While the colour of our roofs sometimes seem like a trivial thing, being no more than an aesthetic decision we make regarding our home, the truth is actually a bit more interesting. When it comes to places like Brisbane, Queensland, the amount of sun we get can sometimes be staggering. The UV index is used to measure the intensity of the sun, with a 1-2 being very mild, and anything above an 11 being considered extreme. In Queensland, we never go below a 3, and are often sitting above that 11 mark, sometimes reaching 14-15 in the summer.
We know what this means for our skin, and we take protective measures to keep ourselves safe with sunscreen and protective clothing – but what does this mean for our roofs? Do different colours change how the sun interacts with my house? Read on to find out more.
How does the colour of my roof affect my home?
Heat is reflected or absorbed depending on the colour of the roof. Roofs that are lighter in colour reflect the sun’s rays more effectively, which means that they can keep your home’s internal temperature a few degrees cooler, a boon in summer. Dark coloured roofs on the other hand, absorb heat and may boost the temperature inside your home a few degrees, a boon in winter.
Which colour is the best for your home, given all of this information? Roofs that are dark or light?
Lighter-colored roofs are recommended for residences in warm to hot regions, based on the temperature and cooling qualities of roof colours that we have learnt about. If you’re curious about which Colorbond colours come within this category, they are as follows:
- Cove
- Dune
- Evening
- Haze
- Paperbark
- Shale Grey
- Surfmist
- Windspray
You can see examples of the colours on the Colorbond official website.
Once I’ve chosen a Colorbond roof colour, can it be changed?
The simple answer is yes. It’s a bit of a myth that you’re unable to change the colour of your Colorbond roof once it’s installed, but with the right tools and the right paint, repainting a Colorbond roof just requires a little bit of know-how.
Recolouring and repainting a Colorbond roof isn’t something most homeowners will be able to do alone, as it requires specialised paints, and most obviously, comes with a significant safety risk if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Colorbond roofing requires a roofing professional knowledgeable in how to paint a Colorbond roof, as well as specialised equipment created specifically for Colorbond roofing. Trying to perform this sort of work yourself, or with a standard painter could result in doing more harm than good to your roof.
How do I go about recolouring my roof?
Once you’ve decided you want to bring a little more life to your roof, the best step is to contact a professional. For the aesthetic of your home, it’s important to make sure that nothing you change will impact the value of your home. Our roof restoration team care greatly about your home and increasing the value of your home with a professional roof restoration and a perfect roof colour to match your home aesthetics.
At Right Roofing Restorations, we’ve been working on roofs for over 15 years, and have performed hundreds of roof restorations and recolours across South East Queensland, and North East New South Wales. If you’re thinking about taking that step, get in contact with us today on 0431 962 819, or via our online form.
Alternatively, request an obligation free quote here, and we’ll be in touch shortly.