Colorbond vs Tile Roof

As you’ve realised – the roof is an essential part of every home. Any replacement or renovation plan needs the right consideration. Also, choosing between colorbond roofing and tile roofing is a decision that will need to be made by every homeowner. 

With that, you need the right advice when it comes to comparing colorbond vs tile roofs. If you have your own roof restoration or roof replacement experience, then you would be equipped with the appropriate knowledge to make the correct decision. However, for the majority of the population it can be quite confusing. Thus, it’s recommended to hire the service of a professional roofing contractor to help you choose what is best for your house.

Concrete tiles are the most popular roofs in houses across Australia. However recently, colorbond roofs have started to build their popularity. This is because many people believe that colorbond roofs are more dependable and durable than roof tile. (And good advertising too!)

The question many people ask — which is better between colorbond roofing and tile roofing?

Regardless of whether you want to replace an old roof or you are building a new roof, you need to choose the right one. Please read on for more information that can help you make the right choice.

Colorbond Steel 101

Colorbond steel is strong, secure, energy-efficient and durable. Many people in Australia have tried and tested the performance of colorbond roof and they know that the claim of lifelong performance and durability are real. Especially in Australia’s unique climate.

The colours can be mixed and matched based on the design of your fascia or downpipes. The colorbond steel was first introduced in 1966. Since then, the roof has continued to improve due to constant technological innovation.

Tiled Roof 101

Tile roofs historical roots can be traced back to its first usage across the Mediterranean. Known for their durability and beauty. Despite the heaviness of tiled roofs, they continue to be in high demand because they offer a traditional or classic appearance to any house. Tile roofs are great for tropical climates and places where there is occasional rain. 

Colorbond Roof vs Tile Roof

Colorbond roof and tiled roof both have their pros and cons. In terms of aesthetics – the design of your house may indicate whether you’ll get the tiled roof or colorbond roof. Most concrete roof tile or terracotta tiles offer a traditional look to old houses. Although colorbond materials were developed more recently, they offer solid roofing. 

1. Lifespan and Installation: Most organisations produce colorbond materials with 70 years warranty. However, a tile roof usually has a lifespan of 50 years.

In terms of roof leaks, it’s a common misconception that colorbond roofs do not leak – as they do not have ridges that are present in the tiled roof. From our experience – all roofs leak. Colorbond roofs are just more difficult to actually detect and resolve the cause of the leak.

The installation of colorbond roof is quite simple. While the tile takes more time to install and the process may become complex. However, as our team is heavily experienced in tile roofs, we would argue that the difference in installation time & complexity is irrelevant.

2. Maintenance: Colorbond roofs are easy to maintain in the long run. They have a stable surface and the roof painting work can be done without hassle. On the other hand, tiled roof restoration and maintenance can be a bit more tedious.

When working on a tile roof, a mistake from the DIY homeowner or even roof repair contractor could easily dislodge a tile, amongst other potential issues.

3. Flexibility: Due to its design, you can easily change the colour of colorbond roofs with just a single painting task. When completing a roof restoration, there are a variety of options a roofing expert can choose from with these types of roofs.

However, tiled roofs may offer little or no options. In the worst case – you may have to replace the whole tile roof to a different colour to achieve the look you want.

4. Insulation: The insulation of colorbond roof must have at least 55mm foil beneath it. This offers a blanket and will safeguard the house from heat produced by the sun. The blanket will provide condensation, acoustic and thermal protection from the outside. This is different from what tiled roofs offer.

A tile roof can be fixed without foil or thermal protection beneath them. Additionally, most of them require the use of heavy machinery and thick frames, and if not don’t correctly, may not offer the needed thermal protection for the whole house.

5. Water Collection:

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.

Pros & Cons of 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.

Pros & Cons of 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.

Making a Decision for Your Roof

There are many roofing companies that offer roof replacements services in Perth. If you choose to replace your tiled roof with colorbond rood, there are many roofing contractors that will be happy to help you. Same as vice versa.

Tile roofs that have not been decently maintained and have not been sealed may not last for a long period, especially if they are already 60-70 years old. Furthermore, there may be plenty of water stored underneath which can cause destruction to the shingles. This may lead to a leaky roof which is not good for the homeowner.

Essentially, it’s ideal for a homeowner to know which roof suits their specific needs. Reach out to a roofing professional today and get advice on the best roof material to use. 

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.