Colorbond vs Tile Roof Paint in Newcastle
A Colorbond roof and a concrete tile roof each take their own paint system.
Metal needs its rust treated and a primer that grips steel. Tile needs a deep clean and a sealer that soaks into the tile. This guide explains each system and how the jobs differ in time and cost.
Got more than one job in mind?
Plenty of Newcastle homes need a couple of things done at once, like interior and exterior, or a roof and gutters together. We quote it as one job, so you get one clear written price from your local painter in Newcastle.
Which paint goes on a Colorbond roof and which on a tile roof?
A Colorbond or metal roof gets rust treatment, a corrosion-inhibiting primer and a flexible topcoat that moves with the metal as it heats and cools through the day. The topcoat also has to stand up to strong sun without going chalky.
A concrete tile roof gets a biocide wash to kill moss and lichen, then a sealer or tile primer that soaks into the porous tile, then topcoats that build a protective layer across the whole roof. Both roofs finish with two topcoats over the right primer, and Newcastle roofs get UV-rated, often heat-reflective, products.
How is a Colorbond roof prepared?
Colorbond is steel with a baked-on factory finish. Over the years that finish goes chalky, and rust starts at the screws, the overlapping sheet edges and the ridge capping. The roof is washed to remove the chalky layer and dirt, every rust spot is wire-brushed or treated, and primer goes on before the topcoats. The full service is on the Colorbond roof painting page.
Surface rust can be treated and painted. Rust that has eaten through the metal, leaving holes or flaking sheets, means those sheets need replacing, and that is raised at the inspection before any price is set.
How is a tile roof prepared?
A tile roof starts with a high-pressure wash to strip moss, lichen, dirt and loose old coating, and a biocide treatment so the growth does not come back under the paint. Broken tiles are replaced and ridge caps are re-bedded where the mortar has cracked. Ridge caps are the curved tiles along the top of the roof. The full job is on the tile roof restoration page.
Once the roof is clean, dry and repaired, the sealer or tile primer goes on, followed by the topcoats.
Which roof costs more to paint?
Size, pitch, height, access and the roof's condition set the price for both. A tile roof often has more repair work in the scope, such as broken tiles and ridge capping, so a full tile restoration usually takes longer than a straight Colorbond repaint, which on a standard home takes a couple of days. What changes the price is explained in the roof painting cost guide.
Every repair and coat is listed separately in the written quote, so you can see what the price covers.
Can I change the colour of my roof?
Yes. Both systems come in a range of colours, and a colour change is part of the same job. Lighter colours reflect more of the sun's heat, and heat-reflective coatings take some heat off the roof space in summer.
I am Jye Hughes, based in Edgeworth, with NSW painter-decorator licence 476719C. Send a photo of your roof and your suburb, and I will tell you which system it needs in a written quote.
What Customers Say on Google
"Jye Hughes painted the exterior of my home (render, panels, wood battens) a month ago. It was a challenging job, with half of the house at two stories, and limited access - but he delivered without a problem. He was meticulous in cleaning and preparation and the execution was thorough, speedy, reliable and absolutely professional. The end result was outstanding and his price was very competitive. I have no hesitation in recommending him for any painting job, and will go to him first for any future work."
"Jye painted my house, and I couldn't be happier with the result. He was professional, on time, and very respectful throughout the entire process. The quality of his work was outstanding, and he made sure everything was cleaned up afterwards. Something not all tradespeople take care of. I would highly recommend Jye to anyone looking for painting or similar work."
Questions about colorbond vs tile roof paint in Newcastle
What is the best paint for a Colorbond roof?
A metal roof system: rust treatment where needed, a corrosion-inhibiting primer and a flexible, UV-rated topcoat. The preparation under the topcoat decides how long it lasts.
Can a concrete tile roof be painted?
Yes. Most sound tile roofs are cleaned, repaired and coated. The roof is washed, treated for moss, broken tiles are replaced and ridge caps re-bedded, then a sealer and topcoats go on.
Is painting a metal roof different from painting a tile roof?
Yes. Metal is about treating rust and priming the steel. Tile is about washing back years of growth and sealing the porous surface. The primer, the preparation and the time on the roof all change.
Does roof colour change how hot the house gets?
It can. Lighter colours reflect more of the sun's heat, and heat-reflective coatings are made to take some heat off the roof space. The coating options for your roof are listed in the quote.
How long does each roof take to paint?
A straight Colorbond repaint on a standard home takes a couple of days. A tile roof restoration with repairs takes longer, depending on the roof's condition and the weather. The timeline is set in the written quote.
Other painting work we do in Newcastle
Where is Hughesys Painting?
We're based at 23 Nott St, Edgeworth NSW 2285, and paint across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.
Ready for your free colorbond vs tile roof paint quote?
Tell us about the job. We visit the property, check every surface, and get a written number back to you. The quote is free, and the decision stays yours.