Concrete Tile

Concrete tiles were the dominant residential roofing material in Australia from the post-war period through to the early 2000s. They are manufactured by pressing a wet concrete mix into moulds that create various profiles — flat, low-profile, and high-profile (also known as Roman or Marseilles patterns). After curing, tiles are coated with an oxide-based colour finish or a clear sealer to provide weather resistance and aesthetic appeal. In Gippsland, thousands of homes feature concrete tile roofs, many of which are now 30 to 60 years old. While concrete tiles are extremely durable in terms of structural integrity, their surface coating degrades over time, leading to a chalky, faded appearance and increased porosity. Porous tiles absorb moisture, which can promote moss and lichen growth — a particularly common issue in the damper areas of West Gippsland and the Strzelecki Ranges. A professional roof restoration can dramatically extend the life of a concrete tile roof. The process involves high-pressure cleaning to remove biological growth, replacing any cracked or broken tiles, re-bedding and re-pointing the ridge caps, and applying a protective membrane coating system such as Dulux Acratex. This effectively re-seals the tiles and restores the roof to a like-new condition.