The rapid development of the building materials market determines the use of innovative technologies in their manufacture. The old materials are replaced by more advanced and adapted to modern conditions new items. Successful use in our time in construction has received such a wonderful roofing material as ondulin. Reviews about him have always been mostly positive, due to its physical properties, ease of installation and sky-high price category.
Ondulin was invented by the Frenchman Gaston Gromier, who in 1944 created a factory for the production of the latest material for roofing at that time. Nobody predicted such a huge popularity for this unique material, however, the result exceeded expectations, and soon the whole world started talking about it.
Now Ondulin, which reviews speak for itself, is produced in six countries: Spain, France, Belgium, Poland, Malaysia, Turkey, and is used in more than a hundred countries of the world. It is used both for the construction of cottages and houses, and in the construction of industrial and social facilities (factories, schools).
Let's understand what is ondulin. This is a unique material for the installation of roofs and cladding of vertical surfaces. It is made from organic fibers, by saturating them at high pressure and temperature with bitumen. This is done in special vacuum chambers in several stages through layering. Then the sheets of material are dyed. Thanks to organic matter, ondulin has a rigid base, and bitumen gives it good waterproofing. It also contains mineral pigments, rubber and minerals (filler).
Depending on the type of staining, there is a glossy and matte ondulin. Reviews about them are ambiguous, but still more positive about the first type. Matte ondulin is treated with special acrylic paint, after which it acquires a certain surface roughness to the touch. And silicone is added to the paint for glossy sheets, as a result of which they become shiny and completely smooth. The price of the latter is slightly higher than the first, due to their more attractive appearance, and the ability not to trap dirt and snow.
Such qualities as resistance to climatic conditions, very high and low temperatures, resistance to heavy loads (snow), hurricane wind, environmentally friendly composition, has ondulin. Reviews of specialists about its durability (from 15 to 50 years of service) and positive characteristics do not make one doubt when choosing a roofing material.
Ondulin has a number of significant advantages:
- Excellent weather resistance.
- High level of waterproofing.
- Resistance to biological factors (bacteria, fungi).
- Stability to influence of chemical irritants (alkalis, acids).
- Resistance to diesel fuel, gasoline and industrial gases.
- The possibility of rational use of the material for the collection and use of rainwater.
Ondulin is very light, but it has high strength. It can be laid on top of the previous roof without disassembling it. And thanks to the ability to bend along the direction of the waves, the material can be used as a lining.
Covering the roof with an ondulin is a simple process, but requires special knowledge and preparation. For a roof with this material, the roof should have a slope of no less than 12-15 degrees. Installation of ondulin sheets does not require a continuous roof lathing. Depending on the degree of inclination of the roof, the step of the crate is calculated, on average it is 40 cm. The sheets are mounted, shifting by the distance of one wave. The material is attached to the crate with the help of special screws or galvanized nails.