A garage is not just a place to park a car, but a full-fledged technical room that requires reliable protection from precipitation. The choice of flooring material often becomes a dilemma between traditional slate, metal profiles and modern bitumen solutions. Many owners wonder what is the best way to roof their garage to ensure longevity and leak-free roofing for decades to come.
Soft roofing deservedly occupies a leading position in the ranking of materials for flat and pitched roofs of outbuildings. Its main advantage lies in the absolute tightness of the continuous carpet, which eliminates the possibility of water entering even during heavy rain or melting snow. Unlike sheet materials, there are no joints, which may lose their tightness over time.
When considering options, it is important to consider not only the cost per square meter, but also the complexity of installation, as well as the requirements for the foundation. Bituminous materials have excellent adhesion to concrete and wooden surfaces, which makes them universal for various types of structures. The correct choice of installation technology will allow you to forget about roof repairs for many years.
Advantages of soft roofing over other materials
The main argument in favor of bituminous materials is their elasticity and ability to withstand temperature deformations of the base. As the garage warms up in the sun or cools down in the winter, the structure expands and contracts. Rigid materials, such as slate or metal, can crack or shift under such conditions, compromising the seal of the fasteners.
In addition, roll deposited materials and bituminous shingles have excellent sound insulation. During rain or hail, the inside of the garage will be much quieter than when using metal corrugated sheets. This is especially important if the garage is used not only for storing cars, but also as a workshop or warehouse.
It is worth noting the simplicity of local repairs. If mechanical damage does occur (for example, a heavy branch has fallen), it is enough to cut out the damaged area and apply a patch made of the same material. In comparison, replacing a slate sheet will require dismantling adjacent elements and sealing work.
- 🛡️ Complete waterproofness due to the absence of through holes when installing welded materials.
- 🔇 High level of noise absorption from rain, hail and wind.
- 🌡️ Resistance to temperature changes and ultraviolet radiation (if high-quality sprinkles are available).
- 🔨 Easy maintenance and the possibility of quick local repairs without dismantling the entire coating.
⚠️ Attention: Despite the high maintainability, frequent walking on a soft roof in hot weather can lead to damage to the protective layer and granules. Always use special ladders or soft-soled shoes when servicing your roof.
Another important aspect is the weight of the coating. A soft roof is much lighter than concrete or slate, which reduces the load on the load-bearing walls and foundation of the garage. This is critical for older buildings or garages built on soft soils.
Review of types of soft roofs for garages
The building materials market offers several main types of soft roofing, each of which has its own characteristics. Understanding the difference between them will help you decide which is best for your garage roof in your particular case. The main categories are divided into rolled overlay materials and piece bitumen shingles.
Most Popular welded rolled materials based on fiberglass or polyester. They are a multi-layer “pie”, where the bitumen binder is modified with polymers (SBS or APP) to increase elasticity and heat resistance. The lower side of such material is covered with a melting film, and the upper side is covered with a protective coating.
Bitumen shingles (flexible shingles) are more often used on pitched roofs of garages with attics or adjacent rooms. It consists of individual shingles that are laid overlapping. For flat roof garages, this option is used less frequently due to the higher cost and complexity of installation over large areas.
Separately worth mentioning liquid rubber (self-leveling roofing). This is a modern material that is applied by spraying or brushing, forming a monolithic membrane without seams. It is ideal for roofs with complex geometric shapes where the use of rolls is difficult.
| Material type | Base | Service life (years) | Difficulty of installation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technoelast/Bikrost | Fiberglass/Polyester | 15-25 | Medium (requires a burner) |
| Euroroofing material | Fiberglass | 10-15 | Low |
| Flexible tiles | Fiberglass | 20-30 | High |
| Liquid rubber | Polymer emulsion | 20+ | High (requires equipment) |
Choice of material: Technoelast, Bikrost or Ruberoid?
The question of what is the best way to cover a garage roof often comes down to the choice of a specific brand of material. Traditional roofing felt on a cardboard basis is gradually becoming a thing of the past due to its short service life (3-5 years) and low elasticity. In the cold it cracks, and in the heat the bitumen leaks.
A modern alternative has become euroruberoid and more expensive synthetic-based analogues. Economy class materials (for example, Bikrost) have a fiberglass base and are suitable for the lower layers of roofing carpet or for temporary buildings. They are cheaper but require more frequent updating.
For a permanent garage that is being built “for oneself”, experts recommend business and premium class materials such as Technoelast, Uniflex or Linocrom. They contain modified bitumen, which retains elasticity even in severe frosts down to -35°C and does not flow when heated to +90°C.
What is the difference between SBS and APP modification?
SBS (styrene butadiene styrene) is an artificial rubber that makes bitumen elastic and frost-resistant. Ideal for cold climates. APP (atactic polypropylene) is a plastic that increases heat resistance and resistance to UV rays, but is less elastic in the cold. For garages in the middle zone and in the north, SBS is preferable.
When choosing, you should also pay attention to the type of sprinkle. Coarse-grained topping (granulate) protects the bitumen layer from solar ultraviolet radiation and mechanical damage. Fine grain or film coatings are usually found on the underside or used in bottom layer materials.
- 🏆 Technoelast: Premium material with a polyester base, can withstand stretching up to 30-40%, service life up to 25 years.
- 💰 Bikrost: Budget option on fiberglass, for the top layer subject to regular maintenance.
- 🧱 Ruberoid: Obsolete material, acceptable only as a temporary solution or lining.
⚠️ Warning: Do not skimp on material. Fiberglass is easily torn during installation and does not compensate for the movement of the building. For a reliable roof, choose a base made of fiberglass or polyester.
Preparing the base for a soft roof
The quality and durability of the roofing carpet depend 80% on proper preparation of the base. The better the surface is prepared, the more securely the material will adhere. The base must be dry, clean and level.
If the roof is concrete, it is necessary to remove all old layers of roofing, swelling and debris. Cracks and potholes are sealed with cement-sand mortar or special repair compounds. It is important to provide a slope for water drainage, even minimal (1-2 degrees), to prevent the formation of puddles.
Wooden (pitched) roofs require continuous sheathing. Edged boards, moisture-resistant plywood or OSB boards are used. Be sure to leave a temperature gap of 3-5 mm between the sheets so that the material does not warp when swelling.
☑️ Checking the readiness of the base
A critical step is priming the base with a primer. A primer is a solution of bitumen in a solvent, which removes dust from the surface and improves the adhesion (adhesion) of the material being deposited to concrete or wood. It must be applied with a brush or roller, leaving no gaps.
It is strictly prohibited to apply a fused roofing to a wet base. The water remaining under the carpet will turn into steam when heated by the sun, which will lead to swelling and peeling of the material in the first season.
Laying technology: step-by-step instructions
The process of installing a soft fused roof requires compliance with technology and safety precautions. To work, you will need a gas torch, a propane cylinder, a roofing knife, a hook for rolling out rolls and a cleaning brush.
Laying begins from the lowest point of the slope. The roll is rolled out, heating the bottom layer of bitumen with a burner until a glossy shine and slight melting appear. It is important not to overheat the material so as not to burn the base, but also to ensure sufficient melting for gluing.
Sequence of actions:1. Trying and cutting the roll.
2. Heating of the bottom layer and base.
3. Rolling with roller rolling.
4. Warming up the overlap (minimum 10 cm).
5. Checking the seam with a trowel.
The overlap of the canvases should be at least 10 cm for side joints and 15 cm for end joints. After laying the canvas, the seam must be checked: run along the joint with a trowel. If the bitumen protrudes out, the connection is sealed.
Use a metal trowel or putty knife to roll the joints immediately after installation. This will squeeze out excess air and is guaranteed to glue the edges of the canvases, preventing water from flowing in.
In places adjacent to vertical surfaces (parapets, ventilation pipes) an additional layer is made. The material is brought vertically to a height of 20-30 cm and fixed with a metal clamping bar or glued with mastic.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Even knowing the best way to cover a garage roof, inexperienced craftsmen often make mistakes that ruin all their efforts. One of the most common is poor heating of joints. If the bitumen does not protrude along the seam, then there is no gluing, and water will definitely get there.
Another mistake is laying the material on a cold base or in damp weather. Bitumen will not stick to a dusty or wet surface, and after a couple of months the roof will begin to peel off in large bubbles. Work should be carried out in dry weather at an air temperature of at least +5°C.
- 🔥 Overheating of the material: leads to destruction of the bitumen structure and loss of elasticity.
- 🌬️ Lack of rolling: air bubbles under the carpet burst or tear over time.
- 📏 Small overlap: with temperature expansion, the canvas can disperse, opening access to water.
⚠️ Attention: When working with open fire (gas burner), be sure to follow fire safety rules. Have a fire extinguisher or sandbox on hand, especially if there are flammable items nearby.
The need for a double layer is also often overlooked. A single-layer coating made of cheap material will not last long. The correct “pie” consists of a lining layer and a topcoat with a protective coating.
Compliance with heating technology and high-quality preparation of the base is more important than choosing the most expensive brand of material. Cheap material on an ideally prepared base will last longer than premium material laid on dust and moisture.
Is it possible to glue a soft roof onto an old roofing material?
This is technically possible, but is not recommended by experts. Old roofing felt may have hidden defects, moisture inside or swelling. Heating the new layer can cause boiling of residual moisture in the old layer, which will lead to swelling of the entire structure. It is better to completely dismantle the old coating.
What is the minimum temperature for styling?
The recommended temperature for working with deposited materials is from +5°C to +25°C. At lower temperatures, bitumen becomes too hard and does not set well, and the material itself may crack when rolled out. There is no need to carry out work in winter.
Should I sprinkle sand on the top layer?
If you are using a material with a protective coating (slate, granulate), you do not need to sprinkle it additionally. If a material with a smooth surface is used (for example, for the bottom layer or cheap roofing felt), then applying a layer of sand or gravel chips to the bitumen mastic will extend the service life by protecting it from the sun.