Roof replacement and re-roofing in Adelaide

When it's time for a new roof

A new roof makes sense when tiles are cracking or crumbling across the whole roof, an iron roof has rusted through, the battens are failing, the roof is asbestos cement, or you're paying for repairs every year. It's also the time to straighten a sagging roofline, add sarking and insulation, and replace old gutters and fascia while the scaffolding is up.

Tile to Colorbond

Replacing a tiled roof with COLORBOND steel is one of the most common re-roofs in Adelaide. Steel is far lighter than concrete tiles, has far fewer joints for water to find its way through, and needs very little maintenance. There's a wide range of colours, and lighter colours reflect more of the summer heat. On older homes the roof frame may need some straightening or extra battens before the sheets go on, and that should be in the quote.

A new tiled roof

If you love the look of tiles, or the house is in a historic area where the roof needs to match the street, a new concrete or terracotta tile roof is still a good choice. Terracotta costs more but keeps its colour. A new tiled roof also gets new battens and sarking underneath.

Old asbestos roofs

Grey corrugated fibre-cement roofs on homes and sheds built before about 1990 often contain asbestos. Asbestos cement in good condition is low risk when it's left alone, but it shouldn't be walked on, cut, drilled or water-blasted, and old sheets can be brittle. Removing more than 10 square metres must be done by a SafeWork SA licensed asbestos removalist. Roofers who replace asbestos roofs either hold that licence or work with someone who does, and the quote should cover removal, disposal and a clearance certificate.

Near the coast

Salt air is hard on metal. BlueScope recommends COLORBOND Ultra steel for roofs roughly 100 to 200 metres from breaking surf and SUPERDURA Stainless steel within about 100 metres, with standard COLORBOND steel suiting most homes further back. Screws, flashings and gutters should be compatible with the sheets, or they will rust first.

In the Hills and other bushfire-prone areas

Steel and tiles don't burn, but embers get in through gaps. A new roof is the best chance to add sarking, seal the gaps at the ridges, valleys and eaves, and fit gutter guard. If your property has a bushfire attack level (BAL) rating, ask the roofer how it affects the materials.

Gutters, downpipes and fascia

Old gutters are often rusted or too small for a summer downpour. Replacing them with the roof saves paying for access a second time.

Coastal guidance: COLORBOND steel FAQ and BlueScope SUPERDURA Stainless steel. Asbestos: SafeWork SA and asbestos.sa.gov.au.