With the development of building roofing materials, traditional terracotta tiles and cement tiles have been gradually eliminated from the market. At present, no matter it is home self-built houses, villas, tourist attractions, engineering projects, all are using stone coated metal tiles. So, what is the difference between stone coated metal tile and traditional tile?
First of all, it is the difference between the base material and the process:
Stone coated metal tile: aluminum-zinc-plated steel plate as the substrate, the surface covered with high-temperature sintered colored sand particles, both the toughness of the metal and the texture of the stone. Its corrosion resistance and weathering resistance are significantly better than traditional tiles, and its service life can reach 30-50 years.
Traditional tiles (terra cotta tiles, cement tiles): rely on natural clay or concrete firing, susceptible to temperature differences, humidity, terra cotta tiles are fragile, cement tiles are easy to crack, the average life expectancy is only 10-20 years.
Secondly, it is the difference in function:
Disaster resistance: stone-coated metal tiles can withstand high winds and certain impacts by hanging tile strips as well as nails; traditional tiles are prone to fall off or break in extreme weather.
Waterproofing and soundproofing: the waterproof layer and structural design of stone-coated metal tiles can effectively prevent leakage, and the soundproofing effect is better than that of traditional tiles, reducing the noise of raindrops; traditional tiles are prone to leakage in heavy rains, and the soundproofing performance is average.
As well, stone-coated metal tiles are more convenient to install:
Stone-coated metal tiles are lightweight (about 1/6 of traditional tiles), can be cut and bent to fit complex roof shapes, and shorten the construction cycle by 30%-50%.
Traditional tiles require multiple layers of stacking due to high weight and installation, which requires high construction technology and equipment, and significantly increases labor and time costs.
Finally, stone-coated metal tiles are more cost-effective in terms of post-maintenance:
Stone-coated metal tiles require almost no maintenance and only regular cleaning of the surface; traditional tiles require frequent inspection of breakage, replacement of peeling tiles, and higher long-term maintenance costs.
So, according to the current development trend, the future of the roof tiles will be in which direction?
1️⃣ Green and energy-saving become the mainstream!
The future must be dominated by green development, roof tiles will also deeply embrace the “dual-carbon” goal! Eco-friendly materials will replace traditional high-pollution materials. Solar roof tiles will be a highlight - not only waterproof and heat-insulating, but also self-sufficient in power generation, helping buildings achieve the zero-carbon goal. National policies such as the Green Building Evaluation Standard and power market reform are also driving the industry to accelerate the transition to energy saving and consumption reduction.
2️⃣ Technological innovation subverts the traditional
3D printing and intelligent production lines make tile production more efficient and accurate, and customized design meets individual needs! Stone-coated metal tiles, ecological tiles and other new materials are both lightweight and high-strength, and “BIPV photovoltaic building integration” is a track with great potential, and many mature manufacturers have already appeared in the market.
3️⃣ Design aesthetics meets functionality
Tile is no longer just a waterproofing tool, but a carrier of architectural art! Natural textures and multi-color combinations are becoming the trend, with high-end residential and commercial buildings in particular favoring products that combine aesthetics and performance. On the one hand, roofing materials are more aesthetically appealing, while on the other hand, roofs may be transformed into “smart microgrids”, realizing dynamic energy management through virtual power plant technology.
