COLORBOND® Roofing in Sydney
Australians are a people who take great pride in their homes. Just take a look at the classic Australian film ‘The Castle’ to understand how people feel about their family homes.
Sydney, in particular, is a beautiful place to live. One of the most popular cities in Australia, Sydney is a cultural mecca with many sprawling suburbs.
Recently, the cost of housing has flown through the roof, with an oversupply of people desperate and hungry to get into the local property market.
Because of that, many older homes are being bought for renovating purposes, and new land is continuing to sell like hotcakes.
This means there are many families throughout Sydney looking either to update or build their homes in order to enjoy the beautiful lifestyle that comes with living in Sydney and in one of Australia’s hottest regions.
No matter where you live in Sydney, across Sydney’s west, Sydney’s south, or based in the Sydney north shore beach suburbs, building a home that’s designed to last against the elements requires careful consideration of the building materials available to you.
Making the best choice for your home’s needs is a crucial part of the build process, or choosing suitable materials for any roof replacements or home improvement work required.
Sydney homes need to withstand the extreme ranges of temperatures and weather conditions Australia is known for – everything from sweltering heat waves to powerful and unrelenting summer storms.
Hail, as well, is not uncommon during storm season, so having a home that’s designed to stand strong throughout these various environmental extremes is key.
There are many elements that require attention when it comes to home maintenance and upkeep.
Especially with rising real estate prices across Sydney and indeed, the country, it’s crucial to keep property investments, whether it’s the family home or a secondary property, in best working order.
Many people will choose at some stage to replace their existing roof or will be faced with the choice about which roof is best when building a new home from the ground up.
As roofs protect the home, investing in a roof that will provide reliable security and safety for yourself and your family for many years to come is important.
It stands strong against the environmental elements day in, day out, guarding over you while you sleep and over your family as they live their lives – it’s no small decision to make!
There are many factors to take into consideration when it comes to how to choose the right roofing material for your home’s needs, whether as its first roof from construction phase or as a replacement roof if your home needs an update.
When building a home in the Sydney region, it’s also key to making a decision regarding roof material durability that takes into account very real considerations such as Sydney’s weather patterns and the kind of natural elements the roof will need to withstand throughout each year.
Sydney is known both for its extremely hot weather at times and also its wild summer storms, where buildings take a heavy lashing.
Ensuring your roof is designed to withstand these elements without risk of damage is crucial.
As well, those living in any northern Sydney beach suburbs need to take into account the salt levels in the air that can cause structural damage if not addressed – there are a number of very real and practical considerations to go into the mix when choosing your roof material to make sure you’re getting the most value for your investment and a sound structure that will hold fast for many years to come.
throughout Sydney that will, through the course of a single year, stand through heat waves, extreme storms, potential hail, and strong winds.
Australian homes require strength and versatility, and COLORBOND® steel offers the best of both worlds at an attractive price.
Correct COLORBOND® Roof Installation
Australians are enthusiasts when it comes to home DIY jobs. Just take a look at the reality TV programs that find their way into the average lounge room on a weekday night – we’re optimistic when it comes to picking up the tools and finding the correct way to make or fix something ourselves.
Unfortunately, for many of us who just aren’t gifted in the DIY department, this can all too easily end up causing more pain than it’s worth – and can also cost more money, in the long run, trying to fix the problems the DIY job began!
COLORBOND® roofs are one area where it’s absolutely best to leave installation to a roofing professional. Correct installation will ensure your COLORBOND® roof provides the best natural insulation to your home as possible and will set your roof up for a long and happy life.
Failure to understand the correct way to lay the steel, install it and check for any issues can lead to more problems than it’s worth.
By engaging a roofing professional in installing your COLORBOND® roof, you’re able to guarantee it will be installed safely, in a timely manner, and by following the correct procedures.
There are many safety considerations to be taken into account when installing a roof, and it’s not worth the time and energy it would require you to learn the best procedures required for a safe and successful install.
Instead, hire someone you can trust, sit down with a cup of tea, and relax while the work is done – or better yet if you live near Sydney’s north shore, head down to the beach knowing your home is in good hands!
Recap
To recap, there are many advantages that come with the choice to install a COLORBOND® roof for your Sydney home.
Although there are other roofing options available on the market as far as materials, such as concrete or terra cotta tiles, no other option offers the same peace of mind and longevity when it comes to the guaranteed lifespan and ease of use that comes with a Colorbond steel roof.
As well, there’s something beautiful about bringing such an iconic Australian building material into your home design.
COLORBOND® steel is iconic to Australia and allows for modern designs to harken back to the original early settlers who used the material to build their homes and shelters as they came to terms with their new Australian landscape.
This is particularly apt in Sydney, where so many of Australia’s first settlers made their homes!
The main benefits of the COLORBOND® steel roofs are…
Environmentally friendly – the process undertaken to create Colorbond steel is environmentally friendly, and their long age span makes them a strong contender for the environmentally conscious buyer.
Flexibility – both in terms of color and design, there’s a huge range of options when it comes to your COLORBOND® steel roof.
With 22
As well, COLORBOND® steel can be cut in a wide variety of manners, and can even be curved, creating a lot of options for architects who are looking to create depth and architectural interest in the homes they design.
COLORBOND® roofs suit all kinds of homes, from classic to modern and a wide range in between.
Powerful insulation abilities – the way the Colorbond steel is able to hold heat during winter and cool during summer will have a direct impact on energy consumption through the use of artificial air conditioning or heating. Colorbond roofs are superior in their insulation abilities than other roof materials.
Contemporary Design – COLORBOND® roofs are a cheaper alternative to terracotta or concrete tiles and also require less ongoing maintenance, bringing both the initial and ongoing costs down to an attractive level when compared to their direct roofing material competition
Long lasting – due to the lightweight material specifically designed to endure both extreme weather conditions and the test of time, COLORBOND® roofs provide a long-lasting roof solution that can maintain quality through whatever the Australian weather decides to throw at it.
In order to make a decision about the best type of roofing material to install your new roof or as a roof repair, you’ll need to be aware of the full range available to you. Roof types include…
Concrete Tiles – concrete tiles are a popular roof tiling material in Australia and throughout Sydney’s suburbs.
This is a very durable product that can last up to 50 years in many cases.
This kind of lifespan makes the overall value much more attractive, as the roof’s durability will give a better overall cost-to-value ratio over the course of numerous decades.
Concrete tiles are a strong option in their ability to reduce energy consumption due to their ability to maintain and control the home’s internal temperature.
However, concrete tiles are porous, so paint does not infiltrate as deeply as it does on other roofing materials.
This means paint jobs and touch ups will be needed more often than they would for other material, which can add to the overall costs in the long run and require more time, energy and resources in order to keep the roof looking its best.
This is a key consideration for people looking for a low-maintenance roof, which is often the case for younger buyers who aren’t looking to invest too much ongoing time into the upkeep of their property.
This kind of lifespan makes the overall value much more attractive, as the roof’s durability will give a better overall cost-to-value ratio over the course of numerous decades.
Concrete tiles are a strong option in their ability to reduce energy consumption due to their ability to maintain and control the home’s internal temperature. However, concrete tiles are porous, so paint does not infiltrate as deeply as it does on other roofing materials.
This means paint jobs and touch ups will be needed more often than they would for other material, which can add to the overall costs in the long run and require more time, energy and resources in order to keep the roof looking its best.
This is a key consideration for people looking for a low-maintenance roof, which is often the case for younger buyers who aren’t looking to invest too much ongoing time into the upkeep of their property.
Concrete tiles are a strong option in their ability to reduce energy consumption due to their ability to maintain and control the home’s internal temperature.
However, concrete tiles are porous, so paint does not infiltrate as deeply as it does on other roofing materials.
This means paint jobs and touch ups will be needed more often than they would for other material, which can add to the overall costs in the long run and require more time, energy and resources in order to keep the roof looking its best.
This is a key consideration for people looking for a low-maintenance roof, which is often the case for younger buyers who aren’t looking to invest too much ongoing time into the upkeep of their property.
Terracotta tiles – terracotta tiles are made from a natural clay and are a very popular type of tile when it comes to Australian roofing materials.
They’re a compelling choice because of their energy efficiency and their vast array of options in both their colouring and their profiles.
However, they are a more expensive upfront option than concrete tiles, but it’s worth considering the fact that they’ll require less touch-up paint work than concrete tiles will over the course of time.
Terracotta tiles are able to minimise temperature fluctuations because of their natural density, so are able to work with the Sydney weather to keep homes cool during summer and warm during winter, therefore reducing energy consumption and power bills as the weather changes and homes require more assistance in their heating and cooling.
Due to their clay nature, terracotta tiles are more at risk of getting damaged than concrete tiles or a Colorbond steel roof, so this is important to consider before making the decision to invest in a full terracotta roof.
COLORBOND® roofing – Colorbond roofs are an extremely popular roof type throughout Sydney and all of Australia due to many factors and has been in common use throughout Australia since as early as the late 1800s. Colorbond is a type of coated steel that brings with it many inherent advantages, including…
A wide range of colours – you’re not restricted to a small group of pre-defined shades, and instead, have a wide amount of flexibility when it comes to the colour of your new or replacement roof in order to best complement your home’s colour scheme and design aesthetics
Competitive costing – COLORBOND® roofs offer the same strengths as their competitor materials but are a cheaper alternative to terracotta or concrete tiles
Long lasting and lightweight COLORBOND® steel is a lightweight material designed to endure the test of time, merging the best of both scenarios.
It’s a reliable material that can withstand extreme temperatures and will remain strong through many different kinds of weather, including whatever the summer Sydney storms will choose to throw at it.
Its steel base means it’s highly resistant to the elements. As well, compared to a tiled system, where a single tile could come loose and cause many structural problems, Colorbond steel is laid in large, single strips, creating a stronger base overall than its tiled counterparts.
Longer lasting paintwork – when you choose the colour you’d like for your COLORBOND® roof, the color is then bonded directly to the steel metal.
This means you will not need to touch up your Colorbond roof at the same rate as you would a terracotta or concrete roof, saving you more money and time over the course of the roof’s lifespan.
The advanced paint technology used in the Colorbond steel finishing process means the paint finish resists peeling, chipping or cracking, increasing the lifespan of your roof’s paint job and giving you a better look that will last much longer than its competitors.
Insulation strengths – when installed properly, Colorbond roofs can save money over the entire lifespan of the roof, as they’re able to provide natural heating and cooling strengths to the home at a better success rate than that of other roofing materials.
This helps to keep costs down across the board, especially with the extreme heat of Australian summers and the temperatures Sydney reaches. Many people will reach for the air-conditioning control day after day, which leads to spikes in their electricity usage across the warmer months and an ugly increase on the price of their electricity bill when it lands.
By installing a Colorbond roof, you’ll be able to use natural design functions to both heat and cool your home as needed, with reliable insulation and strong design functions targeted to providing temperature support.
Less maintenance – COLORBOND® roofs require much less ongoing maintenance than other types of roofing, meaning your upfront time and energy investment allows you to ‘set and forget’ for the duration of the roof’s lifespan in other ways.
A decreased environmental footprint – given the way COLORBOND® steel is created, it’s a strong choice for buyers looking to source sustainable materials for use in the construction of their home.
It’s increased lifespan also adds to its strengths as a strong environmental choice.
Caring for your COLORBOND® roof
Even though your COLORBOND® roof will stand the test of time with more successful results than its competitors, proper maintenance will still be required from the homeowner to ensure the roof is kept in best working shape and also has the strongest aesthetic appeal.
One of the great things about a COLORBOND® roof is how easy it is to maintain it to keep it looking as spick and span as it did on the first day of installation.
With some simple tools and some elbow grease, the roof will look as good as new in no time.
Regular maintenance can also reduce the risk of any potential issues through erosion or debris damage, so it’s recommended that cleaning your roof becomes a part of your overall home care routine to achieve best results.
COLORBOND® roofs respond well to pressure washers.
These can either be hired from a local equipment hire store or bought at a relatively inexpensive price at any hardware store.
Given the frequency of storms in Sydney, have a pressure washer on hand is a great way to ensure you’re able to clean up your outside living and paved garden areas as well after the intense summer storm weather, when debris is common around homes.
To use a pressure cleaner on your COLORBOND® roof, begin at the peak of the roof and make your way down, driving the water down in a single direction.
You’re able to target mould, debris builds up and dirt with the pressure cleaner in a way that will leave your COLORBOND® roof looking brand new.
When washing, focus on your roof’s eaves, the fascia, and the gutters, as these areas will receive the least amount of natural rainfall and will require more water.
If you live in any of Sydney’s beach suburbs, it’s important to clean your COLORBOND® roof frequently to offset the risk of corrosion from marine salt in the air.
It’s also worth considering asking a roofing professional to check your COLORBOND® roof over once every year.
Although Colorbond steel is designed to weather the elements for many years without issue, it’s worth getting the opinion of a roofing specialist to confirm there are no small issues that could become big problems over the course of time.
Small instances like a rusty screw can be caught when the problem is still insignificant and any residual damage can be avoided.
One way to ensure your COLORBOND® roof remains free of debris is to trim any trees that are close by or that overhang onto the roof.
Sydney’s weather means rain and storms can be common during the wet seasons of the year, and harsh weather can loosen leaves and branches and cause a build-up of debris in gutters and eaves, which can lead to drainage problems and create potential overflows.
Whenever your roof has been through a heavy storm, it’s worth taking a look at your gutters to ensure they’re clear of debris and the natural direction of water flow can continue to run its course.
If you find your gutters are clogged, ensure you go about repairing them in a safety-conscious manner – use a ladder which is secured and have a second person on hand to pass you any tools you may require in the process.
Colorbond roof colour types
COLORBOND® roofs come in an extensive range of colours with pre-bonded paint, giving you a wide range of colours to choose from in order to find the perfect fit for your roofing needs.
Colours are divided into two groups – Classic and Contemporary.
In fact, each of the 22 colours available has been inspired by the colours of Australia, reflecting different elements of the Australian landscape.
For those looking to embrace an iconic colour palette for their new home in Sydney, the COLORBOND® range is a great way to bring the outside landscape into architectural design elements and choices.
The Classic range of COLORBOND® steel colours have been in use throughout Sydney and Australia since 1966, so their shades are iconic and recognisable to generations of Australian homeowners.
The new Contemporary colours present a wider variety with more subtle shades to allow you full control over your COLORBOND® roof finish and the overall aesthetic effect on your home.
No matter the colour was chosen, the COLORBOND® steel creation process will ensure your paint job will stand the test of time.
The steel base is designed to comply with Australian Standard AS1397, which is the highest quality grade available.
It’s then coated with a metallic coating that creates strong anti-corrosion properties and ensures the steel is safe against what the environmental elements will throw at it over decades.
After this, a pretreatment layer is applied which enhances the adhesions of further coatings.
The next step sees a polyester primer baked onto the surface, before a top coat of exterior grade lead-free paint is baked on.
This paint has enhanced resistance to chipping, peeling and cracking and is an integral part of the Colorbond guarantee of a finish that can retain its look and quality for years.
This provides a wonderful solution for homes
Where did COLORBOND® Roofs come from?
If you look at classic Australian architecture, you’ll find corrugated iron has long been a popular building material due to its strength, its durability and its cost.
Some of the most iconic Australian buildings have corrugated iron roofs, and it’s a common material still used in many homes today.
It was first brought to Australia by John Lysaght in the mid-1800s after corrugated iron was first discovered in England.
Many of Australia’s early settlers adopted the material to create shelters from the extreme conditions of their new homeland due to its contrasting environment from the English temperatures they were used to.
It wasn’t until the 1950s when a Chicago-based company found a way to bond paint to a galvanized base.
This new technology was then brought to Australia, and it was in 1966, in Wollongong, when the first coil of Colorbond steel rolled off the painting line.
Since then, over six million tones of COLORBOND® steel have been produced, and now, nearly half of all new homes throughout Australia possess COLORBOND® roofs. At first, in 1966, there were only six Colorbond steel colours available.
Now, there are more than 22, creating a wide range of colours for customers to choose from for their building and construction needs.
These colours run the gamut of subtle vs. strong, dark vs. light, bright vs. plain, giving you many options to choose from.
COLORBOND® steel is used in a variety of manners beyond as a roofing material as well. Across Australia, 9 out of 10 newly built homes will have products made from COLORBOND® steel, whether it’s in their roofs, fences, walls, water tanks, sheds, carports, all the way down to the letterbox.
This extremely durable and affordable material is a staple in the Australian and Sydney building industries.
Why are COLORBOND® Roofs so popular in Sydney?
So what is it about this material that makes it such a popular material for so many different purposes?
Australians, in general, have a deep appreciation for coastal living, and if you take a look at where the Australian population is situated, it’s heavily concentrated all around the coast of the Australian continent.
The developers behind COLORBOND® steel have specifically been testing the material in scenarios where the harsh extremities of Australian environmental conditions are replicated.
In a country where there’s so much direct and often harsh direct sunlight, building materials need to be able to withstand ongoing heat and deal with large amounts of light in order to prove their durability.
Recently, COLORBOND® scientists chose six new steel colours, which were tested on hundreds of COLORBOND® steel panels over a four-year period.
One of the key focuses was each colour’s gloss retention ability, and the six new colours that were chosen reflect the colours that are best able to retain their original gloss under extreme heat and light conditions.
COLORBOND® roofs are extremely versatile.
You only need to spend some time looking through Sydney’s versatile suburbs, through its North Shore, Western Sydney or throughout some of Sydney’s southern suburbs to see that architectural design choices are highly varied, with homes ranging from ultra-modern to heritage-listed buildings.
COLORBOND® roofs allow for a wide range of architectural design elements to be embraced, and for the strengths of a modern building material to be utilised without losing design flexibility.
What can COLORBOND® steel be used for?
COLORBOND® steel has many uses. Although roofs are one of the most prominent, with over 50% of all new home builds in Australia choosing a COLORBOND® roof for installation, the versatility of this steel material sees it playing a crucial part as a building material throughout many different areas of a new home’s build.
These uses include…
Roofing – one of the most popular roofing materials throughout Sydney and Australia
Cladding – many people enjoy the architectural interest that’s added to a home through having COLORBOND® steel walls
Guttering and downpipes – over 80% of newly installed gutters throughout Australia are made from COLORBOND® steel
Fencing
Sheds and garages – given the versatility of COLORBOND® steel, it’s used to build sheds and garages in many different sizes, from the small backyard shed to industrial-level farm machinery sized sheds on commercial operations
COLORBOND® steel also offers a strong option to those who live in bushfire-prone regions around Australia. COLORBOND® steel offers an added layer of protection to your property, which has been proven by research from the CSIRO organisation which found that residential COLORBOND® steel boundary fencing offered ‘grater protection to people’s homes against bush fire than other alternative materials because of its non-combustibility’.
Whilst bushfires are not common throughout the Sydney region, this is a huge practical consideration for Australians living regionally in areas where scorching dry summers increase bushfire risks tenfold.
A COLORBOND® steel roof gives your home an added layer of protection in standing strong against flames, reducing your home’s fire hazard risks and providing an extra layer of safety for you and your family.
Questions to ask before the installation of your COLORBOND® roof
