An incredibly popular form of roofing for small to medium-sized projects, corrugated roofing is highly versatile. Corrugated roofing sheets are pressed into a wave-like profile for added strength and can be made from a variety of materials including bitumen, galvanised steel, polycarbonate, and more. Corrugated sheets have many advantages over other materials, including cost-effectiveness and rapid installation. This makes them ideal for many residential projects, from carports to garden sheds.
Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate is one of the most popular roofing materials in the UK today. A naturally transparent, amorphous thermoplastic, polycarbonate boasts over 200 times the impact resistance of glass. Due to its unique mix of strength, light weight, and fantastic light transmission, polycarbonate roofing has long been the choice for small residential structures such as carports, pergolas, greenhouses, cold frames, and more.
Polycarbonate sheets are ideal for completing projects quickly, as their minimal weight allows for easy handling, movement, and installation. Corrugated polycarbonate is also far more flexible than many alternatives, adding to its practical workability. Customers who opt for polycarbonate will benefit from up to 25 years’ fuss-free lifespan, and the materials’ ability to resist UV rays and extreme temperatures makes it a fantastic choice for areas that suffer from adverse and unpredictable weather.
Bitumen
Known for its low cost and high tensile strength, bitumen roofing sheets are ideal for use on garden buildings such as sheds. Thanks to their construction, corrugated bitumen sheets are completely waterproof, providing strong protection against extreme weather conditions. Plus, these sheets can last for twenty years or more with minimal maintenance required.
Bitumen is a very lightweight material despite its strength, making installing these sheets a breeze. So it’s easy to see why bitumen roofing is such an attractive choice. What’s more, bitumen sheets are also available in a wide variety of colours, making it easy for your client to find a sheet that suits their personal tastes perfectly.
Metal
Perfect for “heavy duty” jobs, corrugated metal sheets combine the incredible strength of galvanised steel with a sturdy corrugated profile. This form of corrugated roofing offers outstanding durability, making it perfect for larger commercial and agricultural projects. These sheets are often even used as cladding on warehouses and similar structures. Due to these advantages, corrugated metal sheets often come at a more premium price.
Despite the strength of the material, the corrugated design of these sheets allows them to be thin and lightweight without compromising on toughness. This makes them quick and easy to install. Once fitted, a corrugated steel roof can last for a century or more. Plus, thanks to high levels of resistance to fire, mildew, rot, and insects, your client will enjoy peace of mind that their new roof will stand the test of time.
Fibre Cement
Fibre cement roofing is crafted from a mix of cellulose fibres, Portland cement, sand, and water. When pressed into a corrugated profile, fibre cement sheets offer high levels of durability, reliability, and a lifespan of over seventy years. Fibre cement is also highly breathable, making it an ideal material for agricultural buildings that require a comfortable atmosphere below such as stables, barns, or chicken coops.
Other benefits of fibre cement include high levels of thermal and acoustic insulation, and strong protection against leaks, condensation, and water ingress. Plus, with full resistance to rot, corrosion, mould, rust, and insects, fibre cement roofing is built to last. Along with quick installation thanks to the large size of the sheets, all they require is an annual clean to stay in full working order.
We hope our guide has been helpful and you now have a better understanding of the advantages of each of the most popular corrugated roofing materials.
