Roofing Sheets - Types and Applications in India

The Indian roofing industry has undergone a prototype shift in the past decade. The primary changes in the roofing sheets industry can be attributed to two reasons. Firstly, the growth in industrial applications in context to the Indian market. Secondly, consumers being dissatisfied with the available conventional options and looking for more value from their investments in roofing sheets. This, in turn, has created a higher demand for different kinds of sheets for protecting the roofs and walls of establishments – domestic, commercial and industrial alike.

Here’s a quick rundown on the most popular types of roofing sheets and their main areas of applications.

Different kinds of roofing sheets

Different types of roof sheets come packaged with their own set of pros and cons. If mounted with perfection, they can increase the lifespan of any type of roof significantly.

1. Corrugated roofing sheets

Mostly used in agricultural buildings, corrugated roofing sheets feature repetitive folds on their surface. Because of their unique shape, they offer years of reliable utility and enhanced strength. Their corrugated design with ridges and grooves make them stronger than its competitive products in this current market. The wavy construction paves the way for increased strength across smaller surface areas.

Because of the special corrugated shape, delicate and lightweight metals like aluminum can also be equipped to undergo decades of weather beating. As per the pollution levels prevailing where they are installed, corrugated sheets have to be maintained every 4-5 years. Completely durable and eco-friendly, these roofing sheets are ideally used for protecting garages, porches and sheds.

·  Galvanized steel sheets form the base material for different types of corrugated sheets, such as the ones coated with polyester paint coated roof sheets.

·  Agricultural buildings often use polyester painted sheets because of their medium-length lifespan and economic efficiency.

·  A special type coated corrugated sheets, PVC Plastisol coated sheets are very durable. They comprise steel sheets treated with primer paint and PVC rolled on their surface. These roofing sheets don’t scratch or fade easily and typically can last for around 25-30 years.

Cost: In India, regular corrugated sheets are generally available in the price range of Rs 300/square meter to Rs 700/square meter. It varies based on thickness, type of paint and style of corrugation.

2. Polycarbonate roofing sheets

Polycarbonate roofing sheets are widely used in industrial and large-scale commercial buildings in India. Their insulation properties and high strength quotient make them suitable for such applications. Completely weather-resistant, easy to install and extremely durable, polycarbonate sheets are available in a surplus textures and designs. Their maintenance cost is very low and they can also be used as effective roofing solutions in places such as swimming pool areas, sky lighting, walkways and display signboards.

There are further applications of polycarbonate roofing sheets, both commercial and industrial. Foam backed polycarbonate and clear polycarbonate roofing options are the most commonly used types of polycarbonate sheets.

·  Foam-backed polycarbonate roof sheets are lightweight and durable. They are installed in industrial buildings, like warehouses, because of their longevity and strength. Homeowners use them to build sheds, carports and roofs with a minimal slope.

·  Clear polycarbonate sheets are installed in courtyards, sunrooms and places that need natural light through the roof. These roofing panels often feature protective film layers for filtering out harmful UV rays of the sun.

Manufactured from best-quality high-impact polypropylene resins, polycarbonate sheets are UV-resistant and fire-resistant. However, these roofing sheets aren’t scratch-resistant. Therefore, installers have to be very careful while going about their installation.

Cost: Generally, the price of polycarbonate roofing sheets varies in the range of 1000/square meter to 1800/square meter.

3. Metal roofing sheets

The roofing sheets made of metal usually comprise Zinc, Aluminum, Copper and Tin. They can be customized to create rooftops varying on the basis of their price, durability, style, energy efficiency, longevity and aesthetic value. Available in surplus styles, textures and colors, they are less curvy than corrugated roofing sheets.

Metal roofing sheets possess high insulating capabilities and can be used in the construction of backyards, garden buildings, garages, household cladding and industrial roofs. Metal roofing panels can withstand high winds, snow, hail, torrential rains and fire. Generally, they don’t rot, crack, split or break easily. Metal sheets are also resistant to attacks by insects and pests.

Cost: In India, the price of metal roofing sheets generally vary in between 300/square meter and 400/square meter.

4. Plastic roofing sheets

These sheets are the least preferred option for roofing applications in most places in the country. As they are less durable than other types of roofing sheets, they are mainly used as garden sheds or for covering temporary structures. The better the quality of the plastic, the higher will be the price of the roofing sheet. This elevates the overall cost of installation of plastic sheets.

Cost: The prices of plastic roofing sheets generally vary in the range of Rs 800/square meter to Rs 1800/square meter

Trends in roofing materials

The coming years promise to bring in more types of fiberglass, asphalt and metal roofing options for those tired of their conventional roofs. The usage of RCC roofs, GI roofing sheets and asbestos-cement sheets for roofing purposes are still around and are here to stay. The affordable price of GI sheet is still capturing the attention of buyers for more reasons than one.

There has been a considerable rise in the quality of clip-on systems, fasteners, trimmings and hardware fixings to make roofing structures look neater and more attractive than before. Buyers are now opting for roofs with innovative shapes, long life-span and roofs with FRP skylights to add more value to their structures. Tiles and shingles are trending too; thereby making fiberglass and metal roof an important part of residential and commercial setups in India.

Way Forward

Assess your exact requirements and budget before setting out to buy the most suitable roofing sheets as per your requirement. Along with conducting some research on your own, you may approach us to get good prices for your requirements and to check out the most appropriate price of roofing sheets, today.