Roofing and cladding options compared
Roof and wall options compared on how they work, who they suit and what to watch out for.
This table compares types of roofing work and materials, not contractors or brands, and it does not show prices because they depend on your house, region and access. Use it to decide what kind of quote to ask for, then put rough numbers on the options with the re-roof cost estimator. Select a column header to sort, or filter the table by keyword.
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| Option | How it works | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tile roof restoration | Clean the tiles, replace broken ones, re-bed or re-point ridge capping, then often apply a coating | Concrete or terracotta roofs with sound tiles, battens and structure | Does not fix rotten battens, failed sarking or porous tiles; coatings are cosmetic and need recoating |
| Metal re-sheet over existing metal | Remove old sheets, check and refix battens, install new sheets, flashings and ridge | Rusted or leaking steel roofs on a sound frame | Gutters, valleys and flashings are often extra; fixings must suit the wind classification |
| Tile to steel (Colorbond-style) | Remove tiles and possibly battens, add sarking or insulation blanket, install pre-painted steel sheets | Lighter roof load, fewer joints, suits low pitches and bushfire or cyclone upgrades | Tie-downs may need upgrading; a heritage overlay may require approval to change the material |
| Concrete tile re-roof | Strip and replace with new concrete tiles on new or existing battens | Keeping a tiled look at lower cost than terracotta | Heavy: the frame must carry the load; tiles can be brittle with age |
| Terracotta tile re-roof | Strip and replace with new or reclaimed terracotta tiles | Heritage streetscapes and long-lived, colour-stable roofs | Higher material and labour cost; matching old profiles can be hard |
| Asbestos cement roof removal | Licensed removalist removes and disposes of asbestos sheets, then a new roof is installed | Pre-1990 fibro or corrugated asbestos cement roofs that are cracked or weathered | Removal over 10 m² needs a licence; never pressure-wash or sand asbestos sheets |
| Fibre cement wall cladding | Sheets or weatherboard planks fixed to the wall frame, then painted | Affordable, low-maintenance re-cladding of timber-framed houses | Needs correct sarking and flashing around openings; old fibro may be asbestos |
| Timber weatherboard | Timber boards fixed horizontally and painted or stained | Character homes and heritage areas | Higher maintenance; species and treatment must suit bushfire rating where applicable |
| Steel wall cladding | Pre-painted steel profile fixed to battens on the wall frame | Modern looks, bushfire-prone sites, low maintenance | Dents and thermal movement; detailing at corners and openings drives cost |
Product suitability depends on your site's bushfire attack level (AS 3959), wind classification (AS 4055 for houses) and the National Construction Code. Colorbond is a BlueScope trade mark for pre-painted steel; other pre-painted and unpainted steel products are also sold. Check the Australian Building Codes Board for the National Construction Code and your state regulator for licensing. Asbestos guidance: Safe Work Australia.