Metal roofing is an iconic element in Australian building design and construction. From the tropical far north to the cooler climates of the south, Australia’s urban and rural landscapes are peppered with steel and iron roofing in a variety of tones.
The use of strong metals such as steel for a roof can be seen as a metaphor for the stoic and hardy nature of the Australian population. The durability of steel and its ability to withstand extremes of heat and cold, as well as the test of time, mean that it’s perfectly suited to the sometimes-harsh Australian climate.
Colorbond steel has become synonymous with metal roofing and has protected Australian homes since the first sheet was manufactured in 1966. In the intervening years, around six million tonnes of Colorbond steel have been produced, and currently around half of all new homes built will feature a Colorbond roof.
Roofing trends change from year to year and from decade to decade, in much the same way that architecture and interior design fashions do. Yet Colorbond steel has endured while many other building materials have lost their appeal. Here are three reasons why Colorbond steel is a perpetual favourite for homeowners, building designers and roofing companies alike.