Start with the house, not the brochure
It is tempting to begin with colour charts and photos of other people's roofs. A better starting point is your own house: how it is built, how steep the roof is, where it sits, and how long you plan to stay.
Perth's housing stock gives a few clues. A great many double-brick homes from the 1960s through to the 1990s were built with concrete tile roofs, with terracotta on some. Newer homes, particularly in growth corridors, are more often finished in COLORBOND steel, frequently as low-pitch skillions. Older homes and sheds from the 1950s to the 1980s may still carry asbestos cement sheeting, which changes the job entirely.
Before you choose a replacement material, it is worth asking:
- What is the roof pitch? Tiles need a minimum pitch; low-slope roofs generally need steel.
- Is the frame in good condition, and was it designed for a heavy or light roof?
- How close are you to the ocean?
- Is the property in a bushfire-prone area?
- Do you want to match neighbouring homes or any estate guidelines?
The main options at a glance
| Material | Weight | Suits low pitch | Typical upkeep |
|---|---|---|---|
| COLORBOND steel | Light | Yes | Keep gutters clear, wash sheltered areas |
| Zincalume steel | Light | Yes | As above; watch for incompatible metals |
| Concrete tile | Heavy | No | Re-bedding and re-pointing of ridges over time |
| Terracotta tile | Heavy | No | Replace cracked tiles, maintain ridge capping |
| Polycarbonate | Very light | Yes | Clean regularly, suits outdoor areas only |
COLORBOND steel
COLORBOND steel by BlueScope is pre-painted steel sheeting, and it has become the default choice for many Perth re-roofs. It comes in long lengths, so there are fewer joins for water to find, and it is light enough that most existing frames handle it comfortably.
Lighter colours in the range use Thermatech solar-reflectance technology, which helps the roof reflect some of the summer sun. That matters in a city where long runs of very hot days are normal. Our guide to COLORBOND roof colours for Perth weather goes into colour choice in more detail.
The trade-offs are rain noise and heat transfer if the roof is poorly insulated, both of which are usually dealt with by a roof blanket underneath. Steel also depends heavily on correct installation: the right screws, compatible flashings and proper sealing at every penetration.
Zincalume
Zincalume is BlueScope's unpainted, metallic-coated steel. It has a bright, reflective finish that suits sheds, industrial-style homes and some rural properties. Like COLORBOND steel, it is light and fast to install.
The main caution is compatibility. Water running off lead flashings or copper pipes onto Zincalume can damage the coating, so your roofer needs to use materials that work with it. Some owners also find the glare from a bright metallic roof a concern for neighbours.
Concrete tiles
Concrete tiles cover a large share of Perth's suburbs, and for good reason. They are solid, fire-resistant, and their weight helps them sit tight in strong winter winds. A tile roof also has a lot of thermal mass, which slows down how quickly heat passes into the roof space.
Over time, though, the surface coating erodes and the tiles become more porous, which encourages moss and lichen in shadier spots. The mortar that holds the ridge capping in place cracks and needs re-bedding and re-pointing. Tiles can also crack if walked on carelessly. If your existing concrete tile roof is tired, it is worth weighing a restoration or partial repair against a full replacement; our roof replacement vs repair article explains how roofers usually make that call.
Terracotta tiles
Terracotta is fired clay, so its colour goes right through the tile rather than sitting on the surface. That means it tends to age gracefully and hold its look for a very long time. It suits heritage homes and character streets well.
It is also heavy and brittle. Repairs require matching tiles, which can be tricky with older profiles, and like concrete tile roofs, the ridge capping needs looking after. If you are replacing a terracotta roof with terracotta, the frame is usually fine; switching from steel to terracotta needs a check of the structure.
Polycarbonate and other specialty materials
Polycarbonate sheeting has its place over patios, carports and pergolas where you want light through the roof. It is not a main-roof material for a house. Our contractors also see other materials occasionally, but for most Perth homes the choice really comes down to steel or tile.
How Perth's conditions tip the balance
Summer heat and UV
Strong UV and long hot spells are tough on any roof. Colour and reflectance, plus what goes under the roof, often matter more than the material itself. Sarking, roof blankets and ceiling insulation all play a part, as covered in our guide to roof underlayment and insulation.
Winter wind and rain
Most of Perth's rain falls between May and September, often arriving with gusty cold fronts. Tiles rely on correct fixing and sound ridge capping; steel relies on correct screw spacing and flashing. Either can perform well if installed properly.
Coastal suburbs
Homes in places like Cottesloe, Scarborough or Fremantle catch salt-laden sea breezes. Steel near breaking surf needs a grade suited to severe marine conditions, and BlueScope publishes guidance on this. Ask your roofer which product suits your distance from the coast, and remember that fixings and flashings need to match the exposure as well.
Bushfire-prone areas
Parts of the Perth Hills and other fringe suburbs are mapped as bushfire-prone by DFES. New roofing work there may need to meet a Bushfire Attack Level under AS 3959, which can affect material choice, sarking, ember guards and gaps. Check with your local government before committing to a product.
Questions to ask before you decide
Once you have a shortlist, a roofer who has been up on your roof can help you test it. Useful questions include:
- Does my roof pitch suit the material I am considering?
- Will the existing battens and frame need work for this material?
- What underlay or insulation would you put beneath it?
- Which grade of steel, fixings and flashings suit my distance from the coast?
- Are there any bushfire, estate or local government requirements I should know about?
- What routine maintenance will this roof need over the years?
Clear, specific answers are a good sign. Vague ones are worth following up.
Weighing cost and lifespan
Material price is only part of the picture. Labour, the condition of the frame, access, and whether asbestos needs removing all shape the final figure. For a breakdown of what drives the price of a re-roof, see our roof replacement cost guide.
Lifespan is similar: a well-installed roof of almost any of these materials can last for decades, while a poorly installed one can fail early. Choosing a good contractor matters at least as much as choosing a material. We ask the contractors we work with to hold the registrations and insurance the job needs, and you should ask to see them before work starts.
Getting advice on your own roof
If you are still deciding between steel and tile, our COLORBOND vs tile roofing comparison goes deeper into that choice. When you are ready, Roofing Perth can arrange a free on-site quote from a local roofer who can look at your frame, pitch and location and tell you which materials make sense. Ask for a quote.