Roofing is one of the most important investments in any building project. Whether you’re putting up a modest rural home, an upscale urban villa, or a large warehouse, the roof plays a central role in protecting the structure, controlling internal temperature, and defining the building’s visual appeal.
Yet, despite its importance, roofing is also one of the most misunderstood and error-prone stages of construction in Kenya. At Kidani Mabati, we’ve seen it all—from poorly selected gauges to mismatched accessories and flawed installations. These mistakes often lead to costly repairs, premature roof failure, and frustrated clients.
In this guide, we’ll unpack the top roofing mistakes made in Kenya, explain why they happen, and show how Kidani Mabati helps you avoid them with expert advice, quality materials, and professional support.
1. Choosing the Wrong Gauge Thickness
The Mistake: Many clients opt for a lighter gauge (like 30G) to save money, not realizing that thinner sheets offer less durability and are prone to denting, leaking, or warping in harsh weather.
The Impact:
- Frequent replacements
- Poor wind and impact resistance
- Higher long-term maintenance costs
Kidani’s Solution: We help clients understand what each gauge means:
- 30G: Light-duty, best for temporary structures
- 28G: Standard residential use
- 26G: Ideal for commercial or exposed areas
- 24G: Heavy-duty, industrial or extreme weather zones
Our team recommends the right gauge based on your structure, location, and budget.
2. Ignoring Environmental Conditions
The Mistake: Not considering local weather when selecting roofing material or finish. For example, using galvanized sheets near the coast where salt air accelerates corrosion.
The Impact:
- Rapid rusting
- Heat build-up inside buildings
- Incompatibility with rainwater harvesting
Kidani’s Solution: We offer Aluzinc-coated and color-coated mabati designed to resist corrosion and reflect solar heat. Our customer advisors will:
- Recommend reflective matte finishes for hot climates
- Suggest Aluzinc for high-humidity or coastal areas
- Provide safe options for rainwater harvesting
3. Choosing the Wrong Profile for the Building Type
The Mistake: Using a corrugated profile on a modern architectural home or picking a tile profile for a warehouse, based solely on appearance or cost.
The Impact:
- Mismatch with overall design
- Poor structural performance
- Reduced resale value
Kidani’s Solution: We match your needs with the right profile:
- Box Profile: Great for commercial and modern homes
- Tile Profile: Elegant, ideal for residential bungalows
- Corrugated: Budget-friendly, good for rural or temporary buildings
- Zigtile: Stylish and bold for unique architecture
- Prime Profile: Premium, high-strength with sleek design
Our showroom and website provide side-by-side comparisons and sample displays to help you visualize your options.
4. Underestimating the Importance of Accessories
The Mistake: Skipping essential roofing accessories like ridge caps, gutters, valley trays, or using non-matching alternatives from different suppliers.
The Impact:
- Leaks at joints and corners
- Poor water drainage and overflow
- Reduced lifespan of roofing system
Kidani’s Solution: We provide a full ecosystem of matching accessories for every roof:
- Ridge caps to seal the top join
- Valley trays for seamless corner drainage
- Gutters and downpipes for water flow
- Flashing for junctions and vents
All accessories are color-matched and profiled for compatibility with your chosen mabati, simplifying installation and improving performance.
5. Overlooking Proper Measurements and Overlap Calculations
The Mistake: Estimating sheet quantities without factoring in proper overlaps or accounting for slope, leading to material shortages or excess waste.
The Impact:
- Budget overruns
- Project delays
- Poor water-shedding leading to leaks
Kidani’s Solution: Our team provides free measurement assistance and calculates the effective cover width of each profile. We ensure you get the exact number of sheets required for your roof dimensions and slope.
We also cut sheets to your custom length, minimizing on-site waste and trimming.
6. Using Untrained or Unfamiliar Installers
The Mistake: Hiring cheap labor or fundis unfamiliar with the specific mabati profile, gauge, or fastener system.
The Impact:
- Improper alignment of sheets
- Under-tightened or overdriven screws
- Damage to coatings during handling
Kidani’s Solution: We work with a network of trained roofing installers across Kenya. When you purchase from us, we can refer you to experienced contractors who:
- Understand our products
- Follow best practices
- Deliver neat, professional results
7. Ignoring the Finish (Matte vs. Glossy)
The Mistake: Choosing finish purely based on appearance without understanding the practical differences.
The Impact:
- High glare from glossy roofs in sunny areas
- Fading colors over time
- Poor aesthetic match with building design
Kidani’s Solution: We guide customers on finish selection:
- Glossy: More affordable, brighter, easier to clean
- Matte: Premium look, better dust masking, low glare
We also provide sample swatches and showcase installed projects so you can make confident aesthetic choices.
8. Buying from Multiple Suppliers
The Mistake: Sourcing mabati from one vendor and accessories from another to save a few shillings.
The Impact:
- Mismatched colors and profiles
- Delays in coordinating deliveries
- No single point of responsibility if issues arise
Kidani’s Solution: As a one-stop roofing solution, Kidani provides:
- Roofing sheets
- Matching accessories
- Packaging
- Transport
- Technical support
This ensures consistency, accountability, and ease of communication throughout your project.
9. Not Asking for a Warranty or Quality Certification
The Mistake: Assuming all mabati is the same and failing to verify certifications, leading to purchase of low-quality or counterfeit material.
The Impact:
- Early rusting and failure
- No support when problems occur
- Financial losses due to replacements
Kidani’s Solution: Every Kidani Mabati product comes with:
- A quality certificate detailing material specs
- Batch tracking for traceability
- Warranty coverage for genuine sheets
We educate customers on how to spot counterfeit products and provide verification tools on request.
10. Not Considering Long-Term Costs
The Mistake: Going for the cheapest option available without calculating the full lifecycle cost (repairs, repainting, early replacement).
The Impact:
- Higher cumulative cost over 5–10 years
- Stress from frequent issues
- Lower property value
Kidani’s Solution: We help customers calculate total cost of ownership, showing how investing in better coatings or slightly thicker gauges results in significant savings over time.
For example, upgrading from 30G to 28G may cost KES 5,000 more on purchase but save KES 20,000 in repairs and repainting in five years.
How Kidani Helps You Get Roofing Right — Every Time
When you choose Kidani Mabati, you’re not just buying roofing sheets. You’re getting a partner who walks with you from consultation to installation:
- Pre-purchase consultation: Free advice on profile, gauge, finish, and accessories
- Factory showroom: Visual displays and in-person guidance
- Precision cutting: Custom lengths based on your design
- Nationwide delivery: Timely and safe transport
- Installation support: Trained fundi referrals on request
- After-sales care: Technical help, warranty service, and quality assurance
Final Thoughts: Build Smart, Roof Confidently
Your roof protects everything underneath it—your family, business, or legacy. Cutting corners or rushing decisions can cost you far more down the line.
Avoiding these common roofing mistakes isn’t about spending more—it’s about spending wisely. With the right materials, expert guidance, and a trusted partner like Kidani Mabati, you can build with confidence.
Need Help With Your Roofing Project?
Let’s do it right the first time.
📞 Call us today
📧 Email us for a quote or consultation
🌐 Visit www.kidanimabati.co.ke to explore profiles, finishes, and accessories
Kidani Mabati — Your Roof. Done Right.
