Roof painting restores the colour of a faded tiled roof and protects its surface for years. Royce Roofing prepares every roof properly first, with a 4,000+ psi clean and the repairs it needs, then applies our 4-coat system: one primer coat, two full-colour coats and one protectant coat, using the Dulux Acratex range.
At a glance
- Best for faded concrete tile roofs, and terracotta when you want a colour change
- Proper preparation first: clean, replace broken tiles, rebed and repoint
- 4-coat system: primer, two full-colour coats, protectant
- Dulux Acratex products
- Usually part of a 7-year-warranty roof restoration
When painting is the right call
A coating restores colour and protects the surface of the tile. It does not fix leaks on its own: leaks are fixed by the repairs underneath, such as rebedding ridges, replacing cracked tiles and replacing rusted valleys. Tile maker Monier makes the same point, noting that repainting does not improve a tile’s waterproofing.
So we recommend painting when the roof is sound or has been repaired, and the surface is faded, porous or the colour no longer suits the home.
Sources: Monier: Roof cleaning and maintenance.
Our 4-coat system
- Pressure cleanMoss, lichen and loose surface material removed at 4,000+ psi, with the method matched to the tiles.
- Repairs firstCracked tiles replaced from our yards, ridges rebedded and repointed, valleys replaced where rusted.
- Primer coatSeals the cleaned tile surface so the colour coats bond properly.
- Two full-colour coatsBuild the colour and film thickness across every tile.
- Protectant coatA final coat to prolong the life of the finish.
We use the Dulux Acratex range. Our guides explain how many coats a roof needs and how long a painted roof lasts.
Faded roof?
Free inspection and a fixed written quote for painting or a full restoration.
Before and after
Concrete and terracotta roofs
Concrete tiles
The most common candidate. As the surface weathers it fades and becomes more porous, so a coating restores colour and protects the surface.
Terracotta tiles
Colour is fired into the clay, so most terracotta only needs cleaning. Painting suits a terracotta roof when you want a colour change or the surface is weathered.
Colour changes
You can change colour, for example from terracotta red to charcoal. Read can you paint roof tiles a different colour.
Rainwater tanks
Run-off from a newly painted roof should not be collected. We will tell you when your tank can be reconnected.
What affects the cost of roof painting
What roof painting costs on the market. Published Melbourne figures put painting a single-storey roof at about $2,625 to $6,300, with around $4,200 typical, and a full tiled roof restoration including repairs at about $4,200 to $11,550. See the roof restoration cost guide.
These are market ranges from published Australian price guides, not Royce Roofing prices. Every roof is different. We give you a fixed written quote after a free inspection.
Sources: What’s The Damage: Roofing costs in Melbourne (October 2026).
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Roof size | More area to clean and coat. |
| Height and pitch | Double-storey and steep roofs need more safety set-up. |
| Preparation | How much repair is needed before painting: tiles, ridges, valleys. |
| Surface condition | Porous or heavily weathered tiles take more primer. |
| Colour change | Changing colour can need extra coverage to hide the old colour. |
Every quote is fixed and written after a free inspection.
Safety on every job
WorkSafe Victoria’s compliance code for housing construction puts edge protection such as guard railing ahead of harnesses and ladders when controlling the risk of falls from a roof. Our crews set up our own temporary safety rail, ladder guards and, where there are old skylights, safety nets before anyone works on the roof. Every crew member holds a working at heights qualification.
Sources: WorkSafe Victoria: Prevention of falls in housing construction.
Common questions
Does painting a roof stop leaks?
No. A coating protects the surface and restores colour, but leaks are fixed by repairs such as rebedding ridges, replacing cracked tiles and replacing rusted valleys. We always do those repairs before painting.
How many coats do you apply?
Four: one primer coat, two full-colour coats and one protectant coat, using the Dulux Acratex range. The roof is cleaned and repaired before any coating goes on.
Can terracotta tiles be painted?
Yes, especially if you want a colour change or the surface is weathered. Because terracotta colour is fired into the clay, many terracotta roofs only need a clean, so we will tell you whether painting is worth it.
Can I change the colour of my roof?
Yes. A full primer and two colour coats can change a roof from, for example, terracotta red to charcoal. Check any estate or heritage rules that apply to your home before choosing a colour.
How long does roof painting take?
Painting itself usually takes 1 to 2 days after the roof has been cleaned and repaired. As part of a full restoration, most jobs take 3 to 7 days on site, depending on size, pitch and weather.
What about my rainwater tank?
National rainwater guidance says run-off from newly painted roofs should not be collected. Tell us about your tank when you book so it can be disconnected before work starts, and reconnected once the roof has been rinsed clean.
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