Colorbond® roof installation is dominating Australian roof design, and we’ll tell you why…
You’ve probably seen what our climate does to a roof. Weeks of scorching 40-degree heat. Hot northerly winds that feel like a hairdryer before the dreaded Brickfielder rolls in, and then the sudden downpours. All these can turn even a “well-installed” roof into a costly problem.
Roof tiles, regular metal roofs, and asbestos roofs from yesteryear are still quite common. But the bad news is, they’re coping less and less with Australia’s changing climate.
With over 100 years of roofing experience passed down through four generations, we’ve seen firsthand how much more resilient a Colorbond® roof installation is compared to other roof types. This guide will take you step-by-step through the Colorbond® roofing process, from stripping the old roof to the final checks, and the finer details that make a Colorbond roof perform exactly as promised.
Before we get to the steps, it’s worth knowing why so many Adelaide homes are switching to Colorbond roofs.
Colorbond® steel has a five-layer protective system. That includes a metallic coating and baked-on paint, tested in Australia’s harshest conditions. Moreover, BlueScope® offers warranties of up to 45 years on certain profiles.
Colorbond® sheets such as Surfmist®, Southerly®, and Dune® are thermally-efficient light colours that reflect more of the sun’s heat than darker colours, helping to keep roof surface temperatures lower. BlueScope® testings show that lighter colours in the range can achieve higher solar reflectance values.
Popular Colorbond® colours in Adelaide include Basalt®, Woodland Grey®, and Monument®. Basalt® offers a deep, neutral grey ideal for modern builds, while Woodland Grey® blends well with traditional stone-front villas and rural properties. These colours are available in multiple profiles, from corrugated to custom orb, allowing them to suit both heritage renovations and new builds.
Unlike roof tiles, which can crack, shift, and accumulate moss or lichen, Colorbond® roofs are made from pre-painted Colorbond steel® with a baked-on finish. This coating resists flaking, chipping, and peeling, reducing the need for repainting. In most Adelaide conditions, maintenance involves nothing more than rinsing the surface with fresh water (i.e. rain) every six months.
Getting the right roofing materials and tools makes a big difference in installation quality. Here are the tools and materials needed for installing Colorbond® roofs.
Essential Tools:
• Cordless drill and impact driver
• Measuring tape and chalk line
• Sturdy ladder or scaffold • Tin snips for trimming
• Colorbond sheets
• Safety harness and gloves
Materials:
• Colorbond® sheets in your chosen profile and colour
• Screws and fasteners compatible with Colorbond steel
• Ridge caps, barge capping, and flashing
• Roofing blanket for thermal and acoustic insulation
• Horizontal battens or purlins for sheet fixing
Tip: Always use supplier-approved fasteners to avoid corrosion.
At Roof & Render SA, every Colorbond® roofing starts with a precise pre-installation process. Skipping or rushing these steps can lead to leaks, warranty issues, or costly rework.
We inspect the roof frame, rafters, and battens for any signs of rot, rust, termite damage, or sagging. Even a 5 mm dip across a span can cause water pooling under sheets.
If the existing roof is an asbestos roof, it must be removed by a licensed asbestos removalist in accordance with South Australian Work Health & Safety Regulations 2012.
Penalties for illegal removal can exceed $80,000, as seen in the case of Steven Cutts vs SafeWork at the South Australian Employment Tribunal.
We calculate the total square metre area, factoring in roof pitch and overhang. For example, a 200 m² home with a complex roof structure (hips, valleys, gables) might require 5–7% extra Colorbond sheets to account for cutting and wastage.
We also mark fixing points for horizontal battens at the correct centres to match BlueScope®’s installation standards.
SafeWork SA defines any roofing work over 2 metres as high-risk. This means fall protection, such as guardrails, harnesses, and anchor point,s is mandatory.
Installing edge protection around the perimeter and ensuring all workers are tied off before stepping onto the frame is the safety standard.
Important Note: The process in this guide is for general educational purposes only. Installing a Colorbond® roof without the right training, tools, and safety measures can lead to serious injury, leaks, or voided warranties. Never attempt Colorbond® roof installation, removal, or replacement without proper accreditation. Always contact a licensed Colorbond® roofer like Roof and Render for full professional replacements.
Strip back old roofing materials like tile roofs, asbestos roofs, or corroded steel roofs. Dispose of waste responsibly.
Fix new battens evenly across the rafters. For a simple skillion roof, spacing is straightforward. For a more complex roof structure, follow engineering specs.
Lay sheets from the roof edge towards the ridge. Overlap edges per manufacturer’s instructions for correct installation. Screw into the crest of each rib to prevent water ingress.
Fit ridge caps at the highest point to seal joins. Install flashing along hips, valleys, and wall junctions to prevent leaks.
Check all fixings, trim overhangs, and clean swarf (metal shavings) to avoid rust spots.
If you’re weighing up roofing options, it helps to see the facts side by side. Below is a quick comparison of Colorbond® roofing against traditional roof tiles and older metal roofs, based on lifespan, weight, upkeep, energy and efficiency.
| Feature | Colorbond® Roofing | Roof Tiles | Older Metal Roof |
| Life Expectancy | 45–70 years | 20–50 years | 15–30 years |
| Weight | Light | Heavy | Medium |
| Maintenance | Low | Medium | High |
| Energy Efficiency | High with light colours | Low–Medium | Low |
It depends on the project.
It’s always advisable to involve a licensed roofer like Roof and Render when handling a full Colorbond roof installation project.
Replacing a roof is not the same as knocking together a shed. A full Colorbond® roof installation on a home in Adelaide involves working at height, lifting and fixing sheets that can be up to 6–8 metres long, and getting the roof plumbing right so water drains exactly where it should. It also requires following the manufacturer guidelines to keep your BlueScope® warranty valid.
DIY might work for small, low structures, but a full new roof or roof replacement means:
• Hiring scaffolding or edge protection.
• Buying or hiring sheet lifters to move long Colorbond sheets safely.
• Understanding roof plumbing principles to avoid backflow and ponding.
• Accepting that any installation error can lead to leaks, rust, or voided warranties.
A licensed roofer like Roof and Render will:
• Set out sheets so overlaps face away from prevailing winds, reducing leak risk.
• Use the correct fasteners, spacing, and techniques for horizontal battens.
• Handle heavy Colorbond sheets safely in strong gusts. Wind speeds in Adelaide can exceed 80 km/h during summer storms.
• Comply with SafeWork SA’s fall protection rules, including harnesses and edge protection for work over 2 metres.
• Deliver a finish that meets BlueScope® installation standards, ensuring warranties of up to 45 years remain valid.
With over 100 years in the trade, Roof & Render SA has replaced thousands of old roofs across Adelaide with premium Colorbond® roofing. Our work is backed by:
• 20-year watertight warranty
• 10-year workmanship warranty
• Up to 45-year BlueScope® warranty
We manage the entire process, from safe removal of asbestos, metal, or tile old roofing materials, to precise Colorbond roof installation, and can also fit guttering, roofing blankets, and solar vents as part of the job.
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South Australian Family Business Since 1921. 4 Generations in Roofing with over 100 Years experience in Roof Replacements.
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Fill in the form below to book a free consultation at our Colorbond Showroom in Lonsdale.
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Fill in the form below to book a free consultation at our Colorbond Showroom in Lonsdale.
We will give you a call within 24 hours to organise a time that suits you.
