Project Tips

COLORSTEEL® can transform the look of your home from ordinary to extraordinary with ease.

A re-roof of your home might seem an unwanted activity and an expense you just don't need right now, but, thinking of your re-roof project as a chance to breathe new life into your homes external appearance is an opportunity not to be missed. The impact of re-roofing with COLORSTEEL® can be like you’ve just moved into a new home!

Changing from a dated tiled roof to COLORSTEEL® is simple and the results impressive with a selection of profiles to perfectly match the character of your home. Even if you have an existing long run steel roof, a change in profile from corrugate to a sleek and modern trapezoidal or tray profile will suddenly make your home look brand new. Or, simply transform your everyday with a new colour for your roof.

When the time comes to re-roof your home there are a lot of things to consider. But if you follow our step-by-step guide you’ll find it’s far easier than it may appear! For a downloadable version of the checklist, click here.

We also understand the importance of ensuring you're hiring the right person for the job, and we have some top tips for hiring a roofer, which will ensure you're setting yourself up for success right from the get go.

COLOUR & STYLE

Ideas and inspiration are all around us. Search online, ask friends for advice and drive around your neighbourhood to see what other people are doing with similar homes to yours. When choosing a colour for your new roof, think about the big picture. How will the colour you choose complement the rest of your house? Are you planning to also refresh your cladding with a lick of paint? How will it work with the surrounding environment? Also remember to check whether there are any local restrictions that may dictate which colours you can and can’t use.

Have a play with our Roof Visualiser - help unfold the look you like right before your eyes. Apply colours and roofing profiles to a selection of homes to see your design ideas come to life.

• Keep an eye out for other homes that inspire you.
• Conduct online research and talk to friends.
• Consider the landscape around your property.
• Consult the council about any local restrictions.
  
  

FORM & FUNCTION

Re-roofing your home is a great opportunity to make other improvements, particularly in terms of insulation (there may well be some prerequisites around insulation, depending on the latest building regulations in your area). In general, if it’s a ‘like-for-like’ replacement you may not need a building consent, but check with the Council to make sure.

COLORSTEEL® is available in a range of profiles to suit any style of home. To find our suppliers and view their specialist ranges of profiles, head to Find a Supplier.

• Take the opportunity to improve your home’s insulation.
• Ask the Council if you need a building consent.s
• See if COLORSTEEL Dridex® is great solution for you - creating warmer, drier and healthier homes. 

SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT

Remember to be kind to the environment and dispose of your old roof through your local metal recyclers. The beauty of steel is that it is infinitely recyclable, and is uniquely positioned to contribute to a circular economy.

For information and advice on choosing the right COLORSTEEL® product for your home, and your environment, check out our product page.

• Think about which direction your home faces.
• Remember to factor in things like solar panels, aerials, etc.
• Consider your proximity to the coastline.
• Dispose of your old roof in an eco-friendly manner. 

THE RIGHT PEOPLE

It’s never too early to start talking to the experts. When you’re looking for a builder or a roofer, ask friends and family for recommendations. When you’re talking to professionals ask to see examples of their work, and make sure you check their credentials – we recommend that your project is supervised by a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP). It always pays to know a little about the Building Act too – it sets out exactly what each contractor is and isn’t responsible for.

For a nationwide database of COLORSTEEL® suppliers take a look at our Find a Supplier page.

• Start talking to the experts as soon as you can.
• Conduct research, ask questions and seek recommendations.
• Refer to the RANZ supplier list.
• Take some time to familiarise yourself with the NZ Building Act.

ENSURE IT'S GENUINE

Know what you're getting. Over the past 40 years, COLORSTEEL® has been used on more roofs throughout the country than any other pre-painted steel, earning the reputation as New Zealand’s favourite roof. In fact it has become a household name. As a consequence it's sometimes used as a generic term to describe ‘coloured-steel’. But... not all coloured-steel is created equal and not all coloured-steel is genuine COLORSTEEL®. For peace of mind, follow these steps to ensure it's genuine COLORSTEEL® you're getting.

• Make sure when you're picking your roof or wall cladding colour, it is from a branded COLORSTEEL® colour chart, brochure or physical sample, which will have our brand name on it.
• Ask your supplier to confirm in writing (your quote or building specification documentation) they are supplying genuine COLORSTEEL® made by New Zealand Steel®. Ensure they confirm the COLORSTEEL® product solution, gauge and colour. For instance, Solution: COLORSTEEL Dridex®, Gauge: (Typically) 0.40mm or 0.55mm, Colour: COLORSTEEL FlaxPod®.
• If in doubt, contact us and we will be able to help confirm for you. 

WARRANTIES & MAINTENANCE

When the product you’ve selected is delivered on site, check the back/reverse side of the sheet. It will have our COLORSTEEL® brand name and solution printed for you to see. Your COLORSTEEL® product will also often arrive onsite with a COLORSTEEL® branded protective film on the front side (over the coloured side).

Once your project is completed, ask your builder, roofer, installer, for your warranty documents and COLORSTEEL® Certificate of Authenticity – your proof that you’ve got genuine COLORSTEEL®.

Maintaining your roof or cladding is relatively straight forward, but very important. Check out the Maintenance Recommendations Brochure for more information.

• Check for the branded backer on the reverse of each sheet and the front for branded protective film.
• Ask your builder or roofer for your warranty documents.
• Also ask for your Certificate of Authenticity.
• Make sure you understand your maintenance responsibilities.

With so many different factors to consider, making all those choices for a new build can easily swing from exciting to daunting. But if you take it step-by-step, you’ll find it’s actually much easier than you ever thought, and a great opportunity to make considered choices about your roofing and cladding. Your design decisions early on, set the tone for your home and start to tell your story before you even get inside. For a downloadable version of the checklist, click here.

COLOUR & STYLE

Ideas and inspiration are all around us. Search online, ask friends for advice and drive around your neighbourhood to see what other people with similar style homes are doing. When choosing colours for your roof and cladding, think about the big picture. How will the colour you chose complement the rest of your house? How will it work with the surrounding environment? Remember to check whether there are any local restrictions that may dictate which colours you can and can’t use.

Take a look through our inspiration gallery for ideas and save what you like to your own COLORSTEEL® moodboard - a moodboard is a great place to start to bring your design ideas to life!

And try the COLORSTEEL® roof visualiser - allowing you to select from a range of home plans, and try roofing profiles and colours. See your dreams unfold before your eyes.

• Keep an eye out for other homes that inspire you.
• Conduct online research and talk to friends.
• Consider the landscape around your property, and the wider environment you're building in.
• Consult the council about any local restrictions, ie. around light reflectance values. Check out or COLORSTEEL® and Reflectivity brochure for more details.
• And most of all, choose what you like and reflect your own personality and design preferences. Design from the top down and outside in. 

FORM & FUNCTION

When you start designing your home, in terms of your roofline, it really depends on what you’re trying to say. If you want to make a statement, go for a gable roof. If you’re conscious of costs, consider a hip roof. There are so many options and such huge potential for creating a statement that reflects what you like and what you want. Our advice is, explore and research and don't settle for the first option. Working with COLORSTEEL® offers you HUGE design flexibility over other roofing options.

COLORSTEEL® cladding is another great way to make a statement, and works especially well when used in conjunction with other materials and textures . Be sure to view the COLORSTEEL® inspiration gallery. Whether you are looking to recreate the simplicity of modern barn like forms, or give your home a dramatic urban feel, COLORSTEEL® is available in a range of profiles to suit any style of home.

To find our suppliers and view their specialist ranges of profiles, head to our find a Supplier.

• Decide which profile you want to use. Try our roof visualiser to help you decide.
• Think about the statement you want to make. Your roof is pivotal in the external visual appearance of your home.
• Think about if and where to place solar panels if you are planning to install these.
• Consider eaves to reduce the risk of leaky homes. 

SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT

Your surrounding environment is a great influence for the colour and profile you choose - what will work best with the natural landscape and your design inspiration.

THE RIGHT PEOPLE

It’s never too early to start talking to the experts. When you’re looking for a designer, an architect, a builder or a roofer, ask friends and family for recommendations. Be sure to check if they are RANZ accredited. When you’re talking to professionals ask to see examples of their work, and make sure you check their credentials. It always pays to know a little about the Building Act too – it sets out exactly what each contractor is and isn’t responsible for.

For a nationwide database of COLORSTEEL® suppliers take a look at our Find a Supplier page

• Start talking to the experts as soon as you can.
• Ask questions and seek recommendations.
• Familiarise yourself with the NZ Building Act. 

ENSURE IT'S GENUINE

Know what you're getting. Over the past 40 years, COLORSTEEL® has been used on more roofs throughout the country than any other pre-painted steel, earning the reputation as New Zealand’s favourite roof. In fact it has become a household name. As a consequence it's sometimes used as a generic term to describe ‘coloured-steel’. But....not all coloured-steel is created equal and not all coloured-steel is genuine COLORSTEEL®. For peace of mind, follow these steps to ensure it's genuine COLORSTEEL® you're getting.

• Make sure when you're picking your roof or wall cladding colour, it is from a branded COLORSTEEL® colour chart, brochure or physical sample, which will have our brand name on it.
• Ask your supplier to confirm in writing (your quote or building specification documentation) they are supplying genuine COLORSTEEL® made by New Zealand Steel®. Ensure they confirm the COLORSTEEL® product solution, gauge and colour. For instance, Solution: COLORSTEEL Dridex®, Gauge: (Typically) 0.40mm or 0.55mm, Colour: COLORSTEEL FlaxPod®.
• If in doubt, contact us and we will be able to help confirm for you. 

WARRANTIES & MAINTENANCE

When the product you’ve selected is delivered on site, check the back/reverse side of the sheet. It will have our COLORSTEEL® brand name and solution printed for you to see. Your COLORSTEEL® product will also often arrive onsite with a COLORSTEEL® branded protective film on the front side (over the coloured side).

Once your project is completed, ask your builder, roofer, installer, for your warranty documents and COLORSTEEL® Certificate of Authenticity – your proof that you’ve got genuine COLORSTEEL®.

Maintaining your roof or cladding is relatively straight forward, but very important. Check out the Maintenance Recommendations Brochure for more information.

• Check for the branded backer on the reverse of each sheet and the front for branded protective film.
• Ask your builder or roofer for your warranty documents.
• Also ask for your Certificate of Authenticity.
• Make sure you understand your maintenance responsibilities.