Choosing the Perfect Roof Colour: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’ve just built a home! How do you decide on a roof colour? Whether you’re in the planning phase of colour decision-making or you want to sell up your property and give it some new life, it’s tough to choose a colour!

With the wide variety of roofing materials available from trusted Australian brands like COLORBOND® and BlueScope Steel, homeowners have access to a gorgeous colour palette. And if you’ve been unsure, this comprehensive guide will help you make an informed decision.

Why is Roof Colour Selection So Important?

The roof of your home changes the feel of your property, but why is it such a big choice?

• Energy efficiency and indoor temperature
• Compatibility with the home’s architectural style
• Weather resistance and suitability for Australian climates
• Longevity and maintenance requirements
• Property value and resale appeal

For example, many homes in Australia have dark roofs (grey or black), and although this blends into the landscape, they aren’t as good as keeping the temperature comfortable.

Black–or dark-coloured– surfaces absorb more heat energy than white or lighter coloured, and the undersurface of the roof pushes this heat into the roof cavity of the home.

Unless your property has excellent insulation, heat from the roof can move into living spaces through the ceiling. On hot days, it’s not uncommon for a poorly insulated home to be 50°C on a hot day. Why are dark roofs usually preferred?

• A dark roof works with surrounds, such as a lot of greenery
• Building industry trends, such as more modern designs for homes
• Local government councils may have restrictions on how light a roof colour can be

What Influences Roof Colour Choices?

Replacing an old roof? Your choice affects energy efficiency, curb appeal, maintenance, and even property value.

1. Energy Efficiency and Temperature Regulation

These are the absorption values for Energy Star Colours between 15% and 24% lower. These reduced absorption values of Energy Star will translate into a significantly lower temperature for the same colour.

Australia is known for its intense summer heat, and your roof can actually stabilise the temperature inside your home. For example:

• Light-coloured roofs reflect more sunlight, which keeps your home cooler.
• Dark-coloured roofs absorb heat, which is better for winter but can hike up cooling costs in summer.

According to BlueScope Steel, COLORBOND® roofing with Thermatech® technology enhances solar reflectance, reducing heat absorption regardless of the colour.

• For homeowners in warmer areas, choosing lighter shades like Surfmist®, Classic Cream®, or Shale Grey® can cut back the amount of heat absorbed, leading to lower air conditioning costs.
• In cooler climates, darker shades such as Monument®, Woodland Grey®, and Night Sky® can help retain warmth inside your home.

A 1°C drop in temperature can provide a 10% power saving and considerable power savings for property.

According to Science Direct, cool roofs with a solar reflectance of 0.85 can reduce up to 12% of the total annual energy needs in hot climates.

2. Architectural Styles

How does architectural design help you choose the right roof colour? It depends on what you’re looking for.

• Modern Homes: Dark, neutral shades like Monument® and Basalt® create a sleek, contemporary look.
• Coastal Homes: Light, breezy tones such as Surfmist®, Windspray®, and Dune®.
• Traditional Homes: Classic shades like Manor Red®, Cottage Green®, or Paperbark®.
• Hamptons-Style Homes: Soft greys and whites, such as Shale Grey® and Evening Haze®.

Does your home have any permanent fixtures? You want your roof colour to look good with them. Ideally, you’re better off replacing these with COLORBOND® steel–gutters and downpipes (made from COLORBOND®) match completely.

If your home is beige or cream, you can choose black, grey, brown or blue for your roof. And if you have a white home, generally, any roof colour will go with it.

3. Climate Variability

Do you live near Melbourne CBD or a bit outside the city in a more rural area? This will impact your colour choice.

• Hotter Climates such as Queensland and Northern Territory: Lighter colours with high solar reflectance will help keep interiors cool.
• Colder Climates such as Tasmania and Victoria: Darker shades can assist with heat retention.
• Coastal Areas: Salt-resistant, corrosion-resistant roofing with a neutral or light colour reduces maintenance.
• Bushfire-Prone Zones: Homes in fire-prone areas must meet BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) requirements, which may affect colour choices.

For example, COLORBOND® roofing is designed to withstand Australia’s climate, offering durability and protection from harsh weather conditions.

4. Local Council and Estate Guidelines

Some neighbourhoods and estates have restrictions on roof colours, so keep this in mind.

• Heritage-listed homes may require traditional colour palettes.
• New estates often have design covenants to prevent extreme colour contrasts.
• Some councils regulate roof colour choices to prevent glare from affecting neighbours.

For example, the Building Code of Australia (BCA) classifies colours as light, medium, and dark on the basis of their solar absorptance. (Light colour SA – < 0.35 Medium colour SA – 0.35 – 0.55 Dark colour SA – > 0.5)

Always check with your local council or building regulations before finalising your roof colour.

If you’re about to build a home or are exploring the property market, it can be overwhelming tossing up different roofing materials, just as much as colour. Check out our beginner’s guide to understanding different roofing materials!

5. Property Resale Value and Market Appeal

If you plan to sell your home in the future, neutral and timeless roof colours are the safest choice.

• Overly bold or trendy colours might date quickly and reduce buyer interest.
• Classic tones like Surfmist®, Monument®, and Shale Grey® appeal to a wide range of buyers.
• A cohesive colour scheme between the roof, walls, and landscaping can add value to your home.

6. Roof Material and Finish

The type of roofing material also influences how colours appear and perform.

• COLORBOND® steel: Available in various shades, COLORBOND® is thermally efficient, non-corrosive, customisable, and lasts decades.
• Tile Roofing: Clay and concrete tiles have natural colour variations and tend to be bulkier.
• Metal Roofing: Sleek and modern but can show colour variations due to light reflection.

COLORBOND® steel has been consistently tested for over 50 years, is beautiful to look at, and performs well in all Australian climates and weather conditions.

Do you want to learn more about COLORBOND® steel roofing and how it can revive your property? Have a read of COLORBOND® Roofing and what you need to know!

COLORBOND® Colours: Core Colours

With 22 pale, mid, and deep-toned COLORBOND® colours and six colours in a premium Matt finish, you can enjoy the process of discovering the perfect colour scheme and design palette for your property.

Classic Finish Options

Matt Finish Options

When selecting a COLORBOND® colour, it’s beneficial to view swatches in natural light and compare them against your home’s exterior materials. Don’t just pick a colour by how it looks online!

COLORBOND® Steel in a Classic Finish

Able to weather the unique Australian land, COLORBOND® steel in a Classic finish provides a low-sheen aesthetic celebrated in striking architecture.

COLORBOND® Steel in a Matt finish

Soft in appearance yet durable and strong, COLORBOND® steel in a Matt finish beautifully diffuses light for a textured designer appearance that can elevate the material palette of your home’s facade.

Whether you’re keen on lighter colours or mid-tones, Xclusive Roofing supports roofing projects in Cranbourne, Dandenong, Berwick, Narre Warren, Mount Martha, Brighton, Bentleigh, St Kilda, and across Melbourne!

Need Roof Restoration For Your Melbourne Home? Call Xclusive Roofing!

Do you want to make your home cooler in summer? It’s time to change your roof colour to a lighter one, and if you’re keen on COLORBOND® Steel Roofing for a change, Xclusive Roofing can help.

From repairs to custom made flashing, gutter replacements and roof restorations, we help you pick the best colour for your commercial or residential property.

Contact us today by calling 03 5978 6473, email quotes@xclusiveroofing.com.au or visit our store in Cranbourne! Explore our range of services and discover why countless homeowners choose us for their roofing needs.

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