Royce Roofing stocks new and second-hand terracotta roof tiles across our tile yards in Mulgrave and Doveton, with over 200 types of roofing tile on hand. We sell to homeowners, handymen and the trade every day, match tiles from a sample or a photo, and our crews repair, restore and re-roof terracotta roofs across Melbourne.
At a glance
- New and second-hand terracotta tiles in a wide range of profiles and colours
- Over 200 tile types across Mulgrave and Doveton, including older profiles
- Colour is fired through the clay, so it does not fade like a coating
- Bring a sample or send a photo and we will find the match
- Ridge capping, hip tiles and roofing supplies in the same yard
Why terracotta
Colour that lasts
The colour is fired into the clay rather than applied as a coating, so it holds its look for decades. Brickworks describes terracotta colour as guaranteed for life.
Long product life
Brickworks offers up to a 100-year product warranty on terracotta tiles. The tiles usually outlast the pointing, valleys and sarking around them.
Repairable and reusable
Individual tiles can be replaced, and sound terracotta can be reclaimed and reused, which is why we can offer second-hand tiles.
Suits period homes
Terracotta suits Federation, Californian bungalow and post-war homes across Melbourne, where matching the original look matters.
No painting needed
Because the colour is in the clay, a terracotta roof does not need a coating to keep its colour. A clean brings it back.
A heavy roofing material
Like concrete, terracotta is a heavy roofing material, so the existing frame must be suitable. On a re-roof we check this at inspection.
Sources: Brickworks: Reasons to choose terracotta roof tiles.
Terracotta vs concrete tiles
| Terracotta | Concrete | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Fired clay | Sand, cement and oxide colouring |
| How to tell | Same clay colour on the back as the front | Grey on the back even when coloured on the face |
| Colour over time | Holds its colour; weathers gently | Surface colour and coating fade; can be recoated |
| Manufacturer warranties | Brickworks: up to 100-year product warranty | Brickworks: 50-year and 100-year structural warranties |
| Upfront cost | Higher | Lower |
| Painting | Not needed for colour | Common on older roofs; Monier says repainted tiles need redoing every five years or so |
More on our concrete roof tiles page.
Sources: Brickworks: Reasons to choose terracotta roof tiles; Brickworks: Reasons to choose concrete roof tiles; Monier: Roof cleaning and maintenance.
Looking for a matching terracotta tile?
Send us a photo or bring a sample to the Mulgrave yard.
Profiles and finishes
Terracotta tiles come in many shapes, and the profile is what makes a replacement tile sit flush with its neighbours. Common profiles on Melbourne homes include:
Marseille
The classic interlocking terracotta of Federation and inter-war homes, with a distinctive grooved face.
Flat or shingle
A clean, flat profile used on contemporary homes and some heritage styles.
Roman and Spanish
Curved, wave-like profiles that give a Mediterranean look.
Glazed and unglazed
Glazed tiles have a fired-on glossy surface; unglazed tiles show the natural matt clay.
Tiles are also made by different manufacturers, often with the maker’s name stamped on the back. Brands we see on Melbourne roofs include Boral, Clarke, Monier and Pioneer, among others. Our tile matching service uses the profile, the stamp and the colour to find your match.
New or second-hand?
| Job | Best choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Full new roof | New tiles | Uniform colour and finish across the whole roof |
| Replacing a few broken tiles | Second-hand, same profile | Weathered tiles blend in, and cost less |
| Discontinued profile | Second-hand | Often the only true match still available |
| Extension joining an old roof | Second-hand, or new on a separate plane | Matches the existing roof where it will be seen together |
Terracotta is the same clay colour all the way through. If the back of your tile is grey, it is concrete. See concrete roof tiles.
Caring for a terracotta roof
Terracotta tiles are durable, but the parts around them need attention over the life of the roof.
- Ridge and hip bedding and pointing: rebed and repoint when the mortar cracks. See rebedding and repointing
- Valleys: keep them clear of leaves, and replace rusted valley irons. See valley repairs
- Cracked tiles: replace them promptly with a matched tile before water gets in
- Moss and lichen: a careful clean restores the natural colour. See roof pressure cleaning
- Foot traffic: ask antenna, solar and air-conditioning installers to take care, because walking on terracotta cracks tiles
Can you paint terracotta? You can, but you rarely need to, because the colour is fired into the clay. Monier notes that painting does not improve a tile’s waterproofing. Most terracotta roofs are better served by cleaning, repointing and replacing broken tiles. See terracotta roof repairs.
Sources: Monier: Roof cleaning and maintenance.
What a clean does for terracotta
Because terracotta colour is fired into the clay, cleaning off moss, lichen and dirt usually brings back the original colour without paint. Older terracotta can be brittle, so we inspect first and replace any cracked tiles the clean reveals with matched terracotta from our yards.
Also in the yard
- Terracotta ridge capping, hip tiles and starter tiles
- Roofing supplies: flexible pointing, valley iron, storm seal, lead flashing, sand and cement
- Concrete 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 carry out terracotta roof repairs, restorations and roof replacements across Melbourne, using tiles straight from our own yards. New tiles are fixed to AS 2050 and the National Construction Code, with every ridge, hip, barge and valley tile fixed.
Sources: HIA: AS 2050 Installation of roof tiles; NCC 2022 Housing Provisions Part 7.3: Roof tiles.
Common questions
Can you match my old terracotta tiles?
Usually, yes. We hold over 200 types of roofing tile across our Mulgrave and Doveton yards, including older profiles. Bring a sample to the yard or send us a photo of the front and back of the tile and we will find the closest match in stock.
How long do terracotta roof tiles last?
Terracotta is one of the longest-lasting roofing materials. Brickworks offers up to a 100-year product warranty on its terracotta tiles. What usually fails first is the pointing, valleys and sarking around the tiles, which can be repaired or replaced without replacing the tiles.
Are second-hand terracotta tiles any good?
Sound second-hand terracotta tiles do the same job as new ones, cost less, and often blend in better on an older roof because they have already weathered. The key is buying from a roofing business with a proper tile yard, not an online classified.
Can you paint terracotta roof tiles?
You can, but it is rarely needed. Terracotta colour is fired through the clay, so a clean usually brings it back. Monier notes painting does not improve waterproofing. Most terracotta roofs are better served by cleaning, repointing and replacing broken tiles.
How do I know if my roof is terracotta or concrete?
Look at the back or a broken edge of a tile. Terracotta is the same clay colour all the way through. Concrete is grey underneath, even when the face is coloured. Concrete tiles also usually have a coarser texture.
Are terracotta tiles more expensive than concrete?
Generally, yes, terracotta costs more upfront. In return, the colour lasts because it is fired into the clay, and the roof does not need recoating to keep its look. We stock both and can talk you through the trade-off for your home.
Do you sell to the public or only to roofers?
Both. Our yard supplies homeowners, home handymen and trade roofers every day. Whether you need two tiles or a full pallet, call ahead to check stock and we will have them ready. We also carry ridge capping, pointing, valley iron and flashing.
Can you fix cracked terracotta tiles?
Cracked terracotta tiles are best replaced rather than patched, because sealants weather and fail. We replace them with matched terracotta from our yards. If many tiles are cracking, we will check whether foot traffic, movement or failing pointing is the underlying cause.
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