Matching a replacement roof tile means getting four things right: the material, the manufacturer, the profile and the colour. Royce Roofing does this every day, with a Mulgrave yard of 250 pallets of new and second-hand tiles, and over 200 tile types across two yards, to match against. Send a photo or bring a sample.
At a glance
- We identify material, manufacturer, profile and colour
- 250 pallets of new and second-hand tiles to match against
- Discontinued terracotta and concrete profiles held as reclaimed stock
- Send a photo of the front and back, or bring a sample
- Supply only, or supply and fit
How we match your tile
- MaterialTerracotta is the same clay colour on the back as the front. Concrete is grey on the back even when coloured on the face.
- ManufacturerMost tiles carry the maker’s name stamped underneath. Popular brands include Boral, Clarke, Monier and Pioneer, among others.
- ProfileWe compare the shape of the flat sections and the roll, and how the tile interlocks with its neighbours, against stock until the replacement sits flush.
- Lugs and nibsThe lugs on the back that hook over the battens must sit at the same position, or the tile will not line up with the course.
- ColourColours vary by batch and age. For older roofs a weathered second-hand tile is usually the closest match.
Send us a photo of your tile
Tick “Help finding a tile” on the contact form, or call.
What to send us
- A photo of the front of the tile, in daylight
- A photo of the back, showing any stamp or maker’s mark
- A photo of the roof from the ground, so we can see how the tiles have weathered
- Roughly how many tiles you need
- Your suburb, if you want us to fit them
If you have a broken or spare tile, bring it to the yard at 5-6 Rosemary Court, Mulgrave and we will compare it against stock.
Discontinued profiles
Tile makers retire profiles and colours over time, and some older Melbourne roofs use tiles that have not been made for decades. When a profile is discontinued, the only true match is usually a reclaimed tile from a roof of the same era. That is why reclaimed stock matters, and why our yards hold many profiles you can no longer buy new.
If there is no exact match
| Situation | What we suggest |
|---|---|
| Close profile, slightly different colour | Use the closest tile in a less visible spot, and move original tiles to the visible areas |
| Profile not available at all | Re-tile one roof plane in a new matching profile, using its original tiles as spares elsewhere |
| Many tiles failing across the roof | Consider a restoration or replacement instead of piecemeal matching |
| Faded concrete roof | Matched tiles plus a recoat so the whole roof is one colour again |
We will show you the options in stock and tell you honestly how each will look on your roof.
Working out how many tiles you need
- For repairs: count the broken tiles, then add a few spares, because neighbouring tiles can crack when they are lifted
- For an extension or new roof plane: tell us the roof area and the profile, and we will work out the quantity, including ridge and hip capping
- Keep a few matched spares in the shed for future repairs
Fitting the tile yourself or having it fitted
Replacing a tile means lifting the overlapping tiles around it without cracking them, and working safely on the roof. We recommend having it fitted, but if you are going ahead yourself, our guides on how to replace old roof tiles and how to replace broken roof tiles walk through it.
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 tile matching mistakes
- Matching the colour from a photo of a brand-new tile, when your roof has weathered for decades
- Buying a tile that looks right from the front but has lugs in a different position, so it will not sit in the course
- Mixing terracotta and concrete because they look similar from the ground
- Buying exactly the number of broken tiles, with no spares for tiles that crack when neighbours are lifted
- Sealing a cracked tile instead of replacing it, which only buys time
Why use a roofing company for tile matching
Two things matter: experience and range. Our team matches replacement tiles every day, and the size of our yards means there is a good chance we already have what you need. If we do not, we will tell you the closest option and how it will look on your roof.
Common questions
Can you match a tile from just a photo?
Often, yes, especially with a clear photo of both the front and the back showing any maker’s stamp. For older or unusual tiles a physical sample is more reliable, because profile and colour are easier to compare side by side against stock in the yard.
What if you do not have an exact match?
We will show you the closest options in stock and tell you honestly how each will look on your roof. On older roofs, a weathered second-hand tile from the same profile often blends in better than a perfect new one would.
Do you match both terracotta and concrete tiles?
Yes. Our yards hold both terracotta and concrete tiles in a wide range of profiles and colours, including discontinued ones, so we can match most tiles found on Melbourne homes. If you are not sure which material you have, check the back of the tile: terracotta is clay coloured right through, concrete is grey.
Where can I buy replacement roof tiles in Melbourne?
From a roofing business with its own tile yard, so someone can confirm the tile actually matches. Our yards in Mulgrave and Doveton supply homeowners, handymen and trade roofers, with new and reclaimed terracotta and concrete tiles and the ridge capping and supplies to fit them.
Can you find discontinued Monier or Boral tiles?
Often, yes. Discontinued profiles usually survive as reclaimed tiles from roofs of the same era, and our yards hold many of them. Send a photo of the front and back, including the maker’s stamp, and we will check stock.
Will you fit the matched tiles?
Yes. You can buy the tiles and fit them yourself, or our crews can replace them for you as part of a roof repair. Either way, we will check whether nearby tiles, pointing or valleys need attention while we are there.
Related services
