A roof covered with bitumen shingles is aesthetically pleasing, durable, and easy to use. Its great advantage is the possibility of self-installation. There is nothing complicated about how to cover a roof with a soft roof with your own hands, since the weight of the material is small, installation is carried out on an adhesive base with additional fixation with nails.

Currently, this type of coverage has become popular among property owners. Hand-laid soft roof made of bitumen shingles has a very attractive appearance, it is characterized by increased moisture resistance and a long period of operation.

On the back side of this roofing material there is a self-adhesive layer. Thanks to its presence, the arrangement of roofs from soft tiles It can be done with your own hands in the absence of appropriate skills.

Features of flexible roofing material

Soft tiles are tiles with a curved edge. It is made of fiberglass, which is impregnated with petroleum bitumen modified by polymers. When arranging the roof, the material is laid overlapping so that an imitation of a shingle covering made of wooden blocks is created.

The fiberglass contained in such tiles can be ordinary or reinforced polyester. During the manufacturing process, the outer side of the material is covered with a special coating made from basalt or stone chips, due to which the roof has a rough surface and a certain color.

The advantages of bituminous shingles include:

1. Aesthetic appearance. Since the material is produced in a variety of color solutions and shapes, it is possible to give the house a harmonious image.
2. Long service life. A soft roof can be used for at least 70 years and during this period the costs of its installation will be fully recouped.
3. Flexibility. Elastic products allow you to install a soft roof complex shapes, with many decorative elements.
4. Resistance to adverse weather conditions. A soft roof can withstand the effects of ultraviolet radiation, precipitation and other environmental factors while maintaining performance characteristics.

The technology for laying tiles is simple and therefore even a home craftsman can easily arrange a soft roof roof with his own hands for country cottage, country house, gazebos and other buildings.

Installation of soft roofing

Before you make a soft roof with your own hands, you need to make sure there is a solid foundation. According to installation technology of this material, the work can be done under specific weather conditions.

1. When installing at air temperatures below plus 5 degrees, the self-adhesive layer on the back of the tile cannot melt on its own. To do this forcibly, you will need to use a hair dryer or a gas torch. But the melting of bitumen will affect the installation time of the soft roof.
2. When this material is laid at a temperature exceeding 25 degrees, the self-adhesive layer begins to melt strongly and flow down the slope. At high temperatures, deformation of the roofing occurs.
3. If installation work is carried out in conditions of high humidity, this will negatively affect the durability of the sheathing, rafters and the tiles themselves due to rotting.

The instructions for installing a soft roof with your own hands, compiled by the manufacturers, prescribe that this should be done exclusively at an air temperature of 5 to 15 degrees, when the weather is dry.

Do-it-yourself roof sheathing

First of all, you need to do reliable sheathing. According to the technology for installing soft coverings, there must be a solid base that will give soft covering roofing the required strength and rigidity.

The presence of the lathing guarantees an even distribution of the load on the rafters, so it is made of three layers:

1. Counter-lattice. It is built from wooden blocks 3–4 centimeters thick and mounted on top of the waterproofing along the rafter frame legs. This layer serves to create an air gap between the covering and the rafters.
2. Sparse sheathing. This part of the base for soft material is made from edged boards measuring 20x150 millimeters. The elements are fixed perpendicular to the bars of the counter-lattice with an interval of 30–50 centimeters.
3. Continuous sheathing. It is built from moisture-resistant plywood, edged boards or OSB boards. They are laid continuously with a small gap of 1–3 millimeters, which serves to compensate for the thermal expansion of the sheathing.

Before laying a soft roof, the wood elements must be made smooth so that they do not damage the tiles. Better use material coniferous species with 20% humidity. To prevent the wood from starting to rot, the products must be treated with antiseptic compounds. To eliminate the risk of fire, the lathing is impregnated with fire-resistant preparations.

Laying underlay carpet

There is a certain procedure for how to properly lay a soft roof. It is mounted on continuous sheathing. Before laying a soft roof, a bitumen lining carpet that is resistant to mechanical stress is placed on top of the base. It protects the roof structure from leaks and damage.

According to the technology for installing the underlay carpet:

• if the roof slope is less than 15-18 degrees, it is laid out over the entire area of ​​the slopes with a 15-20 cm overlap, so that if the snow melts, moisture does not linger;
• if the angle of inclination is more than 20 degrees, the lining is laid exclusively in places where precipitation can accumulate - such additional waterproofing is used to protect the joints of soft roofing on slopes with a vertical surface, valleys and ridge;
• Roofing felt cannot be used for lining, as it is fragile and will not last long.

According to professionals, as a backing layer you need to use products recommended by manufacturers, since it is guaranteed to be compatible with the purchased tiles.

How to cover a roof with soft tiles

Installation should be performed when it is calm and dry outside. When laying on a previously used rafter frame, first check the condition wooden elements and replace those that are deformed or rotten.

Installation work is performed in a certain order:

1. Using a pre-prepared drawing of a soft roof, mark the surface of the slope with chalk horizontal stripes, noting the placement of rows of tiles.
2. Laying begins from the bottom of the slope, fixing the roofing with special nails. If the fastening is carried out using a self-adhesive layer, you need to remove the protective film from the tile and press the product to the base. The nails are driven in no closer than 2.5 centimeters from the edge, flush with the surface of the tile.
3. The next row begins on the left side. 143 millimeters are cut off from the tile on the left, shifting the pattern diagonally.
4. To begin laying the third row, a fragment of 286 millimeters in length is removed from the product from the left edge so that the pattern of the material moves in the diagonal direction.
5. After completion of the work, the ridge and valley junctions having a vertical surface are decorated with a ridge element.

To ensure the proper functioning of a roof made of bitumen shingles and to prevent the “greenhouse effect”, a ventilation system should be installed and thereby prevent rotting of the truss structure.

The reliability and durability of soft roofing directly depends on compliance with the technology of its installation. In this article you can get acquainted with the common types of soft roofing and, in more detail, with the features of bitumen shingles. This review contains information about the device roofing pie and some of its important components, including sheathing and ventilation.

A popular option for country house construction is bituminous shingles. Source zen.yandex.ru

On the origin and specificity of soft roofing coverings

Just a few decades ago, the most common roofing materials included expensive ceramic tiles and more affordable slate and galvanized steel. Installation of the roof covering was a labor-intensive task, taking a lot of time and performed by several workers. The development of technology has provided an alternative to classic materials - soft roofing coverings, simplifying the process of constructing a roof.

These modern developments trace their origins to roofing felt, a rolled material with waterproofing properties. The production of roofing felt was simple: the roofing cardboard was impregnated and then covered with bitumen and an additional layer of sand (sometimes with asbestos coating) that protected it from sticking. The first soft material did not cope well with low and high temperatures and other vagaries of Mother Nature; its low wear resistance forced the development of a new generation of coatings.

Good old roofing felt Source krovlyakryshi.ru

The concept of soft roofing combines several classes of flexible roofing materials, modified derivatives of roofing material, produced in the form of rolls, plastic and piece coverings. All of them have improved consumer qualities. Like their progenitor, they are flexible, light in weight, and excellently protect housing from the vagaries of the weather; many can effectively transform a roof. Thanks to the improved composition (with the addition of polymer components), a period of flawless operation modern roof from a soft roof has increased several times.

5 main types of soft roofing

Manufacturers offer the following classes of soft roofing materials, aimed at: various ways styling:

Roll coatings based on bitumen. Their predominant scope of application is industrial buildings and residential structures with flat and low- pitched roofs(when the slope angle does not exceed 3º). Rolled materials are successfully used for waterproofing roofs; they are laid in strips, and adhesion is ensured by fusing.

Installation of soft fused roofing Source legkovmeste.ru

Polymer membranes. They are also supplied in roll format, but contain an additive - a polymer modifier applied on top of the reinforcing base. The new component improves resistance to high temperatures and allows you to maintain plasticity at low temperatures. Bitumen-polymer membrane materials have good adhesion (adhesion to the surface), high mechanical strength and the ability to recover in places of minor damage. If the roofing carpet is chosen correctly, a bitumen-polymer roof will last at least 20 years.

Laying the polymer membrane Source ko.decorexpro.com

Roofing mastics and emulsions. They have a limited area for full use, since they are a polymer or bitumen-polymer mixture and fit correctly only on horizontal surface. More recently, such materials were used only as a waterproofing or bonding layer in roofing carpets. Today, mastic is increasingly used as a full-fledged independent coating. Depending on the type, it is applied by pouring, spraying or using a spatula (distributing it over the surface). For reinforcement, layers of fiberglass are used.

Roof under bitumen mastic Source postroimka-dom.ru

Baseless materials. Refers to roll roofing coverings; a well-known representative of this class - polyethylene film(regular or reinforced). Baseless materials are known for their ductility, durability and bio-stability, making them an important part of the roofing pie (as the inner layer) of both flat and pitched roofs.

Solid vapor barrier - polyethylene film Source projject.ru

Bituminous shingles. Basically, these are piece products of modified roofing felt. The material has the form of flexible sheets with a figured outer edge. If roll and mastic materials are suitable for use on the roofs of residential buildings in the avant-garde or high-tech style, then for buildings in the most common, classic style Asphalt shingles are usually chosen. It can elegantly imitate natural ceramics, slate tiles and wood shingles.

Features of bitumen shingles

Although piece material less elastic than roll coverings, other properties make it a popular option for private construction. The soft roof structure looks like a three-layer structure:

Warp. The basis is fiberglass, which, although it cannot boast of high tensile strength, weighs little and is quite elastic.

Coating. Coating material - bitumen, natural or modified. The latter contains a polymer additive that increases the elasticity and frost resistance of products. On the back of each product there is an adhesive strip for attaching to the base (it is protected with film during storage and transportation).

The structure of bitumen shingles Source homediz.info

Outer layer. To increase service life, the outside of the tiles is covered with painted basalt or slate chips. The use of granules increases the strength and durability of the material; a layer of powder protects the bitumen base from the sun, precipitation and mechanical damage. One of the reasons for the prevalence of soft tiled roofing is the rich color palette and various cutting shapes, which open up wide design possibilities.

Builders note the following advantages of bitumen shingles:

Light weight, thanks to which the soft roof is transported and unloaded without significant costs. An additional bonus is reducing the load on roofing system roofs and the entire building.

Versatility of soft roof installation. Flexible tiles can be successfully laid on roofs of any shape.

Economy. On any surface, the percentage of waste will be minimal (not exceeding 5-7%).

The advantages of bitumen shingles during operation are their following properties:

Strength. Flexible tiles are impervious to ultraviolet radiation, corrosion, precipitation and temperature changes.

Wide design possibilities Source karlovkrovlya.ru

Durability. It depends on the number of layers of bitumen shingles. Standard single-layer material is designed for 20 years of excellent service. The most durable, three-layer coating is guaranteed to withstand 50 years of operation (which does not exclude preventive inspections and routine repairs).

Tightness. The material is characterized by almost complete waterproofness.

Soundproofing. Soft tiled roof perfectly absorbs the sound of rain and hail.

Zero electrical conductivity.

Justth care.

The disadvantages of soft roofing are its high price (when compared with traditional materials) and a number of rules that must be followed when installing.

Video description

About the benefits flexible tiles in the following video:

On our website you can find contacts construction companies who offer roof repair services. You can communicate directly with representatives by visiting the “Low-Rise Country” exhibition of houses.

Rules for using soft tiles

When choosing a roof covering with a soft roof, you should have an idea about the features of flexible tiles. If conditions change (failure to comply with installation rules), these features can turn into disadvantages, and the same material different conditions will last different times. The main differences between soft tiles and other roofing materials include the following facts:

Soft tiles not suitable for use, If roof slope does not reach 12°(flat surfaces increase the risk of water retention and seepage).

Impossible objectively determine quality by eye bitumen shingle coatings and bases. The material should be purchased from a trusted manufacturer, studying the certificate, markings and guarantees when purchasing. Soft tiles offered at a suspiciously low (below the market average) price are always suspicious.

Laying soft roofing is carried out only on a solid moisture-resistant base. To do this you will have to purchase plywood sheets, tongue and groove or edged board, or OSB sheets, which will increase the final cost of the roofing carpet.

Laying flexible tiles Source nearsay.com

Installation looks simple, the main thing is in the installation process prevent deformation of soft tiles(which, in the absence of experience, is not so difficult to do).

Installation in cold weather is difficult, since in such conditions the adhesive layer does not provide proper adhesion. In order for the roof to still be airtight, the packages with the material are first kept in a warm room (at least 24 hours), and during installation, 5-6 packages are taken out into the air.

Soft roof repair it may turn out to be much more difficult to install. After laying the shingles, under the influence sun rays, stick together to form a single cover. If over time one of the tiles becomes damaged, due to the material sticking together, a section of the roof will need to be replaced, and this cannot be done without the involvement of a specialist.

Video description

About the installation of the roofing pie in the following video:

Features of laying the roofing pie

Bituminous shingles occupy a leading position in use in private construction, leaving other soft roofing materials far behind. This success is explained by a successful combination of its qualities: the insulating capabilities of roll coverings, the solidity of self-leveling roofing and the aesthetics of classic materials (ceramics and wooden shingles). If the attic of a residential building is supposed to be warm, a solid moisture-resistant base and flexible tiles will not be enough. In this case, additional layers will be required, and the roofing pie will have a more complex structure, including the following layers:

Vapor barrier. Protects the rafter system and insulation layer from wet steam penetrating from the room.

Thermal insulation layer(optional). Helps maintain a stable temperature inside the living space.

Thermal insulation. Its role is successfully performed by a layer of basalt or mineral wool.

Waterproofing membrane. Protects rafters and insulation from precipitation.

Lathing and counter-lattice. A rigid solid base under the bitumen roof is fixed on them.

Standard roofing pie Source sovet-ingenera.com

Roof base. Solid OSB, plywood or plank flooring is laid on the sheathing. Since the back side of the soft roof is covered with an adhesive layer, there is no need to apply mastic or glue to the base. If the angle of inclination of the roof structure exceeds 18°, it is laid on the base additional layer of waterproofing. If the slope is flatter, it is reinforced structurally with waterproofing weak points subject to intense load: areas around chimneys, cornices, overhangs, ridges, valleys.

Underlay carpet. Protects soft tiles from mechanical damage; serves as an additional barrier to wind and moisture.

Gives the house a finished look. The elements are glued individually; for better fixation, glue, nails or screws are additionally used. When installing pitched surfaces, ordinary (shaped) tiles are used; for ridges and cornices, choose a universal ridge-cornice system. The energy of the sun's rays heats the bitumen, the tiles are sintered, turning into a single sealed roofing shell.

Video description

About errors in installing bitumen shingles in the following video:

Some nuances of arranging a soft roof

The composition of the roofing pie is important for the long-term trouble-free operation of the roof. If you use unsuitable materials or change (reduce) the number of layers of the roofing pie, the consequences will not be long in coming. The roof structure will become unusable; you will get leaks, condensation, damp insulation and rotten elements of the roofing system that require replacement.

In order for the roof to serve its intended life flawlessly, during installation it is necessary to use additional recommendations, which include the following tips:

• urgently needs ventilation. The waterproofing of the roofing pie not only reliably protects the structure from raindrops, but also prevents steam from escaping outside. Failure to ventilate will result in condensation accumulating inside the cake and causing its seal to be compromised.

Ventilation arrangement (ridge vent) Source lt.decorexpro.com

Types of ventilation. System roof ventilation can be passive when ventilation gaps (open channels) are formed between the layers. When arranging a forced option roof structure equipped with a factory-made ventilation system. Such a system is capable of not only effectively ventilating the under-roof space, but also starting forced air circulation in the attic and attic.

Important technological subtlety- soft roofing, all types of which serve as a high-quality replacement for traditional tiles, unlike the latter, should not be adjacent to the chimney. During installation, the chimney is carefully insulated around its entire perimeter; the conditions for ensuring the fire safety of the roofing pie are regulated by SNiP standards.

Mixing shingles. During installation, it is recommended to mix bitumen elements from several packages. Shades from different packs (even in the same batch) may vary slightly. Mixing will allow you to evenly distribute the tones over the surface of the roof, avoiding sharp transitions from tone to tone (which always catches your eye). This will also be useful in the future if you need to select material for repairs.

Arrangement of connection to the pipe Source migurban.ru

A roof made of flexible tiles is superior to many roofing coverings in strength (it easily withstands hail), resistance (to wind gusts) and solidity. In order for these wonderful properties to be preserved for as long as possible, it is necessary take good care of the roof during operation. To clear the roof of snow, choose a wooden shovel (it will not damage the protective basalt coating on the shingles). It is convenient to remove summer dust and dirt with a stream of water from a hose.

Conclusion

In many countries, bitumen shingles are considered the best option for roofing country house, practical and aesthetic. Buildings with soft roofs have a stylish appearance and are characterized by excellent performance characteristics. If you want to get a high-quality, durable and effective coating for your home, the installation of the roofing pie should be entrusted to specialists from a specialized construction organization who are familiar with all the intricacies of the work.

Roofing made of bituminous soft tiles is easy to use, durable and aesthetically pleasing. Its big advantage is that independent installation is quite possible. The technology is not the most complicated, the weight of the fragment is small, it is attached to an adhesive base, and is additionally fixed with roofing nails. So you can do the installation of soft tiles with your own hands even alone.

Roofing pie for soft tiles

The attic under the roof can be warm or cold, depending on this the composition of the roofing cake changes. But its part from the rafters and above always remains unchanged:

• waterproofing is installed along the rafters;
• on it - bars with a thickness of at least 30 mm;
• solid flooring.

Let’s look at these materials in more detail - what and how to make them from, what features each of them has.

Waterproofing

Waterproofing membranes come in one, two and three layers. Single-layer membranes are the simplest and cheapest, they perform only a double task - they do not allow moisture to pass into the room and release vapors to the outside. In this simple way, the attic is not only protected from the penetration of condensation or precipitation that suddenly seeps in, but also excess moisture that accompanies human activity is removed from the air. Single-layer membranes are poorly represented on the market. They are practically produced by one company - Tyvek.

Two- and three-layer membranes are more durable. In addition to the waterproofing layer, they also have a layer that gives greater tensile strength. The third layer, if there is one, is the adsorbent layer. That is, even if a drop of condensate forms on the surface of the membrane, this layer absorbs it, preventing it from spilling onto other materials. With sufficient ventilation, moisture from this layer gradually evaporates and is carried away by air currents.

Three-layer membranes (for example, EUROTOP N35, RANKKA, YUTAKON) are desirable if your attic is insulated and mineral wool is used as insulation. It is afraid of getting wet and when humidity increases by 10%, it loses half of its thermal insulation properties.

If there is a cold attic under soft tiles, it is advisable to use a two-layer waterproofing membrane. In terms of strength, it is much better than single-layer ones, and the price is only slightly more expensive.

Lathing

On top waterproofing film, parallel to the overhang, sheathing strips are packed. They are necessary to create a ventilation gap. It will maintain normal humidity of roofing materials.

The sheathing is made from coniferous boards (mainly pine). The thickness of the boards is at least 30 mm. This is the minimum gap that will ensure normal air movement in the under-roof space. Before laying, the wood must be treated with an impregnation that protects against pests and fungi; after this layer has dried, it is also treated with fire retardants, which reduce the flammability of the wood.

The minimum length of the board for sheathing is at least two spans of rafters. They are attached and connected above the rafter legs. You cannot connect them anywhere else.

Flooring

The flooring for soft tiles is made continuous. The materials are selected based on the fact that nails must be driven into it, therefore they are usually used:

• OSB 3;
• moisture-resistant plywood;
• tongue and groove boards of the same thickness (25 mm) with a moisture content of no more than 20%.

When laying flooring under soft tiles, gaps must be left between the elements to compensate for temperature expansion. When using plywood or OSB, the gap is 3 mm, between edged boards 1-5 mm. The sheet material is fastened with seams staggered, that is, so that the joints are not continuous. The OSB is secured using self-tapping screws or rough nails.

When using boards as flooring, you must ensure that the annual rings of the wood are directed downward. If they are positioned in the opposite direction, they will bend in an arc, the soft tiles will lift, and the tightness of the coating may be compromised. There is one more trick that will allow you to save wood flooring even even if the humidity of the boards is above 20%. When laying, the ends of the boards are additionally secured with two nails or self-tapping screws driven close to the edge. This additional fastener will prevent the boards from bending when drying.

The choice of thickness of material for flooring under soft tiles depends on the pitch of the sheathing. The larger the pitch, the thicker the flooring is needed. The best option- frequent steps and thin slabs. In this case, a light but rigid base is obtained.

Another point concerns the installation of flooring under soft tiles around the chimney pipe. For a brick pipe whose width is more than 50 cm, a groove is made behind it (pictured). This design resembles a mini-roof. It separates the rain streams, they roll down the sides of the pipe without flowing into the under-roof space.

After installing the flooring, its geometry is checked. The length and width of the slope at the top and bottom, the height of the slope on both sides are measured, and the diagonals are measured. And the last check is plane tracking - the entire slope must lie entirely in one plane.

Soft tile roofing technology

When purchasing, you will most likely be provided with instructions in which the installation of soft tiles will be described step by step and in detail, indicating all the exact dimensions that this particular manufacturer requires. These recommendations should be followed. However, it is worth getting acquainted with the order of work and their volumes in advance - in order to understand the intricacies of installation and the required amount of materials.

Let’s say right away that you need to handle soft tiles carefully when laying them - they don’t like being bent. Therefore, try not to bend or wrinkle the shingles unnecessarily (this is one fragment consisting of a visible and mounting part).

Overhang reinforcement

The drip bar is installed first. This is an L-shaped sheet of metal coated with paint or a polymer composition. Polymer coating more expensive, but also more reliable. The color is selected close to the color of the bitumen shingles.

The drip strip is installed along the roof overhangs

The purpose of the drip strip is to protect the sheathing, rafter sections and flooring from moisture. One edge of the drip is placed on the flooring, the other covers the overhang. It is fastened with galvanized (stainless steel) nails, which are driven in in a checkerboard pattern (one closer to the fold, the second almost at the edge). The fastener installation step is 20-25 cm.

The drip strip is sold in two-meter pieces. Having laid the first element, the second is fastened with an overlap of at least 3 cm. If desired, the gap can be closed: coat the joint with bitumen mastic and fill it with sealant. At the same stage, hooks are installed, or at least nailed, which will hold the gutters.

Laying a waterproofing carpet

Regardless of the angle of the roof, a waterproofing underlayment must be laid in and along the slope. It is sold in meter-wide rolls. An adhesive composition is applied to the bottom side, covered with a protective film or paper. Before laying, the paper is removed and the valley carpet is glued to the flooring.

Installation of a waterproofing carpet begins with laying it in the valley. Roll out the material to a meter width, distributing 50 cm on both sides of the bend. Here it is advisable to avoid joints, but, if necessary, the overlap of the two canvases should be at least 15 cm. Laying proceeds from bottom to top, the junction is additionally coated with bitumen mastic, the material is pressed well.

Next, the waterproofing carpet under the flexible tiles is laid along the eaves overhang. The minimum width of a carpet on a cornice overhang is the size of the overhang itself, plus 60 cm. The bottom edge is located on top of the drip edge and can bend down a few centimeters. First, the carpet is rolled out, trimmed if necessary, then the protective film is removed from the back and glued to the backing. Additionally, they are fixed along the edges with stainless steel or galvanized nails with a large flat head (step 20-25 cm).

At the horizontal joints, the overlap of the two sheets is at least 10 cm, in the vertical direction - at least 15 cm. All joints are additionally coated with bitumen mastic, and the material is crimped.

Underlay carpet

Underlay carpet, like waterproofing carpet, is sold in meter-wide rolls, the back side is covered with an adhesive composition. The installation method depends on the roof slope and the profile of the selected bitumen shingles.

When using bitumen shingles with cuts (type Jazz, Trio, Beaver Tail), regardless of the slope, the underlayment is spread over the entire surface of the roof.

Installation of underlayment often requires trimming. This is done using a sharply sharpened knife. To avoid damaging the material below when cutting, lay down a piece of plywood or OSB.

Front (end) strip

Pediment strips are mounted on the side sections of the overhangs. These are strips of metal bent in the shape of the letter “L”, along the bend line of which there is a small protrusion. They protect the laid roofing materials from wind loads and moisture. The gable strip is laid on the flooring on top of the underlay or waterproofing carpet, fixed with nails (stainless steel or galvanized) in a checkerboard pattern with a pitch of 15 cm.

These planks also come in 2 m pieces and are laid with an overlap of at least 3 cm.

Marking the slope

To make installation of soft tiles simple, markings in the form of a grid are applied to the underlayment or flooring. This is done using a paint cord. Lines along the eaves are drawn at a distance equal to 5 rows of tiles, in the vertical - every meter (the length of one shingle of flexible tiles). This markup is done easier installation— the edges are aligned using it, it’s easier to track distances.

Valley carpet

More valley material is laid on top of the already laid waterproofing carpet. It is slightly wider and serves as an additional guarantee of no leaks. Without removing the protective film from the bottom side, it is laid, trimmed at the bottom in the overhang area, and the boundaries are marked. Stepping back from the 4-5 cm mark, a special mastic with increased fixation, Fixer, is applied. It is applied from a syringe, with a roller, then rubbed into a strip about 10 cm wide with a spatula.

The valley carpet is laid out on the mastic, the folds are smoothed out, the edges are pressed. Stepping back from the edge by 3 cm, it is fixed with nails in increments of 20 cm.

Connection to a brick pipe

To bypass pipes and ventilation outlets, cut-outs are made from valley carpet or galvanized metal painted in the appropriate color. The surface of the pipe is plastered and treated with a primer.

When using a valley carpet, a pattern is made so that the material extends onto the pipe by at least 30 cm, leaving at least 20 cm on the roof.

The pattern is coated with bitumen mastic and placed in place. The front part is installed first, then the right and left.

Some of the side elements are wrapped onto the front part. The back wall is installed last. Its parts extend to the sides.

With proper installation on the flooring around the pipe, you get a platform completely covered with a valley carpet. Before laying the tiles in this place, the surface is coated with bitumen mastic.

The tiles overlap the laid carpet on three sides, not reaching the walls of the pipe 8 cm.

The upper part of the junction is sealed using a metal strip, which is attached to dowels.

All gaps are filled with heat-resistant sealant.

Round pipe output

There are special passage devices for the passage of ventilation pipes. They are positioned so that the lower edge of the element extends onto the tiles by at least 2 cm.

Having attached the passage element to the roof, trace it internal hole. Along the applied contour, a hole is cut out in the substrate into which a round pipe is inserted.

The back part of the skirt of the passage element is coated with bitumen mastic, adjusted to the desired position, and additionally secured around the perimeter with nails. When installing soft tiles, the penetration skirt is coated with mastic.

The shingle is cut as close as possible to the protrusion of the penetration, the gap is then filled with mastic, which is covered with a special coating that protects from ultraviolet radiation.

Start strip

Installation of soft tiles begins with laying the starting strip. Usually these are ridge-eaves tiles or row tiles with trimmed petals. The first element is laid on one of the edges of the slope, with its edge touching the gable strip. The lower edge of the starting strip is placed on the dropper, 1.5 cm away from its fold.

Before installation, it is removed from the back protective film, the shingles are leveled and laid. Each section of bitumen shingles is fastened with four nails - in the corners of each fragment, 2-3 cm away from the edge or perforation line.

If a cut of ordinary tiles is used as a starting strip, some of it will lack adhesive. In these places, the substrate is coated with bitumen mastic.

Installation of soft ordinary tiles

There are flexible tiles with an applied adhesive mass, protected by a film, and there is a composition that does not require a protective film, although it also fixes the elements well on the roof. When using the first type of material, the film is removed immediately before installation.

Before laying bitumen shingles on the roof, open several packs - 5-6 pieces. Laying is carried out from all packs at the same time, taking one shingle from each one in turn. Otherwise, there will be obvious spots on the roof that differ in color.

The first shingle is laid so that its edge does not reach the edge of the starting strip by 1 cm. In addition to the adhesive composition, the tiles are also fixed with roofing nails. The amount of fasteners depends on the angle of the slope:

When installing soft tiles, it is important to drive the nails in correctly. The caps should press against the shingles but not break through the surface.

Valley design

Using a painter's cord, mark a zone in the valley into which nails cannot be driven - this is 30 cm from the middle of the valley. Then mark the boundaries of the gutter. They can be from 5 to 15 cm in both directions.

The upper corner, which is turned towards the valley, is trimmed

When laying ordinary tiles, the nails are driven as close as possible to the line beyond which nails cannot be driven, and the shingles are trimmed to the floor of the gutter laying line. To prevent water from flowing under the material, the upper corner of the tile is cut diagonally, cutting off about 4-5 cm. The loose edge of the tile is smeared with bitumen mastic and fixed with nails.

Pediment decoration

On the sides of the slope, the tiles are cut so that 1 cm remains to the edge (protrusion) of the end strip. The upper corner of the shingle is cut in the same way as in the valley - a diagonally 4-5 cm piece. The edge of the tile is coated with mastic. A strip of mastic is at least 10 cm. Then it is fixed with nails, like the rest of the elements.

If the flooring in the area of ​​the ridge is made continuous, a hole is cut along the ridge, which should not reach the end of the rib 30 cm. Bituminous shingles are laid up to the beginning of the hole, after which a special ridge profile with ventilation holes.

It is fixed with long roofing nails. Several elements can be used on a long ridge; they are connected end-to-end. The installed metal ridge is covered with ridge tiles. The protective film is removed from it, then the fragment is fixed with four nails (two on each side). The installation of soft tiles on the ridge goes towards the prevailing winds, one fragment overlaps the other by 3-5 cm.

Ridge tiles are ridge-eaves divided into three parts. There is a perforation on it, and the fragment is torn off along it (first bend it, press the fold, then tear it off).

The same elements can be cut from ordinary tiles. It is divided into three parts, without paying attention to the drawing. The corners of the resulting tiles are cut off - about 2-3 cm on each side. The middle of the fragment is heated construction hairdryer on both sides, lay the middle on the block and, gently pressing, bend it.

Ribs and bends

The ribs are covered with ridge tiles. A line is drawn along the bend at the required distance with a paint cord. The edge of the tile is aligned along it. The laying of flexible tiles on the edge goes from bottom to top, each fragment is glued, then, retreating 2 cm from the top edge, it is fixed with nails - two on each side. The next fragment extends 3-5 cm onto the laid one.

Private construction and the use of soft roofing is a fairly relevant topic. This material has a lot of advantages. Among them are light weight, absolute tightness, visual appeal, the ability to be used on a wide variety of roof shapes, long useful life and low cost of soft roofing. Moreover, the rain does not drum on such a roof, but rustles quietly. In addition to high performance and technical characteristics, the material allows you to install a soft roof yourself, without involving specialists in the work.

The concept of a soft roof

Soft roofing is a modern material, the base of which is fiberglass sheets impregnated on both sides with rubber bitumen. Rubber bitumen is highly airtight and moisture resistant, which is why soft roofing has become so widespread in the construction of buildings. Also, soft roofing contains a special coating that increases wear resistance and prevents the roll covering from sticking together.

Soft roofing is considered an ideal covering for roofs with a slope angle of at least 11 degrees. Therefore, when choosing a material for such strict requirements, be careful. Soft roofing is often called bitumen shingles, which are used as the top layer of the roofing cake and differ from other materials in its structure, which resembles rolled materials.

Styling tools

Flexible roofing can be laid by 1 person. The only requirement for the roof surface, which we have already mentioned, is a slope of no more than 11º. But the maximum slope angle is not limited. Laying a soft roof with your own hands requires the following materials and tools: a hammer, a knife, mastic, sealant, a mastic trowel, roofing nails, eaves and end strips, a waterproofing carpet, a ridge-eaves strip and work gloves.

Ventilation device

The ventilation system is able to provide air circulation, which is necessary to prevent condensation from occurring on the lower part of the base. Neglecting this step when laying soft roofing on the roof will cause rafter system begins to rot, and in winter ice and icicles will form.

The constituent elements of the roof ventilation system are ventilation ducts and outlets, gaps between the waterproofing and the base (minimum 5 millimeters). Natural ventilation can be provided by ventilation holes that are distributed evenly under the eaves.

Lining layer

Cornice strips are made of metal and attached to the overhangs of the cornices on a lining. They are required to protect the edges of the sheathing. Gable strips are also made of metal; they are attached to the ends of the roof to protect the edges of the sheathing. The valley carpet provides additional protection roofs from precipitation. Choose it according to the color of the flexible tiles.

In places where leaks are most likely, you need to create a lining layer: on valleys, roof ends and eaves. A special feature of the installation is compliance with the direction (bottom to top) and overlap: in the longitudinal direction - 150 millimeters, in the transverse direction - 100 millimeters. It is customary to coat the overlap areas with bitumen mastic.

It is customary to reinforce valleys and ridges by 500 and 250 millimeters, respectively. In this case, the valleys must be equipped with a lining layer on both sides, and along the ends and eaves overhangs it should be laid to a minimum width of 400 millimeters.

The lining is nailed to the base with galvanized roofing nails every 200 millimeters. The underlay carpet not only protects the roof from moisture, but also from destruction if the installation of the soft roof is suspended.

Preparatory work

The base to which you will attach the soft roof must be solid. This is precisely why the process of installing a roof made of soft tiles differs from roofs for which other materials are used. For example, metal tiles must be laid on a sheathing in which a gap is allowed between the beams, which is explained by the high rigidity of the metal tiles. Soft roofing does not have these qualities and therefore needs pre-installation solid foundation.

For arranging the base, you can use oriented strand board, moisture-resistant plywood with a thickness of 9 millimeters or more, as well as tongue and groove or edged boards. If you have chosen a board as the base, it is recommended to first keep it in a stack until an equilibrium moisture level is reached.

Buy material in winter and use in summer. The width of the boards is no more than 100 millimeters. It is desirable that the material has the same thickness and is sawn to band saw. The maximum moisture content of wood is 20%.

The video about the technology of laying soft roofs shows that such materials need to be laid with the seams shifted - staggered, leaving a gap of 1 centimeter between them. The surface must be dry, clean and smooth. The quality of installation and service life of the soft roof will depend on these conditions.

The roofing pie must have the following layers: waterproofing layer, laid on the rafters; mineral wool insulation if you are planning to install an attic; waterproofing roofing carpet laid overlapping on the base from the outside.

Subtleties of installing a soft roof

To cover a roof with a soft roof with your own hands, in addition to having free time, you also need good weather. It is customary to carry out work in warm, dry weather, and the air temperature should not fall below plus 5 Celsius. If, due to necessity, it is necessary to lay a soft roof in the winter at an inopportune time, the tiles must be kept in a building with room temperature. You can also use a hot air burner.

The choice of this temperature regime is explained by the characteristics of the shingle - a sheet consisting of 3-4 “tiles”. It can be attached to the surface with nails or using a self-adhesive layer located on the inside. The tightness of the tiles is ensured by the heat of the sun; under its influence, the sheets are soldered to the base and to each other. This does not happen when sub-zero temperatures, and high-quality insulation does not work.

Soft tiles should be used simultaneously from 5-6 packages and selected one element at a time to avoid sharp differences in shades in case it is necessary to repair the soft roof with elements from another package. It is this property that constitutes another advantage of this material: a slight difference in shades facilitates the process of replacing tiles and decorates its matte surface.

Choice of mastic

To lay the top layer of a soft roof, you should use a bitumen-polymer material, which allows you to create a continuous elastic coating that can withstand temperature and mechanical deformations of the base. According to the technology of laying soft roofs, it is recommended to use cold and hot mastics to attach rolled material to the roof.

Cold mastics are traditionally used for the internal layers of the roof, and the hot substance is used as an external coating. Cold mastics include roofing felt and bitumen, and hot mastics include tar and roofing felt. The mastic used must contain bitumen and a pulverized mixture or fiber filler. Among the dusty materials are lime, gypsum and ash.

Production of bitumen mastic

You can buy bitumen mastic, but you can also make it yourself. To do this, take bitumen, which is close to 80% of mastic, and filler. By taking 2 portions of bitumen and diesel fuel per 1 portion of filler, you will get a cold mixture. The bitumen needs to be heated to 180 degrees while diesel fuel and filler are being prepared elsewhere. Both boilers can be mixed only after the water has evaporated in the bitumen.

To make hot mastic you need to use a boiler. The bitumen in it should be heated to 200 degrees, and filler should be added slowly. It is important that during the procedure the temperature does not drop below 160 degrees.

To check the quality of the mastic, you need to lay it at an angle of 45 degrees, after heating the mastic to 60 degrees. The video about laying a soft roof shows: if the coating drains, then its quality is poor. If it does not drain, then you should let it dry. When drying out quality material cracks will not appear.

Laying a soft roof

Before directly laying the roof, run a solution of bitumen and diesel fuel over the wood surface. Then slowly coat with mastic, then lay down glassine and roofing felt. It is customary to start installation from the middle part of the cornice and move towards the ends to the right and left. On the underside of soft tiles, before applying, you need to remove the film that protects the glue.

If you are using cold mastic, then you need to wait 12 hours after applying the layer, only then can you apply a new layer. When covering with hot mastic, you can apply layers one after another. Each roofing element must be nailed with 4-6 nails.

When laying rolls according to the instructions for laying soft roofing, make a 7-10 cm overlap. In all cases, it is recommended to follow the overlap rule: place each top row so that the fastening joints of the previous one are covered. The next new layer is shifted depending on their number (with 2 layers - by half, and with 3 - by a third).

Along the edges of the roof, trim off the excess and glue with mastic. Thanks to the properties of modern soft roofing materials, the useful life of the roof covering is about 30 years. But this does not mean that you can forget about preventive measures.

Installation near ventilation pipes

Proper insulation of joints and careful fastening of material require space around antennas and pipes. Installation of a soft roof here is easy provided that passage elements are used. Without such components, the tightness of the coating is compromised. Even before laying the bitumen shingles, you need to outline the places where you will install ventilation and pipes.

Then you need to cut holes around which the edges of the lining carpet will be glued with mastic. Spread the top surface of the carpet along the contours of the elements that need to be glued and nailed. Place the tiles on top of the mastic.

It is recommended to treat the joints between the upper part of the passage element and the bitumen shingles with sealant. Having completed the work to the ridge line, you need to use special ridge elements of flexible tiles, which are bent over it, glued to mastic and nailed.

Soft roof repair

Frequency repair work What needs to be done with the roof of the house depends directly on the base on which you installed the tiles, and on the cost of laying a soft roof. Wooden lumber, cement and concrete screed - they all react differently to soft roofing, which causes some damage.

Cleaning the damaged area

Immediately before starting repairs, determine whether such work is needed at all and to what extent. To do this, assess the extent of damage present. If in roll covering holes have formed, it is recommended to fill them with mastic, observing the sequence of materials used for this.

Roll roofing repairs should be carried out exclusively in a clean area. And this is very problematic, because roofing material there is a special sprinkle. For this reason, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the area where repair work will be carried out.

Crumbs can be removed by using process oil. Anthracene oil is best suited for cleaning roofing felt, while solar oil is used for roofing felt. Clean with a regular rag or brush. With this treatment, you can remove the coating and soften the surface for further repairs.

Repair work

After preparing the damaged area, you can proceed to main job. At small defects You can use regular mastic with a patch. But this solution is not suitable if all roofing layers are broken.

If several layers of the roof are damaged at the same time, it is recommended to clean the area from the old layer of mastic and dirt, and then dry it. After this, you need to prepare a mastic mixture with the addition of sawdust or sand. This mixture should be used to fill all existing damage so as to even out the edges. The mastic should extend at least 10 centimeters on all sides of the patch.

Using hard brushes and brushes, mastic can be applied to the most difficult to reach places. If you are working on small area, then it is advisable to use a simple spatula, which allows you to apply thick mastic and mass with sawdust. If a “water bubble” occurs in the roof, repairs must be carried out in the same way as in a situation with a regular hole. The main thing is to determine in time the source where the water comes from.

If cracks appear in the roofing material, it should be cut to the bottom layer. Then clean off excess mastic and debris, after which the area is dried and filled with new mastic. You can do without a cut if the cracks are small. They should be covered with a patch and mastic. If small cracks appear throughout the entire area of ​​the soft roof, it must be prepared and covered with heated mastic.

Restoration of sprinkles

After repairing the soft roof, it is necessary to replace the removed layer of topping in place to avoid unnecessary heating of the material and melting of the mastic. To do this, smooth the surface and cover the roof with sand. Excess coating that does not adhere to the roof will be removed on its own over time. However, if you want, you can remove it yourself.

Now you have learned what advantages a soft roof has - tightness, long service life and a reasonable price for laying a soft roof. Follow our instructions carefully to install flexible tiles correctly. Use the recommendations regarding the choice of mastic and its preparation. And if minor problems arise during the operation of the roof, re-read the information about repairing soft roofs.