How Long Does Roof Paint Last ?

When your roof needs some extra care, it is only natural that you turn to a roofing company for assistance. There are many roofing companies that provide only roof replacement services and may try to convince you that this is your only option. This especially applies when it comes to Colorbond and tin roofs.

However, companies like Vivify Roofing offer both replacement and restoration/painting services.

Before going for a costly roof replacement, check out whether painting your roof is a better option in your case and, if so, what you can expect in terms of durability.

Quick answer: A professionally prepared and coated roof will commonly remain serviceable for around 10 to 15 years, although the actual lifespan depends on the roof material, surface preparation, weather exposure, coating system and maintenance. Premium coating systems may also carry manufacturer’s product warranties beyond this period. Vivify Roofing uses Industrial Roof Coatings systems offering 10, 15 and 20-year manufacturer’s product warranties, subject to the applicable product, substrate, application and warranty conditions.

Roof paint or roof coating?

Many people believe that roof paint and roof coating are the same things. In fact, there can be significant differences between the two products.

Paint generally doesn’t offer the same level of protection that a roof coating does. When standard-issue paint is applied without a coating layer, the atmosphere can damage the paint in a matter of a few years.

Roof coating products may be up to 5-10 times thicker than roof paint. They also have increased reflective and insulating properties. Still, there are high-quality roof painting products that hold most of the benefits of roof coatings.

In many cases, a roof coating layer is recommended to be applied over the paint for best and long-lasting results.

Does your roof need to be painted?

A while back it was fairly common to see a roof with peeling paint, especially if you were looking at a metal roof; it didn’t have to be an old roof either.

With today’s technology, roof coatings are far more durable and peeling roof paint is not such a common sight anymore.

For the painting of the roof to be peeled or blistered, this would mean that the roof hasn’t been renovated for decades or that the application was not done properly. In addition, the contractors might have used low-quality roof paint without a coating layer, without or with insufficient primer or failed to prepare the roof properly i.e. deeply cleaned and completely dried it out.

Even if your roof paint is not peeling off, there are still cases in which adding or renewing your roof’s coating is recommended. These include:

• Additional protection on a new roof
• Restoration of an old roof
• Colour change of the paint

To add to this, keeping your roof coating in top condition has a number of benefits.

Extended Life Expectancy

A quality roof painting and/or coating done by a professional roofing company could add many years to the life expectancy of your roof.

To get the most of your repainting project, be sure to hire a company with both roofing and painting certification. While a painter may miss roof issues that could eventually turn out to be critical, a sole roofer may also be unaware of the specifics about the proper paint application.

Industrial Roof Coatings (IRC) offers roof coating systems with manufacturer’s product warranties of 10, 15 or 20 years depending on the product selected, the roof substrate and the applicable coating system. Warranty eligibility is subject to the coating being applied by an approved roofing applicator in accordance with the manufacturer’s specification.

UV Reflection

Some roof coatings are designed to improve solar reflectance and reduce the amount of heat absorbed by the roof surface.

Heat-reflective roof coatings can be considered where reducing roof surface temperatures is an important part of the coating specification.

Home Protection

A roof coating in good condition prevents leaks and mould, which are not only unpleasant but also hazardous to breathe in. Add to this the reduced cooling costs and you may rest assured that you’re taking better care of your home, family and the environment.

Shiny New Look

A shiny and brand new roof adds to the appeal of the whole house. If you are thinking about selling the house, repainting the roof is an especially good idea, since it will greatly contribute to the first impression on the house and a quicker sale.

If you’re still wondering whether your roof needs to be repainted, hiring a roofing specialist to evaluate your roof is the easiest way to find out. The specialist will evaluate the current condition of your home, advise you on the maintenance that needs to be done and how to proceed from there.

How long does roof paint last?

The lifespan of roof paint or a roof coating can vary considerably from one property to another. A professionally prepared and coated roof will commonly remain serviceable for around 10 to 15 years, while the coating system and manufacturer’s warranty may extend beyond this period.

Some of the most important factors that affect how long a roof coating lasts include:

• Roof material and substrate: concrete tile, metal and other roof surfaces have different preparation and coating requirements.
• Condition of the existing roof: ageing, porous, rusty or previously coated surfaces may require additional preparation before recoating.
• Surface preparation: thorough pressure cleaning and removal of loose or failed coatings are essential for adhesion.
• Primer and coating system: using the correct primer, membrane and number of coats can significantly affect durability.
• Application quality: correct coverage, film thickness and application in suitable weather conditions are important to long-term performance.
• UV and weather exposure: harsh sunlight, heat, rain, wind and coastal salt exposure can accelerate weathering.
• Roof colour and orientation: darker colours and highly exposed roof areas may show fading and weathering sooner.
• Ongoing maintenance: regular inspections, gutter cleaning and early repairs can help extend the useful life of the coating.

To get into more details, here is what you should expect after you invest in quality materials and professional application.

Does Colorbond fade?

Yes, Colorbond roofs do fade in time, no matter what you do or how well the roof was painted. This, however, doesn’t mean that they will completely lose their colour in a season or two. It’s the longevity that counts.

The colour of Colorbond roofs is more durable than many of the other roofing materials on the market. There are also several ways to avoid drastic changes in the saturation and the roof itself.

Consider the weather conditions

Australia is known for its harsh weather conditions, especially during summer. And while you cannot control the weather, you can control your roof. If you know that your roof will be exposed to too much UV light, you should choose a lighter hue for your roof.

Dark and more saturated colours, although bold and beautiful, are more prone to fade under harsh UV light.

Regular inspection

Keeping your Colorbond roof in top condition will preserve both its main function and its good looks. An annual professional inspection is recommended. The inspector should check for sealant failures, paint scratches or peeling, rust stains, seam separation, and exposed fasteners.

In the meantime, you could also check your roof for fallen branches, bulked leaves, and any signs of leakage.

It’s worth noting that most issues related to Colorbond roofs are an easy fix if found on time.

Repaint the roof

Repainting a Colorbond roof will protect it from rust and fading. To get the most of the painting job, avoid DIY projects. A certified roof painter will be able to provide you with a warranty on the workmanship and materials.

Keep the gutters clean

When the gutters are blocked by leaves and debris, the collected water could lead to many potential issues including rust, discolouration, as well as growing mould and moss.

The gutters should be cleaned at least twice a year. The best time to clean them is at the end of the autumn after the leaves have fallen from the trees.

How long should a Colorbond/metal roof paint last?

Colorbond roofs are known for their quality and durability. They last significantly longer than other roofing materials, especially in areas with harsh weather conditions. But while the roofing material may have many more years left, it is only natural that the colour fades when affected by the environment.

Usually, it takes a couple of years of service before the Colorbond steel starts to age. By that time you can expect some evenly spread weathering of the surface, as well as a slight reduction in the initial glossy appearance. Still, it would normally take a few more seasons before the colour starts to fade visibly.

It is important to keep in mind that repainting your Colorbond roof yourself or by an unlicensed service provider could affect the warranty issued by the manufacturer. Should you choose to overpaint before the warranty has passed, consult the manufacturer or the company that installed your roof first.

For professionally restored metal roofs, Industrial Roof Coatings offers systems with manufacturer’s product warranties of 10, 15 and up to 20 years, depending on the product and application. The 20 Year Roof Protect system is available for metal roofs subject to IRC’s applicable product, primer, colour and warranty requirements, with a limited colour range applying to 20-year metal roof warranties.

How long should a painted tile roof last?

When roof tiles are manufactured, the colour is built directly into the cement, which brings the initial colour shade. The tone on the surface of the tile is typically slightly softer than the one on the inside.

Because of this fact, the initial colour of the tiles may last up to a decade before they lose their glaze. This happens when the upper layer starts to erode and the inner layers show up. This period could be shorter in areas with extreme weather conditions.

To prolong the initial wearing of the tiles and keep them from erosion, it is recommended that every now and then you get them cleaned and resealed.

When a tiled roof is restored and recoated, the lifespan of the finish depends heavily on the preparation, primer, coating system and application.

Industrial Roof Coatings offers three systems for restored roofs: Roof Refresh with a 10-year manufacturer’s product warranty, 15 Year Roof Protect under its Gold Warranty, and 20 Year Roof Protect under its Platinum Warranty. For tiled roofs, the Platinum system consists of one coat of Roof Protect Platinum Primer followed by two coats of 20 Year Roof Protect Roof Membrane.

How often should you paint your roof?

There is no single repainting interval that applies to every roof. The condition of the roof, quality of preparation, roof substrate, exposure to weather and the coating system used will all influence when recoating is required.

With a professionally applied coating system, the manufacturer’s product warranty provides a defined period of product cover. Industrial Roof Coatings offers systems with 10, 15 and 20-year product warranties, subject to the product used, roof substrate, colour, application requirements and warranty conditions.

A regular roof inspection will keep you informed about the condition of the coating. Repairing minor issues early can help extend the life of the roof, while fading, chalking, peeling or deterioration of the protective membrane may indicate that it is time to consider repainting or restoration.

How do I know when my roof needs repainting?

Signs that a roof coating may need attention include:

Fading alone does not necessarily mean that the protective membrane has failed. A professional roof inspection can determine whether the issue is primarily cosmetic or whether the coating has deteriorated to the point that recoating or restoration is required.

Recommended: The Complete Guide Roof Restoration Melbourne – provides homeowners with industry knowledge and insights into the roof restoration process.

How long do roof coatings last?

The lifespan of a roof coating depends on the product, roof substrate, surface preparation, application process and ongoing exposure to the elements. Rather than relying on a single lifespan figure for every roof, it is better to consider the coating system being applied and the manufacturer’s warranty that supports it.

Industrial Roof Coatings (IRC) is an Australian manufacturer offering three roof coating ranges with manufacturer’s product warranties of 10, 15 and 20 years.

Does a 20-year roof coating warranty mean the paint will look new for 20 years?

Not necessarily. The lifespan and appearance of a roof coating are not exactly the same thing. A coating may continue to protect the roof even as its colour, gloss or surface appearance gradually changes through normal weathering and UV exposure.

A manufacturer’s warranty is also different from a guarantee that the roof will retain a freshly painted appearance for the entire warranty period. Warranty coverage applies according to the manufacturer’s terms, the coating system used, the roof substrate and whether the product has been applied by an approved applicator in accordance with specification.

For this reason, the warranty period should be considered alongside the condition of the roof, the coating system and ongoing maintenance when assessing how long a painted roof will last.

20 Year Roof Protect – Platinum Warranty

20 Year Roof Protect is IRC’s premium Australian-made roof membrane. It is a high-build, tinted, water-based, 100% acrylic membrane fortified with UV stabilisers and designed to protect ageing and weathered tile roofs.

The system forms part of IRC’s Platinum Warranty and provides a 20-year manufacturer’s product warranty, subject to the applicable warranty requirements.

For tiled roofs, the Platinum coating process includes:

• 1 coat of Roof Protect Platinum Primer
• 2 coats of 20 Year Roof Protect Roof Membrane

For metal roofs, the applicable product, primer, colour and warranty requirements must be followed, and a limited colour range applies to 20-year warranties.

15 Year Roof Protect – Gold Warranty

15 Year Roof Protect is IRC’s original and best-selling Australian-made roof membrane for concrete tile and metal roofs. It is a high-build, tinted, water-based, 100% acrylic membrane designed to protect ageing and weathered roofs.

The system forms part of IRC’s Gold Warranty and provides a 15-year manufacturer’s product warranty.

The Gold coating process includes:

• 1 coat of Roof Protect Primer
• 2 coats of Roof Protect Roof Membrane

10 Year Roof Refresh

Roof Refresh is IRC’s Australian-made, budget-friendly entry-level roof coating for concrete tile and metal roof maintenance.

It is a standard-grade, tinted, water-based acrylic coating designed to provide essential protection for ageing and weathered roofs at a more economical price point. Roof Refresh carries a 10-year manufacturer’s product warranty and is available in a selected colour range.

The Roof Refresh coating process includes:

• 1 coat of Roof Refresh Primer
• 2 coats of Roof Refresh roof coating

Important: Warranty eligibility, colour availability and the applicable coating system can vary depending on the product and roof substrate. IRC’s 10, 15 and 20-year warranties are manufacturer’s product warranties and are subject to application by an approved roofing applicator in accordance with specification. For full warranty terms and eligibility requirements, visit Industrial Roof Coatings.

How to ensure great results when painting your roof?

When you invest money and time into renovating your roof, it is only natural that you want to get the most out of it. To ensure great results there are several important tips that you might want to keep in mind.

Pressure clean the right way

Before proceeding with any coating application on your roof you need to make sure that it’s clean. Really clean.

Many DIY lovers already have water blasters at home. Most of these domestic machines put out about 1000-1500 PSI. Unfortunately, this is not nearly enough for the level of pressure you’ll need to prepare the roof.

Most professional roofing companies operate tools that put out 3000, even 3500 PSI. Such water blasters are capable of cleaning out not only the dirt on the surface but also remove the chalkiness of the oxidized tiles and clean the craters and pores on porous tiles.

The hardest part about cleaning your old tiled roof is cleaning the noses, or the end of a tile. When they are not cleaned properly, the noses end up black which ruins the whole appearance of the roof.

It is not recommended that you try to clean the tile noses yourself. When you clean them yourself, you risk flooding the ceiling because the water could easily push up under the tiles. If you don’t clean them, however, you’ll end up with the black noses.

A specialist will be able to avoid this complicated situation. A skilled and experienced cleaner will know the angle needed to clean the noses without flooding the ceiling.

While metal roofs are significantly easier to clean than tiles, it is still recommended to clean them using at least 3000 PSI to ensure a spotless surface for better adhesion.

Remove old coatings

If the roof was previously painted, you’ll need to clear out the old coating. This is easy to figure out by looking if the paint has started to peel or flake off. There are cases, however, in which seemingly undamaged coating needs to be removed.

Whether you’ll need to do this will be known after the thorough cleaning of the roof. If the previous paint or coating layer has started to get loose, under pressure of 3500 PSI it will start to come off. After that, you’ll have to try to remove as much as possible.

If you’re not in a rush, it is best to wait a couple of days after the cleaning. Then the edges of the loose paint will start to curl and will be easier to strip down. A second round of pressure cleaning at this point will take all the extra paint and coating down. If there is any paint still left on the surface, it is safe to say that it’s well adhered and you can apply the new layers over it.

Always apply primer

Applying a sufficient amount of primer is necessary for the good adhesion of the paint to the roofing material.

Primer is best applied as soon as the roof dries out. If you wait a few days, any paint left on the surface may start to curl up again and you’ll have to do another round of cleaning.

If you’re working on a pre-painted roof, it is recommended that you apply a serious amount of primer on the surface and literally “flood” the roofing material. This will allow the primer to lock down any edges left from the previous layers.

When working with a water-based primer, a second layer is best applied on the very same day. If you are working with a solvent-based primer, however, you’ll need to wait until the first layer has completely dried out.

Hire a professional roofing company

Whether it’s because of a tight budget or the satisfaction from working on your home, many people engage in DIY projects when performing seemingly easy tasks. Painting a roof, however, is not like painting a wall in your home.

As you now know, many specifics need to be strictly followed to get a long-lasting result. Neglecting or being unable to follow them has led to many failed roofing projects that later need to be fixed through costly restorations.

Hiring a professional roofing company with experience in painting and roof restoration Melbourne can help avoid application issues and unnecessary future costs.

It is also important for warranty eligibility. Industrial Roof Coatings’ manufacturer’s product warranties are subject to the relevant coating system being applied by an approved roofing applicator in accordance with specification. Reach out to Vivify Roofing today to discuss which coating system is suitable for your roof.

May sun shine, wind blow, and seasons change but your roof stay sturdy, beautiful and leak-free.