Ranking of the best flat roof materials in 2024

Roofing history

There is no bad weather,

Every weather is grace.

But when nature is harsh to us,

The roof must be covered tightly!

Few people know that the expression "to have a roof over your head" was not originally identical to the expression "to have a home at all." The fact is that the poor inhabitants of many African countries build their dugouts literally without a roof, so that the building is not considered a house in the full sense of the word, and there would be no need to pay tax for it. Extremely rare precipitation in those countries makes it possible to live without a roof over your head, and during periods of rainy it is easy to cover your homes with tarpaulin or plastic. As an option: such an under-house is simply covered with wide leaves, which will protect from the weather, and in fact are not a roof.

The harsh nature of less hot regions does not allow such liberties, and the roof in the house is designed, first of all, to protect residents from precipitation: rains, snow. Its second function is thermal protection. Maintaining a comfortable temperature in a building is not only the task of the walls, but also of the roof. Both functions are performed not so much by the frame as by the outer covering, called the roof. It is the roof that mainly provides water tightness and thermal protection.

Since ancient times, residents of countries with an unfriendly climate have used various materials for roofing: straw, wood, animal skins. Later - clay and metal.

In Russia, the roof was mainly made of wood (with waxing for better moisture protection) and was fastened with a tiled method (nails were prohibitively expensive). Laying "plowshares" or "male", made without a single nail, served as a good protection of the huts at any time of the year. The wood, both for the huts and for the roof, was taken solid, tested for centuries. The best material was Siberian larch. Incredibly strong, very resinous, it still forms the basis of Venice and forms the basis of many old European bridges.

No matter how strong and reliable wood is, it somehow has a short service life compared to metal, concrete, clay.

Roofs used to be completely pitched, therefore they required additional reinforcing structures (beams) and the creation of attics.

Over time, flat roofs, without slopes, firmly entered into use. They have a number of disadvantages compared to a pitched roof (there is no drain, the need to clean up heavy precipitation, sometimes a drain is needed, which also has problems). But there are also pluses: exploitation (that is, you can place something on them), no need to create an attic, lower cost compared to pitched, convenient installation of equipment (antennas, air conditioners, etc.), more convenient exit (no need to use external stairs), more convenient renovation.

However, flat roofs must be protected in a special way, because precipitation from it does not disappear by itself.

The main types of materials for covering flat roofs 2024

• bituminous;
• polymer membranes;
• bulk mastics.

Bitumen roofing materials for flat roofs

Roofing material

The most common material for waterproofing today. Its composition is cardboard impregnated with bitumen. On one or both sides, the roll is sprinkled with protective sand, talc, asbestos, etc. The service life of roofing material is on average 5-10 years. Almost does not absorb moisture, resistant to mechanical stress and damage: snow drifts or strong hail are not terrible for him. And this material is afraid of temperature. At 50 degrees and above, it will melt, and in severe frost, it will crack. But it is easy to operate and install and relatively cheap.

Popular brands of roofing material:

Roofing material RPP-300 С 15 sq. M

Medium density roofing felt for roofs where no hard loads are planned.

Manufacturer: "KRZ", Ryazan.

Filling: powdered talc.

Weight: 300 gsm

Roll size: 1x15 meters.

Average price: 270 rubles per roll.

• low price;
• ease of storage and transportation;
• can be ordered on pallets (40 rolls each).

• not resistant to extreme temperatures;
• lengthy installation.

Glassine P-250 1 × 20 m

Thin roofing material without sprinkling - for roofs that are not planned to be used at all or roofs that are not exposed to serious loads (heavy snowfalls, hail).

Manufacturer: "Technonikol"

Filling: absent.

Thickness: 1.1mm.

Roll size: 1x20 meters.

Roll weight: 3.5 kg.

Average price: 160 rubles per roll.

• very low price;
• relatively light weight.

• no protective powder.

Roofing material RKP-350 GOST 15 sq.m

Differs in increased density and higher tear resistance. It is used for roofs on which a hard load is planned (machinery, equipment installation, etc.) or in severe weather conditions.

Manufacturer: "KRZ", Ryazan.

Filling: powdered talc.

Weight: 300 gsm

Roll size: 1x15 meters.

Average price: 450 rubles per roll.

• high density, tear resistance, durability.

• the price is above average;
• for installation, a number of auxiliary materials will be required, which must be purchased separately.

Visually about how to lay roofing material on the roof:

Rubemast

An improved version of roofing material. It differs only in a thicker bitumen layer on its underside. This increases its ductility and resistance to cracking. The service life of such material can be up to 15 years.

Popular rubemast manufacturers:

Rubemast RNP 350-1.5

Manufacturer: CJSC "Soft roof", Samara.

Filling: abrasive grit (top side).

Weight: 375 gsm.

Roll size: 1x10 meters.

Roll weight: 29 kg.

Average price: 565 rubles per roll.

• high density;
• increased resistance to tearing.

• the price is much higher than that of ordinary roofing material;
• the rolls are heavier.

Rubemast RNP-400-1.5

Manufacturer: LLC "Korda".

Filling: foil + double-sided fine-grained filling.

Density: 400 g / sq.m.

Roll size: 1x10 meters.

Average price: 600 rubles per roll.

• filling and film on both sides;
• very high resistance to tearing and cracking.

• the rolls are heavy, add significant weight to the roof;
• the price of rubemast increases significantly with increasing density.

Stekloizol

Externally, it is very similar to roofing material and rubemast, however, it has significant differences from them. It is based not on cardboard, but on fiberglass (fiberglass). And it is this material that is impregnated with bitumen. On the one hand there is a filling, on the other - a thin low-melting film. The installation itself is also carried out by fusion.

Fiberglass significantly outperforms the cardboard base, as it does not rot. Also, the dense base does not allow the top layers to crack. Hence the durability of the coating and the service life of up to 20 years.

Popular glass insulating manufacturers:

Stekloizol R HPP 2.1

Manufacturer: TechnoNIKOL, Russia.

Roll size: 1x9 meters.

Material thickness: 2.1 mm.

Roll weight: 18.9 kg.

Average price: 400 rubles per roll.

• resistance to cracking, high density;
• when properly laid, it forms a smooth surface without bumps.

• the price is higher than roofing material and rubemast;
• in a roll only 9 sq.m. material.

Stekloizol U K-3.5

Manufacturer: Russia.

Filling: gray crumb.

Roll size: 1x9 sq.m.

Thickness: 3mm.

Roll weight: 32.5 kg.

Average price: 550 rubles.

• very high density and durability.

• heavy weight;
• high price.

Euroruberoid (bitumen-polymer membrane)

It is similar to its predecessors (roofing material, rubemast, stekloizol), but in terms of execution it is at a much higher level. Today, among bituminous coatings, this material is the most modern and highly functional. It is based on fiberglass or polyester.

Impregnation - bitumen with various additives (eg rubber pieces) and fillers. On both sides of the roll, there are polymer films and / or bulk materials (talc, sand, shale). Euroruberoid installation is carried out either by heating one of the layers, or - if there is a self-adhesive material on one side - by removing the protective film and gluing.

Popular brands of euroruberoid:

Euroruberoid HKP 2.5 mm

Manufacturer: TechnoNIKOL.

Sheet thickness: 2.5 mm.

Average price: 48 rubles / sq. M.

• the domestic manufacturer provides an affordable price;
• available in various thicknesses;
• high quality material.

• the material is rare, rather difficult to find.

How to correctly choose an euroruberoid - in the video:

Polymer membranes

Not so long ago, a material appeared on the market that is very popular in the roofing business. Does such a coating perfectly tolerate mechanical stress? Temperature jumps and is much more elastic than bituminous materials. In addition, the membranes are supplied in much larger rolls compared to roofing felt: up to 60 meters long and up to 20 meters wide, therefore much fewer seams are obtained during installation.

The effective life of such a material is 30-50 years.

Membranes are divided (depending on the base material) into PVC, TPO and EPDM.

PVC membranes

They are based on polyvinyl chloride and reinforcement - polyester mesh. To increase the elasticity of the material, volatile plasticizers are added to PVC, which eventually volatilize from the coating.

Rolls can be ordered in various colors. Only over time do the colors fade in the sun.

Popular brands of PVC membranes:

Logikroof V-RP RAL 9001 1.2 MM (2.1 x 25 M). Various colors.

Manufacturer: TechnoNIKOL.

Sheet thickness: 1.2 mm.

Roll size: 2.1x25 meters.

Average price: 410 rubles per roll.

• execution in various colors;
• low weight of the material;
• high strength and durability.

• relatively small roll area;
• volatile substances are not environmentally friendly.

PVC membrane laying technology - in the video:

Ecoplast V-RP GRAY (T) 1.5 MM (2.1 X 20 M). Color: gray.

Production: TechnoNIKOL.

Sheet thickness: 1.5 mm.

Roll size: 2.1x20 m.

Average price: 390 rubles per roll.

• increased thickness and strength.

• color version - only gray;
• volatile substances are not environmentally friendly;
• relatively small roll area.

TPO membranes

They are based on thermoplastic olefins, and as reinforcement - fiberglass or polyester mesh. There are membranes of this type and without reinforcement - the strength allows.

There are no volatile substances in this membrane, therefore it is less hazardous to the environment than PVC membranes. In addition, this material can withstand temperatures up to -60 degrees C. without deformation.

Popular TPO membrane manufacturers:

2.03mm TPO Sure-Weld Reinforced Membrane

Manufacturer: Carlisle, USA.

Sheet thickness: 2.03 mm.

Roll size: 3.05x30.48 m.

Average price: 1300 rubles per roll.

• very high insulating properties;
• huge tear resistance;
• ease of installation;
• large roll area.

• high price.

FireStone UltraPly TPO 1.83mm reinforced membrane

Manufacturer: Firestone, USA.

Sheet thickness: 1.83 mm.

Roll size: 2.44x30.5 m.

Average price: 1,500 rubles per roll.

• quality and long-term experience of the manufacturer;
• large rolls.

• high price.

Video instructions for installing TPO membrane:

EPDM membranes

It is based on rubber, fiberglass or polyester mesh reinforcement. Compared to other membranes, it has a much higher strength and, oddly enough, a lower price.

Such material can be made not only on the basis of rubber, but have a bitumen-polymer coating on one side. Also, this material can be mounted on old bitumen without dismantling the latter.

For more information about this material, see the video:

Popular manufacturers of EPDM membranes.

Butyl rubber film "GISCOLENE F"

Manufacturer: Firestone, USA.

Sheet thickness: 0.8 mm.

Roll size: 20 sq.m.

Average price: 370 rubles per roll.

• withstands temperatures from -70 to +130 degrees C.
• small thickness;
• increased resistance to mechanical damage.

• small roll area.

Film butyl rubber EPDM membrane Firestone width 9,15m

Manufacturer: Firestone, USA.

Sheet thickness: 1.02 mm.

Roll size: 9.15x30.5 m.

Average price: 600 rubles per roll.

• high strength;
• large rolls.

• no special.

Bulk mastics

Rolled roofing materials have one significant drawback: the presence of seams and joints, which must be very carefully worked out against leaks. Joints are weak points in the resulting roof.

With the help of self-leveling roofing materials, you can make a one-piece covering and not resort to complicated laying of rolls.

The disadvantage is the short service life of such coatings: only 3-10 years.

Roofing mastics are viscous masses that harden over time when exposed to air. Also, mastics are used when installing roll roofing as a bonding material.

Self-leveling roofing mastics are available with cold application and hot. Cold ones are already ready for application, while hot ones need to be heated to 160-180 ° C.

Mastics are divided into:

• bituminous;
• bitumen-rubber (also contain rubber crumb);
• bitumen-polymer (with polymers);
• polymer (pure polymer).

Popular and recommended manufacturers of self-leveling mastics:

Bituminous mastic 18l Isoart

Hot mastic (i.e., it must be heated before installation) is a binder bitumen with fillers. Can be manufactured with antiseptics and herbicides.

Manufacturer: Isoart.

Volume: 18L.

Average price: 330 rubles per bucket.

• affordable price.

• the need for heating.

Mastic Bitumen-rubber AquaMast 3 kg or 18 kg

Cold mastic: bituminous binder with crumb rubber, processing aids, organic solvent and mineral filler.

Manufacturer: AquaMast.

Weight: 3 kg or 18 kg.

Average price: 350 rubles for a 3 kg bucket and 1370 rubles for an 18 kg bucket.

• crumb rubber for better protection and additives for better strength;
• cold installation.

• no special identified.

Bitumen-insulating mastic TechnoNicol Imperial 20 l

Cold mastic, completely ready for installation. Composition: bitumen plus special polymer materials.

Manufacturer: TechnoNIKOL.

Volume: 20L.

Average price: 800 rubles per 20 liter bucket.

• cold application;
• excellent insulating properties;
• can be used to insulate pipes and other structures.

• no special identified.

Roofing emulsion mastic Technonikol No. 31

Cold mastic, consisting of an aqueous emulsion of bitumen, artificial rubber, technological fillers and mineral additives. Provides excellent adhesion to the substrate, strength and durability.

Manufacturer: TechnoNIKOL.

Weight: 18 kg.

Average price: 1150 rubles for a 20 kg bucket.

• many useful fillers that provide resistance and durability of the coating;
• cold application.

• quite high price.

Remember that under the roof of your house you will live for more than one year. Choose a cover that is reliable. Consider the location, climate. Do you need to make a roof in a production building or a country house? In a large shopping and entertainment center in the far north or a small grocery store in a warm strip of the country? We have provided many types of coatings, and now you can confidently choose what you need exactly in your case.