If you are building a new home in the ACT or considering replacing your existing roof, one of the biggest decisions you will face is choosing between Colorbond steel and tiles (concrete or terracotta). Both have their advantages and drawbacks, and the right choice depends on your budget, your home's structure, your aesthetic preferences, and how you prioritise factors like maintenance and energy efficiency.
As Canberra roofers who work with both materials every day, here is our honest, detailed comparison to help you make the right decision.
Let us start with what most people want to know first - the price.
Colorbond roofing:
Tile roofing (concrete):
Tile roofing (terracotta):
Note that these are indicative ranges for the Canberra market. Actual costs vary based on roof complexity, pitch, access, and the specific products chosen.
Colorbond: BlueScope warranty covers the steel for up to 36 years against perforation by corrosion, and the paint finish for up to 25 years against fading. In practice, a well-installed Colorbond roof in Canberra should last 40 to 60 years with minimal maintenance. The main durability risks are hail denting (the steel is thin - 0.42mm to 0.48mm BMT) and scratching during installation or maintenance, which can lead to localised corrosion.
Concrete tiles: Typical lifespan of 30 to 50 years. Concrete tiles are extremely durable against impact but can become porous over time, especially in Canberra where repeated freeze-thaw cycles gradually degrade the surface. Once porous, they absorb water, which then freezes and causes cracking - a cycle that accelerates with each winter.
Terracotta tiles: The longest-lasting option, with lifespans often exceeding 50 to 75 years. Terracotta is naturally impervious to water absorption and handles Canberra's freeze-thaw cycles better than concrete. Many heritage homes in suburbs like Forrest, Griffith, and Reid still have their original terracotta roofs from the 1920s and 1930s.
This is where the two materials differ significantly:
Colorbond maintenance:
Tile roof maintenance:
Over a 30-year period, tile roof maintenance costs in Canberra typically total $5,000 to $15,000 more than Colorbond maintenance. This lifecycle cost is important to factor into your decision.
Canberra's climate is uniquely challenging, and each material responds differently:
Colorbond roofs absorb and conduct heat more readily than tiles. On a 40-degree Canberra day, a dark Colorbond roof can reach surface temperatures of 80 degrees or more. However, modern Colorbond colours like Surfmist and Shale Grey use Thermatech technology that reflects more solar radiation, significantly reducing heat transfer. Lighter colours are strongly recommended for Canberra homes.
Tile roofs have superior thermal mass - they absorb heat slowly during the day and release it slowly at night. This natural buffering effect means tile roofs generally result in cooler roof cavities during summer, which can reduce air conditioning costs.
Canberra experiences 50 to 80 frost days per year. Metal roofs handle frost well - the material is non-porous, so freeze-thaw cycles do not damage the sheeting itself. However, condensation on the underside of metal roofing is a common problem in winter (see our article on roof ventilation).
Concrete tiles are more vulnerable to frost. Water absorbed into porous tiles expands when it freezes, causing micro-cracking that worsens over successive winters. This is why so many Canberra tile roofs - particularly those in Tuggeranong and the southern suburbs where frost is most severe - show cracking and spalling after 20 to 30 years.
Both materials are vulnerable to hail, but in different ways. Colorbond dents but does not usually breach. Tiles can crack or shatter under large hailstones. After the 2020 Canberra hailstorm, we saw thousands of homes with hail damage to both metal and tile roofs. Tiles generally fared worse in terms of water ingress because cracked tiles allow water through immediately, while dented metal usually remains watertight.
Colorbond roofs are generally more wind-resistant because the large sheets are screwed directly to the purlins, creating a continuous sealed surface. Tile roofs can have individual tiles lifted by strong winds, especially if the clips or wire ties have corroded over time. That said, a well-installed tile roof with proper fixing clips meets all ACT wind loading requirements.
This matters more than most people realise:
That means a tile roof on a typical Canberra home weighs 8 to 10 tonnes, while a Colorbond roof weighs around 1 tonne. This weight difference matters for:
This is subjective, but worth discussing. Tile roofs - particularly terracotta - have a classic, textured look that suits many of Canberra's established suburbs. The heritage areas of inner Canberra (Forrest, Griffith, Yarralumla, Red Hill) are dominated by tile roofs, and a Colorbond roof can look out of place on certain home styles.
Modern Colorbond offers a wide colour range and a clean, contemporary aesthetic that works well with newer home designs. In developments like Denman Prospect, Whitlam, and Taylor, Colorbond dominates because it suits the modern architectural style.
If you currently have a tile roof and are considering switching to Colorbond, we specialise in tile-to-metal conversions across the ACT. The process involves removing the existing tiles, inspecting and upgrading the frame as needed, installing new sarking and insulation, and fitting the new Colorbond sheeting.
In the ACT, this work requires a Building Approval (BA) because you are changing the structural load on the building. We manage the entire approval process including the engineer's report, certifier sign-off, and builder documentation. Typical conversion costs range from $20,000 to $45,000 depending on roof size and complexity.
There is no universal right answer. But here is our general guidance for Canberra homeowners:
Whatever you choose, the most important factor is quality installation. A well-installed roof of any material will outperform a poorly installed one every time. If you would like advice specific to your home, book a free estimate or call us on (02) 5133 5608.
Roof ventilation is essential across every climate zone in Australia. From preventing condensation in the south to managing heat in the tropics, here is why ventilation matters and how to get it right.
Eco-friendly roofing solutions can reduce your carbon footprint, cut energy costs, and prepare your home for solar. Here is how sustainable roof restoration works in the Canberra context.
Choosing between metal and tile for your Canberra home? Here is a detailed, honest comparison of both options specifically tailored for the ACT climate and conditions.
Book a free estimate or call us for honest, no-obligation advice. We cover all ACT suburbs, 7 days a week.
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