Tiling on the Roof of a Prefabricated Floor Slab House

It is feasible to add tiles to the roof of a prefabricated floor slab house, but a comprehensive assessment of the structure, craftsmanship, materials, and construction conditions is required.

I. Structural Load-Bearing Assessment

The original design of prefabricated panel houses focuses on lightweight construction, so it is essential to carefully check the load-bearing capacity of the floor slabs, roof beams, and columns. The weight of glazed tiles per square meter is approximately 30 - 50 kg (varying with thickness and material). Direct installation may exceed the original structural load. It is recommended to commission a professional agency to conduct a structural inspection to confirm whether the load-bearing capacity of the beams and slabs meets the requirements. If not, reinforcement measures (such as adding steel beams or carbon fiber reinforcement) should be taken to improve the load-bearing performance.

II. Waterproofing and Fixing Techniques

1. Waterproof Layer Construction: Glazed tiles need to be paired with a waterproofing system. The traditional method is a combination of a cement mortar leveling layer, a waterproof membrane, and a tile layer. During installation, ensure that the joints are tightly sealed to prevent rainwater from seeping into the prefabricated panels through the tile joints or fixing points.
2. Fixing Method: It is strictly prohibited to drill holes directly into the prefabricated panels to avoid damaging the structural integrity. It is recommended to use galvanized steel nails or special tile hooks to fix the tiles indirectly through tile battens. If wooden wedges are used for fixing, ensure that the wooden wedges are properly treated with anti-corrosion measures to prevent decay and subsequent tile detachment.

III. Material Suitability Comparison

1. Traditional Glazed Tiles: These tiles have long-lasting color and a classical aesthetic appeal, but they are heavy and are only suitable for reinforced concrete frame structures.
2. Plastic-Steel Glazed Tiles: These tiles are lightweight (only about 10 kg/㎡ for a 2mm thickness) and resistant to acids and alkalis, making them suitable for prefabricated panel houses with sensitive load-bearing requirements, although their antique effect is slightly inferior.
3. Color-Steel Glazed Tiles: These tiles have excellent earthquake and fire resistance properties and are suitable for industrial-style renovations, but attention should be paid to the coordination between their metallic texture and the style of the prefabricated panel house.

IV. Construction Precautions

1. Slope Requirement: The slope of the glazed tile roof should be ≥30° to ensure smooth drainage and reduce long-term pressure on the structure from accumulated water.
2. Wind Resistance Treatment: In coastal or windy areas, the fixing points should be densified, with no less than 6 fixing elements per square meter, to prevent the tiles from being blown off by the wind.
3. Thermal Expansion and Contraction: Leave a gap of 5 - 8 mm between the tiles to prevent deformation and cracking due to temperature changes. The gaps can be filled with waterproof mortar or sealant.

If using the reinforced concrete tile roofing technique, note the following: After laying the roofing felt on the leveling layer, fix the tile battens with wooden wedges; or directly apply waterproof cement mortar to adhere the tiles (common in antique buildings), but ensure that the mortar adheres firmly to the tiles to prevent hollowing and detachment.