Free roof inspection and an obligation-free quote.
Roof Restoration Strathmore
Terracotta and concrete tiled roofs in Strathmore, Essendon and Pascoe Vale South — restored, repaired and replaced by roof tilers working with these tiles since the 1930s.
The Strathmore job we are proudest of is the one where the owners did not want a traditional roof at all.
Hayes Street — a steep roof, deliberately modernised
Hayes Street was an extension and roof replacement forming part of a full renovation. The owners wanted the house to look considerably more contemporary, and chose CSR Monier Urban Shingle in Peak rather than the Marseille profile we more often lay.
The clean lines of Urban Shingle suit a steep pitch, and on this house they changed its character completely. Our plumbing team did the associated work at the same time — new Colorbond spouting, flashings and chimney trays — and the whole roof went on in three working days.
The roof was one of the first major stages of the renovation, so the house around it is still changing. See the project.
When a modern profile is the right answer
Most of what we write about is matching original terracotta on a period house, because most of our work is that. Strathmore is a useful reminder that it is not always the right answer.
If you are renovating substantially, if the house has no heritage control over it, and if you want it to read as contemporary rather than restored, a modern profile in a dark colour will do more for the look of the house than an exact match to a tile laid in 1935.
The honest test: is the roof trying to disappear into a period streetscape, or is it meant to be part of the new look? Those two answers lead to different tiles, and it is worth deciding deliberately rather than by default.
The steep-pitch point
Steep roofs like the one on Hayes Street are more visible from the street than a shallow hip roof — you see the roof plane, not just the edge. That makes the tile choice matter more, and it makes a mismatched patch far more obvious.
It also means access takes longer to set up safely, which belongs in a quote rather than appearing as a variation later.
What usually fails first here
Ridge and hip pointing, which cracks and drops out. On its own it is a repair, not a new roof.
Valley irons, rusting where two roof planes meet.
Flashings and chimney trays, often original and long past their working life.
Sarking at the end of its life. The one fault a restoration cannot fix, and we will tell you if we find it rather than coating over it.
We work on terracotta and concrete tiled roofs only — no metal, no Colorbond, no slate.
Some of our recent projects
WHAT FAILS FIRST
Signs a Strathmore roof needs attention
On these roofs the tile usually outlasts everything holding it down.
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A patch that does not match
On a steep roof you see the whole plane from the street. Mismatches show badly.
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Cracked mortar along the ridge lines
Visible from the ground. On its own it is a repair, not a new roof.
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Rust streaks in a valley
Where two planes meet is where most leaks begin.
WHY US
Why call us for a Strathmore roof
Modern profiles as well as traditional
Steep pitches are normal for us
Roof and plumbing in one job
Tile only, and we say so
Related Services
Roof Restoration Strathmore
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a modern-looking roof on an older house?
Yes, and on Hayes Street that is exactly what the owners wanted. A profile like Urban Shingle in a dark colour reads as contemporary and suits a steep pitch. If the house is not heritage controlled, it is a legitimate choice rather than a compromise.
How do I decide between a modern profile and matching the original?
Ask whether the roof is meant to disappear into a period streetscape or be part of a new look. Those two answers lead to different tiles. Worth deciding deliberately rather than defaulting to a match that may not be achievable anyway.
Does a steep roof cost more?
Usually a little, because access takes longer to set up safely. We include that in the quote rather than raising it as a variation later.
Do you do the spouting and flashings too?
Yes. On Hayes Street our plumbing team did new Colorbond spouting, flashings and chimney trays as part of the same job.
How long does a roof replacement take?
Hayes Street was three working days. A straightforward repair is often an hour, repointing generally a day, a full restoration two or three days, and a complete re-roof one to two weeks depending on size, pitch and access.
Do you cover Essendon and Pascoe Vale?
Yes, along with Moonee Ponds, Aberfeldie and Niddrie. We are based in Burwood and travel this way for re-roofing, restoration and renovation work.
Will you tell me if I do not need the work?
Yes, and it happens often. Plenty of roofs we inspect need pointing and a valley cleared rather than anything major.
Tiled roof in Strathmore that needs looking at?
If you have a tiled roof in Strathmore or Essendon — particularly if you are renovating and the roof is part of the new look — we will come and look at it.
Free inspection and obligation-free quote. Call 03 9888 7088, Monday to Friday 9:00am to 4:00pm. Safety is always our first priority — hand-rail, scaffolding or a roof harness is used on every job and included in the quote.
