Nowadays, most developers cover buildings with prefabricated concrete products. Their popularity is due to their lighter weight and minimal installation work compared to monolithic structures. Roof panels are widely used in industrial and civil construction. Their function is to divide the interior space of buildings into floors, as well as to transfer loads from upper structures to walls and foundations. Panels are part of the prefabricated reinforced concrete roof, which is considered the most popular and practical choice for both small and multi-story construction. Factories produce various types of roof panels based on their design, purpose, size, and other characteristics, making it easy to choose the right products. In the online store prof.lv, you can easily and quickly select the most suitable building materials at attractive prices.
Roof panels - an industrial concrete product designed for the construction of horizontal load-bearing structures in various types of buildings. Reinforced concrete panels are designed to separate different levels and to bear, distribute, and transfer vertical loads to other load-bearing elements (walls, foundations). Roof panels not only bear and transfer loads, but also serve as a structural element in the house. They can be basement interfloor panels and attic panels.
Standard-sized panels are manufactured according to national standards. Structurally, they are rectangular elements consisting of a reinforcing frame enclosed in a concrete base.
The choice of a specific type of horizontal load-bearing structure depends on the structural characteristics of the building, the configuration of the roof, the presence or absence of access roads, and the location for heavy construction equipment. Financial considerations are secondary, but it is useful to know that reinforced concrete panels cost approximately 30% less than monolithic structures.
What to know before installing roof panels for a private house?
A roof panel is a horizontal element of a building structure that performs load-bearing and separating functions. Capital structures are made of heavy and lightweight concrete with a reinforcing frame.
Often, horizontal support roof panels are made of wood and metal beams. However, such types of floors are less reliable and durable, so they are usually used to separate living floors from attics or lofts.
The main criterion for choosing double roof panels is the size of the house and the expected level of operational loads. Although there should be no specific problems, as factories produce a wide range of products in the following categories:
length - from 1.6 to 10.8m;
width - 1m, 1.2m, 1.5m, and 1.8m;
thickness - standard (220mm), lightweight (160mm), and reinforced (265mm);
load-bearing capacity - from 300 to 1600 kg/m2.
Classification of panels
The question of what types of roof panels exist often arises for DIY builders who have decided to engage in house construction on their own. However, it should be noted that the choice of specific reinforced concrete products is based on preliminary calculations made during the development of design and technical documentation. Therefore, it is advisable to strictly follow the project developed by professionals.
The main types of reinforced concrete roof panels are:
Double reinforced concrete panels - with longitudinal technological openings that extend throughout the length of the product. Double reinforced concrete panels are the most popular in private buildings. The longitudinal technological voids provide relatively low weight and improve thermal and sound insulation properties due to the air inside.
Ribbed reinforced concrete panels - with longitudinal ribs that provide high strength of the concrete product. Increased strength and load-bearing capacity are achieved due to the optimal distribution of strength in the structure and a thinner base that corresponds to tensile and compressive loads. They are mainly used in the covering of industrial facilities and multi-story buildings. They are rarely used in private house construction, mainly due to the ribbed lower surface, which complicates finishing.
Solid reinforced concrete panels - solid profile reinforced concrete products. Solid roof panels are a solid cross-section reinforced concrete product (without voids) with a high weight compared to the almost equal load-bearing capacity of double panels. They are practically not used in private house construction.
Various types of reinforced concrete panels can also have different sizes - width and height are usually standard, but the maximum length may vary.
Advantages of double roof panels
Lightweight. The use of reinforced concrete products with voids allows for a lighter house structure without compromising strength. Double roof panels simplify soil selection and foundation calculation, reducing construction costs.
High strength. Reinforced concrete panels are reinforced with steel bars. Double roof panels have high resistance to bending and deflection loads of 450-3000 kg/m2.
Good insulation properties. Air cavities in the structure absorb sound and retain heat. This is especially important in the construction of residential buildings, where thermal and noise insulation are crucial.
Convenience of use. Communication system cables can be laid in the voids of roof panels even during the construction stage. Corrugated pipes or special boxes are used for this purpose.
Affordable price. Roof panels are manufactured with minimal raw material consumption, significantly reducing their cost. The price of the product varies within a small range and depends on its geometric dimensions.
Calculation of the number and size of panels for a private house
Usually, the type, quantity, and size of products are determined during the design phase - in most cases, engineers simply adjust the wall layout to the standard dimensions of roof panels. However, it is not uncommon to build a house without design documentation, as various situations can arise in private construction.
If the "box" of the building has already been planned or even built, it is necessary to calculate the number and size of panels, taking into account a few rules: the area of the product is chosen based on the distance between opposite walls, to which the support depth on the wall structures is added from both sides.
It will be easier to calculate the number of panels by first arranging them on a sheet of paper. When calculating the quantity, take into account the span between load-bearing walls and the width of the panels.
The joints between the laid reinforced concrete products must be treated with a cement and sand mixture, while large joints are treated with concrete.
In some cases, there may be an uncovered area because it does not fit into the standard configuration and dimensions of the panels. Such areas are covered with a monolithic filling with prior reinforcement.
Reinforced concrete panels and their weight
The weight of the panel is necessary for accurate calculations of the building structure. However, this is the task of structural engineers who have all the necessary data. For a private builder, the weight may be needed to organize and monitor the installation of products.
The standard weight of the most popular roof panels is:
Standard roof panels - within the range of 280-310 kg/m2 or 300-330 kg/m2;
Lightweight roof panels - 210-230 kg/m2;
Prices of roof panels
The price of roof panels mainly depends on the type of panel. Reinforced concrete panels can have different sizes, but the thickness is quite standardized and varies slightly. The choice of which type of reinforced concrete panel to install depends on the load. Before continuing with the construction of the building, the load must be calculated. The choice of the building structure will depend on the future structure's weight.
Transportation and storage
Reinforced concrete panels should be transported in a horizontal position on trucks, as well as in an inclined or vertical position on specialized vehicles.
To preserve the properties of roof panels, the following storage conditions must be observed: the stacking height when placing them on the floor slabs should not exceed 2.5m, and when storing concrete roof panels, they should be supported by wooden blocks. The supports should be placed near the assembly loops to prevent the protruding parts of the reinforcement from losing their properties and to protect them from moisture.
