Concrete Roof Tiles Melbourne

Concrete is the practical choice, and there is nothing wrong with that.

It is one of the most affordable tiled roofing options on the Australian market, it comes in a far wider range of profiles and colours than terracotta, and it does the job a roof needs to do. We install both CSR Monier and Bristile concrete, and we will be straight with you about where it wins and where it does not.

Concrete or terracotta?

Concrete wins on cost and choice. Cheaper per square metre, and available in more profiles and colour ranges. Its lower profile suits contemporary homes, where terracotta can look out of place.

Terracotta wins on colour longevity. Terracotta colour is fired through the clay and is warranted for colour by both manufacturers. Concrete colour is a surface coating, and neither manufacturer warrants it. See terracotta roof tiles.

If your home is in a heritage overlay through Camberwell, Hawthorn or Kew, the choice may not be entirely yours. We can advise on what a council is likely to accept.

Colour, fading and what to do about it

This is the part worth understanding before you choose concrete.

The colour sits on the surface of the tile rather than through it. Over years of Melbourne sun it will weather and go patchy, and both manufacturers treat that as normal exposure rather than a defect. It does not affect how the roof performs — a faded concrete roof still keeps water out.

The good news is that it is fixable. Recoating is a genuine part of a roof restoration on a concrete roof, and it visibly transforms it. That is the trade-off: concrete costs less up front and can be refreshed later, where terracotta costs more but holds its colour without intervention.

What concrete does well

Beyond cost, there are real technical advantages worth knowing:

• No rust or corrosion — which matters on bayside and coastal properties through Brighton, Mentone and Beaumaris.
• Non-combustible — suitable for bushfire-prone areas.
• Quiet — Bristile’s testing puts concrete tiles at up to 30 decibels of noise reduction, which is noticeable under heavy rain compared with a sheet roof.
• Individually replaceable — a tiled roof is many small pieces, so a cracked tile is a repair rather than a problem. See roof repairs.
• Wide profile range — flat, low and shaped profiles across both manufacturers, so matching an existing roof or an architectural style is usually straightforward.

Guarantees on concrete tiles

We install both CSR Monier and Bristile concrete, and the cover is similar but not identical.

Monier concrete is warranted against manufacturing defects for 30 years from purchase. Bristile concrete carries a 50 year product warranty, meaning the tile is guaranteed to remain structurally sound and free of manufacturing faults for that period.

Neither covers colour. This is the honest difference between concrete and terracotta: concrete colour is an applied coating, and both manufacturers treat fading and weathering as a normal effect of exposure rather than a defect. Monier excludes it explicitly. If long-term colour matters to you, terracotta is the answer — Bristile terracotta carries a Colour for Life warranty and Monier covers terracotta colour for 30 years.

Both manufacturers require installation by a qualified tradesperson to their guides, and a roof cleaned and maintained in line with them — neglect is grounds for a claim being refused. See roof maintenance.

Workmanship. Manufacturer warranties cover the tile, not the installation. Bristile’s 10 Year Total Roof Warranty applies only to roofs installed by Bristile Roofing, not to roofs we install. That part is ours, and we guarantee our workmanship for 10 years on a full re-roof and 7 years on a roof restoration. All of this sits on top of your rights under Australian Consumer Law.

Frequently asked questions

Are concrete roof tiles cheaper than terracotta?

Yes, generally, both to supply and to install. The trade-off is colour: concrete colour is a surface coating that weathers, and neither manufacturer warrants it, whereas terracotta colour is fired through the clay and is warranted.

Do concrete roof tiles fade?

Yes. Both Monier and Bristile treat fading and weathering on concrete as a normal effect of exposure rather than a defect, so it is excluded from warranty. It does not affect performance, and recoating as part of a roof restoration will bring the colour back.

How long do concrete roof tiles last?

The tiles themselves last a long time — Bristile offers a 50 year product warranty on structural soundness, and Monier 30 years against manufacturing defects. What needs periodic attention is the pointing, the valleys, the flashings and the sarking rather than the tiles.

Can concrete tiles be used near the coast?

Yes. Concrete does not rust or corrode. Note that both manufacturers attach conditions to their warranties for properties very close to salt water, so we will confirm what applies to your address.

Can you match my existing concrete tiles?

Where your profile is still in production, yes. Common concrete profiles are readily available. We do not hold salvaged stock, so on a discontinued profile the options are a close match, relocating sound tiles, or replacement.

Do you supply concrete tiles as well as install them?

Yes, from our Burwood showroom by appointment. We are not an online shop — the colour reads differently in daylight and it is worth seeing before you choose.

Choosing between concrete and terracotta?

We install both and we have no reason to push you either way. Tell us the house, the budget and whether you are in a heritage overlay, and we will tell you what makes sense.

Free roof inspection and obligation-free quote
03 9888 7088 — Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm.