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We’ve rounded up the pros and cons of both materials so you can make an educated choice when you choose your roof material, when building your new house.
Whether building a new home or researching options for a roof replacement, the metal versus tile debate is one that endures. Common questions that are asked are:
We are going to examine the pros and cons of choosing metal or tile for your roof in 7 key areas.
Colorbond® is a highly durable material. Colorbond® Steel test their product at outdoor sites as well as in the laboratory. These means the material has been tested in some of the harshest Australian weather and still carries a warranty of up to 36 years (although many metal roofs will last even longer, in some cases up to 70 years!). Being corrosion resistant, termite resistant and non-combustible, Colorbond® is tailor made for our Australian environment and a better option in bushfire prone areas.
Tile roofs are also long lasting with some manufacturer warranties being up to 50 years. However, they are more prone to leaks and cracks. As tiles also don’t have a complete seal between them, they are more prone to ember attack which is a huge consideration for bushfire prone areas.
Colorbond® roofs weigh approximately 1/10th the weight of a tile roof and as it doesn’t absorb water, it maintains the same weight whether wet or dry.
Being so much heavier, tile roofs require more rafters in the roof space to ensure there is adequate support to withstand their weight. Tiles also absorb rainwater before running off which adds to the overall roof mass.
Metal roofs made from Colorbond® or Zincalume® are extremely adaptable to your design preference. Colorbond® comes in a wide variety of profiles and colours (both contemporary and heritage), sheets can be straight or curved, and is a great choice for wall cladding. Metal roofs cater to a greater range of roof pitches, including flat roofs. If you prefer crisp, clean lines, then a metal roof is the way to go.
Tiles roofs are also available in a variety of colours and profiles. Whilst there are some tiles with a more modern aesthetic, tiles generally provide a traditional look to your roof. The ideal roof pitch for tiles is between 18-22 degrees which is more limited than with metal roofs.
A metal roof will amplify the sound of rainfall on the roof. This can be a pro or a con depending on your preference. Many people love the sound of rain on their roof! However, if you feel this would be an issue for you, it is possible to minimise noise using acoustic blankets and insulation.
Tile roofs generally provide a higher level of acoustic insulation – meaning they are quieter in terms of softening the sound of rain on your roof.
Colorbond®’s Thermatech® solar reflectance technology is a fancy way of saying that it reflects more of the sun’s heat away from the roof helping your roof and home stay cooler. This provides a decrease in the energy required for cooling and its associated costs.
Concrete tiles naturally reflect the sun’s rays and selecting light coloured tiles will do this even more effectively than darker coloured ones.
Both metal and tile roofed homes would benefit further from having insulation installed which helps keep your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter more significantly than what the roof is made of.
Given that it won’t chip, peel or crack, Colorbond® roofs require minimal maintenance over the lifetime of the roof. In most cases all that is recommended is a regular wash (regular rainfall is fine or a hose down approx. every 6 months for areas not regularly washed by rainwater) and removal of any debris (leaf litter, etc). If further maintenance is required (e.g., you decide you want to install gutter guard), metal roofs can be walked upon, whereas tiles are easily broken.
Often the cost of maintenance and repairs to a tile roof can end up costing more than the initial cost of a metal roof over its lifetime. Chipped, cracked or broken tiles need to be replaced and unsightly moss, lichen and mould can build up and need regular cleaning. If tiles become too brittle, they can even break from cleaning. Tile roofs also require the clearing of leaf litter and debris from valleys and gutters.
Cost is highly impacted by the customisation your roof requires. Is there good access? What is your roof’s pitch? Is it a new roof installation or a roof replacement? Depending on your requirements, there are ways to save money on your metal roof replacement.
Generally speaking, tiles have a slightly cheaper installation cost, however over the lifetime of the roof with consideration to the maintenance that’s required, metal roofs are more cost effective.
When considering the seven areas above to decide whether a metal or tile roof is the way to go, ultimately what you decide as being highly important and your personal preferences will be the deciding factors.
SOURCE: https://colorbond.com/why-colorbond-steel SOURCE: http://www.steel.com.au/articles/article-27--material-warranties SOURCE: http://www.steel.com.au/products/coated-steel/colorbond-steel/colorbond-thermatech SOURCE: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-09-30/tiles-or-tin-whats-the-best-roof-for-your-home/8987938 SOURCE https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/cool-roofs-report.pdf
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