What is plastic shingles?
In comparison with heavy and fragile clay or slate tiles, plastic tiles look, maybe, not very familiar, but it is more aesthetic. In addition, the reliability of the roof of the polymer material is much higher than that of ceramic tiles, for the simple reason that the plastic elements are firmly connected together by means of the provided locks. Otherwise, the polymer tile in shape resembles the usual ceramic, although there are differences, the elements can be joined into sheets of two or three identical fragments, which allows you to quickly lay the roof.
As for locks, the polymer tile has several such connections at the top and bottom. In a row the tiles are stacked, mating at the expense of their shape, overlapping, and the rows themselves are fastened to each other by fixers. Locks after stacking the rows on each other overlap completely not visible from the side. There are also models without special fixing elements, their installation is carried out with the help of special screws with wide hats, which, however, are also necessary for fastening to the rafters of parts with locks, however, in smaller quantities.
Installation of plastic tiles - from the ridge to the overhang
Even knowing the roof area, it is difficult to accurately calculate exactly how much you will need polymer roofing elements. Therefore, it is better to take a little more than what you think you need, in reserve. It is logical that when the roof is insulated, a vapor-proof film is first pulled from the bottom of the rafter( from the inside of the under-roof space it is attached to the cross rails), after which a heater is laid between the rafters. And already on top of the waterproofing, on which the elements of the tile are laid.
Starting the installation of plastic tiles follows from the ridge, which is a separate element - an aerator. Each next one is placed so that its upper edge is brought under the edge of the previous one, before joining the latches, overlap, so until the overhang. At the very edge of the roof, on the cornice overhang you can pre-fix the gutter and the cornice bar, which is nailed along the end edge of the roof. Optimal roof slope for laying a polymer roof - more than 25 degrees, then it does not retain snow, which in large quantities exerts too much strain on the crate and can squeeze it .
What good is the polymer tile
We have already mentioned the strength, but what is its degree? Firstly, natural shingles can easily be damaged during transportation, and metal is easy to crush too. Polymer shingles are transported in large volumes due to its lightness and is not damaged, no matter how much it was in the pile. Secondly, the roof with a plastic roof can be walked freely without fear of deforming it, in addition, it perfectly withstands the green mass of vertical gardening. In addition to watertightness, the polymer tile has two other excellent properties, being noise and thermal insulation.
Tiles made of plastic are very resistant to acid rain, ultraviolet light and sharp temperature changes.
Unlike natural tiles, plastic can be made in different colors, giving the house a festive look. And since the polymer coating does not fade in the sun, the bright color of the roof will delight you for decades, especially since the average life of this shingle is about 30 years. And you can not be afraid that over time, plastic will begin to release harmful substances - polymer tiles are an environmentally friendly product of modern technology.