Which coastal class applies where?
| Water near you | BlueScope's class | Standard Colorbond needs | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney Harbour east of the Bridge (Double Bay, Rose Bay, Watsons Bay) | Exposed | More than 200 m | |
| Bondi | Surf | More than 200 m | |
| Other ocean beaches (Tamarama to Little Bay) | Not named, ask your roofer | Confirm before you buy | |
| Botany Bay (La Perouse, Yarra Bay) | Exposed | More than 200 m |
Closer than 200 m, BlueScope recommends Colorbond Ultra beyond 100 m and Superdura Stainless at any distance. All distances run from the high water mark.
What else shapes Eastern Suburbs roofs
Paddington's old terraces
Paddington's terraces date mainly from 1870 to 1895. Woollahra Council treats concrete tiles and non-traditional metal profiles there as intrusive, and original roofing can only come off if it's replaced with the same or similar materials.
Inter-War flats in Waverley
Waverley analysed over 600 sets of plans to define its Inter-War flat buildings, and its DCP 2022 guidelines cover their roofs as well as facades and balconies.
Terracotta in Randwick
Randwick City Council singles out the Marseilles terracotta tiling on the mid-1920s Berwick Estate houses in Coogee, two of which were heritage listed in December 2023.
Mostly flats
In 2021, 57.8% of homes in the Woollahra, Waverley and Randwick council areas were flats or apartments, and 18.5% were terraces, semis or townhouses. Only 22.5% were separate houses.
Hail and wind
The worst of the April 1999 hailstorm fell between Lilli Pilli and Darling Point, and in December 2015 a tornadic supercell damaged the roof at Westfield Bondi Junction.
The jobs that come up most
Strata roofs. With most people living in flats, many roof jobs start with the owners corporation rather than a single owner. Roof leak repair in Sydney explains how a leak is traced.
Heritage repairs. In Paddington, worn slate, iron and terracotta are repaired or replaced with matching materials. Slate and heritage roofs covers what that involves.
Salt maintenance on metal. BlueScope asks for unwashed areas to be cleaned every three months near salt spray.
Where we'd start in the Eastern Suburbs
Work out two things before you call anyone: roughly how far you are from the water, and whether the house sits in a heritage conservation area. Those answers decide the product and the paperwork, and a good roofer will ask about both before quoting.
Want a roofer to take a look?
Tell us the job and your postcode. We match it with a Find My Roofer certified roofer who specialises in that kind of work, and they call you to quote. Your number goes to them alone.