LIGHTWEIGHT

Discover the advantages of lightweight ONDULINE® roofing sheets

Lightweight yet robust!

When it comes to roofing solutions, the term "lightweight" might raise concerns for some people. The common misconception is that lightweight materials are synonymous with fragility and a compromise in durability. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, they often bring several advantages to the table.

Thanks to cellulose fibres, ONDULINE® sheets are lightweight and flexible. Advancements in materials science and engineering have led to the development of lightweight materials that are lightweight yet robust. Think of wood, the source of cellulose itself! Trees or plants can bend wind without failing, resisting and flourishing for decades. Boat hull, ski & surf, tennis rackets, bike frames, wind turbines, plywood… Many light materials require strong mechanical resistance combined with the lowest possible weight (EDS N°3, 2021).

ONDULINE® sheets are engineered to have a good strength-to-weight ratio. They distribute the weight effectively and reduce the strain on the underlying structure. They only weight 3,16 kg/m² (Environmental Product Declaration Bitumen sheets 2016).¹

¹ Weight of bitumen sheets vary depending on the products from the lowest, 2,7 kg/m² (ONDULINE EASYFIX® COMPACT,…) to the highest, 4,72 kg/m² (ONDULINE® MAIS).

seaside project with Onduline Classic roofing

Reduced structural load

Lightweight roofing materials are inherently lighter compared to traditional roofing solutions like concrete, fiber cement or clay tiles.

Lightweight roofing like ONDULINE® sheets allow for reduced structural load which benefits construction projects in various ways:

Cost savings: The weight to be supported by the structure per m² is lower with ONDULINE® sheets. This allows for lighter supports and thinner material used for the structure, reducing eventually material costs.
Safety: One of the reasons for reducing roof weight is safety. A lighter roofing places less stress on the building’s foundations and structural elements, which can reduce the risk of structural failure or collapse. This is particularly important in typhoon/hurricane-prone areas or regions with poor soil conditions.

Ease of installation and versatility

Ease of installation:

Additionally, due to their light weight, ONDULINE® sheets are easy to transport and install. Their ease of installation can further save on labour expenses. Heavy roofing solutions may entail higher upfront costs for both materials and installation.

Quicker construction:

Lighter roofing are often quicker to construct because they require less labour and machinery for handling heavy materials (no need for a crane or lifting machine). This can result in shorter construction timelines, potentially saving money on labour costs and accelerating the project's completion. This can be particularly advantageous for projects with tight timelines.

Versatile design:

Lighter roofing solutions often allow for more architectural design flexibility. Architects can incorporate larger open spaces, unique shapes, and innovative features without being limited by the weight-bearing capacity of the building. Homeowners can achieve the desired aesthetic.

Using ONDULINE® sheets may contribute to reduce the carbon footprint

Environmental efficiency: transportation and logistics

Using ONDULINE® sheets in a construction project may contribute to reduce the carbon footprint as the transportation of lightweight roofing materials to the construction site is often more straightforward and cost-effective compared to heavy roofing materials.

Lower freight cost:

Our lightweight solutions permit to put around 420 units on a pallet. This represents 798 m². Freight costs are reduced because we load more m² per truck and so, environmental footprint is lower.

If we take the exemple of a full truck (14 tons), our lightweight solutions definitely allow us to put more m² in a truck reducing carbon footprint with an impressive 3800 m² load capacity.