Tiled roofs have long been a staple in Australian homes, but advancements in roofing materials have made metal roofing a strong alternative. Swapping old tiles for Colorbond® sheets is called a tile to metal conversion, and it is one of the two re-roofs we do most across Coffs Harbour. It offers homeowners significant advantages, from improved durability to cost savings.

If you are considering upgrading, here’s why metal roofing is the smarter choice.

The short answer: A tile to metal conversion means stripping the old tiles off and replacing them with Colorbond® sheets.

• Colorbond® weighs around a tenth as much as concrete tile, so there is far less load on your roof frame
• Tiles crack under hail and falling branches. Colorbond® dents instead of breaking
• No repointing, no repainting, and nothing for moss or lichen to grow on
• Three to four days on site for an average home

Less Weight on Your Roof Frame

Tiles are heavy. A concrete tile roof weighs around 44kg per square metre, while Colorbond® Custom Orb weighs about 4.35kg per square metre, so a metal roof is roughly a tenth of the weight. Taking that weight off means far less load on your roof frame.

There is one structural change that does happen. Tile battens are usually around 25mm thick and spaced for tiles, so we fit 40mm metal battens to suit the sheets before they go on. On older homes where the roof was never tied down to the top plate, we fix that while the roof is open.

A Roof That Withstands Harsh Weather

Australia’s climate can be unpredictable, with storms, strong winds and intense sun exposure causing significant damage to traditional roofs. Tiled roofs are prone to cracking and breaking when impacted by falling branches or hail, leading to leaks and water damage.

Colorbond® sheets, on the other hand, are engineered to withstand extreme weather conditions. While a severe impact may cause a dent, it will not result in broken tiles or immediate leaks, ensuring your home remains protected during storms.

Low Maintenance & Long-Lasting Appeal

Unlike tiled roofs, which need repainting and resealing to keep their appearance and integrity, a Colorbond® roof asks very little of you. Its baked-on finish resists fading, chalking and peeling, so your home holds its look for decades. Close to the surf we spec Colorbond® Ultra, which is built for salt air.

Metal roofing also does not support the moss, mould and lichen that commonly grow on tiled roofs, causing deterioration and unsightly stains.

Enhanced Energy Efficiency & Sustainability

Colorbond® steel’s Thermatech® finish is designed to reflect more of the sun’s heat, and lighter colours reflect more than darker ones. With an insulation blanket underneath, that helps keep the roof space cooler in summer.

Additionally, Colorbond® is 100% recyclable, making it an eco-friendly option for homeowners looking to reduce their environmental footprint.

A Smart Investment For Any Homeowner

Whether you are upgrading an ageing tiled roof or planning a new build, switching to Colorbond® roofing offers multiple benefits. From reducing long-term maintenance costs to improving your home’s durability, this roofing choice delivers practicality and style. Investing in a metal roof means a stronger, more resilient home designed to stand the test of time.

FAQs

Q: How long does a tile to metal conversion take?

A: About three to four days on site for an average home. Tiles take longer to strip than sheets, because a tile covers far less area.

Q: Do I need council approval to convert a tile roof to metal?

A: Usually not. In NSW, re-roofing a one or two storey house is generally exempt development, so it does not need council approval. Heritage-listed homes and homes in a heritage conservation area are the exception, so check with your council first if that is you. At the end of the job, we fill out a compliance certificate for your roof through the council website.

Q: What happens to the old tiles?

A: They go to a local yard where they are crushed and sold on as road base, so they do not end up in landfill.

Q: What about my solar panels?

A: A licensed installer takes them off and refits them once the new roof is on. On a tile to metal conversion the rail system has to change to suit the new sheets.

Keen for a roof upgrade? We convert tile roofs to Colorbond® right across Coffs Harbour, from Yamba down to Kempsey and west to Dorrigo. Send us your address and we will come back to you with a ballpark, usually the same day.

Contact us for a quote, or call Aaren on 0432 175 102.

“Roof restoration” means something different on a tile roof than on a metal one. On a tile roof it is a real trade: cleaning, re-bedding and re-pointing the ridge caps, swapping broken tiles and sealing the lot. On a metal roof it usually means a pressure clean and a coat of paint.

That difference decides whether a roof restoration is worth it. Here is how to tell, and what to do instead when it isn’t.

The short answer: A roof restoration is worth it on a tile roof when the tiles are sound and the problems are bedding, pointing and a few breakages. On a metal roof, a restoration is a repaint. It will not fix rust, leaks or lifted sheets, and painting over Colorbond or Zincalume voids the BlueScope warranty. A metal roof with problems needs a repair or a re-roof. IM Metal Roofing does not restore, clean or paint roofs. We repair metal roofs and replace them, tin to tin or tile to metal.

What a roof restoration actually is

A roof restoration keeps the roof you have and brings the surface back to working order. What that involves depends on the material.

On a tile roof

On a tile roof, a restoration is the maintenance the roof needs as it ages. The bedding mortar that holds the ridge caps cracks, the pointing on top of it crumbles, tiles break, and moss gets into everything. A restoration cleans the roof, re-beds and re-points the ridges, replaces the broken tiles and finishes with a sealer or a coloured coating. Done well, it stops leaks at the ridges, and a good tiler will replace tired valley irons at the same time.

On a metal roof

On a metal roof, a metal roof restoration is a pressure clean, a rust treatment and two coats of roof paint. It changes the colour and it looks tidy from the street. It does not change the sheets underneath, so the paint is cosmetic.

When a roof restoration is worth it

A restoration pays off when the roof underneath still has years in it and the problem is only on the surface. That means a tile roof with sound tiles and failing bedding or pointing, or a metal roof with no rust where all you want is a colour change, for example before you sell. In both cases the roof is doing its job and you are tidying it up, not rescuing it.

When a roof restoration is not worth it

If your metal roof has rust coming through, leaks in more than one place or sheets that have lifted, a restoration is money spent on the wrong thing, for three reasons.

Paint does not fix rust

Paint over rust seals in the rust and the moisture with it, so the sheet keeps corroding underneath and you find out when it leaks. Rust on a metal roof starts where water sits: along the laps, around the fixings and up from the gutter line, and once it has eaten through the factory coating, nothing applied on top will stop it. Callan Allsop from IM Metal Roofing puts it simply: nine times out of ten, the fix is to get rid of whatever is causing the problem and replace it.

Painting voids the Colorbond warranty

BlueScope’s technical bulletin on repainting is blunt: overpainting Colorbond steel, Zincalume steel or zinc-coated steel voids any warranty BlueScope has issued. If your roof is still inside its material warranty, a Colorbond roof restoration throws that away.

Most leaks come from fixings, laps and flashings

Apart from rust holes, metal roof leaks come from where the sheet is fastened, overlapped and flashed, and a coating never reaches those spots. A roof plumber fixes them as a repair.

What a metal roof needs instead: repair or re-roof

A metal roof with problems has two options, repair or re-roof, and a tile roof past restoring has a third.

Repair or re-roof

One failure is a repair: a leak, a sheet lifted in a storm, a flashing that has let go. IM Metal Roofing replaces the failed sheet, re-seals the flashing or refits the fixings, and the rest of the roof carries on. A roof failing everywhere is a re-roof: the old sheets, flashings and ridge capping come off, the battens and framing get checked while they can be seen, and new Australian made Colorbond goes on with an insulation blanket underneath. Our guide to the signs it is time to repair or replace walks through the line between the two.

Tile to metal, when a tile roof is past restoring

If your tile roof has been restored before, or tiles are cracking faster than a tiler can swap them, a tile to metal conversion replaces the lot with Colorbond: lighter, no bedding or pointing to fail again, and nothing for hail to crack.

Not sure which one you are looking at? Send us your address and IM Metal Roofing will come back with a ballpark re-roof figure, usually the same day.

How to tell which one your roof needs

Three things decide it, and none of them can be seen from the driveway: whether rust has started along the laps and around the fixings, whether the steel is still inside its BlueScope warranty, and on a tile roof, whether the tiles themselves are sound or only the bedding has gone. IM Metal Roofing checks all of that on a metal roof and writes it up as the IM Metal Roof Report, with photos, measurements and a quote for a repair or a re-roof, whichever the roof needs. If the roof is sound and you only want a new colour, we will tell you that too, and point you to a painter.

Get a Straight Answer on Your Roof

Rust, leaks or just an old roof you are unsure about? IM Metal Roofing will tell you whether it is a repair or a re-roof, backed by a 7-year workmanship warranty.

Request a quote or call Aaren on 0432 175 102 to book an inspection.

FAQs

Q: Can you restore a Colorbond roof?

A: You can clean and repaint one, but BlueScope treats that as overpainting and voids its warranty, and if the steel is already rusting, the sheets need replacing, not covering.

Q: Is a roof restoration cheaper than replacing the roof?

A: Usually, upfront, which is the appeal. The catch is what it leaves in place. On a rusting metal roof you pay for the restoration now and the re-roof later, so the cheaper job ends up costing more.

Q: Will a roof restoration fix a leaking roof?

A: On a tile roof, often, because most tile leaks start at the ridges that re-bedding and re-pointing address. On a metal roof, no. Those leaks need a roof plumber.

Q: Does IM Metal Roofing do roof restorations?

A: No. We repair metal roofs and replace roofs, tin to tin or tile to metal, across Coffs Harbour and the Mid North Coast.

References

• BlueScope Steel, Technical Bulletin TB-02: Painting COLORBOND steel and ZINCALUME steel

A new roof is one of the bigger investments you will make in your home, so it is natural to want a sense of the cost before you start. The honest answer is that roof replacement cost varies a lot from home to home, because no two roofs are exactly the same. What follows is general guidance to help you plan, not a fixed quote.

Understanding the factors affecting roof cost will help you have a more informed conversation with your roofer, and know what to expect when you ask for a price. Here is what goes into pricing a new metal roof.

The short answer: There is no single price for a new roof, because cost depends on your roof’s size, pitch and complexity, the material and colour you choose, removing the old roof, and site access. Quality Colorbond is a bigger upfront investment but is durable and low-maintenance, which can make it more cost-effective over the life of the roof. IM Metal Roofing can usually give you a ballpark the same day from your address, then measures on site for a firm quote.

What affects the cost of a new roof?

Several things influence the final price, and they add up differently for every property.

Roof size, pitch and complexity

The biggest driver is simply the size of your roof, measured in square metres. A larger roof needs more materials and labour. Pitch and complexity matter too. A steep roof, or one with lots of angles, valleys, hips and penetrations like vents and skylights, takes more time and care to do properly than a simple, low-pitch design.

Materials and colour choice

The material you choose affects both cost and performance. IM Metal Roofing works with 100% Australian-made Colorbond, which is designed to handle coastal conditions, along with Zincalume where suitable.

Colorbond and Zincalume options

Colorbond comes in a wide range of colours and profiles, while Zincalume offers a durable unpainted finish. The right choice depends on your home, your budget and the look you are after. If you are weighing up materials, our comparison guide can help.

Removing the old roof and site access

Replacing an existing roof usually involves removing and disposing of the old one first, which adds to the labour. Site access also plays a part. A single-storey home with easy access is more straightforward than a multi-storey or hard-to-reach roof. Any repairs to the structure underneath, or upgrades to gutters and downpipes done at the same time, will also factor into the overall cost.

Repair or replace?

A new roof is not always the only option, and the most cost-effective path depends on your roof’s condition.

When a full replacement is the better long-term value

If your roof is ageing but the sheets are still sound, targeted roof repairs may be all you need for now. But if the roof has widespread rust, ongoing leaks or is at the end of its life, a full metal roof replacement is often the smarter long-term investment. It gives you decades of protection and avoids the cost of patching the same problems again and again. Our guide on the signs it is time to repair or replace goes deeper on this decision.

Getting an accurate quote

General figures online only tell you so much, and can be misleading.

From a same-day ballpark to a firm quote

You do not have to wait for a site visit to get a feel for your new metal roof cost. Send IM Metal Roofing your address and we look your roof up on Google Maps, take rough measurements and give you a ballpark, usually the same day. If it suits your budget, we come out and measure on site, then provide a clear, detailed quote that outlines the scope of work, costs and a realistic timeline. There are no surprises, just an honest price for quality work backed by a 7-year workmanship warranty.

Get a Free, No-Obligation Roof Quote

Want to know what a new roof would cost for your home? IM Metal Roofing can usually give you a ballpark from your address the same day, followed by a free, detailed on-site quote across Coffs Harbour and the Mid North Coast, so you can plan with confidence.

Request a quote or call Aaren on 0432 175 102 for a ballpark price.

FAQs

Q: Can you give me a rough price before coming out?

A: Usually, yes. Give us your address and we can look the roof up on Google Maps, take rough measurements and send you a ballpark, often the same day. We then measure on site for a firm quote, because pitch, access and the condition of the existing roof are best confirmed up close.

Q: Is a metal roof more expensive than other options?

A: Metal roofing is a long-term investment. While upfront costs vary, quality Colorbond is durable, low-maintenance and well suited to coastal conditions, which can make it more cost-effective over the life of the roof. We can talk through the options for your budget.

Q: Do you remove the old roof as part of the job?

A: Yes. A full replacement typically includes removing and disposing of the existing roof before installing the new one. This is factored into your detailed quote so you know exactly what is included.

When it comes to choosing a roofing material, the age-old debate between Colorbond roofing and traditional tiles often arises. Homeowners want to know: Is Colorbond roofing cheaper than tiles?

Beyond just the initial cost, it’s essential to consider the long-term value and benefits that each option brings. At IM Metal Roofing Coffs Harbour, we’ve helped countless residents and businesses from Yamba to Kempsey and out to Dorrigo make the best roofing decisions for their unique needs. Let’s break down the costs and advantages to help you make an informed decision.

Initial Costs: Colorbond vs. Tiles

One of the first considerations for homeowners is the upfront cost of materials and installation. Generally speaking, tile roofing materials can be less expensive than Colorbond steel. However, this doesn’t always equate to overall savings.

Tile Roofing Costs: Tiles, whether made from concrete or terracotta, are heavy and require a robust support structure. This often adds to the overall installation costs. The labour involved in laying tiles is also intensive, contributing to a higher installation price. Plus, if your roof structure isn’t already designed for tiles, you might need additional reinforcement, further increasing the costs.

Colorbond Roofing Costs: Colorbond roofing, on the other hand, offers a more straightforward installation process. Since it’s lightweight, it doesn’t require as much structural support as tiles do, potentially saving you money on installation and labour. Additionally, the installation process for Colorbond is generally quicker, which can also reduce labour costs.

Long-Term Value: Durability and Maintenance

When assessing the cost of roofing, it’s crucial to consider long-term maintenance and durability. This is where Colorbond truly shines.

Durability of Tile Roofing: Tile roofs are known for their durability and longevity, often lasting up to 50 years or more. However, tiles can be susceptible to cracking or breaking, especially in severe weather conditions. Coffs Harbour and surrounding areas, with their mix of coastal winds and occasional heavy storms, can see tile roofs needing more frequent repairs. This maintenance can add up over the years.

Durability of Colorbond Roofing: Colorbond steel is designed specifically for Australia’s diverse climate conditions. It’s resistant to rust, corrosion, and chipping, making it an ideal choice for coastal areas like Coffs Harbour. Additionally, Colorbond roofing is designed to withstand extreme weather conditions, from heavy rains to high winds. This means fewer repairs and lower maintenance costs over time.

Plus, Colorbond roofing is available in a range of profiles and colours, allowing homeowners to match their aesthetic preferences without compromising on durability.

Energy Efficiency and Insulation

Another factor that impacts long-term costs is energy efficiency. A well-insulated roof can significantly reduce your heating and cooling bills.

Tile Roofing Insulation: Tiles naturally provide a level of insulation due to their thickness, which can help keep your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter. However, without proper underlay, tiles alone may not be sufficient to maintain optimal energy efficiency.

Colorbond Roofing Insulation: Colorbond roofing can be paired with reflective insulation materials, helping to deflect heat during the summer months. Additionally, its lightweight nature means that it heats up and cools down faster than tiles, making it easier to maintain a consistent temperature inside your home. This can lead to significant savings on your energy bills over time.

“Colorbond roofing’s reflective insulation helps keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter, offering significant savings on energy bills while maintaining comfort year-round.”

Aesthetic Appeal and Resale Value

When it comes to adding value to your home, the aesthetic appeal of your roof plays a significant role.

Tile Roofing Appeal: Tiles offer a classic, traditional look that appeals to many homeowners. However, they’re limited in terms of colour and design options.

Colorbond Roofing Appeal: Colorbond roofing provides a modern, sleek appearance with a wide range of colours to choose from. This versatility allows homeowners to create a customised look that can enhance curb appeal and potentially increase the resale value of the property.

The Final Verdict

So, is Colorbond roofing cheaper than tiles? While the initial cost of Colorbond may be slightly higher, its long-term value, durability, low maintenance, and energy efficiency often make it a more cost-effective choice over time. Particularly for homes and businesses in NSW Coastal regions, where weather conditions can be harsh, Colorbond roofing offers a reliable, aesthetically pleasing, and durable solution.

At IM Metal Roofing Coffs Harbour, we’re committed to helping you find the best roofing solution for your needs. With over 30 years of combined experience, Cal, Aaren, and our dedicated team—including our skilled apprentices, Lorenzo and Kyle—are here to provide you with personalised, professional service. Whether you’re considering a new roof or re-roofing project, we’re ready to assist you every step of the way.