated board:

• Low noise absorption. Drops of rain or hail are audible not only in the attic, but also in the upper floor. With a poor fixing of the corrugated board on the crate, it is possible to bend the material in strong winds, accompanied by an unpleasant sound;
• Due to the possible formation of condensation or ice in houses with an attic floor, it is mandatory to insulate the roof;
• In a heat it strongly heats up, which worsens the microclimate of the upper floor;

In case of severe damage to the coating, corrosion is possible.

What is better - ondulin or corrugated board?

Given these characteristics and features, you can compare these roofing coatings and choose the most important parameters. The service life and the price of these materials are approximately the same, also these roofing coverings are absolutely ecological, so the choice should be made depending on the installation and operation conditions.

1. Fire hazard. Ondulin is flammable, profiled - no. For houses with furnace heating, corrugated board will provide better protection against sparks.
2. Ease of installation. Profiled sheeting can be ordered in any size, ondulin has standard sheet sizes. Ondulin is flexible and easily cut, the corrugated board on the roof of irregular shape is much more difficult to lay. Therefore, for simple roofs with a length of a slope of not more than 12 meters, it is more convenient to make corrugated board, for roofs of complex shape or with a large angle of slope, it is better to select ondulin.
3. Sound attenuation. Ondulin, unlike corrugated board, poorly conducts the sound of falling drops, hail or wind. For houses with a mansard floor, as well as in regions with frequent downpours, hail and a strong wind, it is more convenient onduline.
4. Saving the appearance. Profiled sheeting does not burn in the sun, ondulin changes its color after a few years, becomes faded. Therefore, in hot areas with a lot of sunny days, the corrugated board will retain its appearance longer. In addition, the color of the corrugated sheet can easily be refreshed by painting it.
5. Need for cleaning. Ondulin is prone to overgrowing with moss and dust. In winter, snow quickly adheres to the surface of the ondulin and is difficult to remove, it must be cleaned. Profiled sheeting is smooth, all the dust and debris come off it together with the sediments, so it does not require cleaning. This is especially convenient for houses in several floors where the cleaning of the roof is associated with the danger of falling from a great height.

What exactly to choose, ondulin or corrugated board, depends on local conditions, layout, number of storeys and the location of the house. The above comparative analysis will help you to choose the right roofing material, using the best possible advantages and eliminating the disadvantages of the coating.