Aluminum roofing as a material of the future

When it comes to weather influences, the roof is probably the most exposed structural part of the house, and it must withstand not only water in various forms. Solar radiation can also take its toll on certain types of roofs, as can strong winds. All these influences must be considered, and the roof must be protected against them.

The selection of roofing material is influenced by the location where the property is situated. Although the Czech Republic belongs to a temperate climate zone, the average snow load here is between 56 – 160 kg of snow per m², which corresponds to a layer of wet snow that is 14 – 40 cm thick. In mountainous areas, it is, of course, much more. Building standards must also be respected. They specify, for example, the minimum roof pitch or the number and composition of safety features.

Aluminum – The Material of the Future
Aluminum has been widely used in the maritime, aerospace, and automotive industries for over a hundred years due to its durability, stability, and other advantages. The fact that it is increasingly being applied in the area of roofing is not a coincidence but a reaction to the growing demands in terms of quality, efficiency, and safety.

Aluminum roofs are low-maintenance. They are frost-resistant, corrosion-resistant, and won't crack even in extreme weather. The Prefa aluminum roof is strong and durable, yet weighs only 2.3 – 2.6 kg/m², which is just a fraction of the weight of conventional tiles made of clay or concrete (about 35 – 55 kg/m²). It can withstand a load of 800 kg per m², resist wind gusts of up to 235 km/h, and due to the installation method, stamped folded tiles can be laid with a slope of 12° (sheet metal even from 5°). This is why aluminum roofs are increasingly used in high mountain areas, where they withstand extreme weather conditions much better than traditional roofing materials.

Surface Innovation
As the environment continues to change, the exposure to UV radiation, large temperature fluctuations, strong winds, acid rain, a high amount of precipitation, and chemically aggressive atmospheres increases. For these conditions, the company Prefa has developed a surface treatment for roofing material called P.10. The innovation lies in treating folded tiles, folded shingles, and folded slates with a high-quality and durable two-layer bake of paint in twenty steps, using a method called Coil-Coating. The coated layer is also eco-friendly, as it does not contain heavy metals. The new surface provides even better protection against UV radiation than other materials.

The execution of a roof, for example, made of aluminum folded tiles is therefore the result of technologically quite demanding production. However, aluminum is a practical, lightweight, and cost-effective material with a very long lifespan.

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