Many customers enter the roofing market without enough technical knowledge, which makes them vulnerable to common roofing lies that sellers use to secure quick sales. These misleading statements often lead to wrong purchases, premature roof failure, rust within a short period, and unnecessary repair costs.

At Fabcom Structural Ltd., we see the consequences of these roofing mistakes every week, especially from homeowners who bought sheets based on false information about gauge, coating, durability, and where the product was manufactured. This article explains the common roofing lies circulating in Nigeria and provides clear steps to help customers avoid being deceived.

Common Roofing Lies in Nigeria and Why They Spread

The roofing market is crowded, and many sellers depend on aggressive sales tactics instead of transparency. This environment allows common roofing lies to spread quickly, especially when buyers rely solely on verbal assurance instead of physical measurement, product documentation, or factory validation. Understanding how these lies work is the first step to avoiding them.

Lie 1: All roofing sheets are the same; the gauge does not matter.

This is one of the most common claims customers hear, especially when sellers want to push cheaper and thinner materials at a high price. Gauge refers to the thickness of the base material which is the coil, and the thickness directly affects durability, strength, noise control, corrosion resistance, and overall lifespan. A 0.40mm sheet will always have better performance than a 0.20mm sheet, and a 0.24mm sheet will always outperform 0.20mm or 0.18mm.

Anything below 0.20mm falls within the thin-material category and is not suitable for most building projects around certain environment. At Fabcom Structural, all steel gauges are measured using micrometers and verified at multiple stages of production to ensure accuracy. Many open-market suppliers do not follow this process, and some use uncalibrated machines that produce inconsistent gauges.

How to avoid being deceived

Always ask for the actual micrometer measurement and do it physically. Request to check the metal thickness at the edges and the middle because some low-quality producers make the edges thicker to deceive customers. Buy directly from a factory or a verified distributor, and check if the brand openly publishes its coil gauge specifications.

Lie 2: Imported roofing sheets are always better than locally produced ones.

This claim has misled many customers into paying for “imported quality” even when the product was manufactured locally or made with inferior materials. The origin of the product does not determine quality. What matters are the coating composition, the strength of the steel, production technology, bonding methods for stone coated tiles, and the consistency of the manufacturing process. Some “imported” sheets in the market are rebranded low grade materials.

Fabcom Structural produces roofing sheets using advanced technology, controlled production lines, and steel with galvanizing coating. The focus is on quality, not the label “imported.” Nigeria has competent roofing factories capable of delivering reliable products without the unnecessary markup attached to supposed foreign brands.

How to avoid being deceived

Request the manufacturer’s name, factory address, and documentation. A genuine product has traceable production details, batch numbers, and verifiable specifications. Do not accept “imported” as proof of quality.

Lie 3: Stone coated roofing tiles will never lose stones or fade.

Sellers sometimes present stone coated tiles as maintenance free and unbreakable, which is inaccurate. The stone granules are bonded using adhesive gum, and the quality of that gum determines how well the stones stay attached. Low-grade manufacturers use cheap adhesive that weakens under sun exposure or heavy rainfall. When this happens, the stones wash off quickly, the tile becomes noisy during rain, and the roof loses its colour.

Here, the stone coated tiles are produced with UV-resistant stones, high-temperature curing ovens, and strong acrylic bonding materials. The tiles undergo adhesion testing to ensure the stones remain intact during installation and over the lifespan of the roof.

How to avoid being deceived

Rub your palm across the tile sample. If a large amount of stone comes off, it is a warning sign. Check for colour consistency, ask how the stones are bonded, and confirm whether the manufacturer has a curing line. We publish a video on Fabcom Structural on some of the test you can do before paying for any stone coated roofing tile, Milano vs. Competitor + Products Lineup.

Lie 4: This roofing sheet will last 50 years. Guaranteed.

This is a misleading claim often used to close sales quickly. No roofing sheet can last longer than its gauge, coating, installation quality, and environmental exposure. A thin sheet cannot be guaranteed for multiple decades, regardless of marketing claims. Lifespan depends on real-world conditions such as humidity, coastal air, rainfall pattern, and the type of steel used.

We provides realistic warranties based on testing and product composition. The lifespan of a roofing sheet follows technical principles, not exaggerated promises.

How to avoid being deceived

Ask for a written warranty and review the conditions. Many sellers make verbal guarantees that are not backed by documentation. Check if the warranty covers rust, installation defects, stone loss, or colour change. A serious manufacturer will provide clear, written terms.

Lie 5: All long span roofing sheets have the same coverage Width.

Coverage width affects how many sheets you need for your project. Some manufacturers reduce the effective coverage to save material but still sell at full price. This is another common roofing lie customers rarely notice until installation begins.

Fabcom Structural long span roofing sheets maintain standard feeding widths and clear effective coverage such as 750mm, 836mm, and 840mm depending on profile.

Always ask for the feeding width and effective coverage before placing an order.

How to avoid being deceived

Ask for the feeding width and effective coverage in writing. Compare samples physically. Check rib height, profile shape, and alignment. Always use accurate roof measurements from a qualified engineer or roof estimator.

Lie 6: Cheap roofing works the same way as high quality roofing.

This is one of the most harmful common roofing lies because customers usually discover the truth after installation. Extremely cheap sheets are often made from recycled steel, thin gauge, poor coating, or inconsistent production. They rust early, dent easily, or fade quickly.

Quality roofing is determined by raw materials, coating technology, production standards, and factory testing, not price alone.

Compare samples, request the technical data sheet, and confirm the coating type before buying.

How to avoid being deceived

Do not make decisions based on price alone. Ask about the coating type (e.g., Aluzinc), verify the gauge, and request a technical data sheet. Buy from manufacturers with a known production history.

Lie 7: If your roof leaks, it’s the roofing sheet that is bad.

Customers are often told the roofing sheet is the reason for leaks or damage, even when the issue originated from installation errors. Poor installation practices such as improper nailing, wrong overlap, poor batten alignment, incorrect screw placement, or use of low quality accessories can cause leaks regardless of the quality of the roofing sheet as a strong roofing sheet needs proper installation to perform as intended.

How to avoid being deceived:

Ask for a trained installer with experience in the specific roofing product you are buying. Request installation guidelines from the manufacturer. Confirm screw type, nailing pattern, and accessory compatibility before installation begins.

Lie 8: Accessories are optional; just buy the sheets.

This is one of the common roofing lies that confuses many buyers. Some sellers deliberately exclude important items from quotations so the price looks cheaper. Later, the customer discovers they need extra materials, and the total cost becomes higher.

Even though Fabcom Structural focuses on roofing sheets, flashing and ridge cap, the message is still clear: Good quality, intentional roofing accessories are a must.
They support proper installation, protect the roof edges, and ensure the roofing system performs the way it should.

If a quotation hides or downplays accessories, it becomes difficult to understand the TRUE cost of a roofing project.

How to avoid being deceived

Request a full bill of quantity (BOQ) that includes accessories from your engineer. Verify that the accessories are intentional made. Ask about compatibility before installation starts.

Lie 9: Stone coated roofing cannot be lightweight and strong at the same time.

This is another common roofing lie used to push heavier but poor quality products. Strength is determined by steel grade, gauge consistency, bonding method, and production technology, not weight alone.

Lightweight but properly engineered tiles can deliver excellent performance. Fabcom Structural tiles undergo wind resistance, corrosion, and bonding tests to ensure reliable strength.

How to avoid being deceived

Ask for product test results, physical samples, and technical specifications. Confirm the gauge and bonding method used by the manufacturer.

How to Protect Yourself from This Common Roofing Lies and Scams

To avoid falling for common roofing lies, follow these steps when planning your roofing project:

• Compare physical samples: Check coating quality, rib alignment, stone adhesion, and finishing.
• Buy directly from a factory or verified distributor: You get accurate gauge, real warranty, and technical support.
• Verify thickness with a micrometer: Never rely on verbal assurance.
• Request written product specifications: This prevents hidden changes in material grade or coverage.
• Ask for installation guidelines and use trained technicians: Installation quality impacts performance as much as the roofing sheets.

Why Fabcom Structural Ltd. Is Trusted in the Nigerian Roofing Market

Fabcom Structural manufactures and provide stone coated tiles, long span roofing sheets, zinc sheets, solar roofing sheets, and light steel keel profiles that use advanced technology and undergo strict quality control.

Every product is measured, verified, and tested before moving to our warehouse. Customers get factory direct pricing, accurate specifications, and long term support. More importantly, we provides transparency, which helps customers avoid the common roofing lies found in the general market.