Roofing in Kenya: iron sheets, tiles or flat roof?

Choose the roof with the structure

The roof covering decides how heavy the roof is, and the weight decides how strong the trusses, walls and ring beam must be. Choose the covering before the structural design is finished, not after the walls are up.

Iron sheets (mabati)

Iron sheets are light, quick to fix and the most affordable option. They come in corrugated, box and tile profiles, and in different thicknesses (gauges). Thicker sheets dent less and last longer.

Their main drawbacks are noise in heavy rain and heat under the roof. Good insulation and a ceiling deal with both.

Stone-coated steel tiles

These are steel tiles with a stone-chip finish. They look like traditional tiles but weigh far less, so the roof structure can stay light. The stone coating also makes them quieter in rain than plain sheets.

They need careful fixing at hips, valleys and ridges, so the quality of the roofer matters as much as the tiles.

Clay and concrete tiles

Clay and concrete tiles are durable and quiet, and they keep the house cooler. They are also heavy, so the roof structure and walls must be designed for the load. Broken tiles are easy to replace one at a time.

Flat concrete roofs

A flat roof gives a modern look and can become a usable terrace. It needs proper waterproofing and a slight fall so rain drains away. Our flat roofs guide covers this in more detail.

Questions to ask before you choose

• How heavy is it, and is the structure designed for that weight?
• Timber or steel trusses, and is the timber treated against termites?
• How noisy will it be in heavy rain, and what insulation is planned?
• Are gutters, downpipes and fascia boards included in the quote?
• If you are near the coast, is the covering rated for salt air?