This complete guide is packed with everything you need to know about roof painting. We break down the different types of paint, offer handy tips on picking out the right paint for your roof, reveal the costs involved, and lots more.
Jump in to discover all the essentials of roof painting.
Types of Roof Paint
There’s a bunch of roof paint out there that’s specially formulated to meet different needs. Besides different colours and finishes, you can also get paint designed for specific roof materials and weather conditions. Here’s an overview of the most popular roofing paints you can get:
Acrylic Roof Paint
Best for: Concrete tiles, terracotta tiles, and Colorbond roof surfaces (with the right primer).
Weather suitability: Mild climates with moderate sunlight and rainfall.
If you’re planning on getting your roof tiles painted, acrylic roof paint is certainly a strong contender. It’s a go-to for residential roofing, mainly because of its impressive versatility, affordability, and fuss-free application, making it great for DIY homeowners.
Elastomeric Roof Paint
Best for: Flat and low-sloped tiled roofs, especially concrete tiles and metal roofing.
Weather suitability: Harsh climates with heavy rainfall, hail, and unstable temperatures.
If you get the harsh Aussie weather where you live, elastomeric roof paint is the right investment. While it might be a little pricier than other options, it’s certainly longer lasting. It’s super thick and weatherproof, making it a reliable, long-lasting choice. However, because of its thickness, it’s trickier to apply, so you’ll need a pro roofer for the job.
Bituminous (Asphalt) Roof Paint
Best for: Flat roofs with metal sheeting.
Weather suitability: Wet and damp climates.
With a thick, black tar-like consistency, waterproof qualities, and corrosion resistance, bituminous, or asphalt, roof paint will reliably protect your metal roofing from leaks, mould, and wear. It’s pretty costly, but definitely worth the investment given how durable it is.
Bituminous paint is definitely not DIY-friendly as it has strong fumes and a difficult consistency to work with, so you’ll need a trained expert to apply it.
Silicone Roof Coating
Best for: Metal roofs, including Colorbond roof surfaces.
Weather suitability: Wet climates and hot areas with a high UV index.
Silicone roof coating is a prime option for Aussie homes that face intense heat, and that’s all thanks to its heat and UV-resistance. It doesn’t dry out easily, so you needn’t worry about cracking or lifting. It also works well around solar panels because it helps regulate roof temperatures, preventing heat from building which would otherwise affect the efficiency of solar panels.
Silicone coatings also perform exceptionally well in wet weather because it’s super water-resistant and creates strong barriers in hard-to-reach crevices.
You’ll need to thoroughly prep your roof for a silicone coating, so it’s best to call on a fully-equipped and skilled roofer.
Heat Reflective Roof Paint
Best for: Concrete tiles, terracotta tiles, metal sheets, and Colorbond roof surfaces.
Weather suitability: Harsh, hot climates.
You’ll find a good amount of companies out there that offer roof paints with heat reflective formulas. These paints are ideal for tiled roofs as they prevent cracking from extreme heat. They’re also fantastic for metal sheets and colorbond roofing because they prevent heat absorption, making it much easier and more affordable to keep your home cool during heatwaves.
Heat reflective roof paint is more expensive than your average roof paint, but the upfront cost is justified by the heat reducing properties which will make your home less dependent on cooling systems, saving you a decent amount on your energy bills.
It’s pretty easy to apply, so any keen DIY homeowner can take on the task of roof painting with ease.
How Much Does Roof Painting Cost?
The cost of a roof painting service all depends on the type of paint being used, the size and material of your roof, how accessible your roof is, and the existing condition of it.
For a standard refresh, roof painters will typically charge around $2,000 to $4,000, or $35 to $45 per hour. But, if a complete roof restoration is to be done, then expect to pay around $5,000 to $12,000+ for the job.
Choosing the Right Roof Paint for Your Home: 5 Top-Tips
Picking out the right roof paint isn’t just about choosing a colour that fits the vibe of your home. Weather resistance, roofing material compatibility, and durability are all super important things to think about, too.
Here’s a bunch of handy steps to picking out the perfect roof paint for your home:
- Match Your Roof: Understand what paint works best for your roof material to ensure a flawless, lasting finish.
- Consider Your Local Climate: Different paints work with different climates. If you live in a hot area, you’ll need a heat and UV-resistant paint, whereas if you live in a rainy area, you’ll need something that’s water-resistant.
- Seek Out Durability: Keep your eyes peeled for special features that ensure durability, like anti-cracking, UV-resistance, water resistance, anti-fading, and so on.
- Budget Wisely: Think about upfront costs and long-term value. Premium paints might be more expensive, but they’ll last longer and save you the expense of costly roof restorations.
- DIY it or Call a Pro? You might save money painting your roof yourself, but you could also be better off calling an expert for more complex jobs and special paints, to ensure the job’s done right.
How To Make Your Roof Paint Last
Remembering to do a roof inspection every so often will help you spot any early signs of wear and damage, before it turns into costly roof repairs. Roof cleaning is essential for overall roof health and prolonging the condition of your roof paint. It will also keep the paint colour vibrant and flawless.
It’s also worth adding a protective layer to your roof paint. Roof sealing is the secret ingredient to making roof paint last and safeguarding your roof structure. You can get a selection of sealants at Evo Build, including Fastfix Wet Shield, which instantly waterproofs your roof in just one coat.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does it Take for a Roof to Fully Dry?
A newly painted roof will typically take 24 to 48 hours. Factors like the weather, type of paint, thickness of application, and roof material all affect drying time.
Do I Need to Prime My Roof Surface Before Painting It?
Absolutely! Your roof surface needs to be cleaned and primed for paint to ensure it lasts longer and dries evenly. Different paints require their own priming processes, so always check the manufacturer’s instructions.