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There are usually two reasons one would be researching roofing materials: when building a new house, or when replacing an old roof. Sometimes the decision isn’t very straight forward. Other times, material selection is an easy choice. In Australia, the three most commonly used roofing materials are concrete tiles, terracotta tiles and Colorbond® steel. Here are the pros and cons of choosing each.
Concrete
Concrete tiles are the most widely used roofing material in Australia. Most new builds come standard with concrete tiles, which are available in a wide range of colours. Concrete is a strong material, used in many different applications besides roofing. Its strength is what makes it such a sought after building material and you obviously want a strong roof over your head to protect you and your family from the outside elements. One caveat with concrete tiles, however, is the obvious weight that a dense, hard material like concrete carries. Over time, this could contribute to the bowing of timber roof trusses and the eventual sagging of roofs on very old homes.
Terracotta
Terracotta was used early on in 20th century Australia and was the most common choice up until the 1960’s, when concrete tiles cemented themselves (pun fully intended) as Australia’s new top choice. Clay, the main component of terracotta tiles, is widely found in Queensland and Western Australia, and provided builders and homeowners with a reasonably strong foundation for their roof tiles. Like all materials, however, terracotta had its detractors. Terracotta tiles are relatively high maintenance, and they can crack or break if stood on or hit by debris. They also lack resistance to cold temperatures and moisture, making them not ideal for cold, wet climates.
Colorbond®
Australia has a long history of iron ore mining, which has made some Australian businesspeople incredibly rich. The largest company in Australia and the largest mining company in the world is BHP Group Limited (formerly know as BHP Billiton). This massive company owns many subsidiaries, one of which is BlueScope Steel, the manufacturer of Colorbond® steel products. Colorbond® is a galvanised steel with multiple layers, that has been specifically tested against Australian conditions, including fire testing. It is a strong, but lightweight material, that has lent itself well to a variety of uses, most notably fencing and roofing. It is extremely durable and can last for decades.
Keep these points in mind next time you have to decide which roofing material best suits your needs.
Top Glaze Roofing Systems® are a licensed and experienced roofing company that have been servicing Melbourne and its surrounding suburbs since 1987. To organise a professional assessor to come out and provide a free no obligation roof report and quote for all your roofing needs, call 1800 88 77 98 anytime.
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