When it comes to roofing, for most people, there are only two choices: roofing sheets and traditional roof tiles. Whether you’re planning a roof for a garden room, stable, home extension, or larger project, roof sheets and traditional roof tiles are usually the only contenders. For years, tiles have been the go-to option, especially on homes. It’s not just that they’re required in certain conservation areas – they’re appealing because they’re traditional and familiar. But the needs of the construction industry are changing. Contractors – and their clients – are looking for roofing solutions that are faster to install and longer lasting. That’s why steel and fibre cement roofing sheets are becoming increasingly popular.
So, what do you need to know about each roofing option to be sure that you’re making the right choice for your next project? From cost and aesthetics to speed, strength, and long-term performance, there’s everything you need to think about when making your roofing choices, whether you’re a seasoned professional or an enthusiastic DIYer.
Key Takeaways
- Weight: Roof sheets are lighter and easier to handle.
- Speed: Installation is faster with fewer fixings required.
- Durability: Steel and fibre cement sheets withstand harsh weather and last for decades.
- Maintenance: Minimal upkeep compared to tiles.
- Cost: More affordable overall, especially when factoring in labour.
- Aesthetics: Modern styles and tile-effect options available.
- Versatility: Suitable for everything from farm buildings to homes.
- Sustainability: Lower impact and recyclable at the end of life.
Why Roofing Sheets Are Treading on the Toes of Traditional Roof Tiles
Weight
There’s no getting around it, roof tiles are heavy. Concrete and clay tiles can weigh upwards of 50kg per square metre. So, when you add in battens, underlay, and structural reinforcement, you’re creating a hefty load, which demands a lot from the structure beneath.
Roof sheets are significantly lighter. Whether you're using profiled steel roofing, tile-effect sheets, or fibre cement, you’re working with a material that puts far less strain on the supporting frame. And this can be really useful for a whole range of structures, whether a DIY garden shed or a full agricultural building. When you have lighter materials, they’re also much easier to handle, which is an obvious benefit for both professional and DIY installers.
Summary: Lightweight sheets reduce structural requirements and simplify installation.
Speed of installation
Installing a tiled roof is a painstaking process. Tiles must be laid one by one and fixed individually, which usually means the need for experienced installers. For larger buildings, the process can often take weeks.
Roof sheets are different. A single steel roofing sheet can span up to 3m or more. And that means fewer fixings, fewer overlaps, and far quicker coverage. In many cases, a roof can be installed in a matter of hours rather than days or weeks. So, when deadlines are tight and budgets are constrained, this can be a real benefit. It’s also helpful when you’re replacing an existing roof in unpredictable weather.
Summary: Roof sheets install faster, saving time and money on site.
Durability
Although traditional roof tiles are durable, they’re not invincible. They can crack under freeze-thaw cycles, get dislodged in storms, or become brittle with age. And moss build-up can add to all of this.
Modern roof sheets are engineered for durability. Steel roofing offers corrosion resistance with galvanised or plastisol coatings, impact resistance from hail and debris, and superior wind uplift performance – when installed with the correct fixings. While fibre cement sheets are resistant to rot, fire, and insect damage, making them ideal for moisture-prone rural settings.
Summary: Steel and fibre cement sheets offer unmatched weather resistance and long-term durability.
Maintenance
If properly maintained, tiles can last decades. The problem is that they need a lot of maintenance for that to happen.
Roof sheets are comparatively low-maintenance by design, partly because they have fewer components, and partly because they come in longer spans. And because sheet roofs tend to be less porous, also less prone to moss build-up, so they only need occasional cleaning. That said, it’s still a good idea to your fixings or sealant every year. Added to all of that, steel flashings and ridge caps help to further protect joints and other areas of vulnerability, reducing the likelihood of water leaks.
Summary: Roof sheets require far less maintenance than traditional tiles.
Cost
When people compare tiled and sheeted roofs, the cost of materials tends to be the main focus. The thing is, you need to look at the whole picture before reaching any costing conclusion.
- Tiles involve more material per square metre and more labour. They also have a longer installation time, and require more from the structure they’re being placed on.
- Roof sheets can have a similar cost when you look at materials alone, but they offer major advantages when it comes to installation. Because they’re faster to install, installation time can be a fraction of that needed to lay a tile roof. As such, even when you invest in the more expensive, tile-effect steel sheets, the project will typically work out cheaper overall.
Summary: Roof sheets are a more cost-effective choice when you account for all aspects of installation.
Aesthetics
There’s no getting away from the fact that some homeowners simply prefer the look of a traditional tiled roof. And personal taste is a pretty insurmountable argument, especially against a material that’s so classically timeless.
But roofing sheets have come a long way, aesthetically, and they offer different looks for different needs.
- Box profile and corrugated sheets deliver a sharp, industrial aesthetic.
- Tile-effect steel sheets combine traditional appearance with modern benefits.
- Fibre cement sheets blend beautifully into rural and agricultural settings.
With roofing sheets, you can even choose from a whole range of colours and finishes to complement your structure. And if you're in a location where a tiled look is required, tile-effect sheets offer the best of both worlds.
Summary: You don’t have to compromise on looks. Sheet roofing can be just as attractive as tiles.
Versatility
Roof sheets are incredibly adaptable and are widely used across various building types – agricultural buildings, commercial units, domestic spaces, and modern homes. From cladding walls to roofing open-fronted sheds, steel sheets are quickly becoming a go-to solution for builders and DIY dabblers because they deliver speed, flexibility, and longevity.
Summary: Roofing sheets suit everything from DIY sheds to architect-designed homes.
Sustainability
And when it comes to sustainability, sheet roofing has a lot to offer. Steel roofing is often made with a high percentage of recycled content and is fully recyclable at end-of-life. While fibre cement is a safe and environmentally friendly alternative to asbestos sheeting, made without harmful fibres. Their reduced weight also means that roofing sheets reduce transport emissions and place less load on structural timber.
Summary: Steel and fibre cement sheets support greener, more sustainable construction.
Why roof sheets are taking the lead
While traditional roof tiles still have their place, especially in older or heritage settings, roof sheets are emerging as the go-to solution for today’s roofing needs. They're faster to install, easier to maintain, more affordable, and equally attractive. Especially when you use tile-effect profiles.
So, if you're looking for a reliable, versatile, and future-ready roofing solution, roof sheets make a really smart choice. And Southern Sheeting is the smart place to get them.
Explore the full range of roofing solutions at Southern Sheeting to get the job done right.
