The roof is one of the most heavily loaded structures on a warehouse in Almaty. Snow loads (zone V–VI), seismic activity, temperature swings from -25°C in winter to +38°C in summer — all of this affects the choice of material. A roofing mistake means leaks, insulation loss, and costly repairs in 3–5 years. Let's look at the options with hard numbers.
V–VI
Almaty snow load zone
normative snow load 1.5–2.0 kPa — higher than Astana (II–III) and especially Shymkent (I–II)
8,000–12,000 ₸/m²
100 mm roofing sandwich panels
PIR core, steel profile, with installation — warm roof for a heated warehouse
3,000–5,000 ₸/m²
0.65 mm corrugated sheet with installation
cold roof for unheated sheds — without insulation, basic option
15 years
PVC membrane warranty period
flat roof — more expensive, but seamless and long-lasting when correctly installed
Snow Load in Almaty: Why the Roof Must Be Stronger
Almaty falls in snow load zone V–VI under the SNiP RK standard (one of the most heavily loaded). Normative snow load:
- Zone V: 1.5 kPa = 150 kg/m²
- Zone VI (mountain areas): 2.0 kPa = 200 kg/m²
Compare: Shymkent — Zone I (0.5 kPa), Astana — Zones II–III (0.7–1.0 kPa).
This means roof structures in Almaty are designed for significantly greater loads. A typical Almaty roof frame is 25–40% heavier than an Astana one.
Snow + seismics = double requirements
Option 1: Roofing Sandwich Panels
The most common option for warm warehouses. The panel consists of two steel sheets and insulation (PIR or mineral wool).
Typical specifications for Almaty:
- Thickness: 100–150 mm (PIR core λ=0.022 W/m·K)
- Length: up to 12–14 m (standard) or up to 24 m (welded)
- Sheet coating: PVDF or Polyester (resistant to mountain UV radiation)
- Load: calculated per snow zone requirements
| Thickness | Application in Almaty | Cost with installation |
|---|---|---|
| 80 mm | Warm building, mild climate — insufficient for Almaty | — |
| 100 mm | Warm warehouse, +15°C inside | 8,000–12,000 ₸/m² |
| 150 mm | Enhanced thermal requirements, energy efficiency | 11,000–15,000 ₸/m² |
| 200 mm | Cold storage warehouse, technical facilities | 14,000–19,000 ₸/m² |
Pros:
- Insulation + waterproofing + finish in one element
- Fast installation
- Good snow load capacity with proper purlin spacing
Cons:
- Condensation at joints with improper installation
- If one panel is damaged — replacement is needed
Option 2: Corrugated Sheet (Cold Roof)
For unheated warehouses, sheds, and utility buildings — profiled sheet without insulation.
| Sheet thickness | Application | Cost with installation |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 mm | Light structures — not recommended for Almaty snow zone V | — |
| 0.65 mm | Standard for sheds and temporary structures | 3,000–5,000 ₸/m² |
| 0.7–0.8 mm | Heavy-duty, for industrial facilities | 4,500–6,500 ₸/m² |
For Almaty snow zone V: purlin spacing must be calculated for the normative load — the standard 1.5 m spacing used in many other regions is reduced to 1.2 m here.
Option 3: Flat Roof with PVC Membrane
For multi-storey production buildings, technical platforms with rooftop equipment (air conditioners, ventilation), or when an accessible roof is needed.
Composition of the flat roof "layer cake":
- Load-bearing corrugated sheet (base)
- Vapour barrier
- Thermal insulation (PIR or EPS) — 150–200 mm for Almaty
- PVC membrane 1.5–2 mm with mechanical fixation
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Membrane service life | 15–25 years with proper installation |
| Cost of layer cake with installation | 12,000–20,000 ₸/m² |
| Slope (minimum) | 1.5–2% for drainage |
| Plus seismics | Mechanical fasteners with anti-seismic calculation |
Drawback for Almaty: a flat roof accumulates snow. In snow zone V–VI, a carefully designed drainage system and parapets are required to prevent snow pockets.
Ventilated Roofs for Cold Sheds
For unheated sheds (agricultural machinery storage, transit warehouses), a ventilated roof is used: corrugated sheet + air gap + mineral wool, or corrugated sheet without insulation. The main goal is to prevent condensation on the inside.
Comparison Table: Choosing for Almaty
| Criterion | Sandwich panels | Corrugated sheet (cold) | PVC membrane |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warm warehouse | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ (with insulation) |
| Cold shed | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Snow load (zones V–VI) | ✅ | Requires purlin spacing calculation | ✅ |
| Service life | 20–25 years | 15–20 years | 15–25 years |
| Cost (warm) | 8,000–15,000 ₸/m² | n/a | 12,000–20,000 ₸/m² |
| Cost (cold) | n/a | 3,000–6,500 ₸/m² | n/a |
| Leak risk | Low (with correct installation) | Medium (joints) | Low (monolithic) |
We'll calculate the roof structures for your warehouse accounting for Almaty snow loads
StroyHub designs roofing with calculations for snow zone V–VI and 9-point seismics — get an estimate within 24 hours.