Which is better, Colorbond or tiled roofs?

Roofing is one of the most important things that a property needs. It helps protect our buildings from the elements, keeps us cool and dry inside during the hot Australian summers, and gives us an aesthetically pleasing, protective exterior.

Roofing systems come in many different styles, materials and designs. It’s important to ensure that you select the right one for your home and lifestyle. When you need to choose between a tiled roof and a Colorbond roof, it can be a tough decision. In this post, we will examine the pros and cons of both.

What is Colorbond roofing?

Colorbond roofing is a type of roof covering system that uses a combination of coloured synthetic resin and reinforcing fibres (glass, steel or polyester) that is applied to the top surface of the roof as a sheet or roll to give it a distinctive and durable look. Colorbond roofing is a tough and resilient building material that has been around for well over 100 years. In fact, Australia first developed it to protect their sheep from the harsh Australian sun!

What is tiled roofing?

Tiled roofing (or tile roofing) is a type of roofing system that consists of tiles, which are usually made of slate, clay or concrete. Tile roofing has a number of advantages over other types of roofs, including low cost, easy installation. Terracotta tiles range between a minimum of 12° and 25° depending on profile and sarking may be required at pitches greater than 20°.

Colorbond vs Tiled Roofing

Let’s find out if it really pays to use Colorbond or Tiled roofing! Here are some key facts about both:

Colorbond Roofing

• A new Colorbond roof costs around $20,000 plus GST.
• Re-roofing a Colorbond roof costs around $30,000 plus GST.
• Metal prices could be higher as demand is high and prices have increased since 2021.
• Colorbond roofing is a coated steel roofing material.
• Colorbond roofing lasts around 30 to 45 years.
• the average cost of installing a new Colorbond roof on an Australian home is $50 to $70 per square meter.
• Colorbond roofing is a lightweight, but also very strong material.
• It can endure intense winds, is termite resistant, and non combustible.
• It's also resistant to corrosion, chipping, peeling and cracking.

* Prices are based on a 350 square metre roof.

Tiled Roofing

• tiled roofs are produced from either concrete or clay.
• tiled roofs last up to 50 years.
• the price charged to supply and install Concrete roofing tiles ranges from $45 to $65 per square meter, while for terracotta roofing tiles, it ranges between $60 to $80 per square meter.
• A new tile roof costs around $25,000 plus GST.
• Re-roofing a tiled roof costs around $35,000 plus GST.

* Prices are based on a 350 square metre roof.

The most common type of roof in Australia is tiled roof. However, Colorbond roofing provides a long term solution to many problems. Roofing Australia’s research showed that the Colorbond roof was not only more durable, it was also cheaper to maintain over time. A traditional new tile roof can cost up to $30,000 to install. In addition, after a couple of years a tile roof may need a restoration or at least a jet spray clean. Tiles will lose colour over time. A Colorbond roof, on the other hand, is just as durable as a tile roof and only costs about $20,000 to install. It is also less expensive to repair than a tiled roof.