Are you familiar with thermoacoustic roof tiles? Also called sandwich tile, it is one of the several models of roof covering available in the market lately. With its own characteristics, its use provides some advantages and, for this reason, it is widely used.
As their concept is not yet so well known by most people, many of them still opt for more traditional models without taking into account the cost-benefit involved in construction. For this reason, in this article, we, riverside roofing pros, have gathered some information about this type of tile, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of its use. Check it out!
Characteristics of thermoacoustic roof tiles
Material
Thermoacoustic roof tile is formed by two metal sheets that are usually made of galvanized steel. The interior of the thermoacoustic tile is filled with an insulator, which can be Styrofoam or polyurethane. It is because of this formation that it is called sandwich tile.
The material that forms the insulator is made of glass wool, rock wool, or EPS. In the market, they are found in two versions. The first is the simplest, which is cheaper and has only a steel sheet on the exposed part, the coating in the middle and an aluminum foil on the bottom.
Size
The double sandwich roof tile, on the other hand, is the most widely used. They are formed by two metal sheets of the same material and the thermoacoustic coating inside. Generally, in both types, the thickness of the insulation is 30 millimeters. However, thickness can vary according to the level of insulation desired.
As to the size of the roof tiles, it is possible to find them with a width of 1 meter and the length can vary from 2 to approximately 8 meters. The weight of each of them can vary from 12 to 14 kilos per square meter.
The inclination that this type of tile offers is also a characteristic that should be taken into consideration when choosing one. Unlike the others, it can be installed with the lowest percentage currently available. It is 5%, and can be raised to the normal standard of the other models, which is up to 55%.
Features
This advantage serves both to make the environment more aesthetically pleasing, since many homes do not use plaster lining on the roof, and it is a good feature for the construction of recessed roofs.
An interesting feature about this type of tile is that, besides being used for roofing, it can be used on facades and for internal wall cladding. This is due both to its thermoacoustic insulating properties and to the widespread use of the industrial style, where the tiles can be part of the decoration of the property.
Advantages
The benefits offered by sandwich roof tiles are many. See below some of them.
Better cost-benefit
As one of their main characteristics is resistance, the cost-effectiveness of these tiles is an advantage that must be taken into consideration when choosing the finish of the roof of a building. This is because they naturally withstand exposure to different types of weather and materials. Thus they have a longer life span than other materials.
In addition, it is also possible to increase the gap between the supports of the roof structure. This is usually one meter and can become larger according to the model and width of the tile chosen. In this way it is possible to avoid further expenses and preserve the usefulness of the materials.
Easy maintenance
One of the greatest benefits of using thermoacoustic roof tiles is maintenance, which is simple. Firstly, it is important to check if there are any objects on the roof that could prevent rainwater from draining or cause corrosion. Presence of objects such as oxidation points that could turn into perforations in the tiles needs to be checked.
If this type of tile is used on facades, it must be cleaned with pressure washers and mild soap. When cleaning them, the ideal is to remove any and all types of pollution residues, as well as cobwebs, dust, and other substances that can make them dirty.
Another point that needs attention during maintenance is the use of paint. If the tile receives this type of finishing, discoloration may occur because it is constantly exposed to bad weather. If this happens, it is only necessary to redo the painting following the paint manufacturer’s instructions.
Significant reduction in external noise
In general, these roof tiles can reduce, on average, 20 to 40 decibels of external sound absorption. This is due to the physical properties of the insulator present in them. Because of its’ density, polyurethane is a better acoustic insulator than polystyrene.
Thus, the installation of sandwich roof tiles is indicated for buildings located near places with a lot of noise. Properties near avenues, concert halls, or streets with heavy foot traffic are greatly benefited when these tiles are used on the roof.
Thermal insulation
By presenting a coating between the two galvanized steel plates, the thermoacoustic tile provides better thermal insulation than other types of tiles available in the market, such as ceramic tiles, for example. In addition, there is also flame and fire control, which increases the safety of the property.
Still on thermal insulation, the rate that this type of tile provides can reach up to 90% in closed environments. It is quite significant and can not be found in practically any other tile today. It provides energy savings by reducing the need to use fans or air conditioning and facilitates comfortable temperature inside the property.
Disadvantages
Even with numerous advantages in its favor, the thermoacoustic tile also has some disadvantages and it is up to you to consider whether, even with them, the choice of this material is worth it. Check some of them out below.
High tile cost
Even with the positive cost-benefit of these tiles because of the economy with other materials, the tile itself has a higher cost than others available on the market. This difference is due to its manufacturing process and the materials used in its construction. When time comes to calculate the relationship between the price of this item and the total cost of the roof, the result can be decisive for the choice of material.
High cost for installation
The material has generally high cost. In addition it requires the specialized labor to perform the service and thus is also usually more expensive.
As you can see, the thermoacoustic tile is very popular, has many advantages. Above all, it is easy to install and maintain. We hope that with the information presented here you will be able to decide if it is the ideal coating to install in your house.