Different types of Roofing sheets./Classification of roofing sheets.

Now, let us see the different types of roofing sheets which are used in construction work.

1. AC roofing sheet.

AC sheet.

Asbestos cement ( AC) sheet contains asbestos fiber as a reinforcement material mixed with the cement in the manufacturing process. Asbestos provides stiffness and rigidity to the sheet body to maintain its size without breakage.

 The fibers when inhaled for a prolonged time, they cause some diseases like lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Nowadays plant fibers are slowly replacing asbestos material since it is banned in several countries due to health-related issues.

2. Aluminum roofing sheet.

Aluminum sheet.

The main advantage of aluminum sheets is their high strength-to-weight ratio. The lightweight lessens the dead load over the structures which in turn helps to provide thin supporting structures saving the overall cost. 

Their anti-corrosive properties provide them with a longer lifespan and help to maintain their shiny luster. They are easy to install and have a low maintenance cost.

3. Polycarbonate roofing sheet.

Polycarbonate sheet.

Polycarbonate is an amorphous thermoplastic with carbonate groups in its chemical structures. They are light in weight and transparent. 

Due to its transparency, you can use the sheets in those areas where you need ample sunlight like patios, greenhouses, warehouses, carports, etc. The main disadvantage of this roofing sheet is the high cost which makes its usage limited.

Go through the article 👇
❤. What are polycarbonate roofing sheets? - Their advantage, disadvantages, dimensions, & price.

4. FRP roofing sheet.

FRP sheet.

Fiber-reinforced plastic ( FRP ) is a composite material made up of thermosetting resins and fibers. Here, fiber acts as a reinforcement material to provide rigidity and retain the molded shape. The roofing sheets are available in a flat or corrugated form with a variety of colors and designs. 

The degree of opacity in these sheets is controlled at the time of manufacturing, which helps to select the right sheet to have the needed amount of sunlight in the roofed area. They are anti-corrosive and can be repaired easily with less maintenance cost.

Go through the article 👇
 ❤ What is the FRP roofing sheet? - Their advantages, specifications & price.

5. PVC roofing sheet.

PVC sheet.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC ) is a type of thermoplastic polymer produced by the polymerization of the vinyl chloride monomer. The PVC roofing sheets are weather-resistant, non-corrosive, lightweight, and waterproof, which makes them more popular among all other types of sheets.

6. UPVC roofing sheet.

UPVC sheet.

UPVC stands for unplasticized polyvinyl chloride. As the name suggests, when no plasticizers are added to the PVC  material you will end up with the hard and rigid polymer plastic abbreviated as UPVC.

 These sheets are hard and rigid with no flexibility which makes them differ from PVC sheets in their functionality.

7. Plastic roofing sheet.

Plastic sheet.

Here, I have referred to polypropylene, polyethylene, PET, etc as plastics since they are commonly said so by the general public. The roofing sheets made of these plastics are used in light structural construction with specific usage. They are light in weight, anti-corrosive, flexible, and waterproof.

8. Color-coated roofing sheet.

Color-coated sheet.

Here, the steel and other alloy sheets were coated (surface treatment ) with the galvalume ( usually 55% aluminum, 43% zinc, and 1.5% silicon) combined with high-quality colors having specific criteria. The coating provides a royal look with the added advantage of anti-corrosive properties.

 They are available in single-colored or multicolored patterns as shown in fig.

9. GI roofing sheet.

GI sheet.

In these types of sheets, iron or steel sheets were galvanized by zinc or zinc + aluminum to gain anti-corrosive properties. Hot-dip galvanizing and electro-galvanizing are the commonly used processes for surface treatment. They are available in a variety of sizes with different gauge thicknesses.

10. PUF roofing sheet.

PUF sheet.

PUF stands for polyurethane foam. The foams are sandwiched between two sheets of similar material and size. These sheets are used for the purpose where thermal insulation is the priority.

11. Rubber roofing sheet.

Rubber sheet.

They are the secondary roofing material cladded over the existing roofing system to provide waterproof and heat-resistant properties. Here, the EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer ) rubber is used which is rolled over the surface and glued or taped with the specific binding material to achieve a single frame.

12.  Bio-composite roofing sheet.

Bio-composite sheet.

These roofing sheets were manufactured by using plant fiber as the reinforcement material in the synthetic resins. Some of the fiber materials which is commonly used in the production process are sisal fiber, jute fiber, banana fiber, coconut coir, etc. 

They are eco-friendly and provide a cultural look to the building.

13. Bitumen roof sheet.

Bitumen sheet.

These roofing sheets are available for both cold and hot temperature conditions. The main disadvantage is it absorbs the heat from the sunlight which heats up the building.

14. Bamboo roofing sheet.

Corrugated bamboo sheet.

These types of sheets provide a historical and traditional look to the roofed structure. The corrugated bamboo sheets were coated with resins to protect them from external environments.

                                      CONTINUED 👉 PART 2

To go through the articles related to the different types (classifications) of construction materials, click here.

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