What is dome roofing? Advantages and disadvantages, applications and price quotes 2026

Arched roofing sheets are roofing sheets that are curved in an arc shape with a flexible radius of curvature from 350mm to more than 25m. Unlike traditional roofing sheets, arched roofing sheets can be constructed without much support structure but still ensure firmness and waterproofing ability.

The complete arched roofing system consists of three main parts: the load-bearing frame system (made from square iron or steel pipes), the truss system and roofing sheets, and specialized connecting accessories. Arched roofing sheets are classified by material (cold arched roofing sheets and galvanized arched roofing sheets) and design (stamped arched roofing sheets and rolled arched roofing sheets), in which rolled arched roofing sheets have superior drainage capacity up to 80m in length.

Outstanding advantages of dome roofing sheets include: Good protection against harsh weather, long life span of over 20 years, high aesthetics suitable for many architectural styles and good load-bearing capacity thanks to scientific structure. However, dome roofing sheets also have 3 limitations including: Limited soundproofing ability, long construction time and higher cost than regular roofing sheets.

What is dome roofing?

Arched roofing sheets are roofing sheets that are curved in an arc shape with a flexible radius of curvature from 350mm to over 25m. Accordingly, the curved design can be applied to the top or the entire length of the sheet, with a flexible radius of curvature from about 350mm to over 25m.

Unlike traditional corrugated iron roofs that require a complex frame system, arched corrugated iron roofs can be constructed without much support structure but still ensure strength and waterproofing. Arched corrugated iron is currently produced from many materials such as cold-rolled corrugated iron, galvanized corrugated iron, stainless steel, etc., providing a variety of options to suit different needs and budgets.

“62,7% of respondents said curves increase visual interest in interior spaces.” – Zamani et al., 2021, Frontiers in Psychology Journal.

What is the structure of arched corrugated iron?

A complete arched corrugated iron roofing system consists of three main parts: load-bearing frame system, truss system, and roofing sheet.

1. Load-bearing purlin system: This is the most important part, with the function of supporting the entire roof above. The frame is made from square iron or steel pipe depending on the technical requirements and scale of each project.
2. Truss system: The truss is the connection between the frame and the roof, helping to distribute the force evenly and at the same time shape the curvature of the roof.
   
3. Roofing sheets: Depending on the area to be covered and the roof design, the contractor will choose the appropriate type of roofing sheet.

What are the advantages of arched roofs?

Arched corrugated iron is increasingly widely used in many projects thanks to 5 outstanding advantages: Good shielding, high durability, superior aesthetics, effective space expansion, good load bearing capacity.

1. Good protection against harsh weather: Made from high-grade alloy-plated steel with a load-bearing metal frame, the arched roofing sheet is capable of effectively resisting the effects of sunlight, rain, strong winds, and dirt.
2. Long life and superior durability: Thanks to quality materials and reasonable structural design, arched roofs can maintain their durability for a long time, usually over 20 years, contributing to increasing the overall life of the project.
3. High aesthetics, suitable for many architectural styles: The curved roof shape not only creates a soft, airy feeling but is also a unique highlight in terms of shape, making the project more modern and luxurious.
4. Expand the usable space effectively: For areas with high density of vehicles or people moving such as parking lots or waiting rooms, corrugated iron domes help optimize the usable area, creating necessary ventilation.
5. Good load-bearing capacity thanks to scientific structure: The frame system is precisely designed, combined with the curvature of the corrugated iron to help distribute force evenly on the surface, thereby improving anti-vibration, load-bearing and long-term stability.

What are the disadvantages of arched roofing?

Although arched corrugated iron offers many aesthetic and structural advantages, this material also has 3 limitations that need to be considered: Limited sound insulation, longer construction time and higher construction costs compared to regular corrugated iron.

1. Limited soundproofing capabilities: Arched roofing sheets are prone to making loud noises when it rains heavily or when objects hit the surface. Therefore, when constructing, it is necessary to consider additional solutions such as using roofing sheets with soundproofing layers or lining with sound-absorbing materials.
2. Construction time is longer than normal corrugated iron: Due to the precision required in bending and installation, the construction time of arched roofs is often longer than that of conventional flat roofs.
3. Material and construction costs are higher than normal corrugated iron: The cost of arched corrugated iron is often higher than that of flat corrugated iron because the production process requires specialized machinery and precise shaping techniques. In addition, labor and construction costs are also higher due to the high technical skills required.

What are the classifications of arched roofing?

According to Kosmos's reference from many reputable sources, dome roofing sheets are currently classified based on two main aspects: Material and design. Specifically as follows:

Based on material

Arched roofs are divided into 2 types based on the constituent materials: Cold arched roofs and zinc arched roofs.

1. Cold arched roofing: Cold-rolled corrugated iron is a type of corrugated iron that is curved from galvanized aluminum-zinc alloy, has a shiny surface, good heat reflection and high corrosion resistance. Thanks to its superior insulation and durability, cold-rolled corrugated iron is popular in civil and industrial works in areas with high temperatures.
2. Galvanized arch roofing: Galvanized arch roofing sheets are made from galvanized cold-rolled steel, which has relatively good rust resistance and is cheaper than cold-rolled steel. However, the insulation and durability are not as high, suitable for temporary works or places that do not require strict heat resistance.
   

Based on style

Based on the shape, arched roofing sheets are divided into two main types: stamped arched roofing sheets and rolled arched roofing sheets.

1. Stamped arch: This is a fairly common dome style, created by stamping and bending a portion of the length of the corrugated iron sheet. The corrugated iron sheet is bent into a gentle curve, creating a soft line corresponding to about 3/4 of a circle, very suitable for elegant, modern awning designs.
2. Roller arch: The rolling dome roof is formed by bending the entire length of the corrugated iron sheet to a standard radius. This type of roof has a high roof peak, excellent drainage capacity (up to 80m drainage length), very suitable for factories, warehouses or large-scale industrial projects.
   

What projects can dome roofing be applied to?

With soft curved design, good drainage ability and high aesthetics, dome roofing sheets are widely used in the following 6 types of constructions: Civil works, prefabricated steel buildings, public works, state works, entertainment areas, commercial works.

1. Civil works: House, townhouse, villa, apartment, condo.
2. Prefabricated steel buildings: Industrial workshops, factories, warehouses, cold storage, production offices.
3. Public construction: Schools, medical stations, hospitals, bus stations.
4. State works: Headquarters of the committee, local administrative agencies.
5. Entertainment area: Gymnasium, sports center, children's house, outdoor stage.
6. Commercial buildings: Kiosks, eateries, shops, outdoor restaurants, supermarkets, shopping malls.
   

How much does 1mXNUMX of arched corrugated iron cost?

According to Kosmos's market survey in June 6, the price of arched roofing is as follows:

• Roofing costs: For regular galvanized iron sheets, the price is usually between 100.000 and 200.000 VND/m². Meanwhile, high-end iron sheets such as alloy iron sheets can cost from 200.000 to 400.000 VND/m², depending on the material and brand.
• Steel frame price: The steel frame structure for the dome costs from 2 million to 6 million VND, depending on the size of the project and the complexity of the design.

Important note: The above price depends on many factors such as market fluctuations, purchase quantity, discount program at the time of transaction or individual business policy of each distributor.

How to calculate the area of arched roof?

To know the area of the arched roof, the Customer needs to determine the length of the roof arch according to the formula:

B = (3,14 × R × n) / 180

In which:

1. B: Length of roof arch (unit: meter).
2. R: Radius of the circle that forms the dome.
3. n: Center angle, showing the curvature of the roof (unit: degree).

After obtaining the arch length (B), continue to calculate the roof area using the formula:

Roof area = B × L

Inside L: Horizontal roof length (unit: meter).

Illustration: Suppose the Customer is constructing a dome roof with a curvature of 120 degrees, a dome radius of 3,5 meters and a horizontal roof length of 10,2 meters.

⇒ Apply the formula: B = (3,14 × 3,5 × 120) / 180 = 7,33 m.

⇒ Roof area = 7,33 × 10,2 = 74,766 m².

Thus, the Customer needs about 74,77 square meters of corrugated iron to cover this roof section.

Frequently asked questions about dome roofing

Is it difficult to construct a dome roof?

The construction of arched roofs is quite complicated because it requires higher technical skills than conventional flat roofs. Due to the curved design, the arching process must be carried out with absolute precision to ensure the roof has the correct curvature, consistent with the original design and ensures the ability to drain water and withstand force.

How to maintain dome roof?

To keep the arched roof durable and beautiful, and maximize its efficiency, users need to pay attention to the following 3 things: Check the roof condition every 6 months, clean the roof surface every 3 months, and apply anti-rust paint every 2-3 years.

1. Check roof condition every 6 months: The dome should be inspected every 6 months to promptly detect signs of damage such as water leaks, loose joints, surface scratches or rust.
2. Clean roof surface every 3 months: Depending on the location of the project (near an industrial park, coastal area, dusty area, etc.), you should clean the roof with clean water or a mild detergent to remove dirt, leaves, moss and other contaminants.
3. Anti-rust paint every 2-3 years: For non-colored ceiling panels (without a protective surface paint layer), applying anti-rust paint after a period of use is very necessary.

What materials should be combined with corrugated iron to make the roof more beautiful and well insulated?

The arched roof not only plays a protective role but can also become an aesthetic highlight if skillfully combined with 3 supporting materials: Wood plastic, PVC plastic and powder coated purlins.

• Wood Plastic Composite (WPC): This is the top choice for ceiling cladding under corrugated iron roofs. With a real wood-like appearance, natural color and water resistance, plastic wood creates a cozy, modern feeling without worrying about termites or warping. This is the ideal material for projects requiring high aesthetics.
• PVC, SPC plastic: This is an economical solution but still ensures the beauty similar to real wood. PVC plastic is light, easy to clean, and does not get moldy, so it is suitable for the environment under corrugated iron roofs, where humidity is often high.
• Black or dark gray powder coated purlin: For exposed roof frame designs, choosing purlin colors that are in harmony with the corrugated iron and ceiling will contribute to creating a unified, strong and modern overall look for the project.
  

Note: Although the 1 layer wood plastic line , and 2-layer polymer coated wood plastic Kosmos offers both flat and corrugated profiles, but only flat panels are used in the exterior ceiling cladding category. For ASA coated 2 layer wood plasticCustomers can flexibly choose both flat or corrugated panels for outdoor ceilings.

>>> See more ways to install beautiful, durable faux wood plastic ceilings under corrugated iron roofs:

Arched roofing sheets not only bring a soft, modern look to the project but also ensure superior shielding and drainage efficiency. If the right materials are selected and the construction team is professional, arched roofing sheets are still a solution worth considering for both civil and industrial projects.