How long a painted roof lasts depends mostly on what happened before the paint went on: the cleaning, the repairs, the primer and the number of coats. A properly prepared roof painted with a quality system lasts many years; Dulux, for example, advertises a 15-year performance warranty on its AcraTex roofing system, subject to its terms. A quick single coat over a dirty, unrepaired roof can start failing within a few years.
The short answer
- Preparation and the coating system decide how long it lasts
- Dulux advertises a 15-year performance warranty on its AcraTex roof system, subject to terms
- Royce restorations carry our own 7-year warranty on the work
- Signs it is due: fading, chalking, peeling, bare patches and lichen regrowth
- Concrete tiles that have been painted need recoating periodically
What decides how long it lasts
Preparation
A thorough clean and a dry roof let the coating bond. Paint over lichen and grime does not.
Repairs first
Cracked tiles and loose capping move and let water in under the coating.
Primer and coats
A matched sealer and two topcoats build a proper film. One thin coat does not.
Product
Purpose-made acrylic roof membranes resist UV and fading far better than house paint.
Exposure
North and west faces in full sun weather fastest.
Maintenance
Clear gutters and valleys, and keep trees and foot traffic off the roof.
Warranties as a guide
Coating warranties are a useful guide to expected life when the system is applied properly. Dulux advertises a 15-year performance warranty that its AcraTex roofing system will keep its film integrity and not peel or crack, subject to its conditions. Royce Roofing restorations also carry our own 7-year warranty on the work. Ask any contractor exactly which warranties apply, and get them in writing.
How often should you repaint a roof?
Monier notes that once concrete tiles have been painted, the coating needs renewing over time; painting improves appearance and protects the surface but does not add waterproofing. There is no fixed timetable: repaint when the coating shows the signs below, rather than on a calendar. Unpainted terracotta generally never needs painting.
Sources: Monier: Roof cleaning and maintenance.
Is your roof coating tired?
Book a free inspection and we will tell you whether it needs a recoat, a restoration, or nothing yet.
Signs your roof needs repainting
- Colour faded unevenly, especially on north and west faces
- Chalky residue that rubs off on your fingers or washes into gutters
- Peeling or flaking coating
- Bare or porous patches where the tile shows through
- Lichen and moss growing back quickly
- Water marks where the surface now absorbs rain
How to make it last longer
- Choose a full system: clean, repair, primer and two topcoats, not a quick spray
- Keep gutters and valleys clear so water runs off freely
- Keep trees trimmed back from the roof
- Keep other trades off the roof, and check it after they have been up
- Have the roof inspected every few years and fix small problems early
Our roof maintenance schedule sets this out by season.
Repaint, restore or replace?
If the coating has worn but the tiles, capping and valleys are sound, a recoat as part of a restoration brings the roof back. If tiles are crumbling or breaking across the roof, paint will not save them; compare a roof replacement. Our cost guide has market price ranges for each.
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
How long does a painted roof last?
It depends on preparation and the coating system. A properly prepared roof with a quality system lasts many years; Dulux advertises a 15-year performance warranty on its AcraTex roof system, subject to its terms.
How often should a roof be repainted?
Repaint when the coating fades, chalks, peels or shows bare patches, rather than on a fixed schedule. Monier notes painted concrete tiles need recoating over time.
Does repainting a roof make it waterproof?
No. Monier notes painting does not improve the waterproofing of tiles. Leaks need repairs to tiles, capping, valleys or flashings.
Why do some painted roofs fail quickly?
Usually poor preparation: painting over lichen and dirt, skipping repairs or primer, or applying a single thin coat.
Do terracotta roofs need repainting?
Unpainted terracotta holds its colour and generally does not need painting. A terracotta roof that has been painted will need recoating over time.
What warranty comes with a roof restoration?
Royce Roofing restorations carry a 7-year warranty on the work. Coating manufacturers offer their own system warranties, subject to their terms.
Related
Sources: Dulux: AcraTex Roof Membrane and roofing system; Monier: Roof cleaning and maintenance.
Comments are closed