Thread: Steel roofs, cost compared with tile

Originally Posted by dirtydog

^The Uk uses metal sheeting for lots of roofs, great for making dog kennels or pens for pigs wouldn't have thought about using it for a house though

More fool you then mate.

Building technology moves ahead.

Originally Posted by Panda

Originally Posted by Texpat

Personal preference, mates.

I wouldn't/didn't put a metal roof on my shed.

More like personal prejudice. There's some big debates on some other boards re tiles verses metal roofs. Lots of technical data posted re heat transfer to the house. But without exception the knockers of metal roofs are all from the northern hemisphere and have never lived in a house with a metal roof.

I think its more of a cultural thing as high pitched tiled roofs have always been the traditional style in the cooler climate western countries. AND also in Thailand. Even the old grass roofs in Thailand need a high pitch to make them water tight.
Tin roofs are seen by many in northern hemisphere countries and indeed Thailand as the poor mans substitute for a "proper " tiled roof. I recall one European gent stating that tin roofs were only suitable for commercial sheds and not homes.

Yea its personal preference, but not based on any logical argument apart from
the fact that most northern hemisphere people haven't had anything to do with tin roofs and prefer to stick with what they know and are comfortable with. And the same goes for Thais I have been told as houses with tin roofs are reportedly harder to sell and bring a lower price compared with the inferior tiled roofed places. I guess this ignorance and prejudice will continue for a while yet until people finally catch on.

Pretty much agree, although I think tile is style preffered in Australia due to the prestige element.

Building trends from cold countries seem to have had a negative influence here. Too much mortar, concrete and tiles, not enough open space, ventilation and shaded areas. These places remain hot at night, when the ambient temperature has cropped considerably.

The fact the iron is so widely used on commercial building shows it's practicality.

Originally Posted by Panda

Originally Posted by dirtydog

^The Uk uses metal sheeting for lots of roofs, great for making dog kennels or pens for pigs wouldn't have thought about using it for a house though

More fool you then mate.
Building technology moves ahead.

I remember a discussion (IIRC on the other board) where a member was building a steel frame house, it really did look like a tin shed although doubtless would have looked better with some trees / plants around. I would never have considered a house like that.

BUT

A look round the Colorbond site reveals some very nice steel frame / steel clad homes (many in Aus.). If I can make it look like wood cladding them I'm interested

Originally Posted by More Volts Igor

Originally Posted by Panda

Originally Posted by dirtydog

^The Uk uses metal sheeting for lots of roofs, great for making dog kennels or pens for pigs wouldn't have thought about using it for a house though

More fool you then mate.
Building technology moves ahead.

I remember a discussion (IIRC on the other board) where a member was building a steel frame house, it really did look like a tin shed although doubtless would have looked better with some trees / plants around. I would never have considered a house like that.

BUT

A look round the Colorbond site reveals some very nice steel frame / steel clad homes (many in Aus.). If I can make it look like wood cladding them I'm interested

One of the reasons for steel clad homes is fireproofing, as bush fires are a danger in many parts of the country.

It took a lot of time for ppl to get used to it, mainly because of the tin shed idea.

If you choose to build in colorbond over here, resale maybe a factor. But then again, there should be enough ppl around who realize the benefits.

Originally Posted by Smithson

If you choose to build in colorbond over here, resale maybe a factor. But then again, there should be enough ppl around who realize the benefits.

My biggest issue will be getting it past the Missus. A steel roof likely won't be an issue but steel frame and cladding is bound to illicit the 'chicken shed' response

I'm hoping to find a nice looking example for her to check out.

Originally Posted by More Volts Igor

Originally Posted by Panda

Originally Posted by dirtydog

^The Uk uses metal sheeting for lots of roofs, great for making dog kennels or pens for pigs wouldn't have thought about using it for a house though

More fool you then mate.
Building technology moves ahead.

I remember a discussion (IIRC on the other board) where a member was building a steel frame house, it really did look like a tin shed although doubtless would have looked better with some trees / plants around. I would never have considered a house like that.

BUT

A look round the Colorbond site reveals some very nice steel frame / steel clad homes (many in Aus.). If I can make it look like wood cladding them I'm interested

I am only talking about steel roofs here. Metal wall cladding in Thailand I don't think is practical or economical. My new place will have rendered Q-blocks walls and metal roof.

Originally Posted by Panda

I am only talking about steel roofs here. Metal wall cladding in Thailand I don't think is practical or economical. My new place will have rendered Q-blocks walls and metal roof.

I agree, until I looked at the Colorbond site I wasn't even considering steel frame / cladding.

Unless someone can show me (my Missus) a REALLY nice steel home we'll be going the same way. I have no intention of living out my retirement in a shipping container.

Originally Posted by DrAndy

Originally Posted by More Volts Igor

Originally Posted by Panda

I am only talking about steel roofs here. Metal wall cladding in Thailand I don't think is practical or economical. My new place will have rendered Q-blocks walls and metal roof.

I agree, until I looked at the Colorbond site I wasn't even considering steel frame / cladding.

Unless someone can show me (my Missus) a REALLY nice steel home we'll be going the same way. I have no intention of living out my retirement in a shipping container.

I have a strong feeling that the predujice against tin roofs is due to the style factor

has anyone seen one that looks good?

Looks good to who? I for one like the look. When I look at a tiled roof I just see cracks and leaks, plus a bigger building cost. I don't mind the look of a tiled roof, but having owned a house with one it tends to sway my opinion on aesthetics.

You are talking something pretty subjective here now. And attitudes tainted by fear of the unknown/unfamiliar I would venture to suggest tend to be expressed as arguments about the look rather than logical discussion.

Originally Posted by DrAndy

I have a strong feeling that the predujice against tin roofs is due to the style factor

has anyone seen one that looks good?

Your Right of course, but like Panda below I like the clean look of Long run roofing in a suitable colour of course, when I think of tiles I think of my last House in Melbourne and the problems associated with cracking and lack of load bearing capacity of older Ceramic tiles.
Every time you went up to fix one problem you broke 5 more of the bloody things.

Originally Posted by peterpan

Every time you went up to fix one problem you broke 5 more of the bloody things.

Yea, but you don't always know about it till next time it rains! Been down that road myself.

Fuck that. Give me the old tin roof I can rely on.

g

Originally Posted by DrAndy

Originally Posted by More Volts Igor

Originally Posted by Panda

I am only talking about steel roofs here. Metal wall cladding in Thailand I don't think is practical or economical. My new place will have rendered Q-blocks walls and metal roof.

I agree, until I looked at the Colorbond site I wasn't even considering steel frame / cladding.

Unless someone can show me (my Missus) a REALLY nice steel home we'll be going the same way. I have no intention of living out my retirement in a shipping container.

I have a strong feeling that the predujice against tin roofs is due to the style factor

has anyone seen one that looks good?

Looks good, when I see tiles I just think of boring old brick veneer. Steel has clean smooth lines and is more versatile than tiles.

But don't forget that what you save in building costs in Thailand by going for steel, you will probably lose in resale value. No doubt it will change over the decades as people get more educated, but for the time being its probably best to go with tiles unless you intend to hang on to the place for a long time.

Resale is a factor worth considering, but as none of us really own land here, then I wouldn't place to much importance on it.

Does anyone have an idea of prices for colorbond?

Originally Posted by Smithson

Resale is a factor worth considering, but as none of us really own land here, then I wouldn't place to much importance on it.

Does anyone have an idea of prices for colorbond?

Indeed an interesting question. How does a colorbond roof compare pricewise to a similar tiled roof (when using the cheapest monier tiles)

Anyone did a price comparison?

You should be able to get prices of the sales offices.

BlueScope Steel Thailand

Don't forget to factor in the fact that the steel sheet roof needs far less steel in the supporting trusses.

Roof Tiles appear to deterioate alot quicker than in the UK , I live in a condo that overlooks a new estate two years ago most were completed so fairly new and over 50% have had to have work done on them mainly the ridge tiles . But I have noticed them change from there new state to now where most are losing there colour as they get it baked out from the sun . The only one that still looks good has a ceramic tiled roof but I suspect quite expensive ? I want to build my own house in Bansaray next year and think I will go for Colourbond for that reason .

News for you Sparky, Everything deteriorates much faster here. If you aren't too worried about resale and I wouldn't be as one way or the other our 'ol ladies are going to end up with the house. I would go for Colourbond. The house we are in now has just this last week sprung a leak in the tiles some how.

Does Colourbond require the sheets to be drilled so it can be fixed to the metal roof supports by way of hook bolts and caps ? as it looks unattractive and is providing a weak point for leaks ?

They use self tapping screws. No leaks.

Anyone have a sqm price for colorbond roof in Thailand

Originally Posted by Panda

They use self tapping screws. No leaks.

Thanks for that sounds good .

Originally Posted by erikr69

Anyone have a sqm price for colorbond roof in Thailand

Try getting a quote yourself and let us know how it goes?

BlueScope Steel Thailand