What Is Colorbond Steel?
Colorbond is BlueScope Steel's flagship pre-painted steel roofing and walling product, engineered specifically for Australian conditions since 1966. It is by far the most widely used steel roofing system in NSW and across Australia.
The product consists of high-strength steel (Zincalume substrate) coated with a baked-on paint system. This paint system — applied in multiple layers — gives Colorbond its distinctive colour palette and its resistance to UV, chipping, peeling, and corrosion.
Colorbond vs Zincalume: What's the Difference?
Colorbond is pre-painted. It comes in a range of colours and is used for visible roof surfaces, gutters, fascias, and wall cladding.
Zincalume is the unpainted zinc-aluminium alloy steel underneath. It is used for areas that are not visible or where colour is not required. Both carry BlueScope's durability guarantees.
Available Profiles
Colorbond roofing is manufactured in several profiles that suit different roof pitches and architectural styles:
Corrugated (Classic): The iconic sinusoidal profile. Suits pitches from 5°. Most common in residential re-roofing and rural applications.
Trimdek®: A high-rib tray profile. Suits low pitches from 2°. Popular in contemporary homes and commercial applications.
Lysaght Klip-Lok® and Stramit Speed Deck: Hidden fastener standing seam systems. Used on very low pitch (1°+) and architectural applications. More expensive but premium appearance.
Custom Orb: A wider-rib corrugated profile. Less common but preferred for some architectural styles.
The Colorbond Colour Palette
As of 2025, Colorbond offers 22 standard colours including:
- Surfmist® — the most popular colour in NSW
- Shale Grey™
- Ironstone®
- Woodland Grey®
- Monument®
- Paperbark®
- Classic Cream™
- Cottage Green®
Colours in the Colorbond Ultra range offer enhanced solar reflectance for hot climates — particularly relevant for western and north-western Sydney, and inland NSW.
Costs for NSW Homeowners (2025 Guide)
Prices vary by roof pitch, complexity, access, and materials specification. General ranges:
| Scope | Indicative Range |
|---|---|
| Partial re-roof (damaged section) | $2,500 – $8,000 |
| Full re-roof, small home (up to 120m²) | $12,000 – $22,000 |
| Full re-roof, large home (150–250m²) | $20,000 – $40,000 |
| Colorbond over existing tile roof | $18,000 – $35,000 |
Note: These are general indicative ranges. Actual quotes depend on your specific roof. We do not quote by phone — a site inspection is required for an accurate price.
Compliance and Standards
All Colorbond roofing installed in NSW must comply with:
- AS 1562.1:2018 — Design and installation of sheet roof and wall cladding (metal)
- NCC 2022 — National Construction Code requirements for your climate zone
- Local council requirements — Some heritage overlay areas have restrictions on metal roofing
Ensure your contractor holds a current NSW Roof Plumbing Licence and carries adequate public liability insurance.
How to Choose a Colorbond Roofing Contractor
Key questions to ask:
1. Are you licensed? — Request their NSW Roof Plumbing Licence number and verify it on the NSW Fair Trading website.
2. Are you insured? — Public liability insurance minimum $5M is industry standard.
3. Do you use genuine Colorbond? — Some contractors use non-BlueScope steel that does not carry the same warranties.
4. Will you provide a written quote? — Verbal quotes are not acceptable for work of this scale.
5. What warranty do you provide on workmanship? — Separate from the product warranty.
Maintenance Requirements
Colorbond is low-maintenance but not maintenance-free:
- Annual inspection of flashings, fasteners, and ridgecapping
- Biannual gutter clean — debris accelerates corrosion at gutter joints
- Pressure washing — every 3–5 years in coastal environments to remove salt deposits
- Touch-up paint for any scratches before corrosion sets in
Get a Colorbond Roofing Quote in NSW or ACT
Statewide Roof Plumbing is a licensed NSW roof plumber specialising in Colorbond installation, repair, and re-roofing across the entire state and ACT.
Call 0432 325 497 or email Harley@swrp.com.au to arrange a free site inspection and written quote.
