Your home's roof creates a lasting first impression, and if it's looking tired and worn, you might be wondering if you can spruce it up with a lick of paint. You might also be wondering if a protective coat could help your roof withstand weather and temperature fluctuations. In this guide, we'll be looking at which roof tiles can be painted, the benefits of painting roof tiles, the drawbacks, and what steps you need to take.
The short answer is, yes. Many roof tiles can be painted. There are, however, several factors that need to be considered before you go ahead and book a roof painting appointment.
Some roof tiles are more suitable for painting than others. Concrete roof tiles, slate tiles, and asphalt shingles are usually good candidates for painting.
Clay roof tiles, on the other hand, are usually considered as not suitable for painting. There are a few different reasons for this:
If you do choose to paint clay roof tiles, they will often need to be repainted more frequently due to loose or flaking paint than other roof tile types.
Refreshing your old roof tiles with some paint can provide a variety of benefits.
Your newly painted roof can increase your kerb appeal and completely transform the look of your home's exterior. No matter what else you do to improve the look of the outside of your house, faded tiles will stop it from feeling fresh.
You can also use roof tile paint to alter the colour of the original roof. Of course, you can opt for colour restoration to bring your roof tiles back to their original colour, but you can also go for a different colour altogether. Whether you want your roof tile paint grey, red, or even blue, you can make it happen. It will feel like a whole new roof, and at a fraction of the cost of a roof replacement!
Roof paints don't just improve the appearance of your roof. They can also help to protect roof tiles and increase the roof's lifespan.
If you have small cracks or holes in your roof tiles, protective paint can seal them and prevent them from getting larger. Many will also create a water-repellent surface that protects the roof tiles and the underlying roofing structure from water damage.
You will also find that many roof paints are UV light resistant. UV radiation is absorbed by roof tiles, and will degrade the material over time. Adding a UV-resistant layer will delay this degradation and increase the lifespan of the tiles.
Finally, roof paint can prevent organic growth on the roof, like moss and lichen. These growths trap moisture, hastening the degradation of the roof tiles and increasing the risk of structural damage to the roof deck.
The other alternative to updating your roof tiles is replacing the roof. The average cost of a roof replacement is £13,500, but it can be as much as £20,000, depending on the size of the roof.
In contrast, the average cost of painting a roof is £1,500-£3,000. Not only is this a cheaper upfront cost, but its protective qualities can delay the need for a roof replacement in the future.
Because roof paints extend the lifespan of your roof, it means that it will be replaced fewer times. This makes roof painting a more environmentally friendly option. It reduces waste by preserving the roof's current materials for longer, and it reduces the energy costs involved with creating and installing new roofing materials.
Roof paints can also increase your home's energy efficiency. If you apply a UV-resistant roof paint, it will prevent the sun's rays from heating your home. This reduces the need to use energy to cool the building.
Take a look at our post "Does roof coating stop leaks".
While there is a range of benefits from painting your roof, there are some potential drawbacks that you should be aware of.
Painting a roof is much less expensive than replacing a roof, but it won't be as durable. A new roof with new materials, installed to a professional standard, has an expected lifespan of 20 to 50 years. Depending on the type of roof paint, the expected lifespan can be from 10 to 20 years.
If there are any underlying structural issues, roof paint won't fix them. In some cases, biting the bullet and replacing the roof can make more sense long term.
Most roof paints and roof coatings won't need any touch-ups, and will last for the full 10-20 years. Some tile materials, however, will require a fresh coat more often.
The paint surface will also need to be cleaned at least annually as it is vulnerable to damage from accumulated dirt.
We've touched on moisture retention issues as being a reason why clay tiles generally aren't painted, but this can sometimes be a problem for all types of painted tiles.
If moisture becomes trapped underneath the paint, there is nowhere for it to escape. Therefore, it will be absorbed into the roof tiles and, potentially, the roofing structure. The materials can start to rot and degrade, which could eventually lead to structural damage.
Trapped moisture is most often the result of the paint not being applied properly. For example, if the roof is painted during wet weather, the moisture on the roof tiles can become trapped as the paint dries.
There are a variety of roof coatings and paints available, and each will work well for different purposes.
Having your roof tiles painted with an acrylic coating will protect them from UV damage and provide waterproofing. Acrylic coatings are especially reflective, and bounce a high percentage of UV rays away from the roof. They don't lose their reflectivity over time, so will retain their UV resistance.
They aren't, however, as effective at waterproofing as other options. Ponding water will eventually degrade the acrylic surface, allowing water to seep through to the tiles.
You should choose an acrylic roof coating if you are hoping to create a cool roof that improves the thermal efficiency of your home, and reduces the energy costs associated with cooling it.
Acrylic works well on fibre cement tiles and concrete tiles.
Check out our post for more details “How long does acrylic roof coating last”.
Silicone coatings are thicker than acrylic, and they are made with a high solids dispersion of resin. It is a highly flexible material that will expand and contract with the house during temperature fluctuations without any cracking.
It provides an excellent water-repellent surface that will not degrade, and it is also a reflective surface that provides a high level of UV protection.
The UV protection does reduce over time, however. Unlike acrylic, dirt will accumulate on the silicone surface, reducing its reflectiveness.
If your aim is to protect the roof structure from water damage, silicone is a good choice. It works especially well on flat roofs or those with a low slope where water ponding is likely.
Read our post "How long does silicone roof coating last".
A polyurethane roof coating is highly durable. They are usually applied as a two-coat system with a bottom coat of durable aromatic and a top coat of UV-resistant aliphatic. Together, these coats create a high-quality roof tile paint that will enhance and protect your roof.
Polyurethane is the roof coating with the highest durability. It can withstand impact damage and foot traffic wear and tear.
Roof tile sealants are a clear adhesive coating designed to protect roof tiles from water damage. They are a type of waterproof paint that will seal any small cracks and holes in the roof tiles and create a waterproof seal over the roof.
Because they are clear, they do not alter the appearance of the roof tiles, and they don't provide UV protection.
A roof tile sealant should be used if you want to retain the natural look of your roof tile surface, while also protecting the roof from water damage.
Many industrial buildings will still have roofs made of asbestos cement, either in sheet or tile form. In many situations, it isn't a viable option to remove the tiles, and if there is no damage, it is often safer to leave them in place.
An asbestos roof coating serves the purpose of encapsulating the roof tiles. This means that it seals in the asbestos fibres, removing any risk of them being inhaled.
If you are dealing with an asbestos cement tiled roof, a specialised asbestos roof paint will make the building safe.
Painting a roof can be an appealing DIY renovation project, and you can pick up good-quality roof paint from most hardware stores. In many cases, however, it is a better idea to use a professional painting service rather than attempt to do the job yourself.
Working on a roof can be dangerous because of the height, slope, and slipperiness, especially if you are dealing with roof moss, or the roof has been cleaned.
Professionals are trained in proper safety protocols and will have the necessary equipment, such as safety harnesses and non-slip footwear, to minimise the risk of falls or injury.
Attempting a DIY roofing project without this training or equipment can be risky, especially if you aren't used to working on roofs.
Proper surface preparation is essential for painting tiles, as it ensures that the coating adheres well and will last a long time. Professionals will know the steps to take for proper removal of previous coatings, dirt, moss, and other contaminants. They will also know how to prime the surface ready for painting to prevent blistering, peeling, or flaking paint.
A professional will also understand roof material compatibility. Not all paints and coatings work well with all roof tile materials, and knowing which paint to use when will help to ensure its longevity and prevent any damage to the roof.
The correct application technique is key to an attractive paint job that will stand the test of time. Patchy or uneven application looks messy and will be less durable. A professional will have the training and experience to apply the proper technique for even coverage.
Painting roof tiles is a multi-step job, and each step is vital to ensuring that the paint adheres well to the surface.
If your roof tiles are looking old or worn, or you want to protect your roof and extend its lifespan, we can help. Our professional roof painting services provide a reliable, high-quality solution to protect and enhance your roof tiles.
With our expert knowledge, premium-grade materials, and precise application techniques, our team ensures a flawless finish that will last. We will first assess the condition of your roof, and recommend any repairs that need to be done before painting. Then we will work with you to choose the perfect paint for your roof tiles and your needs.
For a new-look roof at a fraction of the cost of a roof replacement, contact our team today to see what we can do for you.
It is possible to paint roof tiles, and doing so can improve the aesthetics of the roof, protect it from UV and water damage, and improve the thermal efficiency of the property. Different types of roof paints work well for different needs, and different roof tile materials, but a high-quality roof paint can extend the lifespan of your roof and delay the need for a roof replacement.
