Re-roofing in Sydney
Sydney Roofs Repair arranges re-roofing for houses, townhouses and small commercial buildings across the Sydney metro area. Re-roofing replaces the roof covering, battens and sarking while keeping the existing roof frame, which is checked and repaired where needed. The most common jobs are converting concrete tile roofs to Colorbond steel, re-sheeting old galvanised iron with new pre-painted steel, and re-tiling where the owner or council wants the house to stay tiled. Independent local roofing contractors carry out the work.
Who re-roofing suits
Re-roofing suits houses where the frame is sound but the covering is not. That describes a great many Sydney homes built between the 1950s and the 1980s. Concrete tiles from that era have lost their surface coating, absorb water and grow lichen. Ridge capping has been patched more than once. Galvanised iron on older cottages has rusted along every lap. In each case, keeping the frame and replacing everything above it gives a near-new roof without the cost and disruption of structural work.
Tile to steel
A tile-to-steel conversion removes the tiles and tile battens, fixes new battens at the spacing the steel manufacturer specifies, lays an insulated blanket or sarking, then fixes the sheets with the correct screws for the site. Ridges, hips and valleys are replaced with folded steel flashings. The roof loses a great deal of weight, which can help older frames, and the lack of mortar joints removes a common source of leaks.
Points to settle before you sign:
- The profile and colour, and whether a lighter colour suits the house and street.
- Whether the steel grade suits a coastal site. Homes close to breaking surf may need a more corrosion-resistant product.
- What happens to the gutters and fascia. Many owners replace them at the same time.
- Whether a heritage conservation area or a particular council control limits the change of material.
Steel to steel
On older houses with corrugated iron, the new roof is often the same profile in pre-painted steel, which keeps the look of the house while ending the rust. Laps, fixings and flashings are all new, and the old timber battens are checked, as some cottages have hardwood battens in good order while others need replacement.
Re-tiling
Where tiles are staying, re-tiling uses new concrete or terracotta tiles on new battens and sarking. It costs more and takes longer than steel, but keeps the character of houses where tiles are part of the street's appeal. Our tile roof replacement page goes into more detail.
Planning and approvals
Before work starts, check whether your property is a heritage item, sits in a heritage conservation area or lies on bushfire-prone land, as each can affect what you are allowed to install. The NSW Planning Portal and your council's planning team can confirm. Our permits guide covers what usually applies and who to ask.