5 Colorbond roof myths
The five things people get wrong about Colorbond — and the honest truth about living under a metal roof in Perth.
Fully licensed & accredited — Builders Registration BC105819 · Painters Registration PC102072 · Patent ID AU-A-2020100623
The common Colorbond myths — that it never fades, never needs maintenance, is always cheaper than tile, is unbearably noisy, and can’t be repainted — are all false. Colorbond is a genuinely excellent product, but Perth’s coastal climate does fade some ranges in 10–15 years, and yes, it can be cleaned, treated and repainted through a restoration.
Myth 1: “Colorbond never fades”
It does. Colorbond is superb steel with a durable factory coating, but it takes the full brunt of Perth’s weather year-round — far more punishment than the same Colorbond used for fencing or garden beds. Certain ranges have been known to noticeably fade or chalk after only 10 to 15 years here, and faster near the coast.
That’s not a defect; it’s what sun and salt do to any coated steel over time. The fix isn’t a new roof — it’s a restoration that re-coats it.
Myth 2: “It’s completely maintenance-free”
No roof is. Colorbond needs far less attention than some materials, but a periodic wash to remove salt, dust and grime — and a re-coat when the colour eventually goes — is what keeps it looking sharp and performing. Ignore it entirely for 20 years near the coast and it’ll show.
Myth 3: “You can’t repaint Colorbond”
You absolutely can. With the right preparation — a 4000 psi clean and a metal etch primer on any bare or rusted areas — a Colorbond roof takes a new acrylic membrane beautifully and looks like new again. The catch is preparation: skip the primer on bare metal and the paint peels, which is where the myth comes from.
Myths 4 & 5: “noisy” and “always cheaper than tile”
The “noisy metal roof” belongs to the old tin sheds. A modern Colorbond roof over proper sarking and insulation is no louder in the rain than tile. And “always cheaper than tile” is wrong too — compared at the base metal thickness that actually matters, Colorbond can cost close to double some tiled options. It’s a premium product, and often worth it, but it’s not automatically the budget choice.
The honest takeaway: Colorbond is a first-class roof that, like any roof, benefits from the occasional clean and a re-coat down the track. Treat it well and it’ll look the part for decades.
The verdict: is Colorbond worth it?
Strip away the myths and Colorbond is what it’s always been: a genuinely excellent roof that suits a huge number of Perth homes. It’s light, sheds water fast, comes in 22 colours and lasts for decades. It simply isn’t the maintenance-free, never-fade, always-cheapest miracle the marketing sometimes implies. Treat it like any quality roof — an occasional wash, and a re-coat when the colour eventually goes — and it’ll reward you for years. Knowing the real trade-offs just means you choose it (or restore it) with your eyes open, which is exactly how it should be.
Frequently asked questions
Does Colorbond fade in Perth?
Yes — some ranges fade within 10–15 years in Perth’s harsh, coastal climate. A restoration re-coats it for a fresh finish.
Is Colorbond noisy in the rain?
Not with modern sarking and insulation — it’s no louder than a tiled roof.
Is Colorbond always cheaper than tile?
No — at the same base metal thickness it can cost close to double some tiled options. It’s a premium finish.
Can a Colorbond roof be repainted?
Yes, with proper preparation and an etch primer on bare metal. Done right it looks new again with a 15-year paint warranty.
Get a free quote → or call 0421 768 842. Backed by a 10-year workmanship and 15-year Dulux AcraTex paint warranty.