Carport & Patio Roofing Materials & Costs

Discover Options For Roofing on Your Carport, Patio or Pergola

Carports not only provide protection from the elements, but also some much needed security. Today we explore carport and patio roof materials and the basic construction techniques so that you can make an informed decision. Carports can be a cost effective way of providing sheltered vehicle storage. When done properly they can also add value to your home. Patios have always been a favorite in Australia for entertaining guests and enjoying a weekend BBQ.

Benefits of Hiring a Professional Carport / Patio Builder

There are many different types of carports and patio designs you can choose. These range from fairly basic kits which can be assembled by anyone competent with DIY, to much more sophisticated options, custom built by builders.

Many people are tempted to choose the DIY option to save money. However, there are actually some very good reasons why you should hire a professional.

Some of these include:

• High Quality Construction – Will last for a long time
• Advice
• Flexible Use
• Designed to meet your requirements
• Wider variety of materials

DIY Versus Custom Built

A DIY carport might seem to be good value for money. However, these cannot be assembled by one person. It can also be very time consuming. It can also be difficult to choose exactly what to buy, but by hiring a professional carport builder you can listen to their advice.

Having your patio or carport built by a professional also makes it much more flexible. Should you ever want to convert the structure into a study then this will be easier with a custom built design.

Both carports and patios or even pergolas built by professional builders are built to last. Most will come with guarantees to ensure that you are protected from poor workmanship.

In the rest of this guide we explore carport and patio roof materials, so that you can choose the right one.

Carport & Patio Roof Materials

There are many different roofing materials which can be used for renovations. This section will overview the popular types and look at the benefits and problems associated with each material. Common roofing materials for carports include:

• Colorbond Steel
• Zincalume
• Aluminum
• Tile
• Polycarbonate

Carports and Patios can either have gable roofs, or flat roofs. Each roofing material is suitable for a different type of roof.

Colorbond Steel

Colorbond is a type of steel roofing which is available in 22 different colors. This makes it possible to blend the design of the carport or patio in with the rest of the house. Colorbond is designed to withstand Australian weather.

Advantages

• Long lasting
• Highly Durable coating – Tested to last over 45 years
• Designed to withstand Australian weather
• Low maintenance
• Cheaper than roof tiles

Disadvantages

• Any damage to the coating can cause the metal to corrode
• May need to be re-coated every 10 years or so
• Noisier than tiled roof

Colorbond costs around AU$35 per square meter. This makes it slightly more expensive than other types of roofing, but it does have lots of advantages.

Zincalume

Zincalume is a type of sheet metal roofing manufactured by Bluescope steel. This has a durable and hard wearing coating which will protect the steel.

Advantages

• Longer lasting than galvanized steel
• Durable
• Can be painted the color you want
• Easy to clean

Disadvantages

• Zincalume will need to be repainted regularly
• Can corrode if coating is scratched or damaged

Zinculume is slightly cheaper than colorbond, and typically comes in at around AU$32 per square meter. However, bear in mind that it will require painting to blend in with the house.

If using coated steel it’s important you choose a builder who is familiar with the material. If it is fixed with screws then this can cause damage to the coating which could cause the metal to rust and corrode.

Aluminum

Aluminum is one of the best materials for roofing because it is corrosion resistant. The sheets of aluminum normally interlock to provide a highly durable roofing material.

Advantages

• Highly durable roofing material
• Lightweight
• Aluminum can be cut to size without additional treatment
• Corrosion resistant
• Recyclable building material
• Can be coated in many different finishes and colors

Disadvantages

• More expensive than other types of roofing
• Quite noisy roofing material
• Not all installers experienced with aluminum
• Aluminum is quite soft and can become dented easily

Aluminum roofing is the most expensive metal roof option. This typically costs around $50 per square meter. However, it will require virtually no maintenance and will last for a very long time.

Tiles

A tiled roof is most suitable for gable style roofing. It’s the most traditional form of roofing and very long lasting.

Advantages:

• Matches the roofing of traditional homes
• Very durable
• Virtually maintenance free

Disadvantages:

• More difficult to install
• Costly roofing option
• Damage to individual tiles can cause leaks

The cost of tiling a roof will depend on the shingles you choose to use. Concrete tiling can cost around $30 per square meter, with terracotta tiles being around $40 per m2. Slate tiles are the most expensive option and come to around $300 per square meter. There will also be installation costs on top of this.

Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate is a very tough roofing material. This can be purchased in both transparent and opaque versions.

Advantages:

• Available in transparent styles
• Opaque and tinted versions available
• Very long lasting
• Lighter and stronger than glass
• Resistant to sunlight

Disadvantages:

• Although strong it can scratch
• Cannot be cleaned using acidic cleaners
• Not environmentally friendly
• Not available in as many colors

Polycarbonate is fairly expensive, but it is very long lasting. It is also fully waterproof and won’t require any maintenance. The only concern that some people might have is that it’s not environmentally friendly.

Which is the Best?

It’s difficult to say which roofing material is right for your project. There are so many variables and things that you will need to consider. Most of the choices will depend on your personal tastes and opinions.

If you are looking for a good value roofing material for a carport or new patio then consider using Colorbond steel. Colorbond is available in many different finishes and will require only minimal maintenance.

Conclusion

The roof is one of the most important parts of any structure, whether it be your carport, garage, patio or pergola. It provides shelter and protects the rest of the structure. By choosing the right roofing material for your project you can rest assured you will have a long lasting product that you can enjoy for years to come.

It’s always better to have your extensions built professionally rather than trying to build one yourself. This will ensure that your new carport, patio or pergola will last as long as your home.