A Comprehensive Guide to Different Roofing Materials for Australian Homes

Choosing the Right Roofing Material

Australia's roofing market offers a wider range of materials than most homeowners realise. While Colorbond steel and concrete tiles dominate the residential market, there are several other options worth considering depending on your climate, budget, aesthetic preferences, and building requirements.

This guide covers every major roofing material available for Australian homes, with honest assessments of each option's strengths and weaknesses.

Colorbond Steel

Colorbond is BlueScope Steel's pre-painted steel product and is the most popular roofing material for new Australian homes. It consists of a high-tensile steel base with a Zincalume coating (aluminium-zinc alloy) and a multi-layer paint system.

Pros:

• Lightweight (5 to 7 kg per square metre)
• Excellent fire resistance - non-combustible and does not produce embers
• Wide colour range (22+ standard colours plus Matt range)
• Long manufacturer warranty (up to 36 years for steel, 25 years for paint)
• Low maintenance requirements
• Can be used at very low pitches (as low as 1 degree for some profiles)
• Good water collection surface for rainwater tanks

Cons:

• Noisier in rain and hail than heavier materials
• Dents under hail impact (cosmetic but permanent)
• Prone to condensation on underside in cold climates without proper ventilation
• Can be scratched during installation, leading to localised corrosion

Cost: $60 to $120 per square metre installed

Lifespan: 50 to 70 years with basic maintenance

Zincalume Steel

Zincalume is the unpainted version of what sits under Colorbond. The same steel substrate with the aluminium-zinc alloy coating, but without the paint finish. It has a distinctive silver metallic appearance.

Pros:

• Lower cost than Colorbond
• Same structural properties as Colorbond
• Good corrosion resistance
• Clean, industrial aesthetic that suits certain designs

Cons:

• No colour options - silver only
• Reflective surface can cause glare issues for neighbours
• Without the paint layer, some environments may see faster surface weathering
• Not suitable for enclosed areas where water runoff may contact other metals (risk of bi-metallic corrosion)

Cost: $45 to $90 per square metre installed

Lifespan: 40 to 60 years

Concrete Tiles

Concrete tiles are the most common tile type on Australian homes built from the 1960s onwards. They are made from a mix of cement, sand, and water, pressed into shape and cured.

Pros:

• Excellent thermal mass - natural temperature buffering
• Good sound insulation
• Individually replaceable
• Wide range of profiles and colours
• Relatively affordable upfront

Cons:

• Heavy (50 to 55 kg per square metre) - requires substantial framing
• Becomes porous with age, leading to freeze-thaw damage in cold climates like Canberra
• Requires periodic re-bedding and re-pointing of ridge caps
• Prone to moss and lichen growth
• Cracks under hail impact
• Cannot be used below approximately 15 degrees pitch

Cost: $50 to $100 per square metre installed

Lifespan: 30 to 50 years (less in harsh frost climates)

Terracotta Tiles

Terracotta tiles are made from natural clay, fired at high temperatures. They are a premium product with a distinctive warm colour and excellent longevity.

Pros:

• Exceptional lifespan - 50 to 75+ years
• Naturally non-porous when properly fired (better frost resistance than concrete)
• Beautiful, classic appearance that ages gracefully
• Retains colour better than concrete tiles - the colour goes through the entire tile
• Excellent thermal mass

Cons:

• Highest cost of common roofing materials
• Heavy (45 to 50 kg per square metre)
• Still requires periodic ridge cap maintenance
• Brittle - can crack under impact
• Limited profile and colour range compared to concrete

Cost: $80 to $140 per square metre installed

Lifespan: 50 to 75+ years

Polycarbonate and Fibreglass

Translucent roofing materials used primarily for pergolas, carports, skylights, and covered outdoor areas. Not typically used as the primary roof material for a house.

Pros:

• Allows natural light transmission
• Lightweight
• Available in various tints and profiles
• Relatively affordable for covered outdoor areas

Cons:

• Degrades under UV exposure over time (yellows and becomes brittle)
• Limited lifespan compared to steel or tile
• Poor thermal properties - very hot underneath in summer
• Noisy in rain and hail
• Can crack and discolour with age

Cost: $30 to $80 per square metre installed

Lifespan: 10 to 25 years depending on quality and UV exposure

Slate

Natural slate is a premium roofing material cut from stone. It is relatively rare in Australia but found on some heritage buildings and high-end homes.

Pros:

• Exceptionally long lifespan - 75 to 100+ years
• Beautiful natural appearance
• Non-combustible
• Extremely durable
• Low maintenance once installed

Cons:

• Very expensive - both material and specialist installation
• Extremely heavy (requires robust framing)
• Requires specialist tradespeople for installation and repair
• Limited availability in Australia
• Individual slates can crack under impact

Cost: $150 to $300+ per square metre installed

Lifespan: 75 to 100+ years

Asbestos Cement (Legacy Material)

Asbestos cement roofing (commonly known as "fibro") was widely used across Australia from the 1940s to the mid-1980s. It is no longer manufactured or installed, but many older homes still have asbestos roofing in place.

If your home has an asbestos cement roof, it is important to know that it is safe to leave in place if it is in good condition and undisturbed. However, it must never be cut, drilled, sanded, or broken, as this releases dangerous fibres. Removal must be carried out by licensed asbestos removalists under ACT WorkSafe regulations.

If your asbestos roof is deteriorating and needs replacement, this is often an ideal time to consider a tile-to-metal or fibro-to-Colorbond conversion. We can advise on the process and coordinate licensed asbestos removal as part of a re-roofing project.

Choosing the Right Material for Your Location

Climate should be a major factor in your material choice:

• Cold climates (Canberra, highlands): Metal is generally the best performer. Concrete tiles suffer from freeze-thaw damage. Terracotta handles cold well but at a premium price.
• Coastal areas: Colorbond Ultra is designed for severe marine environments. Standard Colorbond is fine beyond 1 km from the coast. Tiles perform well in coastal conditions.
• Bushfire zones: Metal roofing provides the best fire resistance. Tile is also non-combustible but is heavier.
• Hot, dry climates: Any material works, but lighter-coloured metal with good insulation provides the best energy efficiency.

Get Expert Material Advice

If you are building new or replacing your roof and want advice on the best material for your specific situation, book a free estimate with us. We work with all major roofing materials and can provide an honest recommendation based on your home, location, and budget. Call (02) 5133 5608 or book online. We cover all ACT suburbs, 7 days a week.