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Personally, I don't like the look of colorbond. We'll have tiles, we were offered colorbond as a special upgrade for "only" $1,000 (normally about $2,000 more than tiles with our builder), but we didn't want it. I'm not sure if roof colorbond is made the same was as colorbond fencing, but what about hail damage? I'd be worried about dents in the roof with colorbond. Also, I wouldn't want to feel like I was living in a tin shed when it's raining. Just my 2c.
Fair enough.. Although you realise that tiles will suffer WELL BEFORE a colorbond roof will. Tiles are not a great idea in Australian conditions. They are terribly impractical, hold the heat in summer, require a lot more maintenance, fade, crack, if (or more accurately when) the sealant fails you'll have leaking, colour fades. They are also very, very heavy and put unnecessary stress on the house.
I do understand that some people prefer the look of tiles, personally I'm a fan of the modern or contemporary style, so much prefer a colorbond roof. Not to mention the 'green' advantage. Colorbond reflects heat and cools down extremely fast once the sun goes down. Plus it's a reusable product, which requires less energy to manufacture.
Well, I know our house will have trusses to deal with the weight of the tiles. Also, I think what a lot of people forget is that when they say they've had tiles for 20 years and they were horrible, those are 20 year old tiles. New tiles are a lot better and made to withstand this sort of stuff, which is why you hear of people who have had their tiles for 4-5 years say they haven't had anywhere near as many problems. Just my 2c. It's an individual choice, and to each their own.
Saint Mike, unfortunately, I do think CB will date. That's another reason why we chose tiles, it's classic and timeless.
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I have read that with a CB roof, it can greatly reduce your mobile phone reception (whilst you are in the house)
Really???
have never noticed any difference whatsoever in mobile phone reception when in my CB roof home compared to anywhere else.
Hey guys, first post! Looking at building in the next few years so getting a head start on all the ins and outs..
Anyway, in relation to tiles vs colourbond, as an ex-insurance claims specialist colourbond is definitely the way to go.
Most insurance policies will only cover the actual damage to your roof. So if tiles, only the cracked/broken tiles will be replaced. You may also receive a 'matching' benefit of around $750 (haven't seen higher) depending on the insurer you are with. Countless times during the big Melbourne and Perth hailstorms of a few years ago clients were having mismatching tiles replaced and roofs looked ugly because the same tiles weren't available, or if they were available clients couldn't afford to replace the undamaged tiles etc.
With colourbond we didn't hear of any issues as if there's a hailstorm most sheets will be dented; even if a sheet only has one dent the insurer is liable to replace it, so essentially you're getting a whole new roof.
Not the only thing to consider I know, but I've seen alot of unhappy customers because of this. Insurer isn't doing anything wrong either, it's just the nature of a tiled roof!
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I have read that with a CB roof, it can greatly reduce your mobile phone reception (whilst you are in the house)
Really???
have never noticed any difference whatsoever in mobile phone reception when in my CB roof home compared to anywhere else.
Oh ok.. maybe I'm just in a poor reception area anyway. Thanks for the feedback!
This is what my roof is looking like after 15 years. No one seems to mention this about tile roofs....
Need to repair mortar capping beds.
Note : this isnt a picture of my tile roof but a good resemblance
And if your ceiling is rain damaged due to the capping being worn you're not covered due to the wear and tear exclusion..
Well - we had tiles that were 40 years old and never had this happen. May be bad work rather than the tiles.
Well - we had tiles that were 40 years old and never had this happen. May be bad work rather than the tiles.
I live in an area where we can get some strong winds maybe the tiles moving what has caused this problem.
Would just like to point out that CB has been around for a LONG time-therefore the whole "dating" question is a moot point.....
In regional & rural areas you see lots of steel roofing.
As per reception for mobiles-it shouldn't make any difference...here our mobile phone reception issues are because we live where the range of two towers sort of overlaps!
I looove cb and would not consider anything else. Love the sound of rain on the roof and really missed it when we briefly rented a flat that didn't have it. I grew up in a regional area and now live in a regional city and there are few tiles to be seen compared to cb. All of the old queenslanders here have the cb too, it is very popular. Our old house was over ten years old and the roof still looked like it did the day it was put up although I have to say the blue or reddish coloured cb does seem to fade quicker. No issues for us regarding mobile reception. Certainly no maintenance was needed during that ten years for us and I hope fingers crossed it is the same for our new cb roof.
We are having CB too. Ours (I'm pretty sure) comes with a 25 year warranty for weathering. I'm told the newer CB range usually hold their colour for aaages, as (at least the builder we are using) gets them Australian made by a local supplier using quality products. Not that we plan on being in this house for 25 years haha.
The first house I ever lived in (and was built by my great-grandad in like the 1920's, an old Queenslander) had a steel/wrought iron roof. Not saying it was CB, but it's the same look so it's been around for nearly 100 years or more!
I do prefer CB, that's not to say our next house won't be tiles. I think with the insulation nowadays, the sound of rain isn't as loud (sigh), but it's still nice when you can hear it!
Very interesting thread. Seems to be plenty of examples of old tile roofs getting old & shabby & broken - on this thread & driving around Sydney. The only colourbond roofs I see are very new, so while they are expected to last better, I'd like to see & hear about 20 to 50 year old colourbond roofs.
Very interesting thread. Seems to be plenty of examples of old tile roofs getting old & shabby & broken - on this thread & driving around Sydney. The only colourbond roofs I see are very new, so while they are expected to last better, I'd like to see & hear about 20 to 50 year old colourbond roofs.
Colorbond is guaranteed for 30 years, but its extremely tough and would probably outlast you and I! It is also very easy to replace if required. My parents house was built in '86, not one steel sheet has been replaced, nor are any damaged.
From an aesthetic point of view, tiles suit an older style house, if that's your thing.. Otherwise, colorbond is a logical modern choice, not just because of the lightweight look, but the green advantage and practicality.
I'm always disappointed that the big builders charge 3-5k more for colorbond, which is ridiculous AND the reason so many don't upgrade and stick with crappy tiles. The industry should be promoting intelligent, green housing options!!! A brick/tile roof is certainly not in this category.
I was told CB fences will last forever - but they won't.
Its really a personal thing I feel. Some like CB - its simple and easy - but others like the individuality of tiles and the appearance of tiles - which CB can't match. I know people who hate CB fences too. They fell CB lacks character.
As I said - its a personal thing. Most of the stories on each, are stories. Both methods will last if installed well, and looked after - perhaps the key.
A tile guy once said to me - after inspecting and doing some minor work - don't let any one just get up and walk about on the roof - don't let them kick tiles up - as they do etc etc. AND ... always check after work that they have replaced the tiles properly and not broken any. Most damage to tiles occurs this way - not by nature.
I was told CB fences will last forever - but they won't.
Its really a personal thing I feel. Some like CB - its simple and easy - but others like the individuality of tiles and the appearance of tiles - which CB can't match. I know people who hate CB fences too. They fell CB lacks character.
As I said - its a personal thing. Most of the stories on each, are stories. Both methods will last if installed well, and looked after - perhaps the key.
A tile guy once said to me - after inspecting and doing some minor work - don't let any one just get up and walk about on the roof - don't let them kick tiles up - as they do etc etc. AND ... always check after work that they have replaced the tiles properly and not broken any. Most damage to tiles occurs this way - not by nature.
the trouble is modt people havent gone under their tile roof during a heavey and windy downpour. I had a mate who said color bond was a waste if time. That all changed when he was working under his roof during a windy door pour and he came out wet and said there was mist everywhere in the roof. CB is always going to have less points of faulure. As a material tiled roof will always be cheaper and can be installed without offical training,
I was told CB fences will last forever - but they won't.
Its really a personal thing I feel. Some like CB - its simple and easy - but others like the individuality of tiles and the appearance of tiles - which CB can't match. I know people who hate CB fences too. They fell CB lacks character.
As I said - its a personal thing. Most of the stories on each, are stories. Both methods will last if installed well, and looked after - perhaps the key.
A tile guy once said to me - after inspecting and doing some minor work - don't let any one just get up and walk about on the roof - don't let them kick tiles up - as they do etc etc. AND ... always check after work that they have replaced the tiles properly and not broken any. Most damage to tiles occurs this way - not by nature.
the trouble is modt people havent gone under their tile roof during a heavey and windy downpour. I had a mate who said color bond was a waste if time. That all changed when he was working under his roof during a windy door pour and he came out wet and said there was mist everywhere in the roof. CB is always going to have less points of faulure. As a material tiled roof will always be cheaper and can be installed without offical training,
Yep - as I said - tiles need to be installed properly - and there are tilers qualified to do this. To each his own I guess.
I can only go on what I've seen/experienced - over 4 houses todate. Quality tiles, installed properly, checked regularly should be quite good. As should CB. Either left to its own devices might not be.
I must admit I didn't/don't go under my roof - into the ceiling area - in thunder storms etc ...
What happens in lightening strikes. I had a tree hit and the side of the house. Lost a few tiles on the garage and near side drain on house from flying debris. Has anyone experience in lightening hitting a CB roof ?
in the example I provided they were installed properly. The owner actually queried this and it was checked and verified.
the other issue here that people dont talk about is the added weight of roof tiles. Some actually take on more weight when it rains as they absorb water.
What happens in lightening strikes. I had a tree hit and the side of the house. Lost a few tiles on the garage and near side drain on house from flying debris. Has anyone experience in lightening hitting a CB roof ?
If you are in a lightning prone area it's best to install a lightning rod either way. Clb roofs don't attract lightning just cos they are metal. But once at work the lightning hit the powerbox outside the school directly and blew my and the principal's computer and a few power points out. It was rather a shock- although I was not sitting at the computer at the time, luckily!!
This is what my roof is looking like after 15 years. No one seems to mention this about tile roofs....
Need to repair mortar capping beds.
Note : this isnt a picture of my tile roof but a good resemblance
These days they add a flexible capping adhesive so it shouldn't be as bad.
I've gone for matt terracotta for my house and colourbond for my flat roofed garage (I would much rather pitched tiled garage).
The only thing with tiles is that I think it's false economy to get concrete roof tiles as they fade over time.
My contribution on the longevity issue.
We just retiled our place as part of a complete reno of a fixer upper.
The previous terracotta tiles were still functional, but approaching end of life (estimated at 5-10 years left by a family friend who is a retired roofer with 50 years experience).
They were installed in 1934!