Metal Roofing & Re-Roofing Specialists in Sydney
Metal roofing uses long, factory pre-painted steel sheets, most commonly COLORBOND® steel from BlueScope, fixed over a timber or steel frame. Re-roofing means stripping an old tile roof back to the frame and replacing it entirely, rather than patching it. It's the most common major roof upgrade on Sydney homes built before the 1990s.
Types of Metal Roofing
Corrugated (Custom Orb)
The classic wavy profile. Can be curved or bullnosed for verandahs, which makes it the usual choice on Federation and heritage homes.
Trimdek
Bold trapezoidal rib. Popular on modern homes, carports and patio kits, strong spanning ability and good value.
Klip-Lok
Concealed fixings, so no visible screws. Works at the lowest pitch of any profile (around 1–2°). Premium look, premium price.
Standing seam
Architectural profile with fully concealed fixings. Used on high-end contemporary builds.
Zincalume®
Unpainted aluminium/zinc-coated steel. Cheaper than painted Colorbond, mostly sheds and rural work.
Tile-to-Colorbond conversion
A full re-roof replacing tile with steel, usually with new sarking, insulation and battens.
Why choose metal roofing
- Far lighter than tile, reducing load on ageing roof frames
- Sheds heat and rain fast, less risk of leaks, moss and cracked tiles
- No re-bedding or re-pointing ridge caps every 15–20 years
- One of the strongest manufacturer warranties in Australian residential construction
- Wide colour range to suit heritage overlays and modern streetscapes
Council approval in NSW
A like-for-like re-roof on a single dwelling is typically exempt development or CDC-eligible in NSW. Changing pitch, increasing height, or working on a heritage item usually triggers a DA. Residential building work over $5,000 must be carried out by a licensed contractor under NSW Fair Trading, and work over $20,000 requires Home Building Compensation Fund insurance in place before any deposit is taken. Roof and fixing specification must satisfy AS/NZS 1170.2 wind actions for your site, Sydney is non-cyclonic (N1–N4).
General guidance only, requirements vary by council and by property. We confirm what applies to your address before quoting.
Our process
- 01
Consult
A free on-site visit to understand the brief, the block and what council will expect. - 02
Quote
A clear, itemised quote, no vague allowances, no surprise variations later. - 03
Council
We handle exempt development, CDC or DA paperwork so the build is fully compliant. - 04
Build
Our own dedicated crew builds the job, not a rotating cast of subcontractors. - 05
Inspect
A final walkthrough against the quote before we call the job done.
Metal Roofing FAQs
How much does it cost to re-roof a house in Sydney?
Cost depends on roof size, pitch, access and whether the old tiles need removing and disposing of. We quote after a site inspection rather than over the phone, because a steep two-storey roof and a single-storey skillion of the same area are very different jobs.
Is Colorbond better than tile?
For most Sydney homes, yes, mainly because it's roughly a fifth of the weight, sheds water faster, and doesn't need ridge caps re-bedded every 15–20 years. Tile still has advantages: more thermal mass, and it's quieter in heavy rain unless the metal roof is insulated.
Do I need council approval to replace my roof?
A like-for-like re-roof on a single dwelling is usually exempt development or CDC-eligible. You'll generally need a DA if you're changing the roof pitch, increasing height, or the property is heritage-listed. We'll tell you which applies before you commit.
How long does a Colorbond roof last?
Published figures vary widely because it depends heavily on distance from the coast. Inland Sydney suburbs sit at the long end of the range; homes close to breaking surf are materially shorter. We'll advise on whether your site needs COLORBOND® Ultra for the additional corrosion protection.
Can you lay Colorbond over existing tiles?
It's occasionally done but we don't recommend it. You keep the weight of the old roof, you can't inspect or repair the battens and frame underneath, and it usually voids the sheet warranty.
Is a metal roof noisy in the rain?
Uninsulated, yes, noticeably. With proper sarking and insulation (anticon blanket or an insulated panel system) the difference against tile is small. This is worth specifying up front rather than discovering later.
Related services
Ready to start your metal roofing project?
Tell us about your project and we’ll come back with a free, no-obligation quote.