Roof painting and restoration in Sydney.

From the street, a tired roof is the first thing people notice: faded, patchy, black with lichen. But the real reason to look after it is what happens underneath. Cracked ridge pointing lets water into the roof space. Porous, unsealed tiles hold moisture. Rust on a metal roof only spreads. Painting the roof properly deals with all three, as long as the repairs are done first.

Which roofs can be painted

• Concrete tiles. These are the most common roof painting job in Sydney. Concrete tiles lose their surface coating over time and become porous. Once cleaned, repaired and sealed, they take a roof membrane very well.
• Colorbond and other metal roofs. Faded or chalky Colorbond can be repainted to refresh the colour. Older galvanised roofs with surface rust can be treated and coated, as long as the rust hasn’t eaten through the sheet.
• Terracotta tiles. Glazed terracotta usually shouldn’t be painted (see the FAQ below). Unglazed or previously painted terracotta can be.

If tiles are crumbling or metal sheets are rusted through, paint won’t fix the roof. We’ll tell you if that’s the case, rather than quote a recoat that won’t last.

How a tile roof is restored

1. Inspection. We check for broken or cracked tiles, loose ridge capping, failed pointing, and the condition of valleys and flashings.
2. High-pressure clean. This removes lichen, moss, dirt and the old chalky surface. Gutters are cleared of the run-off.
3. Drying. Tiles need to dry fully before anything is applied, which usually means a full day.
4. Repairs. Broken tiles are replaced, and loose ridge caps are re-bedded where needed.
5. Re-pointing. Ridge capping is re-pointed with flexible pointing compound, which handles the roof’s movement better than the old sand-and-cement mix.
6. Sealer or primer. This binds the porous tile surface so the topcoats adhere.
7. Two topcoats. A purpose-made roof membrane goes on in two full coats, usually sprayed, with edges and details done by brush.

How a metal roof is repainted

1. Wash. Dirt, salt and chalky old paint are removed.
2. Rust treatment. Rust spots are wire-brushed and treated, and any rusted-through screws are replaced.
3. Prime. A metal primer goes on bare and treated areas so the topcoat bonds.
4. Two topcoats. A roof paint made for metal is applied in two coats.

Choosing a roof colour

Lighter roof colours and solar-reflective roof coatings reflect more of the sun’s heat, which keeps the roof surface and the roof space cooler in a Sydney summer. Darker colours look sharp but run hotter and show fading sooner. If you’re in a strata scheme or a heritage area, check whether colour approval is required before you choose.

Roof painting prices in Sydney

The table below gives indicative ranges for a typical single-storey Sydney home. Steep pitches, two-storey access, large numbers of broken tiles and extensive rust treatment all add to the price, so ask for an itemised quote that lists the repairs separately from the coating.

For more background, read our guide on how to paint a roof. To arrange an inspection, send us your suburb and a few photos of the roof.