Roof Restoration and Roof Painting

Can you paint your roof tiles?

Painting your roof tiles can indeed be a viable option for enhancing the appearance of your home, extending the life of your roof, and even improving its reflective properties, which can contribute to energy efficiency.

However, this task requires careful planning, appropriate materials, and proper execution to ensure the best results and avoid potential issues.

Things to consider when thinking about painting your roof tiles:

Types of Roof Tiles You Can Paint

• Terracotta Tiles: These are durable and long-lasting but can lose their colour over time. Specialised sealers and paints are required to ensure the paint adheres properly and the tiles retain their functionality.
• Colourbond Roofs: Painting these metal roofs can refresh their look and extend their lifespan. Use paints specifically formulated for metal surfaces to prevent rust and corrosion.
• Concrete Tiles: Like terracotta, these can be painted to restore or change their colour. High-quality paint can also protect against moss and algae growth.

Benefits of Painting Roof Tiles

• Aesthetic Improvement: Painting can significantly improve your home's street appeal by refreshing faded tiles or changing the colour to match a new aesthetic.
• Cost Efficiency: It is generally less expensive to paint a roof than to replace it, making this a cost-effective way to extend the life of your roof.
• Energy Efficiency: Reflective roof paint can reduce heat absorption, potentially lowering cooling costs in warmer climates.

Considerations Before Painting

• Roof Condition: Inspect your roof for damage or wear. Painting over problems like leaks or broken tiles is a temporary solution that can lead to bigger issues. Repairs should be made before painting.
• Quality of Materials: Use high-quality, durable paint and primer designed for your specific type of roof tile. This ensures longer-lasting results and better protection for your roof.
• Professional vs. DIY: Consider whether this is a project you can tackle yourself or if professional help is needed. Roof painting can be dangerous and requires specific skills for best results.

Steps for Painting Roof Tiles

1. Cleaning: The roof must be thoroughly cleaned to remove dirt, moss, and other debris. Pressure washing is commonly used for this step.
2. Repair and Prime: Repair any damage and apply a suitable primer to ensure good paint adhesion.
3. Painting: Use a roller, brush, or spray gun to apply the paint evenly. At least two coats are often recommended for the best appearance and protection.
4. Sealing: Some types of tiles might require a sealant as the final layer to protect the paint and tile from the elements.

Potential Drawbacks

• Maintenance: Painted roofs might require more maintenance, including touch-ups and cleaning to maintain their appearance and integrity.
• Weather Considerations: Painting should be done in suitable weather conditions, avoiding extreme temperatures or humidity that can affect the paint's drying and curing process.

Before embarking on a roof painting project, it's crucial to research and possibly consult with professionals to understand the best practices and materials for your specific roof type. Properly executed, painting your roof tiles can be a rewarding project that enhances your home's value and appearance.

Do concrete roof tiles need painting?

Painting concrete roof tiles is not strictly necessary for their functionality, but it can offer both aesthetic and protective benefits. As concrete tiles age, they can become weathered and discoloured, which might prompt the desire to paint them. Below is an expanded discussion on the topic, highlighting key aspects of painting concrete roof tiles.

Benefits of Painting Concrete Roof Tiles

• Aesthetic Enhancement: Painting can revitalise the look of a roof that has faded or discoloured over time, improving the overall curb appeal of the property.
• Protection: A quality paint job can add an extra layer of protection against the elements, potentially extending the lifespan of the roof tiles. The paint can help prevent water absorption and reduce the growth of moss and lichens, which are common issues with concrete tiles.
• Increased Property Value: An aesthetically pleasing roof can contribute to the overall value of the property, making it more attractive to potential buyers or renters.

Considerations Before Painting

• Sealant Application: Applying a sealant before painting is crucial for concrete tiles. The sealant helps to ensure that the paint adheres properly and provides an additional protective layer against moisture.
• Choice of Paint: It's essential to use high-quality, 100% acrylic paint designed for exterior use on concrete surfaces. These paints are durable, flexible, and capable of withstanding the elements without peeling or flaking.
• Mildew Prevention: Including a mildew-inhibiting solution in the paint or as a separate treatment is important to prevent the growth of mildew, which is common in damp or shaded areas.
• Professional Assessment: Before deciding to paint, have a professional assess the condition of your roof. Painting over damaged or poorly maintained tiles can mask problems that may lead to more significant issues.

Maintenance and Longevity

• Longevity: A professional quality paint job on concrete roof tiles can last between five to ten years, depending on the climate, the quality of the materials used, and the application process.
• Maintenance: To ensure the longevity of the painted roof, regular maintenance is necessary. This might include cleaning the roof to prevent the buildup of dirt and debris and touch-up painting to address any areas of wear or damage.

The Painting Process

1. Cleaning: The roof should be thoroughly cleaned to remove all dirt, moss, lichen, and debris. This usually involves pressure washing the tiles.
2. Repairs: Any damaged tiles should be repaired or replaced, and the roof should be checked for leaks or other issues.
3. Priming and Sealing: A suitable primer and sealant should be applied to the clean, dry tiles to ensure good paint adhesion and to seal the porous surface of the concrete.
4. Painting: Apply the acrylic paint evenly over the tiles, using a brush, roller, or sprayer. Multiple coats may be necessary for the best coverage and protection.
5. Final Inspection and Touch-ups: After the paint has dried, inspect the roof for any missed spots or uneven areas, applying touch-ups as needed.

While painting concrete roof tiles is an investment in time and resources, it can significantly improve the appearance of your home and offer additional protection to your roof. However, it's a task that requires careful preparation and execution to achieve the best results.

Do concrete roof tiles become porous?

The porosity of concrete roof tiles is a characteristic inherent to the material itself, rather than being solely dependent on the installation technique or the pitch of the roof. Concrete, by nature, is a porous material, meaning it has tiny holes that allow water to pass through. However, the extent to which concrete roof tiles become porous and the impact this has on their functionality is influenced by several factors, including manufacturing quality, maintenance, and environmental conditions.

Manufacturing Quality

• Density and Composition: High-quality concrete tiles are manufactured to be dense and less porous. The mixture and the pressing process used in the manufacturing of the tiles can significantly reduce their porosity. Tiles made with a high cement content and less water, compressed under high pressure, tend to be more durable and less water-absorbent.
• Surface Treatments: Many manufacturers apply surface treatments or coatings to concrete tiles to reduce their natural porosity. These treatments can seal the surface, making the tiles more water-resistant and less susceptible to moisture penetration.

Impact of Installation and Roof Pitch

• Water Runoff: Proper installation on a sufficiently pitched roof ensures that water runs off the tiles and into the gutters, minimising the amount of water that can penetrate the surface. However, this does not entirely negate the porous nature of the material.
• Overlap and Alignment: Correctly overlapping and aligning the tiles also helps prevent water ingress, as it directs water away from the gaps between tiles. Yet, if the tiles themselves are porous, they can still absorb moisture from the environment, especially during prolonged exposure to rain or high humidity.

Environmental Conditions

• Weathering and Erosion: Over time, concrete roof tiles are subjected to weathering and erosion caused by wind, rain, and fluctuating temperatures. These environmental factors can gradually wear down any protective coatings and increase the porosity of the tiles.
• Moss and Lichen Growth: In damp conditions, the growth of moss and lichens can exacerbate the problem. These organisms can retain moisture on the tile's surface, potentially leading to increased water absorption and damage over time.

Maintenance and Longevity

• Regular Maintenance: To mitigate the effects of porosity, regular maintenance is crucial. This includes cleaning the tiles to remove moss and lichen, inspecting them for damage, and reapplying sealant or coating as necessary.
• Sealants: Applying a sealant can significantly improve the water resistance of concrete tiles, filling in the pores and creating a barrier against moisture. It's advisable to reapply sealant periodically throughout the life of the roof.



While proper installation and a suitable roof pitch can enhance water runoff and reduce moisture penetration, concrete roof tiles can still become porous over time due to their inherent material properties and environmental exposure. Regular maintenance and the application of sealants or coatings are essential to protect the tiles from becoming overly porous, thereby extending their lifespan and ensuring their continued effectiveness as a roofing material.

How long does a concrete roof tile last?

You can expect your concrete roof tiles to last at least between 40 and 60 years. Of course this depends on how well they are maintained, weather conditions and various other factors. Concrete tiles are generally more durable than other types of roofing materials. 

Is roof painting a good idea?

Here are some benefits of roof painting that you need to consider against the cost.

Painting your roof can:

• Improve the overall appearance of your home
• Increase the value of your home
• Improve insultation properties of your roof
• Reduce mould and mildew growth
• Help to save on heating bills

How much does it cost to repaint a Colorbond roof?

The cost to paint a Colorbond roof varies from state to state.

Labour can cost $700 to $1,700, plus the cost of roof paint, the number of coats used and any other services you need.

Some helpful tips before you start.

How much does roof painting cost?

Roof painting cost varies from state to state, but in New South Wales roof painters will charge you around $45 per hour.

However, hourly rates aren't always the best way to determine how much a roof is going to cost to paint.

Roof painters usually want to inspect a property before they give a final quote. They'll want to look at the condition of the roof and the steepness of the pitch before they give a square metre rate, and this can vary depending on the job.

What affects roof painting cost?

All roofs are different and two roofs of the same square metres may cost different prices.

When calculating your roof painting cost, some things roof painters look for include:

• The size of the roof, charged by the square metre
• The quality of roof tile paint and other materials the roof painter uses
• If your roof is too steep for roof painters to stand on and they need to hire a hoist
• If your roof has a complex design that makes painting or access difficult
• Whether you have a one or two storey home (roof painting is cheaper for single storey roofs)
• Other access difficulties

When you're comparing roof painting quotes, don't just go for the cheapest price. Ask what kind of preparation work a roof painter is going to do. Sweeping a roof is not enough.

Depending on the type of roof you have and its condition, a roof painter may also:

• Pressure clean the roof to help the paint adhere
• Replace damaged tiles
• Repoint
• Apply a primer coat before painting
• Paint two coats in your chosen colour

A good quality roof painting job can cost $2,000 or more.

How much does roof tile paint cost?

A good roof painting contractor will discuss your options with you and make their own expert recommendations. Some typical prices may be:

• $223 for 10 litres of high quality roof tile paint
• $346 for 20 litres of heat reflective roof paint
• $179 for 20 litres of exterior acrylic emulsion

The price difference between a high quality paint and other paints can be high, but it's better to use a paint the roofing painter recommends.

Using a cheaper paint could mean you have to repaint your roof sooner, which will end up costing more.

The type of roof tile paint your painter uses will affect the cost too.

Depending on the type of roof you have and your location, they may use:

• Polyurethane, polyurea or polymeric roof coatings
• Bituminous coatings, though these are not as flexible as other coatings
• Water based acrylic roof paints for a more reflective finish, though these are not suitable for roofs that have water ponding in some areas
• Eco-friendly silicon paints that are better for the environment, but also more expensive

So, you want to paint roof tiles yourself?

Although we do not recommend this, painting roof tiles yourself can be an option, but there can be more to it than you realise, and it can be dangerous work.

You may save money, but will the job look as good as professional roof painting?

Do you want to take chances when working on your roof?

Do you know how to find areas that may need repairing?

Think about these things before tackling a DIY roof painting job.

How to paint a roof:

Whether you decide to do it yourself or hire a professional, the steps to get the best results and help extend the lifespan of your roof paint are the same. Spray painting equipment is normally used, because it gives an even coat and is faster than using a brush or roller.

Step 1: Clean the roof

All traces of dirt and debris must be removed and there can be no moss, fungi, bird droppings or leaves on the roof. As well as sweeping the roof, painters should also use jet washers to remove all the debris.

Step 2: Check for damage

Before roof painting begins, check for any damaged tiles or other damage. Making repairs will be an extra cost, but it will be worth it to make sure your newly painted roof doesn't leak. Doing repairs before roof painting will also ensure you have a uniform colour on your roof.

Step 3: Apply three coats

A base coat is a sealer needed to make sure the top coats of roof paint adhere to the surface. Then an undercoat is applied and finally a top coat in the colour of your choice. The quality of the roof tile paint must be very good, or the paint could peel off and make the roof look like it's in poor condition

Should I paint my roof or replace my roof?

Roof painting can make an old roof look new again.

It will enhance the overall look of your home and gives you the opportunity to try new exterior colour schemes.

However, if you want to maintain your current roof colour you may find roof restoration could be less expensive than painting the roof.

Replacing the roof could be the better long-term option if there's too much damage to the roof or too many tiles need to be replaced, . 

Getting quotes for roof painting cost

When you are comparing quotes from roof painters in your area, ensure you get itemised quotes to check that they're all going to give you the same level of service. This should include necessary services such as pressure washing and high quality paints. You should also ask the roof painter if they can show you examples of their work that have been there for years.

We are proud to refer you to our partner companies in the UK

Roofing Leeds

Roofing Nottingham