A properly painted tiled roof needs more than one coat. Royce Roofing applies four: a primer or sealer, two colour coats and a protectant. The primer binds to the cleaned tile, two colour coats build an even, durable film, and the protectant finishes the system. One coat of colour over an unprimed roof looks fine for a season and then fades, chalks or peels.
The short answer
- Royce applies four coats: primer or sealer, two colour coats, protectant
- The primer or sealer is what makes the coating stick
- Two colour coats give even coverage and enough film to last
- Coats need drying time between them, so weather matters
- When comparing quotes, compare the number of coats and the products
The four coats and what each one does
| Coat | Purpose |
|---|---|
| 1. Primer or sealer | Binds to the cleaned tile surface and gives the topcoats a uniform base to grip |
| 2. First colour coat | Builds colour and film thickness |
| 3. Second colour coat | Evens out coverage and builds the film that resists sun and weather |
| 4. Protectant | Finishes the system |
Dulux describes its AcraTex Roof Sealer WB as the foundation for uniform adhesion and durability of its roof membrane topcoats, which is why we never skip it.
Sources: Dulux: AcraTex Roof Sealer WB.
Why one coat is not enough
A single coat of colour can look good on the day. But it is thin, it shows the tile through in patches, and without a primer it has nothing proper to bond to on a weathered concrete surface. Thin, poorly bonded coatings are the ones that fade, chalk and peel within a few years, and then the roof has to be stripped back before it can be painted properly.
The extra coats are a small part of the job. Most of the cost of painting a roof is the cleaning, repairs, safety set-up and labour, so cutting coats saves little and costs a lot of life.
Want your roof painted properly?
Book a free inspection and we will quote the full four-coat system.
Preparation matters more than paint
- Clean: lichen, moss and loose material removed, using a method suited to the tile
- Repair: broken tiles replaced, ridge capping rebedded and repointed, rusted valleys replaced
- Dry: the roof must be dry before priming
- Check the surface: Dulux directs concrete tiles that are powdery after cleaning to a solvent-based sealer rather than the water-based one
Sources: Dulux: AcraTex Roof Sealer WB.
Drying times and weather
Each coat needs time to dry before the next. Dulux specifies a minimum of two hours before topcoating its water-based roof sealer, and topcoats have their own recoat times. Rain, dew, cold and wind all affect drying, so a recoat can stretch over several days. A crew that rushes coats onto a damp roof is shortening its life.
Sources: Dulux: AcraTex Roof Sealer WB.
Terracotta and metal roofs
Terracotta is usually cleaned and repaired rather than painted, because fired clay holds its colour. If it is painted, it needs a terracotta primer, not a concrete tile sealer. Metal roofs use metal primers or self-priming metal coatings. Our guide to what type of roof paint to use compares them.
Sources: Dulux: AcraTex Roof Primer Terracotta.
Comparing quotes
- How many coats, and what each coat is
- Which products, and whether they are a matched system
- Whether cleaning and repairs are included before painting
- What warranty applies to the coating and to the workmanship
- Who does the work, and how they will keep crews safe on the roof
Our roof restoration cost guide lists market price ranges for painting and restoration.
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 many coats of paint does a roof need?
Royce Roofing applies four: a primer or sealer, two colour coats and a protectant. That gives proper adhesion and enough film to resist sun and weather.
Do you need a primer on roof tiles?
Yes. The primer or sealer binds to the cleaned tile and gives the topcoats a uniform base. Skipping it is a common reason roof coatings peel.
Is one coat of roof paint enough?
No. A single coat is thin, patchy and poorly bonded, and tends to fade, chalk or peel within a few years.
How long between roof paint coats?
It depends on the product and the weather. Dulux specifies at least two hours before topcoating its water-based roof sealer, and cold or damp weather slows drying.
Does the number of coats affect the price much?
Less than you might think. Most of the cost is cleaning, repairs, safety set-up and labour, so extra coats add little to the price and a lot to the life.
Do terracotta roofs need the same coats?
Terracotta is usually not painted. If it is, it needs a terracotta primer rather than a concrete tile sealer.
Related
Sources: Dulux: AcraTex Roof Sealer WB; Dulux: AcraTex Roof Primer Terracotta.
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