Choosing the Right Roof Covering Matters
When designing a new roof, many homeowners focus only on appearance and cost — but your roof covering choice has a major impact on the design, strength, and cost of your roof truss system. In South Africa, the two most common options are:
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Cement roof tiles
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Metal roof sheeting (Corrugated, IBR, Concealed Fix, etc)
Each material carries different loads and design requirements. Understanding these differences can help you avoid unnecessary expenses and ensure a safe, durable roof structure.
🔸 Cement Roof Tiles
Cement tiles remain a popular choice for South African homes due to their durability and classic aesthetic.
Key Characteristics
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Heavier roofing option → ±42–60 kg/m²
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Excellent thermal insulation and noise reduction
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Highly durable against weather and UV
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Suitable for many architectural styles
Impact on Truss Design
Because of the high weight, your trusses must:
✔ Use stronger timber grades
✔ Have additional bracing
✔ Include closer truss spacing
✔ Provide stronger support at eaves and ridges
This may slightly increase your project cost — but ensures structural integrity and longevity.
🔹 Metal Roof Sheeting
Metal sheeting includes IBR, Corrugated steel, Concealed Fix, etc, commonly used in modern homes and economic builds.
Key Characteristics
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Very lightweight → ±10–15 kg/m²
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Faster and cheaper to install
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Ideal for low-pitch roofs, but nowadays used on Pitched Roofs quite a lot
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Can be noisier during rain without insulation
Impact on Truss Design
Lightweight roofing requires:
✔ Less timber
✔ Wider truss spacing
✔ Faster manufacturing and installation
✔ Lower overall structure cost, however the Roof Covering itself is more exspensive than Cement Roof Tiles
An excellent option for budget-conscious builds, rural structures, and modern low-pitch designs.
⚖️ Cement Tiles vs Metal Sheeting — Quick Comparison
| Feature | Cement Roof Tiles | Metal Roof Sheeting |
| Weight | Very Heavy | Lightweight |
| Truss Requirements | Stronger design, more timber | Minimal timber required |
| Cost | Higher Trus Cost | Lower Truss Cost |
| Noise During Rain | Very quiet | Can be loud without insulation |
| Durability | Excellent | Excellent but prone to denting |
| Best For | Homes needing insulation & premium aesthetics | Modern/low-pitch roofs or budget builds |
🎯 Final Decision Guide
| If you want… | Choose: |
| Long-lasting traditional look | Cement Roof Tiles |
| Lowest overall roof structure cost | Metal Sheeting |
| Best thermal and sound insulation | Cement Roof Tiles |
| Quick installation | Metal Sheeting |
| A modern architectural look | Metal Sheeting |
Note: Modern concealed-fix metal roof sheeting is generally more expensive than cement roof tiles. This means that even though the truss system for a metal roof usually costs less, the overall roofing package often ends up costing more than a tiled roof.
Your engineer and truss manufacturer must design the truss system specifically for the weight and pitch required by your chosen roof covering.
Never change roof materials after truss manufacturing — it can cause serious safety risks and building code failure.
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