What Are Ondura Roofing Panels? The Pros and Cons

Thanks to their lightweight design and the combination of bitumen and cellulose fibers, Ondura roofing panels are well-liked in the construction world. You'll love how these corrugated panels can bend and flex while staying strong enough for all sorts of building projects.

The construction game is changing too. More and more people want roofing that's budget-friendly and useful for the planet. That's where Ondura panels can shine. They're EPA-approved and perform well on everything from your backyard shed to massive farm buildings.

If you're fixing up your garage or running a construction business then you'll want to learn more about these innovative panels. Let's talk about everything you should know about Ondura roofing. We'll cover the benefits and potential drawbacks that might affect your next project.

What Are Ondura Panels?

Ondura roofing panels can give you a flexible and long-term roofing answer that's perfect for your home or building! The panels combine cellulosic fibers and thermosetting resin to create a tough material that stands up to nasty weather and wear and tear.

You'll find these panels in some interesting colors like red, green, brown, and black - which makes it easy to match your architectural style. You can even paint the panels with exterior acrylic latex paint for a more customized look! The wavy and corrugated design looks interesting and helps water flow right off your roof.

The lightweight nature of Ondura panels makes your installation job much easier. You can put them right on top of your existing roof or attach them directly to plywood. This saves you time and money on labor costs.

These flexible panels work efficiently on all types of buildings. If you need to cover your house, barn, garden shed, garage or gazebo, you're well covered. The useful interlocking guides make sure your installation goes smoothly and safely too.

Your environmental impact matters, too. Ondura panels have earned EPA recognition as an Environmentally Preferred Product. With 50% recycled organic fibers, you're making a sustainable choice for your roofing needs. Unlike metal roofing, you won't have to worry about electrical conductivity or excessive noise during rainstorms.

The precise engineering of these panels guarantees reliable performance for years to come. Each panel measures 1/8 inch thick with 1.5-inch corrugation height. For optimal results, you should install them on roofs with a slope of at least 3:12. They'll work on slopes as low as 2:12.

A lifetime limited warranty backs up your investment, which shows how reliable these panels are. Just remember to use Ondura nails during installation. This helps you keep your warranty and creates hold-down strength! Your panels will keep their watertight seal even in rough weather conditions.

Benefits of Ondura Roofing

Ondura panels are budget-friendly and almost maintenance-free. Gone are the days of always fixing your roof or shelling out money for new panels every couple of years. Since these panels weigh less than traditional roofing materials, you'll save a lot on installation costs and time!

Just ask the Kansas farmer who decked out all his barns with Ondura panels five years back - not a single repair has been needed since day one. His monthly power bills dropped because these panels naturally keep buildings cooler. His animals stay much calmer during storms now that the roof doesn't sound like a drum solo.

These flexible panels work well for almost any building project you can dream up. From your house to your garage, garden shed, or even commercial buildings - Ondura can help you out. Most days, you can install these panels right on top of your existing roof to save you time and money on tear-off costs.

The EPA gives Ondura panels two thumbs up for being eco-friendly. You won't find any harmful chemicals or materials here. These reliable panels keep your building naturally cool, too, so you can cut back on the AC and watch those summer energy bills shrink.

Ondura has eight interesting colors that'll match any style you're going for. Want to switch up the look? No problem - just grab some exterior acrylic latex paint and make them your own. That wavy and corrugated design can add more curb appeal compared to boring metal sheets or plain old shingles.

Drawbacks of Ondura Panels

Ondura roofing panels can come with serious drawbacks that you should know about before making your choice. You'll have durability problems - especially in areas with harsh weather. The sun's heat will make your panels brittle over time. Hot weather tends to warp and soften them as well.

You'll run into problems when you need to walk on these panels for maintenance or repairs. The material cracks and breaks under pressure, which can cause troublesome leaks in your roof. Even a single step might damage the panels and compromise your roof's protection. Since you need to avoid walking on the surface, regular maintenance can become a real challenge.

Installation problems show up for homeowners who use these panels. When you try to install them yourself, you're likely to face problems that professional installers wouldn't worry about. You need perfect nailing techniques and exact placement to avoid leaks. Even when you follow the instructions well, water still finds its way through those nail holes sometimes.

The colors on your Ondura panels won't stay attractive for long. That beautiful color you picked out starts looking dull and faded after just a couple of years in the sun. This makes your house look older and reduces its selling price when you want to sell.

Finding replacement panels or matching colors can become a real challenge in some regions. When part of your roof needs fixing, you might wait forever for materials or settle for different ones. Plus, some regions don't have qualified installers who know how to work with these products.

Legal problems keep popping up around these roofing panels. Multiple legal cases have questioned if they actually hold up over time. These legal problems might affect you when dealing with insurance claims or warranty problems.

Building inspectors and roofing experts warn against these panels on primary residences. They point out how unreliable these panels are - especially in harsh weather. While your garden shed might do fine with Ondura panels, your actual house deserves something more reliable.

How to Install Ondura Panels

You'll need only a few basic tools from your garage for your Ondura roofing installation. It won't be as tough as dealing with regular shingles! Just grab a hammer and a circular saw, plus a measuring tape and some nails. Since these panels are very light to manage, you won't break your back carrying them up the ladder. Even if you've just started with DIY projects, you can manage this installation on your own.

You'll need to prep your roof deck before you can jump into the installation. Take a look around and sweep off any leaves and sticks or other debris. Your next move should be checking for any weak places or damaged sections that need fixing. The deck has to be completely bone dry too - no exceptions.

Now for the fun part - you need to lay down your underlayment across the whole roof. This layer helps keep the water from sneaking in and causing problems later. Start at the bottom of your roof and roll it out nice and smooth. Remember to get it with roofing nails every couple of feet so it stays put.

The panels need to go on from the bottom to the top. Pick a corner to start from and work your way across in a steady pattern. Remember to leave a small bit of space between each panel because they'll expand and shrink with the weather. For proven results, you should stick with the nails and fasteners that Ondura recommends.

The right airflow will make your Ondura roof last way longer. Adding ridge vents at the top of your roof helps quite a bit. The vents under your eaves need to be working the right way too. When air moves freely under your roof, you won't end up with moisture problems.

Professional roofers always check what the weather is like before they start a job! Cold or rainy days aren't your friend when you're installing these panels. Getting your measurements right and planning out where everything goes will save you from problems later. Safety equipment and fall protection are must-haves.

Ondura posts complete guides on their website that show you what to do for your project. These guides break down the measurements and techniques for different types of roofs. You might want to watch some of their videos too - they show you the facts. Just remember that your local area may have its own rules about how roofs should be installed.

Your roof's ability to stand up to rain and wind comes down to the installation. When you put those nails in the correct places, it makes a difference in stopping leaks and keeping panels from flying off in strong winds. Each nail needs to go in straight and at just the right depth.

Maintenance and Longevity Tips

You should look at your Ondura roofing panels twice a year to get the longest life possible. Spring and fall are perfect times for a complete check of your roofing system. During inspections look for cracks, loose fasteners, or areas where panels could be pulling away from your roof deck.

Your Ondura panels will last much longer if you keep them clean and well-maintained. Mix mild soap with water and use a soft-bristled brush to sweep away dirt, leaves, and debris that builds up. Just remember not to use harsh chemicals or pressure washers. These can damage your panels and might void your warranty.

Quick action on small problems will save you from dealing with serious problems later. Replace loose fasteners right away. For small cracks or holes, a bit of roofing sealant will work well. Keep tree branches at least 6 feet away from your roof to prevent scratching or damage.

The weather in your area can affect how long your Ondura panels will hold up. Your panels naturally expand and contract with temperature changes. This causes wear over time. In winter, clear off heavy snow loads before they put stress on your roof. If your house gets lots of direct sunlight, your roofing material might wear down faster than normal.

Good airflow in your attic helps protect your Ondura roof from the bottom side. You'll need ventilation to keep moisture from building up. Too much humidity can age your roofing material too fast. Make sure nothing blocks your roof vents throughout the year.

It helps to keep complete records of the work you do on your roof. Write down when you do inspections and what repairs you make. Taking pictures of problem areas helps you track changes over time. These photos can help if you need to make a warranty claim.

Your panels will show you when they're close to retirement age. You might see them becoming brittle and starting to fade. These are classic signs of aging Ondura panels. If you have leaks or are making repairs more than usual, consider getting a new roof. In most cases, Ondura roofs will serve you well for 15 to 20 years.

Protect The Roof Over Your Head

A new roof can optimize your property's protection - especially if you own outdoor structures or agricultural buildings! You'll find that farmers, stable owners, and homeowners just like you have had reliable results from these panels. Although, there's no one-size-fits-all answer for every project. What these panels can and can't do will point you toward the right choice for your preferences.

You need to match the right roofing answer to what you're trying to accomplish. Think about what counts for your building project right now. Maybe you want something that'll last for decades - or maybe you're focused on going green. The installation process could be your biggest concern too. Once you figure out your priorities, then you'll know what to look for. Installation and regular maintenance will make a roof last way longer, no matter what material you choose!

As the experts at Colony Roofers, with offices across Georgia, Florida, and Texas, we know what it takes to manage roofing projects. Your investment and safety deserve solid treatment, so let our team of pros take care of your roofing needs. Our experts would love to come out and give you a free inspection. We'll make sure your roof gets the treatment it deserves.

Don't leave your roofing project to chance when you can work with trusted pros at Colony Roofers. Ready to get started? Reach out to us!