How to Choose the Best Roofing Sheet for Your House, Shed or Factory

How to Choose the Best Roofing Sheet

A practical guide for buyers, site engineers & project planners

Choosing the right roofing sheet is not just about price or brand — it directly affects structural safety , heat control, leakage risk, maintenance cost, and project budget.

This guide is written specifically for buyers and site engineers who need to answer practical questions like:

• Which roofing sheet type should I use for this project?
• What thickness and size should I buy?
• How many sheets and how much weight will I need?
• What works best for a house vs shed vs factory?

Step 1: Choose the Right Roofing Sheet Type

Type	Best For	Why
GI Sheet	Temporary sheds, budget projects	Low cost, basic protection
Galvalume Sheet	Factories, coastal areas	High corrosion resistance
Color-Coated Sheet	Houses, commercial buildings	Aesthetic + corrosion protection
Aluminium Sheet	Coastal, chemical plants	Rust-proof, lightweight
Polycarbonate Sheet	Skylights, greenhouses	Light transmission

Real example:
A poultry shed near the coast will fail quickly with GI sheets — galvalume or aluminium is the better long-term choice.

Step 2: Decide the Correct Thickness

Thickness	Suitable Projects
0.35 mm	Temporary sheds
0.40 mm	Houses, small sheds
0.45 mm	Warehouses, factories
0.50 mm	Heavy industrial, high wind
0.60 mm	Cyclone or coastal zones

Engineer tip: Always increase thickness when:

• Roof span is large
• Wind speed is high
• Crane loads or solar panels are placed on the roof

Step 3: Which Size Should I Buy?

Roofing sheets are generally available in:

• Widths: 3 ft (914 mm) standard effective width
• Lengths: 8 ft, 10 ft, 12 ft, 14 ft

Project-Based Size Recommendation

Project Type	Recommended Length	Reason
House	10 ft	Easy handling, low wastage
Small Shed	10–12 ft	Fewer overlaps
Factory	12–14 ft	Faster installation
Warehouse	14 ft	Reduced joints, better sealing

Step 4: How Many Sheets Do I Need?

Formula:
Number of sheets = Roof area ÷ Effective coverage per sheet

Example:
Roof area = 1,200 sq ft
Sheet effective coverage = 25 sq ft
➡ Required sheets = 1,200 ÷ 25 = 48 sheets

Step 5: How Much Weight Will I Need?

Thickness	Weight per sq ft
0.40 mm	3.3 kg
0.45 mm	3.7 kg
0.50 mm	4.1 kg

Example:
1,200 sq ft roof using 0.45 mm sheets:
1,200 × 3.7 = 4,440 kg (4.44 tons)

Comparison Table – House vs Shed vs Factory

Parameter	House	Shed	Factory
Sheet Type	Color-coated	GI	Galvalume
Thickness	0.40–0.45 mm	0.40 mm	0.45–0.50 mm
Length	10 ft	10–12 ft	12–14 ft
Durability	Medium	Medium	High
Cost	Medium	Low	High

Practical Buying Tips for Engineers

• Always check effective width, not total width.
• Order 5–8% extra for overlaps and wastage.
• Match fastener and washer quality with sheet type.
• In coastal or industrial areas, avoid normal GI sheets.
• Use thicker sheets if solar panels will be installed.

FAQs

• Which roofing sheet is best for a factory?
  Galvalume 0.45 mm or thicker due to corrosion resistance and strength.
• What thickness is best for a house?
  0.40–0.45 mm color-coated sheets.
• How long do roofing sheets last?
  20–30 years depending on coating and environment.
• Can I use thinner sheets to save money?
  Not recommended — it increases leakage, vibration, and maintenance.
• How do I reduce roof heat?
  Use reflective coatings, insulation, or sandwich panels.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right roofing sheet is a balance between type, thickness, size, durability, and budget. For buyers and engineers, the focus should always be on:

• Long-term performance over short-term savings
• Correct size and thickness for structural safety
• Proper material for local climate conditions

A well-planned roofing decision reduces failures, saves money, and ensures peace of mind for years.