Metal Roof vs Tile Roof – Pros & Cons

You’ll find plenty of materials to choose from when it comes to covering your roof. But two of the most popular roofing materials in Australia are metal and tile. Each year a lot of homeowners and renovators in Australia ask themselves “metal roof or tile roof?”.

It’s an unending discussion as the latest advancements in roofing might change your mind every year. In fact, it’s one of the most challenging questions to answer as several different factors may attract your attention.

So, if you’re looking at having your roof replaced, here’s an unbiased thorough guide that gives you the close look at all the pros and cons of both metal/colorbond and tile roofs so that you can make an informed choice.

How does metal roofing compare with a tile roof?       

When it comes to the choice of roofing material, you should think about the longevity, durability, and performance of housing materials. Because after all, your roof is your home’s first line of defense against the scorching heat of the sun and heavy rainfall.

It is without a doubt that your choice of roofing material spells a huge difference in terms of comfort and safety it can provide to you and your family. Besides safety, you also tend to choose a material that matches well with your house’s architectural style and built.    

Metal Roofs

Over recent years, metal roofing has been sweeping the exterior design world and we have seen more and more metal roofs on both residential and commercial structures. Due to the flexibility of design, structure, and energy efficiency; metal roofs stack up well against tile roofs.

One of the biggest pros of metal or colorbond roofing over traditional concrete tile roof is its ability to collect massive quantities of rainwater to your storage tank. In contrast to metal roofing, concrete tile roofs are highly absorbent and your rainwater tank can easily be filled with dust and dirt. So, if you’re looking for some rainwater collection for gardening, livestock and other domestic uses; better go with metal/colorbond roofs.

If you’re looking for a lightweight roof so as to reduce your supporting frame cost, then colorbond / metal roofs are an ideal pick. Besides this, metal roofs are extremely resilient against termites and other harsh weather conditions. They’re much easier and safer to work with and you don’t have to worry against bushfires owing to its non-porous surface.

Because of advancements in roofing technology, colorbond and metal roofs are more energy efficient. They’re solar reflective and can considerably reduce your price for home’s cooling/heating bill.    

Although, a metal roof has the limitation of a traditional industrial flat appearance. But now with more advanced technologies, colorbond roofs can now mimic other roofing materials such as wood shake, asphalt shingles, and slate. Regardless, metal roofs don’t give homeowners and designers much leeway when it comes to exterior design.  

If you love the tipping sound of rain than metal roofs can be fun but in severe hailstorms, you can’t stay inside without fear. So, you may have to install additional soundproofing insulation. Another challenge for metal roofers is color matching. In case of repair or during home extension, it is extremely difficult to find an exact color match to the existing roof.

Please follow this link for our article which goes into more information on metal roof repairs, common problems, and tips & tricks.

Tile Roofs

Tile roofs have been around in Australian buildings for over centuries, so there’s no doubt that tile roofs stand the test of time while creating amazingly diverse looks. The tile roof has been so popular owing to the flexibility to change the color scheme, accent or texture of a structure. A tile roof can transform the entire exterior i.e. from modern to traditional at a drop of a dime. Due to its classic appearance, it is impossible for other sheet roofing products to duplicate them.

Tile roofs can be a bit more expensive. But if you’ve got a budget and are looking for serenity and tranquility; then tile roof can provide a great classic aesthetic to your home. For areas with exposure to salt air and hotter climates, a tile roof can withstand all such harsh conditions. One of the biggest pros of the tile roof is soundproofing and acoustic performance.

Although tile roofing has a reputation of being durable and long-lasting, there’s still a chance of breakage and damage due to heavy weight. Extreme weather can shift some tiles so you should do regular maintenance and upkeep. Due to difficult installation, tile roofing requires professional roofers that are experts in measuring lay and check for gaps or inconsistencies.  

If you take cost into consideration, concrete tiles are cost-effective to install. But factoring in the cost of future maintenance, it is higher for concrete tiles than colorbond roofs. However, weighing up the various pros and cons of roofing materials; it is entirely your personal preference to choose between the two.

Please follow this link for our article which goes into more information on tile roof repairs, common problems, and tips & tricks.

So, brainstorm your functional and aesthetic requirements and seek out a quote from an experienced roofing company to get the best possible solution for your next renovation project.

At Roof Repairs Perth WA, I have helped countless clients over the years with their roofing projects, so please feel free to contact us for more information.