Owners of summer cottages and private houses often face the problem of leaks in outbuildings when the old roofing felt falls into disrepair. The bitumen base cracks, swelling appears, and water begins to destroy the structure. The question arises: how can you cover the roof of a barn inexpensively, so as not to overpay for materials, but get a durable result? Modern construction markets offer many alternatives that are superior to bitumen rolls in terms of service life and ease of installation.
The choice of material depends on the type of rafter system, the angle of inclination of the slope and the allocated budget. You don’t always need to buy expensive corrugated sheeting or metal tiles for a shed where old tools are stored. There are time-tested solutions that allow you to save up to 40% of money without losing quality. Savings should not turn into the purchase of frankly low-quality raw materials, which will require repairs in a year.
In this article we will analyze in detail popular substitutes, their pros and cons, as well as installation nuances. You will learn how to properly prepare the foundation and which option is right for your situation. A properly selected coating will protect your property from precipitation for decades to come.
Why you should abandon roofing felt in favor of modern materials
Traditional roofing felt, especially its cheap cardboard-based modifications, have a limited service life. When exposed to ultraviolet light, bitumen dries out, becomes brittle and cracks. Waterproofing is broken, and water penetrates under the covering, causing rotting of the wooden sheathing. Replacement of such material is required every 5-7 years, which in terms of labor costs becomes expensive.
Modern analogues do not have these disadvantages. They are resistant to temperature changes, do not rot and often have a more aesthetic appearance. Many of them can be installed over an old roof, eliminating the need for dismantling and waste disposal. This is especially true if you need to quickly and inexpensively update your roof before the rainy season.
⚠️ Attention: When laying new materials on top of old roofing material, make sure that the wooden sheathing is not affected by fungus. If you hide the rot under a new layer, the destruction process will accelerate.
The key advantage of alternatives is ease of installation. The work often does not require special equipment such as gas fusion torches. A basic set of tools that any home craftsman has is enough. This allows you to significantly reduce the cost of hiring professional roofers.
Ondulin and Euroslate: ease and accessibility
One of the most popular answers to the question of how to cover a barn roof is euroslate or ondulin. These are corrugated sheets made of cellulose fibers impregnated with bitumen and painted with heat-resistant paint. The material weighs 4 times less than regular slate, which allows it to be laid even on dilapidated rafter systems without reinforcing them.
Installation of ondulin does not require complex skills. The sheets are easily cut with a regular wood hacksaw. Fastening is carried out with special nails with a wide head. An important nuance is compliance overlap: with a slope slope of up to 10 degrees, it should be two waves, with a larger angle - one wave. This guarantees reliable protection against slanting rain.
- 🔨 Easy to process: the material is cut with a knife or hacksaw.
- 🌧️ Moisture resistance: bitumen impregnation completely eliminates water absorption.
- 🎨 Aesthetics: a wide range of colors allows you to fit the barn into the overall design of the site.
- 💰 Price: one of the cheapest options on the roofing materials market.
However, Euroslate has its own characteristics. You can't walk on it in hot weather - it becomes soft. Also, the material fades in the sun after 5-7 years, although it retains its waterproofing properties. For a shed where functionality is more important than perfect appearance, this is a great choice.
When installing ondulin, do not stretch the sheets. After cooling, they may shrink and holes will appear in the fastening areas through which water will flow.
Flat and wave slate: classics of the genre
Asbestos-cement slate remains the “king” of budget roofing. This the most durable material of all the listed budget options, it can last 30-40 years without repair. It does not burn, does not rust and can withstand snow loads well. Wave slate (7- or 8-wave) is the standard for outbuildings.
Flat slate (PVN) is often used for roofs with a minimal slope or to create a soft roof using the “pie” technology. It is stronger than wave, but heavier. When installing, it is important to take into account the heavy weight of the material. If the rafters of the shed are made of thin timber, they will have to be strengthened, otherwise the structure may not hold up.
Working with slate requires compliance with safety precautions. Cutting or drilling produces asbestos dust, which is harmful to the lungs. Therefore, all work on preparing sheets should be carried out in a respirator and in the open air. The slate is fastened with special slate nails or self-tapping screws with a rubber washer, making sure to hit the top of the wave.
☑️ Preparation for slate installation
Polycarbonate and clear coverings for lightweight canopies
If the barn is used as a greenhouse, summer kitchen or shed for equipment, an excellent solution would be polycarbonate. Cellular polycarbonate has high thermal insulation properties and low weight. It transmits light, which allows you to save on lighting during the day, but at the same time retains harmful ultraviolet (if there is an appropriate coating).
Monolithic polycarbonate is stronger, it can withstand hammer blows, but is more expensive. For household needs, the cellular version with a thickness of 6-8 mm is most often chosen. It bends, which allows you to create arched structures without complex knots. Installation is carried out using thermal washers, which compensate for the thermal expansion of the material.
The main advantage of polycarbonate is its transparency and lightness. However, in hot climates it can be stuffy under such a roof, so good ventilation must be provided. The material also requires careful cleaning of snow so as not to scratch the surface.
⚠️ Attention: When drilling polycarbonate, remove the protective film only after installation. The film protects the surface from scratches during operation, but in the sun it can “stick” to the sheet.
Use of used corrugated sheets and leftover materials
Often the cheapest way to cover a roof is to use leftover materials from building a house or buy used corrugated sheeting. A polymer-coated metal sheet or galvanized version lasts for decades. Corrugated sheeting has a high load-bearing capacity due to corrugation.
When purchasing used material, pay attention to the condition of the zinc layer. If rust is visible, such a sheet will not last long. Galvanized corrugated sheets without paint are cheaper, but look less presentable. For a shed, this is a perfectly acceptable option, especially if you paint it with weather-resistant enamel after installation.
Installing a metal roof requires care. Self-tapping screws must be screwed strictly perpendicular to the surface into the lower part of the wave. An overtightened self-tapping screw will damage the rubber gasket and the connection will leak. If it is not tightened enough, it will wobble and loosen the hole.
| Material | Service life (years) | Weight 1 sq.m | Difficulty of installation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ondulin | 15-20 | ~3-4 kg | Low |
| Slate | 30-40 | ~10-14 kg | Average |
| Polycarbonate | 10-15 | ~1.5 kg | Low |
| Corrugated sheet | 20-30 | ~4-6 kg | Average |
Secrets of saving on fasteners
Buy screws and nails in bulk at construction hypermarkets, rather than in small shops near your home. The difference in price per 100 pieces can reach 30%, but the quality is often identical. Also look for remnants of fasteners from large construction projects.
Non-standard solutions: linoleum, films and rubemast
When the budget is extremely limited, improvised materials are used. Old linoleum left over after renovation can become a temporary roof. It is laid in several layers, coated with bitumen mastic. This is not aesthetically pleasing, but it reliably protects from rain for 3-5 years.
Another option - Rubemast or glass insulation. These are improved analogues of fiberglass-based roofing felt. They do not rot, are more elastic and last longer than conventional roofing felt. They can be laid by fusing or gluing to mastic. For flat barn roofs, this is one of the best budget solutions.
Waterproofing films (membranes) themselves are not a roof, but can be used as a temporary covering or a base for bulk materials. For example, you can cover the roof with film and press it down with mesh or branches on top if the barn is located in the forest. But this option is only suitable for temporary use.
When choosing “folk” methods, it is important to remember fire safety. Bituminous materials and linoleum are flammable. If you plan to make a fire near the shed or use welding, it is better to choose non-flammable slate or metal.
For a temporary solution (1-2 years), laying roofing felt in 2-3 layers or using used linoleum is suitable. For a permanent structure, it is better to immediately choose slate or ondulin.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to put new material directly on old roofing felt?
Yes, if the base is smooth and not rotten. This will save time and money on dismantling. However, under soft materials (ondulin) it is advisable to put a new sheathing for ventilation.
What is the minimum roof pitch for different materials?
For slate, the minimum angle is 20-25 degrees. Ondulin can be laid from 6 degrees (with full sheathing). Soft rolled materials and rubemast are suitable for flat roofs with a slope of 1-2 degrees.
What is the best way to cut slate to reduce dust?
Use a grinder with a stone disc or a regular knife for cutting slate (if it is not too thick). To reduce the amount of dust, the cutting area can be moistened with water or covered with a wet cloth.
Do you need waterproofing under slate or ondulin?
It is advisable to use a vapor barrier or waterproofing film. It will protect the insulation and wood from condensation that forms on the back side of the roof due to temperature changes.
How to calculate the number of sheets per roof?
Measure the area of the slopes (length × width). Divide the area of the slope by the usable area of one sheet (taking into account overlaps). Add 10-15% for trimmings and waste.