Colorbond roof colour guide: How to choose the right colour for your metal roof?

Colour guide

Choosing a Colorbond roof for your Australian home is the wisest decision you can ever make. They are stylish, durable, and aesthetically pleasing, offer long-lasting protection against heat, rain and fire and are rust-free. Not only this, these low-maintenance Colorbond roofs come in a host of colours to choose from. This allows you to achieve the desired look for your roof.

However, with the availability of so many colour options, it often gets difficult to make the final decision. But don’t worry. With a little understanding of Colorbond roof colours, what goes into choosing the ideal roof colour and some expert guidance, you can effortlessly choose the ideal roof colour.

This comprehensive guide by roof restoration Melbourne experts will help you choose the best Colorbond roof colour for your home.

What is the most popular Colorbond roof colour?

Colorbond offers 22 colour options broadly grouped into two categories, which are as follows:

Contemporary Colours Classic Colours
Basalt  (also available in Matt) Cottage Green
Dune (also available in Matt) Classic Cream
Cove Deep Ocean
Gully Night Sky
Evening Haze Manor Red
Jasper Pale Eucalypt
Ironstone Woodland Grey
Mangrove Paperbark
Monument (also available in Matt)  
Surfmist (also available in Matt)  
Wallaby  
Terrain  
Windspray  
Shale Grey (also available in Matt)  

Among the above colour options, the most popular Colorbond roof colour is Monument, followed by Basalt and Shale Grey. Also, in 2023, Colorbond launched three new colours inspired by Australia, including Dover White, Bluegum, and Southerly, so consider them as well.

Factors to consider when choosing Colorbond roof colours for your home

Whether you are painting, repainting or restoring your roof, choosing the right colour can do wonders for your property:

  • Enhance curb appeal
  • Maintain internal temperatures and
  • Improve property value

So, here are key things to consider to help you identify the perfect colour:

1. Roof type and style

When choosing the ideal roof colour, consider the style and shape of your roof. For example, if you have a flat roof, neutral Colorbond roof colours, like Shale Grey, Surfmist, Dune and Winspray, are ideal. These colours provide a sleek appearance and complement the Australian landscape.

Similarly, a classic gabbled roof blends well with earthy tones, like Terrain and Pale Eucalypt. Moreover, for a high-sloped roof, choosing a darker shade will be an ideal decision as it will be easier to distinguish from above.

2. Architecture of your property

The roof colour you choose should also complement the rest of your house. Is your house modern or heritage, beach-styled or urban-styled? The idea is to connect your roof to the rest of your home.

For example, colours such as ‘Windspray’, ‘Surfmist’, or ‘Shale Grey’ will be perfect for your beach-styled home, whereas ‘cottage green’ or ‘classic cream’ will bring out the best in your traditional older-style home.

Matching the colour of your roof with the rest of your property helps create a truly unified look that feels easy on the eye.

3. Location and the environment

Your surroundings also play an important role in choosing the right roof colour for your home. For example, if you live in a rural area, you might want to choose softer shades, such as Bushland or Cottage Green.

On the other hand, for those living in urban areas, brighter colours like Paperbark or Classic Cream or striking hues, like Monument, could make their home stand out from the crowd.

4. Existing colour scheme

Apart from your home’s architecture, you should also consider the current colour scheme of your house. The wall colours on the exteriors and interiors, the fences, trims, pergolas, etc., should also complement the roof colour. Here are some guidelines for choosing your roof colour to match your existing colour scheme:

  • If the colour of your house is White, you can choose almost any colour. White is a universal colour and goes well with any colour.
  • If your house is painted Cream or Beige, the best roof colours to go for are hues of Brown, Black, Blue, and Grey.
  • If your house is coloured brown, choose from Green, Brown, Black, and Grey roof colours.

5. Personal preferences

Roofing colour, or any property colour, for that matter- is a subject of personal choice. As colours can influence your mood and mind, you can choose any roof colour that can make you feel good about your home or surroundings. Further, with so many colours available, you can choose any colour that reflects your personal style and interest.

6. Regulatory compliances and Council guidelines

Your roof colour selection will also depend on the regulations of your local councils. The local councils in Australia often have restrictions and guidelines regarding the exterior colours of buildings, which aim to maintain the visual harmony of neighbourhoods.

So, before you begin painting your roof, it’s recommended to check with your relevant local council for colour regulations and get the necessary approvals.

Some other tips to choose Colorbond roof colours for Australian homes

Aside from the above factors to consider, here are a few roof colour choosing tips that you should keep in mind:

  • Choose roof colours that help you regulate the interior temperature of your house. Lighter shades reflect sunlight and heat, keeping your home cooler in hot weather. Similarly, darker shades are heat-absorbing and can trap heat inside the roof to keep your home warm during colder months.
  • Roof colours may appear differently on colour charts and samples. To ensure you have chosen the right colour, test paint swatches at different times of the day. That’s because the level of sunlight will affect the way the colour looks. Never settle for any shade without seeing it outdoors, as it will be disappointing to find out that the colour didn’t turn out as you imagined.
  • Use online colour visualisation tools to see how the roof colours you have chosen will look on your roof. These tools can especially help when you want to choose multiple colours for your roofing, siding and trims. Virtually mixing and matching colours can save time, effort and money, getting you the desired look for your roof.
  • Lastly, when in doubt, seek help from the professionals. With their experience and in-depth knowledge, you can never go wrong with their help.

Final Words

While choosing a Colorbond roof for your home is significant, painting it with the right roof colour can add to the benefits it offers. However, to ensure the right Colorbond colour for your roof, you should consider different factors, like architectural style, climate, and local regulations. Conduct sample tests to visualise the colours in different lighting conditions and use online tools to ensure a visually pleasing choice for your home.