Concrete tiles cover a huge share of Melbourne homes. Royce Roofing stocks new and second-hand concrete roof tiles in many profiles and colours, including profiles that are no longer made, across our yards in Mulgrave and Doveton. Bring a sample or a photo and we will match it, or our crews can repair, restore or re-roof it for you.
At a glance
- New and second-hand concrete tiles, including discontinued profiles
- Lower upfront cost than terracotta, with long manufacturer structural warranties
- Faded concrete roofs can be cleaned, repointed and recoated rather than replaced
- Ridge capping and roofing supplies in the same yard
- Public and trade welcome
Concrete roof tiles: pros and cons
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Lower upfront cost than terracotta | Surface colour and coating fade over time |
| Long structural life; Brickworks offers 50-year and 100-year structural warranties | Older tiles become more porous as the surface wears, which encourages moss and lichen |
| Wide range of profiles and colours | Painted roofs need recoating; Monier says roughly every five years |
| Can be cleaned, repointed and recoated to look new again | Heavy, like all tiles, so the frame must be suitable |
| Easy to replace individual tiles | Many older profiles are discontinued, making matching harder |
Sources: Brickworks: Reasons to choose concrete roof tiles; Monier: Roof cleaning and maintenance.
Are concrete tiles a good roof?
Yes, for most Melbourne homes. Concrete tiles are a proven, long-lasting roofing material, and the weak points on an older concrete roof are usually the ridge pointing, valleys and surface coating rather than the tiles themselves. Those can all be fixed through a roof restoration. Our crew’s walkthrough of a 30-year-old cement tile roof in Wheelers Hill shows how solid an older concrete roof can be: see roof restoration vs roof replacement.
Matching an older concrete roof
Concrete tiles vary by manufacturer, profile and colour, and many older profiles have been discontinued.
- Check the backConcrete tiles are grey on the back even when coloured on the face.
- Find the makerMany manufacturers stamp their name on the underside. Brands we see on Melbourne roofs include Boral, Monier and Pioneer, among others.
- Match the profileWe compare the shape of the roll and flat sections and how the tile interlocks against stock until it sits flush.
- Match the colourFor an older roof, a weathered second-hand tile usually blends in best.
- If there is no matchWe may suggest moving matched tiles to the most visible areas and using the closest alternative on a less visible roof plane.
More detail on our roof tile matching service.
Need a concrete tile matched?
Send us a photo or bring a sample to the Mulgrave yard.
Cleaning and painting concrete tiles
As concrete tiles age, the surface weathers and the colour fades. A faded concrete roof is usually a candidate for a restoration rather than replacement.
- CleanIndustrial pressure cleaning strips moss, lichen and dirt, with the method matched to tile condition.
- RepairCracked tiles replaced from our yards, ridges rebedded and repointed, rusted valleys replaced.
- CoatOur 4-coat system: one primer coat, two full-colour base coats and one protectant coat, using the Dulux Acratex range.
Monier notes that repainting does not improve a tile’s waterproofing, so a coating is about protecting the surface and restoring the look, not fixing leaks. Leaks are fixed by the repairs underneath. More in roof painting and how long a painted roof lasts.
Sources: Monier: Roof cleaning and maintenance.
What affects the price of concrete tiles
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| New or second-hand | Reclaimed tiles generally cost less than new. |
| Profile | Current profiles are readily available; discontinued ones depend on reclaimed stock. |
| Quantity | A handful of tiles for a repair versus pallets for an extension or re-roof. |
| Accessories | Ridge capping, hip, barge and starter tiles are priced separately from field tiles. |
| Supply only or supply and fit | Fitting adds labour and safety set-up on the roof. |
Call us with the profile and quantity and we will price it from stock.
Also in the yard
- Concrete ridge capping, hip and starter tiles
- Roofing supplies: flexible pointing, valley iron, storm seal, lead flashing, sand and cement
- Terracotta roof tiles and second-hand tiles
Yard and office: 5-6 Rosemary Court, Mulgrave VIC 3170, with a second yard in Doveton. Stock changes constantly, so call 1300 992 911 to check availability before you visit.
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
Handling and storing tiles
- Carry tiles on edge rather than flat, and never drop them onto each other
- Stack them on edge on a flat, firm surface, out of the way of cars and mowers
- Keep spares dry and labelled with the profile and where they came from
- Do not walk on a tiled roof to fit them unless you are trained and protected from falls
Need them fitted?
Our crews replace broken tiles as part of roof repairs, restore faded concrete roofs through roof restoration, and lay full roofs in a roof replacement. New tiles are fixed to AS 2050 and the National Construction Code, and sarking is mandatory on tiled roofs pitched under 18 degrees.
Sources: HIA: AS 2050 Installation of roof tiles; NCC 2022 Housing Provisions Part 7.3: Roof tiles.
Common questions
How long do concrete roof tiles last?
Concrete tiles are a long-life roofing material, and manufacturers such as Brickworks offer 50-year and 100-year structural warranties. The surface coating wears first, which is why older concrete roofs look faded. Cleaning, repointing and recoating restore the look without replacing the tiles.
What are the disadvantages of a concrete tile roof?
The surface colour fades and older tiles become more porous, which encourages moss. Painted concrete roofs need recoating periodically, and many older profiles are discontinued, which makes matching harder. Concrete tiles are also heavy. Most of these are managed with maintenance and a good tile yard.
Are concrete tiles good for roofs?
Yes. Concrete tiles are durable, widely available and cost less upfront than terracotta. On older concrete roofs it is usually the pointing, valleys and coating that fail, not the tiles, and those can be fixed through a restoration rather than a full replacement.
Can you match a discontinued concrete tile?
Often, yes. We keep many older and discontinued profiles in our yards, mostly as reclaimed second-hand tiles. Bring a sample or send a photo of the front and back and we will find the closest match in stock.
Are concrete tiles cheaper than terracotta?
Generally, yes. Concrete tiles usually cost less upfront than terracotta. Terracotta holds its colour longer because the colour is fired through the clay, while concrete roofs typically need recoating over their life. We stock both and can talk you through the trade-off.
Can a faded concrete roof be painted?
Yes. After a clean and any repairs, a faded concrete tile roof can be recoated to restore its colour and protect the surface. Our 4-coat system uses a primer, two full-colour base coats and a protectant coat. It is usually far cheaper than replacing the roof.
Can cracked concrete roof tiles be repaired?
Cracked concrete tiles are best replaced with a matched tile rather than patched, because sealant repairs weather and fail. We replace them from our yards, including discontinued profiles. See our guide on whether concrete roof tiles can be repaired for more detail.
Can I buy just a few concrete tiles?
Yes. Whether you need two tiles for a repair or pallets for an extension, we supply homeowners, handymen and trade roofers. Call ahead with the profile and quantity, or bring a sample to the Mulgrave yard, and we will check stock for you.
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