Roofs

• Suitable for covering complex roof structures, such as domes, as well as small buildings: gazebos, woodsheds, warehouses, garages, etc.

• Wide choice of colors and shapes: more than 50 different color shades and shapes.

• Longevity – double-layer laminated tiles are given a 50-year guarantee.

• Easy installation – the tile package is lightweight and can be carried by one person; installation is also straightforward, allowing for a solo project, provided you follow the manufacturer's instructions. The roofing process produces little waste or scrap.

• Easy renovation – a new layer of tiles can be laid directly on the old one, so the costs of roof renovation are low.

• Snow cover on the roof melts slowly, does not slide and does not pose a danger.

ADVANTAGES OF STEEL ROOFING

• Lightweight, but at the same time durable and airtight covering.

• Easy to handle, quick to apply – work will be faster and costs will be lowered, as the covering is easy to attach and does not require special roofer skills or specific tools for installation.

• There is no need for a very rigid wooden rafter and lathing structure, as well as a continuous slab base, so the wooden structure of a steel roof will not cost much.

• Durability – the steel covering will retain its unchanged, bright color for a long time.

• The covering does not require specific care; it will not grow over the years with lichen or moss.

• Cold resistance – the steel roof will not crack or crumble even in the most significant frost.

• Easy care in the cold season – in winter, it will not be necessary to climb onto the roof to clear it of snow. It will not accumulate on the roof for a long time and will slide, so you will not have to worry that the roof structure may bend due to the weight of the snow.

• Wide selection – there is an excellent selection of colors and profile patterns, which depend on the roof slope. If the roof slope angle of the building exceeds 14 degrees, you can freely choose any profile pattern. If you select an angle of 11–14 degrees, trapezoidal profiled sheets will be suitable. If you select a minimum roof slope angle of 7 degrees, then only very airtight corrugated or rolled profiles will be best.

• The minimum roof slope is 7 degrees; the maximum is unlimited, up to an angle of 90 degrees. This means that corrugated or rolled profiles can also be used as wall coverings, especially since the fastening screws of the rolled sheets, made of stainless steel, are hidden under the covering and are not visible from the outside. For this reason, there is a slight chance that leaves, needles, and other debris will accumulate on the roof.

• Manufacturer's warranty – for example, polyester-coated roofing coverings offer a 10-year guarantee on aesthetic properties and a 30-year warranty on technical properties. In contrast, some manufacturers' products provide a 20-year warranty on aesthetic properties and a 50-year warranty on technical properties.

• Easy assembly – the roofing can be assembled by yourself if a special covering made of small sheets is chosen.

• Sustainability – steel is an environmentally friendly, easily recyclable and reusable material.

Optimal roof tightness, durability and aesthetic appearance can be ensured if all roof parts – covering, high-quality fastening screws, rainwater drainage system and roof safety elements – come from one manufacturer.

ADVANTAGES OF CERAMIC (CLAY) AND CONCRETE TILES

Long-term experience has shown that ceramic and concrete tiles are highly suitable for the Latvian climate. In coastal and seaside regions, tiled roofs have been used for hundreds of years. Inland, concrete tiled roofs have been used since the interwar period and have retained their airtightness.

• Longevity – the longevity of ceramic tiles no longer needs to be proven, as is also confirmed by the traditions of laying tiled roofs in many European countries. During the Soviet period, efforts were made to destroy this tradition in the Baltic States; however, more and more people are now choosing tiled roofs not only for new buildings but also for building renovations.

• Weight – the weight of the roofing material ensures its resistance to extreme weather conditions, such as strong wind gusts, storms, and hail. The more massive the roofing, the better it will absorb noise and retain less heat in the summer.

• Color stability and integrity – the color of ceramic tiles is applied before they are fired. After firing, the color becomes part of the tile surface, so it does not peel off or fade. The color of high-quality concrete tiles does change over time, but the changes are minor, uniform, and therefore practically imperceptible.

• Airtightness – tiles are installed with the help of special fasteners, not screws, as is the case with slate, so there are no holes in the roof through which water could penetrate over time. However, it is crucial to select the correct elements for such a roof. Namely, to ensure tightness, it is necessary to choose high-quality and suitable waterproof materials; therefore, it is best to use the solutions recommended by the manufacturer.

• Sustainability – tiles are made from natural materials that have been used for centuries. This roofing material does not use chemical binders that are harmful to the environment and people.

Roof construction and slope – it is recommended to lay tile roofing on roofs with a slope greater than 14 degrees. By installing a completely waterproof coating, tiles can also be laid on roofs with a lower slope, because the roof structure must primarily be able to withstand the load caused by snow and wind, as well as its weight, and only then the weight of the roofing material. This means that the impact of the roof covering on the structure is minimal, but the load caused by snow and other natural elements is the greatest. Typically, the structure of tile corrugated sheet roofs or tin roofs is constructed in the same manner.

Tiles are a classic roofing material, but they continue to be improved through technological innovations. For example, such an innovative approach as infrared-reflecting tile covering further reduces the risk of the roof overheating. This makes it possible to reduce the air temperature in a habitable attic in the summer by as much as 2 °C.

Price and quality. Often, when choosing roofing material, people only consider the price, without paying sufficient attention to quality and other rational criteria. People prefer some coverings due to familiar habits that have survived from Soviet times. Roofers recommend many types of roofing because their installation is faster and easier, without considering that it may not always be beneficial for the end user. The prices of roofing coverings vary, depending on the raw materials and quality of production. Therefore, considering the price, characteristics, and service life, the most rational and economical solution may be concrete tiles.

ADVANTAGES OF REED ROOFS

• Ecological – reed roofing is one of the most ecological solutions. A reed roof of organic origin gives a home a feeling of warmth and vitality. Reed grows in nature without any human intervention; it only needs to be cut, cleaned, dried and prepared for installation.

• Longevity – reed is resistant to adverse weather conditions, for example, moisture and UV rays. Reed roofs last more than 50 years. If professionals have laid the roof, it can even surpass other roofing materials in terms of longevity.

• Thermal insulation properties – reed is a plant with a porous structure; its stalk has transverse walls, which are located along the entire length of the stalk at a distance of approximately 30 cm from each other (the thermal conductivity of a 30 cm layer of reed is 0.20 W/mK). This structure of reeds prevents sound and heat from spreading easily; practically no other roofing has similar properties. The thermal conductivity of a properly installed reed roof is equivalent to the thermal conductivity of a 10 cm thick layer of rock wool. It will be warm in winter and cool in summer under a reed roof!

• Sound insulation properties – a roof made of reeds is soundproof and does not produce sound, so neither heavy rain nor hail, nor other natural phenomena will be heard in the attic.

• Moisture resistance properties – reeds contain wax components. Moreover, reeds are aquatic plants; therefore, they are more moisture resistant compared to other types of straw.

• Application in architecture – a reed roof is easy to apply even to the most complex structural solutions. This covering is suitable for roofs of complex shapes or non-standard structures. It will be perfectly suitable for residential houses, summer houses and saunas, as well as small architectural structures, gazebos, barns, for any rural, urban or suburban building with a sloping roof structure.

• Thickness of the covering – reeds form a unique roofing covering that offers impermeability, slope, undulation, and exclusivity. The thickness of the reed roofing covering ranges from 25 to 35 cm.

• Installation of roof elements – snow protection barriers and other roof elements can be installed on a reed roof, just like on any other roofing covering. The only difference in their installation is that fasteners suitable for this roofing are required.

• Exclusivity – a reed roof installed by professional roofers will give the building exclusivity: it will not only attract the eyes of passers-by but will also significantly increase the value of the building. A structure with a reed roof will blend seamlessly into both the natural countryside landscape and the modern urban environment.

Other natural roofing materials

Natural slate, asbestos-free and steel-free corrugated fibre cement sheets, copper coatings.

Another lesser-known material is slate. It is a natural material that has been formed over millions of years through natural processes. For centuries, slate has been extracted in an environmentally friendly manner and processed without the use of additives. Slate has been and continues to be a valuable roofing and facade material. Entire generations of architects and roofers have traditionally used slate in construction and the creation of various works of art.