Onduline - More effective roofing solutions

Product Characteristics

» What is Onduline made of? They say that Onduline is made of paper
» Is Onduline flammable?
» Does my Onduline roof insulate from heat? From cold?
» Does my Onduline roof insulate from noise? Especially in case of strong rains.
» What is the durability of an Onduline roof?
» Is Onduline resistant to corrosion? To chemical products?
» Can Onduline withstand low temperatures?
» Can Onduline withstand high temperatures?
» What is the maximum wind pressure Onduline can bear?
» Does Onduline contain any toxic product? Is it safe for the people and the environment?

Installation & Guarantee

» Is it necessary to fix each sheet with 20 nails?
» Is it mandatory to use Onduline Safe Top nails?
» Does Onduline color fade?
» Does Onduline provide other accessories?
» What is the maximum roof pitch? And the minimum?
» How much snow load can Onduline bear?
» Is it necessary to clean snow from Onduline roof?
» Is it necessary to use under-roofing with Onduline?
» What is the guarantee of my Onduline roof?
» Can I walk on an Onduline roof?
» What is the maintenance of an Onduline roof?
» Steel roofs experience expansion/contraction issues. Is this the same with Onduline?
» Can I install Onduline on a metal frame? On concrete or wood decking?
» Can I paint an Onduline roof?
» There are stains on the sheets. How to remove them?

Company & Others

» Where can I use an Onduline roof?
» Where is Onduline produced?
» What differentiates Onduline Company from its competitors?

What is Onduline made of? They say that Onduline is made of paper
One of the Onduline components is cellulose fiber. Cellulose fiber can be extracted from various sources, including wood pulp or recycled paper. Besides cellulose fiber, Onduline also consists of bitumen, resin, mineral additives. Cellulose fiber itself is a very strong material (also used in cement and concrete to improve resistance). Bitumen makes fiber water-resistant, pigments provide the coloration, resin and other additives improve weather-resistance.

Is Onduline flammable?
Like all other bitumen-based materials, Onduline is flammable. In European Standards, its classification is E, which is “normal to ignite”. It is allowed for use on different types of buildings. But the cases when a source of fire is located on the roof are very rare. And if a house is on fire, it means that almost every type of roof cladding burns and melts.

Does my Onduline roof insulate from heat? From cold?
Measurements show a thermal conductivity of 0,098 W/m.C°. This value is close to cork. By comparison, stainless steel value is 52 W/m.C°, 525 times higher. Onduline insulates from heat and cold, within these values.

Does my Onduline roof insulate from noise? Especially in case of strong rains.
Tests carried out at the Sound Research Laboratories Ltd (UK) show the good sound absorption of Onduline sheets with a value of Rw= 28 dB.
The noise of rain is absorbed much better on Onduline than on steel sheets.

What is the durability of an Onduline roof?
Durability depends on external conditions like weather and climate. Onduline roofs are guaranteed waterproof for a 10-year period. However, some Onduline roofs have been installed for more than 50 years in Europe, and 30 years in tropical countries.

Is Onduline resistant to corrosion? To chemical products?
Because it is made of cellulose-bitumen saturated sheets, Onduline resists corrosion and most chemical products. (Laboratory tests carried out at CSTB – France)

Can Onduline withstand low temperatures?
Laboratory tests in USA and Germany and the long Onduline experience in Siberia (Russia) under the very low temperatures perfectly show that Onduline is absolutely frost-proof with no mechanical damage.

Can Onduline withstand high temperatures?
In a tropical endurance test, Onduline proved suitable in severe humidity and temperatures up to 70°C (Yarsley Test Centre – UK)

What is the maximum wind pressure Onduline can bear?
Tests carried out at the Yarsley Research Centre (UK) and in Miami and Metropolitan Dade County (USA) have proved Onduline suitable in hurricane and earthquake conditions (up to 192 km/h or 53,3m/s)

Does Onduline contain any toxic product? Is it safe for the people and the environment?
Onduline roofs are made of bitumen + resin + mineral pigments + cellulose fibers. None of this product is toxic for the people or the environment. Test carried out at Yarsley Technical Centre (UK) show no toxicity of Onduline sheets or ingredients.

Is it necessary to fix each sheet with 20 nails?
Yes, it is necessary. The roofing material installation can then be weather-proof for a very long period of time. Furthermore, it will also withstand extreme weather conditions, e.g. storms. The 1998 summer hurricane in Moscow tore off Onduline sheets fastened with 4-6 nails. Sheets fastened with 20 nails have remained undamaged.

Is it mandatory to use Onduline Safe Top nails?
Safe Top nails have been specifically designed for Onduline roofs. The Safe Top bonded washer is resistant to UV radiations and with its weatherproof seal provides a superior resistance to wind uplift. Safe Top are particularly suitable for use on hardwood purlins, and their colors match the Onduline sheet colors.
Other nails can be used, but with no Onduline guarantee.

Does Onduline color fade?
Like everything else under the sunshine, Onduline color will gradually becomes paler. This is due to UV action. Onduline fades gradually and evenly, while the low quality metal sheets can lose color sporadically.

Does Onduline provide other accessories?
Onduline provides ridge pieces which are manufactured from the same material and to the same high specifications as Onduline sheets. Flexible double wing accommodates a wide range of roof angles. Ridges are available in the same colors and finish than the sheets.

What is the maximum roof pitch? And the minimum?
Onduline roofs can be installed from pitches as low as 5°, up to 90°. Our Technical Department can provide all the necessary information for specific installations.

How much snow load can Onduline bear?
If the battens and overlapping are made correctly Onduline withstands snow load up to 960 kg/m², which is equivalent to one single layer of 50cm snow. However, we highly recommend contacting our technical department for installation in extreme climatic conditions.

Is it necessary to clean snow from Onduline roof?
If the roof construction is made correctly, there will be no problem with snow laying upon it. If one cleans it constantly, roof could be damaged. Therefore it is better not to do it.

Is it necessary to use under-roofing with Onduline?
It is not necessary if you want just to improve the water-tightness. Onduline roof system is absolutely water-tight. However, it is necessary to use a vapor barrier in the roof construction.

What is the guarantee of my Onduline roof?
Onduline guarantees the waterproofing of its products for 10 years. Product has to be installed according to specifications. Guarantee is limited to the exchange of product only.

Can I walk on an Onduline roof?
Like any other roof, Onduline is not made to be walked on. So you must follow the usual safety procedures when going on an Onduline roof.

What is the maintenance of an Onduline roof?
Maintenance is minimal. You must just ensure that no leaves remain on the roof and trap humidity. This has to be done for gutters anyway.

Steel roofs experience expansion/contraction issues. Is this the same with Onduline?
While steel expands and contracts under the action of heat and cold, Onduline dimensional stability is not affected. Test carried out at the French National Testing Laboratory.

Can I install Onduline on a metal frame? On concrete or wood decking?
Yes. Onduline can be installed on metal frame or on decking. The fixing must then be adapted and our Technical Department has ready procedures about this.

Can I paint an Onduline roof?
Onduline roofs come pre-pigmented and sometimes also pre-painted from the factory. It is perfectly possible to paint and repaint Onduline sheets, on both sides. Oil based paint with solvents should be avoided at all times. Please contact our Technical Department for getting the procedure.

There are stains on the sheets. How to remove them?
Stains are made of bitumen drop and are normal. They will be washed away with rain after a while. Should you want to remove them immediately, just rub another piece of Onduline material against it.

Where can I use an Onduline roof?
Virtually everywhere! Onduline roofs cover homes, agricultural and industrial building all around the world with colors matching the environment.

Where is Onduline produced?
Onduline has currently 9 factories around the world, with a 10th under construction. All factories are ISO9000 certified, which guaranties the same level of quality, wherever the production is made.

What differentiates Onduline Company from its competitors?
Onduline has been the first company to produce cellulose-bitumen sheets on an industrial scale. The company has been created in 1944 and has been constantly improving its products, and increasing sales. To date, Onduline Group is the #1 producer of cellulose-bitumen sheets worldwide.