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Sandwich panels or corrugated sheet for a roof? A practical comparison
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Short answer
Choose single-skin corrugated sheet for a low-cost cover over a store or shade that needs no insulation, and sandwich panels when the building needs thermal and acoustic insulation or air-conditioning, or when you want a finished roof in one step. Sandwich panels cost more per m² but save on cooling and prevent condensation under the roof.
What is the difference?
Corrugated (profiled) sheet is a single galvanized or pre-painted steel sheet formed with ribs for stiffness. A sandwich panel is two steel skins bonded to an insulating core of EPS foam, polyurethane (PU) or rock wool, so it is roof and insulation in one.
| Item | Corrugated sheet | Sandwich panel |
|---|---|---|
| Thermal insulation | Practically none | Good to excellent by thickness |
| Rain noise | Loud | Low |
| Condensation under the roof | Likely in winter | Rare |
| Weight | About 4 – 5 kg/m² | About 7 – 15 kg/m² |
| Cost per m² | Lower | Higher |
| Best for | Shades, open stores, fencing | Plants, closed stores, offices, cold rooms |
How to choose
- If the building will be air-conditioned or occupied all day: sandwich panels.
- If you store heat- or moisture-sensitive goods: sandwich panels.
- For a shade or open store on a tight budget: corrugated sheet.
- Middle ground: corrugated sheet with glass wool or foil insulation underneath — but installation takes longer.
Profile shape, sheet thickness and purlin spacing are set by the structural design and manufacturer's instructions.
FAQ
Are sandwich panels stronger than corrugated sheet?
Usually stiffer, because both skins act with the core as one section, so it can often span further between purlins. Allowed spans come from the manufacturer's load tables.
Can sandwich panels be fixed over an old sheet roof?
Sometimes, after checking the purlins can carry the extra weight — ideally reviewed by an engineer.
General guidance — not an offer or commitment by BUILDORA.