Roof tiles have been popular in Australia for well over 150 years. Nothing beats a freshly painted roof, whether you have concrete roof tiles or metal. So, dust off your paintbrush and eliminate the mould and bird droppings to give your property the shiny new coat of paint it deserves.
What Is the Best Roofing Paint?
As with any construction decision, the materials you use could make or break the aesthetics and durability of your roof. So, how do you determine the best roofing materials and paint to use?
What Type of Roof Do You Want to Paint?
Firstly, you need to establish the type of roof you’re painting. You’ll need specific roof coatings for metal roofs, terracotta roof tiles, and concrete roof tiles. You’ll also need an appropriate primer to protect and seal metal roofs. If you’re unsure which roof paint is best for your roofing materials, consult a professional.
Why Are You Painting Your Roof?
Secondly, ask yourself why you are painting your roof. Understanding the purpose of your roof restoration will help you determine the right product to get the desired effect. For instance, you might repaint your entire roof for the following reasons:
- Protect against corrosion
- Prevent premature colour fading
- Eliminate algae and mould growth
- Improve heat reflection
Different roof paints can target specific results. Therefore, choose a roof paint designed to tackle what you want to achieve to get the best results.
How to Paint Roof Tiles
Roof painting might seem simple, but, to do it right, you’ll need to follow specific steps. It’s a relatively straightforward DIY job if you pay careful attention to the process.
1. Surface Preparation
Firstly, you must prepare the surface. The paint will not bond well with the roof membrane without a clean tiled roof. Wash your roof tiles thoroughly with a high-pressure power washer to ensure good adhesion. This will remove previously painted roof coating, dirt, moult, and grease. Allow the roof to dry thoroughly.
Secondly, use an airless sprayer to apply primer. Start with the top of the roof and work your way down. Let it dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions before moving on to the next step. Remember, it might be dry to touch, but that doesn’t mean it’s ready for paint coatings. Most manufacturers recommend waiting 24 hours before beginning the painting job.
2. Paint Application
Now the roof is ready for painting. Apply your chosen paint to the prepared surface with a roller, brush or airless sprayer. Use the same technique as the primer – work your way from the top to the bottom until the entire roof is complete. You’ll want to apply at least two coats of paint for the best finish and durability.
Again, pay attention to the manufacturer’s instructions before applying the second coat. Generally, it’s best to leave the first coat for at least two hours.
3. Touch Up
Once the final coat of paint dries, inspect your roof for missed spots. You can use a toothbrush to work the paint into tight corners, ridge capping, or edges to ensure the colour is uniform across the entire roof. If you climb onto the roof, practice all roof safety procedures.
Anyone can paint concrete roof tiles. Yet, it is a tiresome job to paint your roof, and you may make mistakes as an amateur. Incorrectly washing and preparing the roof material could seriously hinder the final results. Consider hiring a professional to help to ensure the best finish and optimum durability.
Benefits of Painting Your Roof
Painting roof tiles requires a lot of effort. What are the pros of regular paint jobs?
Extended Life Expectancy
Quality roof paint and coating could add many years to your roof’s life expectancy. With a professional touch, roof paint application will improve the longevity and durability of your property’s roof.
If you seek a professional to do the job, ensure you seek a reputable company with professionalism and experience to guarantee your roof will be in good working condition for many years.
UV Reflection
Some roof coatings offer the additional benefit of reflecting UV rays from the sun. UV is responsible for heating the roof’s surface, which passes into the house.
By reflecting the UV rays, you can ensure a more steady and cooler temperature within the home. In Australia’s brutal climate, reflecting UV rays is vital. You’ll save a few dollars on your air conditioning bills each year.
Have you considered other ways you might reduce your energy bills? With passive ventilation, you’ll improve the temperature and air quality within the property.
Home Protection
Your home is likely your most expensive and most loved asset. A good roof coating will keep the properties exterior in good condition. Roof leaks and mould are unpleasant, hazardous, and costly to repair. A good roof paint job will help prevent such nuisances from occurring.
Shiny New Look
A shiny new roof will add to the appeal of your home. A fresh coat of paint will do wonders if you’re considering selling your property or want to outdo all the other houses on the block. Repainting the roof will create an excellent first impression.
How Long Does Roof Paint Last
If you use high-quality paint with professional application techniques, you might expect your roof paint to last for at least 15 years. To optimise results, you must adequately prepare the surface. Skipping or rushing through this step will mean the paint will never last as long, regardless of product quality.
In addition, drying times and weather conditions will impact your paint performance. Check the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure you allow proper drying times, consider temperatures, and for other details.
How Often Should You Paint Your Roof?
You should consider repainting your roof once every ten to 15 years. Complete regular roof health checks and inspect the quality of your roof paint. If you see peeling, fading, or other more extensive damage (e.g. mould or leaks), it’s time to give your roof a fresh coat of paint.
Weather conditions and the quality of materials will affect how soon you need to touch up your paint job. If left unattended, the protective qualities of the paint will no longer do its job correctly. This could damage the metal or concrete. Repainting when the time is right will prevent a more expensive roof restoration down the line.
Painting Your Roof
Painting roof tiles is an easy and inexpensive way to improve the longevity of your roof. With many additional benefits, a quick paint job will save you a lot of future stress and expensive repairs. So, if you notice deteriorating paintwork on your roof, consider getting the paintbrush out and repainting your roof.