The most environmentally friendly roof is usually the one you already have, kept going. Restoring a sound tiled roof instead of stripping it keeps a whole roof of tiles out of landfill; reclaimed tiles reuse material that already exists; a lighter roof colour reflects more heat; and long-lived materials like terracotta avoid replacement for decades. Add rainwater collection and solar, and a tiled roof can work hard for the environment.
The short answer
- Restore rather than replace when the tiles are sound
- Reuse: reclaimed tiles for repairs and extensions
- Lighter colours reflect more heat and keep homes cooler
- Long-lived materials: Brickworks offers up to 100-year warranties on terracotta
- Collect rainwater and add solar, with the roof prepared first
Restore before you replace
A restoration renews the parts of a roof that wear out, such as the bedding, pointing, valleys and coating, and keeps the tiles and frame. A replacement strips the whole roof and sends the old tiles away. When the tiles are sound, restoration uses far less new material. Read restoration versus replacement.
Reuse and reclaimed tiles
Sound roof tiles can be reused. Our Mulgrave and Doveton yards stock reclaimed terracotta and concrete tiles alongside new ones, so a repair or an extension can use tiles that already exist, and often match an older roof better than new ones. See second-hand roof tiles.
Cooler colours
A roof with a lower solar absorptance, generally a lighter colour, reflects more of the sun’s heat and keeps the roof space and the home cooler on hot days, according to the NSW Planning Portal’s BASIX guidance. When a concrete tile roof is recoated, choosing a lighter colour can reduce heat gain. Some roof coating ranges include cool roof products designed for high solar reflectance.
Sources: NSW Planning Portal: Solar absorptance.
Keep your roof going longer
Book a free inspection and we will tell you whether a restoration can extend its life.
Long-lived materials
The longer a roof lasts, the less material it uses over its life. Brickworks offers product warranties of up to 100 years on its terracotta tiles and 50 and 100-year structural warranties on concrete tiles. See roofing materials compared.
Sources: Brickworks: Reasons to choose terracotta roof tiles; Brickworks: Reasons to choose concrete roof tiles.
Rainwater collection
A tiled roof is a good catchment for a rainwater tank for garden and toilet use. Health guidance on rainwater tanks recommends keeping roofs and gutters clean, disconnecting the inlet when cleaning or painting, and not collecting run-off from newly painted roofs until the coating has cured.
Ventilation and insulation
A well ventilated, well insulated roof space reduces summer heat and winter condensation. CSR Bradford notes unventilated roof spaces can reach around 70°C. Read roof ventilation.
Sources: CSR Bradford: The ultimate guide to roof ventilation.
Solar panels
Solar is easiest and cheapest to add to a roof in good condition. Get the roof inspected and repaired first, so you do not pay to remove and refit the panels later. Read solar panels on a tiled roof.
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.
Common questions
What is the most environmentally friendly roof?
Usually the one you already have, kept in good repair. Restoring a sound tiled roof avoids stripping and replacing it.
Is roof restoration better for the environment than replacement?
When the tiles are sound, yes. A restoration renews the wearing parts and keeps the tiles and frame, using far less new material.
Can roof tiles be reused?
Yes. Sound tiles can be reclaimed and reused. Royce Roofing’s yards stock reclaimed terracotta and concrete tiles.
Does roof colour affect energy use?
Lighter colours with lower solar absorptance reflect more heat and keep the roof space and home cooler on hot days.
Is a tiled roof good for rainwater collection?
Yes, with clean gutters. Disconnect the tank inlet when cleaning or painting the roof, and wait for new coatings to cure.
What roofing material lasts longest?
Terracotta generally lasts longest; Brickworks offers up to a 100-year product warranty on its terracotta tiles.
Related
Sources: NSW Planning Portal: Solar absorptance; Brickworks: Reasons to choose terracotta roof tiles; Brickworks: Reasons to choose concrete roof tiles; enHealth: Guidance on the use of rainwater tanks; CSR Bradford: The ultimate guide to roof ventilation.
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