Roof painting means applying a sealer and then coats of roof paint or a thicker membrane coating over a clean, repaired tile roof. The sealer locks down the tile surface and the coating gives colour and a weather layer. It does not fix leaks, so repairs come first.
Finishes on roofs we have painted
How we paint a tile roof
Most failed roof paint jobs fail at the wash, not at the paint. The coating peels because it sat on moss, chalk or old flaking paint. Our order of work:
- Replace cracked tiles and fix ridge, valleys and flashings.
- Wash off dirt, moss, lichen and loose paint, then let the roof dry.
- Apply the sealer so the tile surface stops soaking up the coating.
- Apply the roof coating in coats, allowing each to cure in dry weather.
- Check the finish, clear the gutters and send you photos.
Roof sealing
Concrete tiles are porous. Left bare, they take on water and the surface slowly turns chalky. A sealer soaks into the surface and binds it, which gives the paint a stable base. We use sealer under every paint job. We do not recommend sealer alone as a way of avoiding repairs, because it will not close a cracked tile or a failed joint.
Coatings and membrane systems
A membrane coating is a thicker, flexible acrylic layer. It builds a continuous skin across the tiles and across hairline gaps in the pointing. It suits roofs where the surface is rough or worn. The trade-off is that it hides less of the tile profile than a thin paint, and it needs the right conditions to cure. We explain which system suits your roof when we inspect it.
Choosing a colour
- Lighter colours reflect more sunlight, so the roof surface runs cooler than a dark one. Your insulation matters more than colour for indoor temperature.
- Dark charcoals and blacks look sharp against brick and white trim, and hide dirt well.
- Reds, terracottas and browns keep the traditional look of a tile roof.
- Estates and heritage areas can have rules on roof colour. Check yours before you commit.
Customers often ask for colours that match Colorbond names. Bring the name or a swatch and we will work from it. Colours look different on a screen, so look at the sample in daylight on your own roof if you can.
“I am glad I chose Nathan to complete the job as he was so helpful and easy to deal with. He was thorough in the preparation and execution of the painting. I am pleased with the result and highly recommend him. I will be spreading the word about the experience as well.”
Weather and timing
Paint needs dry surfaces, a suitable temperature and no rain for hours after each coat. Melbourne weather changes fast, so we plan around the forecast and tell you when a coat has to wait. We will not paint over a wet roof to hit a date.
Painting after repairs and re-pointing
Most painted roofs also need ridge work. The cleanest result comes from doing the pointing before the paint, so the ridge and the tiles end up the same finish. If your ridge is cracked, read about re-pointing and re-bedding. The full job is on our roof restoration page.
Call 0430 545 669 or use the contact form. We come up, photograph the problem and put a price in writing.
Questions about roof painting and coating
How many coats of roof paint do you apply?
It depends on the system and the colour change. We confirm the coating plan at the quote, because a like-for-like repaint and a dramatic colour change need different coverage.
Does roof paint stop leaks?
No. Paint is a weather layer. A leak comes from a cracked tile, failed pointing, a rusted valley or a perished flashing, and we repair those before painting.
Can you paint a Colorbond or metal roof?
This page covers tile roofs. For metal roofs, call us and we will tell you honestly whether coating or repair is the better option. See also Colourbond roof repairs.
How long before I can walk or put solar on the roof?
Keep people and trades off until we confirm the coating has cured. If you are planning solar, tell us first so the panel installer is not working on wet paint.