If you’re looking for a reroofing specialist Melbourne has got you covered with Above and Beyond. In the midst of the climate change crisis of today’s world, we need to be sure that the physical roof over our heads will be robust enough to cope with the erratic weather conditions we often see here in Australia.
Australia’s harsher weather conditions have been prompting people to think carefully about their roofing solutions. It’s a good time to start considering reroofing your home so that you can be prepared, whether that’s for weathering storms or if you’re living in bushfire prone areas.
It’s no secret that we are big fans of COLORBOND® sheet metal as that’s our speciality, but there are numerous materials that you could opt for when reroofing your home. Here, we’ll give you a rundown of the pros and cons of different materials.
Material: Clay tiles
Pros: Clay tiles look great when new and fresh and their bold shape is always a stylish option for roofs. They can collect rainwater from your roof. They are durable and sturdy and also do not corrode.
Cons: Lose water tightness, crack easily and are not resistant to extreme winds. Not the best option for buildings in locations that experience extreme weather. Also vulnerable to hail (>30mm diam.) damage and need snow-stoppers. They are heavy and expensive, leading to higher costs in transportation. They also aren’t an environmentally friendly option as there are limited possibilities for recycling.
Material: Concrete tiles
Pros: Concrete tiles are good if you are wanting a material that doesn’t corrode, has low rain noise and is easy to replace in a run. These tiles can also collect rainwater from your roof.
Cons: Much like clay tiles, these are also heavy and require increased structural support. Not resistant to extreme winds and are vulnerable to hail (>30mm diam.) damage, with limited possibility for recycling and expensive to transport. Can crack over time, have minimum pitch and are only secured at one point in the top of the tile, which could lead to water getting in.
Material: Longrun steel (like corrugate)
Pros: This type of material is lightweight, is able to be cut and can be curved, and is available in a choice of colours and different substrates. They are easy to install with concealed clip fixing systems available. They can also collect rainwater and there are no joins from ridge to gutter.
Cons: Warranty – maximum 10 years. The entire old roof needs to be removed before a new one can be installed. Needs snow-stoppers and must avoid contact with other metals which could potentially lead to corrosion. The minimum roof pitch is 3°.
Material: Pressed steel tile
Pros: Lightweight, strong under high wind and resistant to hail as well as suitable for areas with temperature variation. It has 50 years durability and there’s no need for snow-stoppers. Easy to replace the roof without opening the whole roof up and you can also replace a tile in a run. The minimum roof pitch is 12° and it collects rainwater. Comes in a range of colours and is colour fast. It’s able to be cut and can easily be painted over.
Cons: Pressed steel tiles always require new battens and need to avoid contact with dissimilar metals.
Material: Fiber cement
Pros: By far the cheapest option, fiber cement is also lightweight and has a minimum roof pitch of 7°. It doesn’t need to require new battens.
Cons: Limited lifetime, needs snow-stoppers and is vulnerable to hail (>30mm diam.) damage. Complex roof shapes cannot be achieved. It is dangerous waste and therefore requires expensive disposal.
Material: Asphalt shingles
Pros: Asphalt shingles don’t corrode in salt air and have a distinctive look to them. You also have the possibility of overlayering.
Cons: Costly, high maintenance, limited lifetime. Not suitable for areas with large temperature variations. Can be blown off in high winds and is vulnerable to hail (>30mm diam.) damage. Loses glue adhesion over time and must be laid on a ply substrate.
